I know, I know, another saddle question!!

[jessica47201]

Hello all, this is my first post so just bare with me here. I just measured my sit bones using my highly scientific method of getting a piece of cardboard and sitting on it while puting my feet up on a chair so I could get them to stick out some. When I got off the cardboard there were dents in the cardboard but they were both like the size of a pepsi can. So I measured from the center of both and came up with 5.5 inches which converts to 140mm sit bones. My new bike that I just bought a Cannondale Cyclocross 5 came with a Selle San Marco Ponza Power which is straight up torture on my booty. So finally my question is, #1 is my highly scientific method of sit bone measuring pretty reliable and if so what saddle might be good for a 30 yrs old, 5'7, 185lbs gal, with 140mm sit bones? I'm pretty much a newbie to cycling, so I understand I'm going to have some discomfort until my booty is broke in. I'm really kinda leaning towards the Brooks B17 standard or the Brooks Flyer. Also, can I use the flyer for road biking!! I'm not super aggressive in my postion, but my bike does have drop bars? My booty will thank you for any ideas!!!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I would think a Brooks B17 would be an excellent model for you to try. I loved my B17 and put several thousand miles on it before I decided I needed the wider Brooks B68. You are not as wide as I am though in the sitbones, so I bet the B17 would fit well.
Remember your sitbones might be quite sore for the first few rides on a Brooks if your sitbones are not used to holding up your whole weight and if you've been riding padded saddles. That soreness should go away after a week or two of riding.
If you order your Brooks from Walbike they have an excellent return policy after you use it for a while to see if it's right for you.

[jessica47201]

Howdy--

Syndirelah, I'm pretty indifferent towards a cutout. I've never had a saddle with one, but I'm opened to trying one.

BleekerSt Girl, I'm definatly going with Wallbike when I decide on which one to get. I have nothing to lose if I go with them!!!! Plus, I've heard nothing but good reviews!!!

[smurfalicious]

I am the world's biggest fan of the Fizik Vitesse. The neat thing about it is that it curves down a lot so it fits a wider range of women. I hit mine quite a bit before the end of the curve.

Cut outs are weird. When I test rode the current model year of the bike I bought (I got the '08, rode the '09) it had a Selle Italia Diva saddle on it. I am normally anti-cutout but this one was okay. Mind you I cut the ride short about ten minutes in due to a freegin blizzard blowing in, but it didn't annoy me. The weird part is I have uh, "fluffy" girl parts so for me, cutouts usually hurt. They pinch me like no other and I'd rather suffer a little pressure in the drops than constantly feel lobster claws on my coochie.

I'm currently pursuing a Prologo Choice Dea because I looooooved the men's Prologo Choice I rode on the Colnago CX-1 I test rode. Not having much luck stateside, but I will have one. I loooooove the little vents in it. I swear my shorts end up with mad crotchel sweat so saddle vents are a plus for me.

[ZenSojourner]

I recommend Terry saddles. They have a 30-day trial period - if it doesn't work for you you can send it back.

Mine is the Butterfly CrMo.

http://www.terrybicycles.com/saddles/womens/detail/2143990/current/butterfly-cromoly-saddle

I tried a Butterfly Ti, NO GOOD for me, it was like riding a board. 25 miles and I couldn't sit, I was balancing on my feet and hands like back in the bad old bike-ALMOST-fits days.

Same manufacturer, very similar design, huge difference when riding.

The only way to know if a seat will work for you is to try it under real riding conditions. Seat fit and comfort varies too widely to do otherwise.