new saddle for long distances

[Lil Mim]

I'm a fairly new rider (1 year) and I'm training for a 200 mile, 2 day ride. I've never been totally comfortable with the saddle I have so I've started looking on TE and discovered my pain is not normal...sits bone soreness as well as soft tissue soreness.

Training obviously includes quite a few long distance rides, 60 plus miles. I really need to find a saddle that would be great for long distances.

Do you have a favorite saddle for the long rides versus shorter rides, if so, what is it and why?

Thanks!

[alpinerabbit]

I vote for SMP saddles, for any length of ride; you can easily find the discussions using the search function.

Sit bone pain is normal and goes away with use. Soft tissue pain is bad.

[Lil Mim]

Thanks, Alpinerabbit. I'm heading out today to my LBS to do more research. The SMP saddles were on my list to look at, I'm glad to receive a second opinion.

Am sure hoping to get rid of some of the pain!

[Rosie road]

Saddle comfort is a huge issue, definitely related to the saddle itself, but also it is REALLY important to check the bike geometry fit. After months of soft tissue MISERY I finally had a professional fit and realized I was on the wrong frame. Traded in the bike for a professionally fit frame and got a top quality saddle and still felt some discomfort though I did feel improvement. Next I tweaked the height and angle of the seat and I can FINALLY, at last (!) ride 50 + miles without ANY soft tissue discomfort. The too long reach of my old frame was making me tilt my pelvis down and essentially ride on what was getting so sore after a while. Check your frame fit and saddle height and tilt!

[Lil Mim]

Follow up on my question:

After trying the SMP and several other saddles, I tried the Selle Anatomica. My husband has one and swears by it. I was so short on time (riding in the STP..200 mile Seattle to Portland on 7/11 & 7/12) I tried it. The minute I sat on it I wasn't sure there was even a saddle under my bum...it literally felt like air. This was nothing I had ever experienced! I was tickled!

I was already professionally fitted for my bike so now I'm just tweaking the saddle to find the perfect fit. I now know I can ride the STP with little seat pain.

If you're interested, call Tom (the owner) at Selle An-Atomica (707)372-6540. He was extremely helpful with saddle selection as well as information regarding the design of his saddles.

[salsabike]

Follow up on my question:

After trying the SMP and several other saddles, I tried the Selle Anatomica. My husband has one and swears by it. I was so short on time (riding in the STP..200 mile Seattle to Portland on 7/11 & 7/12) I tried it. The minute I sat on it I wasn't sure there was even a saddle under my bum...it literally felt like air. This was nothing I had ever experienced! I was tickled!

I was already professionally fitted for my bike so now I'm just tweaking the saddle to find the perfect fit. I now know I can ride the STP with little seat pain.

If you're interested, call Tom (the owner) at Selle An-Atomica (707)372-6540. He was extremely helpful with saddle selection as well as information regarding the design of his saddles.

Yes. It is the least obtrusive saddle I have ever ridden. We bought five and have them on all our bikes. I love it.

[Bicyclerubber]

saddle choice is certainly very personal and you are well advised to try as many as you can before you part with your $$$

its likely that you will need a different saddle for different bikes too

well worth a place on the list of brands that you consider is the SMP4Bike Lady (http://www.smpsaddle.co.uk) range imo. The range is growing and there are 8 specific lady models for 2009