Moon Saddle Feedback???

[debm62]

Has anyone out there tried the Moon Saddle? I'm looking for feedback. I'm hesitant to try it, but considering it due to excessive soft tissue discomfort after a year of riding and having been through three different saddles with no relief. I'm a touring road cyclist...100 miles a week, commuting to work, century events, etc., about 5'7" and 130 lbs. My current saddle is a Terry Butterfly, and after 20+ miles I'm really hurtin'! I am concerned about the lack of stability that a hornless saddle might involve, though, especially in turns and down hills, etc. Any feedback from those who've tried the Moon Saddle or other hornless saddles would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

[emily_in_nc]

I have never tried one, but these have been discussed here before, and the consensus is a big, fat thumbs down. Apparently the stability issue is a big one, and the folks who tried them felt that they were about to slide off the saddle all the time.

You should not be that miserable on a "standard" saddle; it's just a matter of finding the right one for you, which might mean testing quite a few lemons first. And what is a lemon for you (i.e., Terry Butterfly) is lemonade for me (love my b-fly!) You might do better on a Brooks, or on a saddle without a cutout, or a narrower saddle... Or it might be that your bike doesn't fit you well, so no saddle is going to be blissful. Have you had a bike fitting?

Worst case, I would buy a recumbent bike before I'd use a hornless saddle on my upright.

Good luck!

[debm62]

Thanks, Emily. I've been through a few bike fittings since purchasing my Co-Motion last spring...the guys at my bike shop have been very helpful, but well -- they're guys. :) I've tried a narrower seat with no luck. I think I'm going to try a few adjustments to the seat and handlebar positions for now. I've pretty much decided against the hornless seat; I just wanted to get a little feedback. Thanks for your response. I'll figure it out eventually!
Debbie

[Thorn]

Why narrower if the problem is in the soft tissue? Wouldn't you want to try wider? Support the sitbones and you lessen the probability that you end of sitting on the soft tissue.

I assume you found the threads on measuring sit bones and choosing a saddle width based on that measurement.

If the problem is in the girlie bits look for a saddle with a generous cutout (e.g., any of the Selle SMPs and perhaps the Selle Italia SLR).

Personally, I'd avoid saddles with narrow cutouts--under pressure, they can compact and pinch. But that's just my opinion. Many people love 'em.

Alternatively, look for a saddle with an obvious channel depression (e.g., the old Avocet O2 and the current Bontrager line).

[RolliePollie]

I've never actually seen a bike with a Moon Saddle on it, which leads me to believe they might not be all they're made out to be. But who knows...it would be kind of fun to test one out!

Have you tried Astroglide or anything else to "lube up" your soft tissues? Sorry if this is TMI, but I use Astroglide and/or baby lotion "down there" to prevent uncomfortable soft tissue chafing. I use a lot...like a good tablespoon or two of lotion direction on the soft tissue area. It may sound gross, but it keeps all my parts happy. If I go without, I get major irritation or even abrasions if I'm riding lots of hills. If you haven't tried this, I'd recommend giving it a shot.

BTW, I have a Terry Butterfly and I love it...it's the best saddle I've tried...but I still can't go without the extra lubrication. Oh, and I'm in my 30's so this is not a menopause related issue...I think it's just how I'm made.

[Trek420]

I am concerned about the lack of stability that a hornless saddle might involve, though, especially in turns and down hills, etc. Any feedback from those who've tried the Moon Saddle or other hornless saddles would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

Stability is a problem with the moon. It sounds counterintuitive but you corner/steer with your core. A traditional saddle lets you point the bike where you want to go. Knott tried a moon saddle and almost lost control of her bike :eek: I'd never use one.

If you're not finding the seat that's "love at first sit" it could be too much padding in the shorts? Try your current saddle without padding just tri shorts and see if it improves.

It takes time to find the elusive shorts/saddle magic combo. The Terry Butterfly is relatively cushy, combine that with very well padded shorts and it could be bad. Try less padding to see if it moves you in the right direction.