Saddle - how do know if it fits?

[bummed]

Hi there everyone,

These forums were suggested to me and I've had a look around and they are great.

I've recently bought my very first road bike with plans to gradually ramp up the time in the saddle. I've previously had a mountain bike which I honestly didn't ride all that much.

After much reading and advice I was prepared to purchase a new saddle straight away, likely a more womens specific one. Just looking at the saddle it came with and only a 5 minute ride was enough to tell me that it wasn't for me. So with the help of my LBS they put me on a Bonrager saddle measure seat thingo and it came back with a 140mm result. As I couldn't really tell at the time the difference between the more and less expensive models I went with the cheapest which was a Bontrager nForm R WSD at 140mm. They have a 90 day comfort guarantee or some such so I wasn't too worried.

However, I am not sure if the saddle fits, or how to tell if the saddle fits when riding. Basically what is a properly fitting saddle meant to feel like to someone who has never had one before?

It's been raining a lot lately so I've had to try it out mostly on the trainer. I put my weight on what I think are my sit bones but it's a little bit painful and I feel tender after a ride. But I am not sure if this is due to incorrect fitting, or my butt needs to get accustomed to it.

I've fiddled with position and tilt and there always seems to be one body position that is more comfortable eg. it may be comfortable riding in the drops, but uncomfortable up on the hoods.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[alpinerabbit]

The bone tenderness will go away if you give it a couple days rest, but then make sure to get back on or you'll start over.

You should be able to sit on the trainer quite some time (20 min?) in the same position and nothing should go numb.

On the whole, a good saddle should let you ride "your distance", whatever that is, even a century without excruciating pain.

My bet, as always, is the SMP, but it's not for everyone.

[Andrea]

If your ride duration isn't limited by the pain you feel from your saddle (aside from "beginner's seatbones" like Alp mentioned), then it's probably a good choice.

[Jiffer]

I rode in the same saddle (Terry Damselfly) for two years before finally deciding it was time to try other saddles. I have a sore under my labia that sometimes goes away, but always comes back and I finally decided a different saddle may fix that problem. I went through the same thing when I got it. I tried two from Terry and sent back one, but didn't REALLY know if the Damselfly was the best choice of everything available either. Just had to ride in it a bunch. Hoped that sore would go away and I'd get more and more used to the saddle. Such is not the case, so I'm finally moving on.

alpinerabbit mentioned SMP. That's funny, cause I just rode on the Selle SMP Evolution for the first time yesterday and it is MUCH better for me than my Damselfly. An interesting thing about SMP (and many saddles) is that many of what are considered "men's saddles" are really for both men and women. I rode dh's bike once and absolutely hated the saddle. Assumed it was because it was a "man's saddle". Yet, the SMP saddle that is on my bike right now is dh's. It's one he tried for a long time and eventually decided didn't work for him. They sell what is called the Evolution Lady, but it is the exact same saddle with pink graphics. Same dimensions. Same everything.

A guy at the LBS said the same thing. There really are no men's and women's saddles. I know that's not "entirely" true, since Terry has men and women versions that are different dimensions, pretty much in length only from what I can tell. But I think many women can ride in many saddles that many consider to be "men's saddles", when they are, in fact, unisex. I plan to try the SMP Evolution for a while and then I might try out the San Marco Mantra dh has on his bike right now. It's like a whole new world realizing that I'm not limited to what are considered "women specific" saddles. Yet good to know I can still get any SMP with PINK on it!!! :)

[sarahspins]

Well in the SMP line, the lower model TRK Lady is a bit wider than the men's version, the rest however, do seem to be identical except for color (yay for pink) :) I would be curious to try one of the higher end SMP models, but the TRK fits me well and is comfortable for now, so I don't think I'm going to mess with a good thing and I don't have a spare $200+ to play with... plus I kind of enjoy the semi-retro look of having a brown seat (almost as good as pink accents).

My sit bones are about 155mm and I've had a heck of a time finding a comfy saddle for me... I went through a few, some were better than others, and finally tried the SMP Strike TRK, and I think I experienced for the FIRST time what it was like to actually be supported by my sit bones! It was an amazing revelation.. a little soreness on my sit bones the first few rides (which has only gotten better, I went out for an hour today and had no soreness) but ZERO pain at all in my soft tissues and NO numbness either, which had been a problem for me with the other saddles I tried even on shorter rides (15 minute short). I experienced everything from stabbing pain, to throbbing, burning, and eventually numbness no matter how the saddle was adjusted, and after trying the SMP I know for sure it's because my sit bones weren't even ON the seats I had tried.. they were hanging over the edge (I couldn't sit back far enough to get my sit bones on the seat without a lot of rubbing and discomfort)!

So yeah, I'm going to go with, if there's a big problem, you'll know, because it goes quite a bit further than just minor discomfort! Anything that makes you really question "should I try another" is probably enough of a sign that something needs fixing - whether that's adjusting the seat or trying another, don't suffer through it :)

[Lakerider]

I recently changed to an "Easy Seat", which has no horn. I love it! It has two parts with a space in the middle so there is absolutley no pressure on sensitive areas. I rode 25 miles yesterday with no discomfort at all. Has anyone else tried an "Easy Seat"?

[Chicken Little]

Just googled the "easy seat". Kinda funky looking, but if it works, it's a huge success. This seat thing can be a bear. Glad you found your cure!

[Lakerider]

I've been using my "Easy Seat" for 2 weeks now, a total of 85 miles, and loving how comfortable it is!

[Tri Girl]

IMO, riding on the trainer and on the road (as far as saddle comfort) are two entirely different things. I can't sit on my saddle on the trainer for 10 min. without much discomfort, but can ride 100 miles on the road with little trouble. Give it some real road time and see how it feels. Just my two cents.

[Reesha]

When next I have 250 dollars to spare I want to get me a black evolution lady from Selle SMP. Looks like it would suit my undercarriage just wonderfully!

[ppcnurse]

I recently changed to an "Easy Seat", which has no horn. I love it! It has two parts with a space in the middle so there is absolutley no pressure on sensitive areas. I rode 25 miles yesterday with no discomfort at all. Has anyone else tried an "Easy Seat"?

As I continue to read it sounds like my exact same problem as everyone elses is due to my saddle. Where is the best place to look for different saddles?

[Lakerider]

"Easy seats" are available online, but I found a used one at a bike shop. I had checked several bike shops before I found it. You can adjust the width as well as the angle. I had read several reviews online from people who bought one. Some people loved it and some people hated it. I think the people who hated it just didn't have it adjusted right. Their comments where helpful to me to know what to expect. When I got mine adjusted correctly (took about 5 minutes) I love it!