fi'zi:k Arione Donna -- any experience?

[zoom-zoom]

I'm generally pretty happy with my Specialized Jett 143, but have had some issues with soft tissue pinching and chafing on my new bike...new bike has me positioned quite a bit more aggressively than old bike (I was too upright for the sort of riding I like and my own comfort on my previous bike), especially in the drops (which were not comfy on old bike, since I couldn't stretch-out appropriately...now I can, but that means bearing less weight on my sit bones and a bit more up-front).

I'm starting to consider changing saddles if this continues to be an issue. I expect I will want to ride in the drops more now that I have the right bike geometry to do so.

This saddle (http://www.fizik.it/product.aspx?c=arione-donna) looks to have similar footprint to the Jett...I wonder if the Jett cut-out is causing some of my issues (in addition to too many layers during this cold weather--wind blocker tights over my chamois shorts is almost certainly part of my problem).

Has anyone tried this saddle?

[Becky]

I haven't tried it, but I'm intrigued!

[zoom-zoom]

I like the way it looks too.

Although I had a bad experience with the Vitesse that came on my bike :eek::(:(

Do the saddles that come on bikes ever work for anyone? Although the Prologo Scratch saddle that came on my SuperSix works GREAT for my hubby. He loves it. He says it's the best saddle that he's ever had. The saddle that came on my Synapse was definitely not good...very squishy.

[Becky]

My DH is the same way. The Selle San Marco Ponza torture devices that came on a lot of Fuji bikes a couple of years ago are his absolute favorite, and he hoards them whenever he finds someone switching one out. We must have 5 of these things sitting around :D

[nscrbug]

I wish they would show a top view of the saddle so that we could get an idea of the shape. Seeing it from a side view like they show, really doesn't tell me much. And yes, I agree regarding stock saddles! That thing (Prologo Kappa Dea) that came on my Synapse was simply BAD. I'm sure they just throw on the cheapest, crappiest saddles they can think of, knowing that 99% of us will remove it immediately and replace it with something else.

Linda

[zoom-zoom]

I wish they would show a top view of the saddle so that we could get an idea of the shape. Seeing it from a side view like they show, really doesn't tell me much.

Click on the arrow on the photo...it shows the top view. That's what has me intrigued.

[zoom-zoom]

My DH is the same way. The Selle San Marco Ponza torture devices that came on a lot of Fuji bikes a couple of years ago are his absolute favorite, and he hoards them whenever he finds someone switching one out. We must have 5 of these things sitting around :D

Ha, I already told my hubby that he really needs to watch eBay and snatch up more of the same saddle that came on my bike. Odds are most people who buy the SuperSix will swap the stock saddle out with whatever they prefer (like I did). He could probably amass quite a back stock.

[nscrbug]

Click on the arrow on the photo...it shows the top view. That's what has me intrigued.

Ahhh-haaaa! Thanks! Now I am intrigued too. Although, my 155 Ruby seems to be serving me well right now (if it ain't broke...). ;) But it IS a nice-looking saddle.

[zoom-zoom]

If we can't tweak the position/angle of my Jett to work for me on my new bike (assuming my "issues" are not entirely related to the shorts/tights combo), then I really want to give this saddle a try (perhaps after trying the Bontrager Inform RL WSD). Our LBS carries Fizik and I know they have test saddles...at least for the men's models. I will have to ask about a women's test saddle. Looks like retail is around $160...more than I want to spend unless I can try it or they have a liberal return policy/guarantee.

[zoom-zoom]

$126.00

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=58096

$118.00

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=X0413

That's definitely better than $160. I wish I could find info. re: a fizik return policy/guarantee...their website isn't real helpful.

[ladyicon]

Nice saddle. Let us know what you think. It looks to have a lower channel in the middle.

[LivetoRide]

I have the Fizik Vesta on my bike- http://www.fizik.it/product.aspx?c=VESTA

While I've been happy with it, it may not be the shape you're looking for. And the Vesta does have a lower channel down the middle.

[zoom-zoom]

I have the Fizik Vesta on my bike- http://www.fizik.it/product.aspx?c=VESTA

While I've been happy with it, it may not be the shape you're looking for. And the Vesta does have a lower channel down the middle.

It does look like it would be too wide and domed for me...but how do you like the channel?

[mauisher]

I've been watching this thread and would also like to know if anyone has tried this saddle. It looks interesting. Thanks.

[zoom-zoom]

Today I should finally be able to do a ride without the bulky wind-blocker tights over my shorts, so I'll be able to eliminate that factor. If I am still having up-front issues while in the drops I will be contacting our LBS buddy to see about getting a test saddle or just ordering one outright.

[zoom-zoom]

So...I'm still having issues and my LBS is ordering me this saddle. Doesn't sound like Fizik has test models, yet. I'll definitely report back with my experience after I've had a few weeks to test it out. My biggest concern is that it will be too hard. But from the feel of the men's version it seems similar to my Jett in firmness...I think. I've not been able to squish them side-by-side.

[LivetoRide]

Whoops. Sorry for not replying sooner! I had seen that you had posted a reply but when I came to this thread then it never showed up for me, so I was unable to see what you had posted.

I do like the channel, personally. This saddle has been working for me thus far (I got it over the winter; and I, like many, unfortunately don't ride as much during the winter). The Vesta has a bit of cushioning but it's still definitely a road saddle. Hope you're having better luck in finding something that works.


It does look like it would be too wide and domed for me...but how do you like the channel?

[zoom-zoom]

(I got it over the winter; and I, like many, unfortunately don't ride as much during the winter).

Ha, I can sympathize. I got my bike in early Dec...which means I'd put something like 600 miles on it on the trainer before I had the chance to ride outdoors even once. Wow, did that ride ever feel crazy! :eek:

[hulagirl]

I tried it. It's not for me. I need a real opening and that channel just didn't cut it for me. Too hard.

[zoom-zoom]

Did you find the overall cushioning to be too hard, or just around the nose? I'll be interested to see how it feels for me. If worse comes to worst we'll keep messing with my current saddle. Tonite DH moved it just a hair more forward on the post and that helped. He also moved it down a hair. He's not sure how it happened, but my saddle was about 3/8" higher than the measurement he had for me in the past with my prior bike. He's now thinking that maybe he never actually adjusted my seat height when it was new and that's what our shop had on my chart from my fitting for my previous bike. With that bike we had lowered the seat a tad from the original fitting height.

So it may be that my current seat is fine. If that's the case i'll find a home for the Donna here or on eBay. Or even just keep it around. It's never bad to have a spare saddle on-hand.

[Velocivixen]

Do the saddles that come on bikes ever work for anyone? Although the Prologo Scratch saddle that came on my SuperSix works GREAT for my hubby. He loves it. He says it's the best saddle that he's ever had. The saddle that came on my Synapse was definitely not good...very squishy.

Yes, I love my original saddle on my 5 month old Trek FX 7.3 -the well hated Bontrager seat!:o

[zoom-zoom]

Yes, I love my original saddle on my 5 month old Trek FX 7.3 -the well hated Bontrager seat!:o

Funny. And that is one of the saddles on my short list if I have no luck getting my current saddle or the new one to work for me. I'll try anything once. :D

[Marquise]

I was stalking the Arione Donna for a while before it seemed like anyone was actually selling it, and this thread got me onto it again. I was surprised to find it at a local shop's bike expo last weekend at 20% off, and they have a 30-day return policy.

Wasn't crazy about the flowery look in pictures (even though I wear blue flowered Sidi shoes) but like it better seeing it in person. It's more subtle than I expected and it's sleek and light but still wide enough for me. I've been pretty happy with the Fizik Vesta but was hoping the Donna's flatness would give me a better feel that I'm really sitting on my sit bones. The Vesta swoops up in back and lately leaves me feeling a little too tilted. Although they seem about equally cushioned (not too much) and have similar channels, after 18 miles yesterday and 25 today, my initial impression is the Donna feels harder/stiffer. Not sure I've found saddle nirvana yet but think I like it better than the Vesta.

[zoom-zoom]

Wasn't crazy about the flowery look in pictures (even though I wear blue flowered Sidi shoes) but like it better seeing it in person. It's more subtle than I expected and it's sleek and light but still wide enough for me. I've been pretty happy with the Fizik Vesta but was hoping the Donna's flatness would give me a better feel that I'm really sitting on my sit bones. The Vesta swoops up in back and lately leaves me feeling a little too tilted. Although they seem about equally cushioned (not too much) and have similar channels, after 18 miles yesterday and 25 today, my initial impression is the Donna feels harder/stiffer. Not sure I've found saddle nirvana yet but think I like it better than the Vesta.

The Vesta looks all sort of uncomfortable to me...I'm also a flat saddle kind of gal.

If I end up loving it I will start begging Fizik to make it in that metallic blue. My Sidi shoes are that color, as is my Fizik bar tape. That would be sweet! :D

[goride]

Yes, I love my original saddle on my 5 month old Trek FX 7.3 -the well hated Bontrager seat!:o

I have had good luck with the Bontrager stock saddles on my Trek bikes (Pilot 2.1 WSD road bike and a WSD 7.5FX hybrid). Last summer I got a Cannondale Synapse Carbon and spent the entire summer trying to "break in" the stock saddle (ProLogo Kappa Dea), which looked really good on the bike, but I think was not the right size, and possibly not the right shape for me. Went to my LBS and they suggested the Bontrager InForm R. They measured my sit-bones for it, and I measured a 140, but it just didn't feel right. They put on the 150 and it was night and day difference. I'm thinking it might because my hips are not in very good alignment at all, so I sit very unevenly, even on a chair, putting more of my weight on one side than the other. Hence the "R" instead of the "RL" version of the saddle. I have only been able to get out with the new saddle once, and only 14 miles, but I found that it felt like my sit-bones were both supported, and that I wasn't constantly trying to boost myself farther back on the saddle, and most importantly - no pinching or irritation of the girlie bits, which was my chief complaint with the original saddle. I need to do more riding before I make a final judgment, but I am hopeful.:)

[zoom-zoom]

Update of sorts:
I never did get my hands on this saddle...I think our LBS guy probably forgot to order me one (he is literally the busiest person I know between the shop and his JDRF Ride team coaching duties--he is both a local and national level coach. He also rides more miles/week year-round than anyone I know).

But I'm starting to believe that my issues with my Jett are probably more "hair management" than anything. :o When I had issues back in March it was right after using a depilatory to remove everything. I think regrowth was acting a bit like sandpaper. :eek: Once things grew back more my issues gradually started diminishing.

Recently I did a trim job and think I probably got too short. Again I started having issues...then after a week or two of regrowth things were more comfortable, again.

I need to do some longer stretches in the drops to see if I'm more comfortable in that position, too. Lately I've been doing more group rides with more time on the hoods and less time in the drops.

[zoom-zoom]

I'm still intrigued by this saddle, but haven't yet gotten my butt on one. I have a Vesta test saddle on my new cyclocross bike. Have only done one short ride with that, but initial impression is that it's too squishy, too wide, and too pear-shaped. Is there anyone who has tried both who can compare the two? I did like the relief channel on the Vesta, which makes me really want to try the Arione Donna. I'm also looking at the Bontrager Affinity RL or RLX.

[nscrbug]

I'm still intrigued by this saddle, but haven't yet gotten my butt on one. I have a Vesta test saddle on my new cyclocross bike. Have only done one short ride with that, but initial impression is that it's too squishy, too wide, and too pear-shaped. Is there anyone who has tried both who can compare the two? I did like the relief channel on the Vesta, which makes me really want to try the Arione Donna. I'm also looking at the Bontrager Affinity RL or RLX.

I just put on (as in today) an Affinity RXL 154mm WSD on my Synapse. Haven't test rode it yet, but will do that tomorrow morning. My 155 Ruby has been causing some minor issues lately, so I've been wanting to try a saddle without a cut-out to see if that does the trick for me. I'll let you know what I think after my ride.

Linda

[zoom-zoom]

Excellent! The only thing I keep reading about the Affinity that gives me pause is that it's for more upright riding styles--which isn't at all how I ride. Not sure how this makes a difference with that saddle.

[zoom-zoom]

So I decided to break down and order the Arione Donna. I had thought about going with the Bontrager Affinity, first, but it seems like only about 50% of people who try Bontragers like them. The Fizik Arione is really popular. I test rode a Vespa for a bit, but it was really too domed and smooshy. I did like the relief channel, which the Arione Donna also has.

I'll review it once I have it and have put a few good rides on it. :)

[beancounterbeth]

My LBS just put the Donna on my bike yesterday for me to test. I'll ride it for the first time at the Wednesday night ride and post back what I think. I'm really hoping this saddle works for me. Tired of the saddle merry-go-round.

[zoom-zoom]

My LBS just put the Donna on my bike yesterday for me to test. I'll ride it for the first time at the Wednesday night ride and post back what I think. I'm really hoping this saddle works for me. Tired of the saddle merry-go-round.

Yup. I really loved my Jett on my previous bike, but I was a good deal more upright on that bike. The cut-out that used to be a good thing is now an annoyance. I think the edges are just too abrupt, so the wide, gradual-edged channel looks like it could be a winner.

[Mako]

I just ordered an Arione Donna to replace my Vitesse. The Vitesse has been ok for the last couple of months but gets a bit uncomfortable after anything over 30 miles :(

Fingers crossed for the saddle - really not keen on the flowers, hope it looks better in person :)

[zoom-zoom]

Cool, looks like there will be at least 3 of us in this "test group." :D

[blue_angel]

I ride the Arione, not the Arione Donna, and I'm really happy with it. I've ridden a Vitesse for 5 years before that, and I only just realized that the Vitesse was too wide for me and that's a large part of why I experienced so much discomfort. Anyway, it's hard to recommend saddles as they're so person-specific, but I've been really happy with the Arione.

[bluebug32]

I just picked up the Fizi:k Aliente yesterday and took it for a 30 mile spin today. It took a little settling in, but I like it so far. It tips my pelvis forward, which takes all of the pressure off my hips when climbing and it feels like I'm in a more powerful position. Hopefully it feels as good on this weekend's long ride.

[zoom-zoom]

I ride the Arione, not the Arione Donna, and I'm really happy with it. I've ridden a Vitesse for 5 years before that, and I only just realized that the Vitesse was too wide for me and that's a large part of why I experienced so much discomfort. Anyway, it's hard to recommend saddles as they're so person-specific, but I've been really happy with the Arione.

Yeah, the Vitesse is a hair wider than the women's Arione models--and looks a bit more pear-shaped. It's definitely more domed and feels smooshier than the men's Arione--I'll be interested to see what the Arione Donna feels like. I'm guessing it will be similar in firmness to my Jett, or maybe the Ruby. That's what I hope. I think I'd be much happier with my Jett if Specialized made a version with a dent or channel, rather than a narrower, sharper cut-out. At least this is my suspicion.

Oops, I was thinking the Vesta, not the Vitesse. What does the Vitesse look like? Does Fizik still make that?

[zoom-zoom]

Ahhh...just Googled...the Vitesse looks like the Vesta without the channel.

[nscrbug]

Yeah, the Vitesse is a hair wider than the women's Arione models--and looks a bit more pear-shaped. It's definitely more domed and feels smooshier than the men's Arione--I'll be interested to see what the Arione Donna feels like. I'm guessing it will be similar in firmness to my Jett, or maybe the Ruby. That's what I hope. I think I'd be much happier with my Jett if Specialized made a version with a dent or channel, rather than a narrower, sharper cut-out. At least this is my suspicion.

Oops, I was thinking the Vesta, not the Vitesse. What does the Vitesse look like? Does Fizik still make that?

Yes!!! Although, I'm wishing that perhaps the cut-out on my Ruby were a tad bit wider, with a less sharper edge. I'm not sure if the Affinity that I put on last weekend, is going to work long-term for me. My girly parts were feeling a tad bit smooshed during the 54-mile test ride I took on it last Monday. Not sure if that is just part of the adjusting period of a new saddle or not...or maybe I just wasn't positioning myself on the right part of the saddle to not feel that pressure. I had thought about the Arione Donna, after all the chatter here on it...but then I noticed that it's only 147mm wide and I'm pretty sure that would be too narrow for me. So now I'm back to thinking about the SI Turbomatic, which has a nice wide cut-out. Ughhh...I hate playing these saddle "games". :mad:

Linda

[zoom-zoom]

I had thought about the Arione Donna, after all the chatter here on it...but then I noticed that it's only 147mm wide and I'm pretty sure that would be too narrow for me. So now I'm back to thinking about the SI Turbomatic, which has a nice wide cut-out. Ughhh...I hate playing these saddle "games". :mad:

Linda

Yeah, I *think* the Arione Donna should work for me, since it's only 4mm wider than my Jett. I've thought the Turbomatic looks nice, but that would definitely be too wide for me.

[beancounterbeth]

Did a short 20 mile ride on the Arione Donna last night. I am hopeful this will eventually work for me but right now I am having a little trouble with squishing in the soft tissue area. Mid ride we nosed the saddle down slightly then that was too much and I was sliding forward so we brought it back up slightly. Just wondering now if it will be a matter of dialing it in just right to where I don't slide forward but I don't have the numbing and squishing going on.

Going to do a longer ride Saturday and hopefully I will get a better idea of if this saddle will work.

[blue_angel]

Perhaps your stem is too long? Or the saddle needs to come forward on the rails? I find that when my torso is too stretched out, I shift onto my soft tissue as opposed to centering on my sit bones. For me that makes a much bigger difference than which actual saddle I'm riding!

[Mako]

My Arione Donna arrived in the post today:D

It looks better than I was expecting, nicer than my Vitesse which wasn't much of a looker.

Hopefully I'll be able to test it out over the weekend and report back!

[beancounterbeth]

I rode 42 miles on it today and had a lot of numbing and pain. It was quite uncomfortable. Not sure if the saddle just needs to be adjusted but I'm starting to think I'll just go back to my old Specialized saddle. It didn't cause me as much discomfort as the last three test saddles I've tried but I do suffer from a lot of saddle sores, which is why I started the new saddle journey. Not sure what to do at this point. :(

[Mako]

Only just managed to test out my saddle.

Popped out on a short 20 mile ride last night. I had to stop half way up the street and raise my seat slightly, I assume this was just because the Arionne Donna is a little flatter than the vitesse.

First impressions is that it is far more comfortable around the nose as it it less bulky and has a small channel down the middle. It is also noticably lighter than my vitesse :)

It was really quite comfortable, if a little firm, but it's probably too soon to sing its praises. I'll try for a longer ride on Saturday and see how it goes.

Despite being worried about the flowers, I have to say it looks really smart on my bike. I know aesthetics aren't the most important things when it comes down to a saddle but this seat actually looks like it belongs on my bike rather than an ugly blemish :)

I think my vitesse was an old model which I only brought as it was the only one my LBS had, and I was desperate to try it out my new bike when I picked it up. I didn't want to brave the mens Fizik Pave that came with it :eek:

Fingers crossed for future rides. How is everyone else getting on?

[zoom-zoom]

Finally got my first ride on my new saddle last night...just shy of 23 miles. No pinching, no pressure, sit bones were perfectly happy...but I did have wicked hooha chafing. I don't think it's the saddle, though. I've had intermittent rides with this issue and I strongly suspect that it's due to shorts in need of retirement (the chamois has a weird rough patch right where my girl parts make contact--NOT good).

I'm going to try the saddle again today with a new pair of shorts to see if things are better.

[bluebug32]

I rode 42 miles on it today and had a lot of numbing and pain. It was quite uncomfortable. Not sure if the saddle just needs to be adjusted but I'm starting to think I'll just go back to my old Specialized saddle. It didn't cause me as much discomfort as the last three test saddles I've tried but I do suffer from a lot of saddle sores, which is why I started the new saddle journey. Not sure what to do at this point. :(

Feel like I could write the same post...

Tried to Arione and the Vitesse and my soft tissue was really in a world of hurt. I also had three saddle sores. So it's back to the Specialized Toupe in the meantime.

[zoom-zoom]

Where were you experiencing saddles sores? So far the overall fit of my saddle feels really good and I'm not having the pinching or mild numbness/pressure issues up-front that I would experience with my Jett. But I do have a pretty raw spot on my left side where my labia minora and majora meet. I suspect the shorts I wore last night were responsible, though...the chamois cover fabric has some rough/worn spots and I've had similar issues with these shorts in the recent past on my Jett.

Today's ride was not much better with different shorts, BUT I think that's more a matter of the raw spot having had less than 24 hours to heal and I didn't get those shorts yanked-up high enough (they're a Sugoi short that is really snug through the legs, so getting them up high enough is tricky--I'm really not sold on these gripper-free shorts with the overly tight leg-bands...I think I do better with silicone grippers and less-compressive leg bands), so I had some rubbing-around of the chamois until I stopped to adjust things.

[skinimini]

I just tried the Arione Donna today for a short 20. It was a little uncomfortable, squishing soft tissue just a bit. The hardness of the saddle didn't bother me and the back seemed to support my sit bones appropriately. The jury's still out on the channel. But as I was riding a brand new bike with a much more agressive geometry than my Synapse, it could be a matter of getting accustomed to overall fit of the bike. The saddle on the Cannondale is the Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow and I really love that saddle. I'll give this one a few weeks. I don't think the Donna is quite as attractive as the Arione CX which came with my bike, but one climb into that saddle and I knew I needed something else.

[zoom-zoom]

Ahhh...and the SI Lady Gel Flow was a very bad saddle for me...too soft/wide/pear-shaped.

I like that the channel on the Arione Donna doesn't pinch or put pressure on my girl bits. If the chafing I'm experiencing is from the saddle, then I'm hoping it's a matter of adjusting the fore/aft placement slightly or tilting the nose a bit (perhaps up, since the chafing is back a bit and when DH put it on my bike initially it was down a hair and I immediately felt like I was having to push-back with my hands).

[bluebug32]

How does the Arione Donna compare the Vesta and the Aliante? I found those two to be comparable. I loved how they were T-shaped and tipped my pelvis forward, but I did not like how all of the pressure seemed to be on my soft tissue.

[zoom-zoom]

Gah...I have to give up on this saddle...and I hate to do it. But after 3 rides and a total of ~75 miles it's obvious that my left side and the saddle are never going to learn to play nice. The frustrating part is that my right side and sit bones LOVED this thing. The cushion (like a hybrid of the Jett and Ruby 143) and footprint are perfect. And those Fizik flex wings really accommodated the range of motion of my inner and rear thighs perfectly.

But I fully blame the issues I had on my anatomy. I list over to the left just slightly on every saddle I've ever sat on. I notice that most people I ride behind sit maybe a half cm. to one side over the other, so it's just part of being asymmetrical Humans.

What I loved about this saddle is the complete elimination of pinching and pressure...but I traded those issues for rubbing (I believe my labia majora ended up pressed against the left side of the channel, which in turn made the larger labia rub against the labia minora).

I really think a woman who doesn't find herself shifted to one side or the other would love this saddle. Were I not "crooked" I think this would have been my perfect saddle.

If anyone would like to try it, I will ship it to you for $100, including shipping.

[zoom-zoom]

I'd love to try that one, but I think it would be too wide. My Jett is a 143 and the Arione Donna is 147. The width of those feel perfect. The Turbomatic is 153...my sits measure 125ish, so I suspect the Turbomatic would be a hair too wide.

[zoom-zoom]

Really? I assume people are going for the Turbomatic with a cut-out, then? The Specialized Romin is intriguing, too...and gets pretty glowing reviews, but I think they are mostly from the guys...with their different anatomy. :p

[nscrbug]

I am getting closer and closer to trying the Turbomatic. Just today, I returned the Bontrager Affinity RXL WSD (154) to my local Trek dealer. I gave that saddle 400 miles to make me happy, and unfortunately, it just couldn't deliver. Initially, I felt pressure on my girly bits, which I somewhat expected coming off of a Specialized Ruby 155. Gradually, that went away and was replaced with searing sit bone pain at around the 40-mile mark. Felt like 2 hot pokers stabbing me in both of my cheeks...yeoooowch! So, back it went and the Ruby is now back on my bike...for now. I am ever so slightly worried that the Turbomatic is approaching the "too narrow" category for me. My Ruby is a 155...the Affinity was a 154...and the Turbomatic is a 153. Not sure where I can draw the line on narrowness. Guess I'll have to try it to find out.

Linda

[zoom-zoom]

How does the Arione Donna compare the Vesta and the Aliante? I found those two to be comparable. I loved how they were T-shaped and tipped my pelvis forward, but I did not like how all of the pressure seemed to be on my soft tissue.

I only did 1 short ride on a Vesta, but found it to be too domed and smooshy. I don't recall having chafing issues with the relief channel on that one, though, which is interesting.

Last night I had DH re-measure my sit-bones and we both get ~130mm...so I'm thinking that most of my saddle issues in the past are likely due to having a saddle that is just a hair too narrow. I ended up on the Jett 143 because my sit bones measurement puts me on their recommendation chart for that size, based upon the type of riding I do...but borderline. In hindsight I should have gone for the 155. I also am going for the Ruby (I considered the Turbomatic Gel Flow and the SSM Aspide Glamour Arrowhead, but general consensus is that they are rock hard. And I know what I'm getting with a Specialized, plus have the option to return it in 30 days if it's not a good fit), since I've long felt like the Jett may be just a hair more cushioned than I need, which likely contributes to pressure up-front.

I really think if my sit bones had been more in the 120mm neighborhood that I would have loved the Arione Donna. My one-sided chafing issues really point to my rear-end shifting off to one side and pressing soft bits against the left side of the channel. Had I been more centered on the saddle I really believe that would have been a good fit.