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My Bianchi has the original saddle (five years old) and just this season it's really getting to me. Do saddles have a life span?
Mostly what bothers me is that my delicate area has too much pressure and feels fairly irritated (though never abraded) soon into a ride. I wear a good chamois and use lube. Lately I feel I am wiggling around all the time and never really comfortable.
So I need a new saddle. Are women's saddles the way to go? Does the cut out area really help? Any recommendations?
Check the saddle threads under Gear and Accessories. I think you'll find though that everyone has a different opinion. There are a few saddles that get consistently good reviews but not everything works for everybody.
My experience with cutouts is I don't like them. Granted, I only tried one saddle but OUCH! I do have a womens saddle though but not everyone does.
I'd say saddles might degrade over time except for, from what I've heard, Brooks. I'd also say that your body changes too and that could be a factor. My trusty "perfect" saddle is no longer so perfect so I'm half-heartedly looking around too :D
It happens. Definitely read peoples reviews though!
Yup, saddles do break down. The foam padding won't last forever no matter how good of care you take of the saddle. (Brooks don't have foam padding, but they do have their own maintainence issues. Mimitabby has a Brooks she's been riding for 33 years.)
Research the saddle threads and see what you come up with. Everyone is different. One of the first things you might want to do is measure your sit-bones, that will help you narrow down saddles based on what will support you on your sit-bones (ischial tuberosities) rather than on your soft tissue or pubic rami. (front pelvic bones)
As you continue researching, decide if you are more comfortable on a pear-shaped saddle or a T-shaped saddle and if you prefer a long nose or a short nose.
The nice thing is you have a saddle you've liked for years, and you can use it to compare with others!
(BTW - I have a Brooks on each of my bikes.)