New Saddle, does it need more time?

Well, after 1800 miles on my Fizik Vitesse Tri saddle (including 3 centuries!), I started to notice a lot of irritation at my labia and clitoris. So much so, that my last couple rides had been pretty uncomfortable and I (as well as my friend) noticed I was shifting around a lot on my saddle. I think it has always been somewhat of a problem, but I figured some discomfort was normal and I would just add more chamois cream. I never developed any sores, just irritation and some swelling.

So, I decided to try a new saddle. After reading suggestions on here for what people liked the most, visiting a LBS to have my butt measured and get their recommendations (and being told that all the pressure should be only on my sits bones, none should be on my labia), as well as talking to my husband who has the Specialized Toupe that he loves, I decided to get the Specialized Ruby.

Yesterday was my first test ride with it. My husband and I did a 55 miles ride with 2200 feet of climbing. As soon as I sat on the seat I could feel the difference and what the man at the LBS was talking about, how all the pressure is on your sits bones. I had absolutely no pressure on my labia for the entire ride, and no post ride soreness, which was amazing!

What I did notice, however, as time went on was soreness on the inside of my right sits bone. It was pretty bad sometimes, but as soon as I got off the bike it was fine. Today, I notice some soreness if I touch that same spot though. So, I'm wondering if there is some bruising, though there are no visible marks.

What could be my problem? Do I need to just put more chamois cream there? Should I give the saddle more time to break in? Is the saddle not the right size for me? Based on my measurements the guy told me either the 143 or 155 would be fine because I was right on the cusp, but he would probably go with the 143. I'm pretty petite.

I know there's been many discussions about this. And I've tried reading over the many there were but only found one that talked about inner hip pain, which seemed more like chaffing, and not like what I experienced.

Any input would be appreciated,
Jessica

If it's right on the sit bones, and you weren't sitting on them at all on your old saddle, then it just sounds like you're going through the same toughening up process that new/returning riders do. It will go away in a week or two of riding.

If it's not on the place where you're supporting your weight on the saddle, it might be the saddle isn't a good fit for you.

The Toupe has minimal padding (I had one and got rid of it); is the Ruby similar? Since the discomfort is only in the sit bone area I think you just need to wait it out and toughen up a bit.

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Originally Posted by MDHillSlug

The Toupe has minimal padding (I had one and got rid of it); is the Ruby similar? Since the discomfort is only in the sit bone area I think you just need to wait it out and toughen up a bit.

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Thanks you two, the same thought crossed my mind. It's weird to basically be starting over, but I guess that's what happens when you've been on a poorly fitted saddle.

And yes, the Ruby is similar, it's shaped the same way, and has the cut out, but it does have slightly more padding in the form of gel over the part that your sits bones rest on.

I'll give it more time and hopefully it'll start to improve. I would hate to have to buy another one so soon.

I had virtually the saame experience: from Vitesse to Ruby (pain near sit bones), now love the Jett (more padding!).

I bought the Ruby a few weeks ago and experienced the same problem first. Sometimes it was quite uncomfortable during my first rides and even the day after.
But the last few rides were really great I don't know if my butt had to get used to the Ruby or the saddle needed a break-in period or both - now I don't even think about the saddle during or after my rides, it's great.

I had the same problem with the Ruby when it was new. My fitter did recommend short rides on it until I got used to it.

I used it for a bike tour a couple of weeks later and had miserable days and good days. On the good days I was wearing my Shebeest century shorts which have padding on the sides of the chamois. The bad days I was wearing my Shebeest Triple S short which has a thin liner on the sides of the chamois. While the irritation has gone away I haven't worn the Triple S shorts since. When I buy new shorts I make sure the chamois is completely padded.

I am of the firm belief saddles should be like shoes - comfortable the first time you put them on.

For years I tried the breaking in a sadlle - it just never works, Now I ride on a saddle, brand new, feels good (Terry Butterfly Ti). My saddle may not be your saddle but there should be one at there that works for you.

If the soreness is only on one side, there's a good chance the saddle may be tilted slightly to the side (or else that one of your legs is slightly shorter than the other). I putzed around for ages with pain on only one sitz bone until someone suggested that I change the angle of the saddle slightly (away from the sore side, if I remember correctly). The pain instantly went away. Ahhh.

Just wanted to chime in that I am having exactly the same issue with the Ruby in my seemingly never ending quest for a saddle. I am cautiously optimistic that if I can get past the sit bone pain, that this one might, possibly work. Did a 50 mile ride this morning with sit bone soreness now, but no chafing, which was my main problem before. Doing another 50 -60 mile on Monday, so we'll see. I have the 30 day trial period to decide.

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Originally Posted by Grits

Just wanted to chime in that I am having exactly the same issue with the Ruby in my seemingly never ending quest for a saddle. I am cautiously optimistic that if I can get past the sit bone pain, that this one might, possibly work. Did a 50 mile ride this morning with sit bone soreness now, but no chafing, which was my main problem before. Doing another 50 -60 mile on Monday, so we'll see. I have the 30 day trial period to decide.

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Like the OP I don't think I was properly fit on my original saddle and my weight was not on the sit bones. This was a Terry zero X which ultimately I believe was too wide.

I too tried the Ruby but I was getting chaffed towards the back of my girly parts although there was no pressure. My sit bones were a little sore but it was the chaffing that made me try a different saddle. I thought it was the slit that was the culprit so asked for a saddle without a slit.

Next I tried a a Fitzik Aliante VS which had a channel but no slit. It was a really nice looking saddle with patten leather. OMG - I was almost in tears after a 70 mile ride. Not only was the chaffing more than I could tolerate but the girly parts were numb and sore.

I rode on an Aliante S today which has no slit and no channel. The good news is that I have NO chaffing but the girly parts were smashed all day and I am SORE!

I am now back to the drawing board. Maybe there is something to be said about having a slit but on a saddle that is the correct size and made for "me".

Sit bones measure about 130 and I tried a 143 Ruby. The Aliante seems to be the right width but the wrong saddle. I'm actually climbing and riding faster with the Aliante because my legs aren't rubbing the saddle but I need to find a saddle that doesn't make me want to scream.

Back to the drawing board.... The process of finding a new saddle is torture.

I bought my Ruby on craigslist when it had 100 miles on it. (A guy had bought it for his wife as a first bike.... and she never rode it.) It came with a Specialized Dolce saddle - 155. I have never had a problem with that saddle from day one. In fact, I bought another one for my Bike Friday because the one that came with the Friday hurt so bad I almost could not pee when I got off of it. It is 2760 miles later on the Ruby! I never had to 'toughen up' and I don't use cream. I did sit on a Ruby saddle at a bike store and it seemed harder and not as comfortable to me.

I am so bummed. What I thought was just sit bone pain, when I got out the mirror and looked closely, ended up being some chafing as well. The skin is rough and red. Back to the drawing board. I was fitted. It should be wide enough for me. I sat on the butt-o-meter, and the LBS guy said I was borderline needing the widest size, but of course I went with the widest anyway. I don't know that I can get any more T-shaped. Sorry to hijack the thread, but I am at a loss.