Selle Italia: Lady Gel Flow vs Diva Gel Flow
Hello,
As my name indicates, in my saddle search I am still looking for "the one". I got into road biking last year and have a few hundred miles under my belt (including my first metric century this past weekend).
I am currently riding a Selle Italia "Lady Gel Flow". It is a big improvement over saddles that I've had in the past, but I'm still getting chafed in the soft tissue area and the rubbing on my inner thigh makes me think that it is a little too wide for me. I'm pretty sore after this last weekend's ride.
Has anyone ridden both the "Lady Gel Flow" and the "Diva Gel Flow"? The Diva appears to be a little narrower (153mm vs 160mm wide), firmer (?), and has a larger cutout. I feel like I'm pretty close with the "Lady" and am leaning towards trying the "Diva" but am hoping that someone can comment on the firmness and width (I'm seeing differing reports) before I drop $125 on one.
I've been going with progressively firmer saddles and it seems to be the right direction for me. Switching from "gel" chamois shorts to thinner padded ones has also helped.
Thanks,
ST
Selle Italia Lady vs. Diva Gel Flow (and Cobb/Adamo)
I tried the Lady before the Diva because that's what a shop had to demo, after my body refused to get back on my bike with the Cobb demo I tried for my Scott CR1 Comp, first road bike. I found the Lady too narrow and hard for comfort (as was the Cobb, which felt like a 2 by 4). I then, after much research tried the Diva Gel Flow and it was noticeably and immediately more comfortable, and became my seat of choice, just the right size and amount of cushion and best gel placement for comfort for basic road riding (weekly commuting, 12-36 mi. + weekend warrior riding, 20-50 mi.; I'm not a Tri gal). So I would recommend it, and in fact, I just bought another Diva Gel Flow for my new Scott CX Comp. However, I want to try an Adamo Road or Century saddle.
I think the Adamo Century is comparable to the Diva in size and it has gel inserts, but is designed with a short, split nose to alleviate pressure and the effects of reduced blood flow caused by riding on traditional bike seats. Certain Adamo models are very similar to the Cobb, but once I find a demo program, I'm going to try the Century model if available.