saddle suggestions?

Hello,
This is my first post, but I've been reading for a while. I bought my first road bike today, and I'm already in love. It is an Azzurri Imperia. I've been riding all my life but this is my first road bike.

I got a male specific Selle Italia X2 saddle with the bike, but I wanted to buy a female specific saddle. I know about the sit bones and all that, but I was wondering which saddles people found good for long periods of time.

I am doing the Round the Bay for the fifth year this year, so I was hoping to get a new saddle in time for that. I was having a look around, and because I just want to experiment with saddles, I would like the cheaper ones to begin with.

I found a Scott Contessa and thought that would be the place to start. Does anyone have any opinions about this one? Or any suggestions? I wouldn't mind trying a Selle Italia Gel Flow, but I find they are quite expensive.

The Specialized Jett and Ruby seem to be very popular here. Based on TE recommendations (and my LBS), I have Jetts on both my road bike and my Trek FX. There was a bit of a "learning curve" for my sit bones as they got used to a firmer saddle, but in the end (say 100 miles or so later over a few rides), I am happy with my saddles. And believe me, I was a very unhappy camper with my previous saddles.

Of course, there is always the disclaimer.....what works for one, may not work for another. Seems we aren't all made the same. Good Luck.

Welcome to TE! Congratulations on the new bike... posting pictures of a new bike is a long standing tradition in this forum (and I am particularly curious since I've never seen an Azzurri bike). The question of a the "best" saddle is a perennial one and very subjective. I have a Selle Italia Diva that I like thus far. If you look in this forum, there is a section called "Gear and accessories". There are so many threads about saddles, it will make your head spin.

A saddle is a very personal choice - what works for one person is a torture device for another. I am a fan of Specialized saddles and have a Jett on all of my bikes.

Today I rode for 92 kilometres and hardly noticed my saddle - which is the best thing you can say about a saddle. I was a little tender in the sit bones around 50 kms but there was no chafing or discomfort resulting from the saddle anywhere.

Before you decide on a saddle have your sit bones measured in an LBS because that may narrow your choice (no pun intended).

Oh, and my partner has an Azzuri and loves it - he was with me on the ride today.

When I was looking for saddles, I purchased mine off of ebay. They are cheaper and if it doesn't work, just put them back on ebay to sell.

Also a lot of us have found saddles made for men work dandy for women!

Thankyou all for your replies! It certainly is an interesting topic, and I think I will be looking for a very long time trying new saddles. I guess it keeps things interesting to have a try of new things. Adds a change of colour on the bike too. I will take your points and suggestions in. I will have to measure my sit bones so it makes the looking for saddles a bit easier.

I tried about 6 different saddles and bought about 3 before I found the right one (a Specialized Ruby 143 on my Specialized Dolce) but... then I started racing and switched to a different bike with more aggressive geometry and the Ruby completely cut off blood supply to my legs :(

I am EVENTUALLY happy and super comfortable with a saddle by John Cobb. They look fairly bulky but I promise they are amazing. There is also a 180 day money back thing so you don't end up with 3 extra saddles that make your butt hurt sitting in the closet! :p

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2010 Cannondale Supersix HiMod 1/Cobb V-Flow
2005 Specialized FSR XC/ Specialized BG Jett

Every butt is different. Lots of people on this board love Brooks saddles. I bought one & hated it. I have a Terry saddle & love it, others hate them. It is really an individual thing - probably the MOST individual thing on a bike.

That being said - don't forget that your cycling shorts need to be the best quality that you can afford. Again, everybody has different preferences. But (pun intended :p) the best saddle in the world can be miserable with a pair of shorts that are uncomfortable.

What i noticed is that it took me less than 20 minutes to know that for example, I could not sit on the Terry Butterfly.. That was the favorite of a lot of the women I ride with.

Pictures of bike yes!!

I actually have a men's saddle on my bike. It's a Forte Pro, and it works great for me.

I love my Brooks saddle, but some other Brooks models would be cruel and unusual punishment for me.

Like Cinderella, you'll know when it fits.