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I'm currently trying the SSM Glamour Aspide. It doesn't aggravate the saddle sores I got from the stock saddle on my bike, and it does relieve some of the pressure on the girly bits, also a prob. with the stock saddle. But my sitbones are a bit sore. I'm still fiddly faddling with the adjustments and haven't gone for more than two hours: this weekend's 100k will be the test.
Skierchickie, the only model my REI had in stock was the cp. Maybe the hp is better. Brought the selle italia slk and fizik aliante home today. Hopefully only one is going back to the shop tomorrow.
I'm looking to switch out the saddleon an old MTB turned into a road beater with drops and slicks. Nashbar has a Fizik Vitesse Sport that looks pretty good (e.g. about the right width and right price range)-- has anyone ridden on this saddle? I suspect it might be a bit different than the other models in this thread, but any advice would be great. Additionally Nashbar has a Selle San Marco Aspide Glamour Gel (no cutout, 2007 model)-- anyone with any experience on this model?
Thanks!
Just so no one is scared away from trying the Vitesse :D --
The Vitesse HP came stock on my bike. I did some 15-mile trainer rides (which I think tend to create more potential for saddle pressure than outside rides) and a few 20-30 mile outside rides with the Vitesse, and I thought it was pretty comfortable. No big complaints.
Ultimately I decided that I preferred the narrower width, wider nose, and pear shape of the Arione (which I had been riding previously). So while I didn't end up staying with the Vitesse, I didn't find it uncomfortable at all. In fact my boyfriend, who was riding a Specialized Alias that we both disliked, commented that it was much more comfortable than his saddle. It just didn't suit my riding style as well as the Arione.
Here's an interesting review of the Vitesse HP:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?.../fizik_vitesse
I suspect the HP may be firmer and flatter than the other Vitesse models. If you are OK without a cutout, I would say give it a try. It is entirely possible you will hate it, but it's also possible you won't -- I didn't :)!
Has anyone tried the hornless saddles?
I'm not sure which Vitesse I have. It's an older one, pre wingflex, but it does not have the gel padding. It is really a perfect saddle for me on a road bike. I originally chose it because it had the most fore-aft adjustability of any women's saddle I could find, and I needed more setback than I could get with any of the saddles I had, but I get zero chafing with the Vitesse and no pain anywhere (except my sit bones when it's been a while). I was afraid it would not fit me any more post childbirth, because it is quite narrow, but it seems fine so far.
As much as I'd love to put a Brooks on my new road bike for aesthetic purposes, I think I might wind up with another Vitesse. We'll see.
Since my last post, I've tried a Koobi Xenon, SMP pro, and now an SMP glider. The Glider has been the best so far, but I'm still dealing with groin chafing... which, in the realm of saddle problems, is what I'd call the next-to-most-tolerable ailment, with most tolerable being general sitbone soreness and least tolerable being bumps & swelling (with everything else ranked somewhere in the middle). My hope is that the skin that's getting rubbed will just toughen up a little and I'll be OK. If not, then I'll pick something else at random...
I agree w/the comment that the Vitesse HP is good if you don't need a cutout. I thought it was very comfy on the backside and I didn't have thigh-rub. I just gotta have a cutout!
I have an 8-year-old Vitesse saddle which I have ridden over 1,000 miles on a MTB. Unfortunately it got damaged in winter storage and I am now in the market for another saddle. I bought the new Vitesse before reading the Cycling News review cited by Liza in this thread. The review was right on target based on how the new Vitesse HP feels to me. The two bumps seem too high or not in the right position compared to the old Vitesse. I find myself constantly shifting to find a comfortable position and my sit bones are always sore after using the new Vitesse HP. It feels much softer than the old Vitesse - don't know how much of a factor this in my discomfort. I don't have any other discomfort from the Vitesse HP, so the basic shape seems OK, but the bumps are not in where mine are!
Does anyone know what saddle most resembles the old Vitesse?
Alternatively, can anyone tell me what to look for in a saddle in terms of width based on how the Vitesse HP feels bump-wise? Any recommendations very welcome!
Thanks for the great discussion - very helpful.
Linda
I should have listened to Liza! I hesitated to try the Arione, because it didn't LOOK like what I thought I needed. And, I sat on DH's (when he took it off his bike after about a week). I thought it was too narrow in back and too pear shaped. Suspected it would have to be surgically removed if I tried it.:(
Well, my new bike came with one. I thought I'd give it a shot before putting the Vitesse HP on. I must say, it seems to be at least as good, in different ways. Except for today, my sit bones have been quite pleased (I was beginning to wonder about the Vitesse). My soft tissue, not perfect, but not as bad as on most. The pear shape may be okay because of the wing flex thing - I'm not sure, but I'm not getting the usual chafing. I'm going to continue to try the Arione. 170 miles so far. Keeping the Vitesse close, though!
Bumping this because my beloved Vitesse is chafing in some sensitive areas and I think I need a cutout after all. Damn it, I loved this saddle, but I think I am built a little differently than I used to be. I don't want to make too many adjustments -- right now my bike feels great otherwise, no wrist pain, no back pain, no knee pain (all of which have been occasional problems in the past), and the saddle feels fine on my butt.
Has anyone found a saddle roughly similar to the Vitesse but with a cutout? The width, the length, the shape are all really good for me, and pre-childbirth this was my dream saddle. Help!
I rode on an old Vitesse [circa 2000] until it wore out. I tried the new Vitessse this year but found it very uncomfortable and not at all like my old beloved Vitesse. The bumps seemed to be farther apart than on the old model Vitesse. I now ride on a Specialized Ariel 130 and find it very comfortable - I use it mountain biking. I tried the same saddle in 143 [I think that is the right number] and did not like the experience.
I don't know if this is helpful to you because we are all different as this thread evidences!
Sandrider
I really liked my Vitesse, but found I needed a cutout over the sensitive spots. My DBF pulled back the leather cover, carved out an appropriate indentation, re-glued the cover. It worked great!Quote:
Originally Posted by xeney
Hmm, wish I would have read this before I sent mine back as a return. That's a pretty smart BF you have... maybe you could loan him out via TE pm request... like a cyber saddle repair guy:p. He pops out of the pc and mods the saddle to request. I think it has potential:D.Quote:
Originally Posted by wavedancer
I've thought that about a few saddles... if only I could just change "blank" about it.
Good for you!
Holy crap, I gotta try that... right now!Quote:
Originally Posted by wavedancer
He is a pretty amazing "Mr. Fixit." I swear he can take anything apart and put it back together better than it ever was! He also can talk anyone through fixing just about anything. Maybe the cyber repair idea has potential. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Miranda