Embarassing Saddle Issues...

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Originally Posted by XMcShiftersonX

I feel like I'm stating the obvious here, but things can be created for one reason, and continue to be used, or further developed for other reasons.

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Yes, we know that. I'm not sure what you are driving at?

You seem to have an issue with my post. I stated the history of chamois. I made a conditional statement (those are the ones that start with "if") that if the modern fashion of padded chamois was miserably uncomfortable for someone, they should try riding in unpadded shorts. The second phrase only applies to those for whom the first phrase holds true. Conditional.

The world didn't end when we rode on flat bits of leather, and it won't end now if someone eschews modern padded chamois.

I was just presenting another point-of-view to your "those who wear the current chamois are either 1) on a poorly fitted saddle or 2) following a fashion trend" opinion. I actually have found a purpose to padded chamois, along with most other cyclists out there, apparently. Why you got defensive, when I never denied the historical aspect, is beyond me.

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Originally Posted by XMcShiftersonX

I was just presenting another point-of-view to your "those who wear the current chamois are either 1) on a poorly fitted saddle or 2) following a fashion trend" opinion.

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Nope, that's not what I said.

Remember, "conditional statement." Not "sweeping statement."

Alexis,
I had this same problem last year with the pressure being "up front". I tried 3 different saddles until I found one that was good for me and did not put that pressure on my girlie parts. The advice about trying different saddles was good advice. Everyone's body is differnt so what works for one woman, may not work for another. I know you may feel a little like Goldilocks but you will be so happy once you find a saddle that fits you properly. Terry is a bike company that makes a lot of gear for women. Go to www.terrybicycles.com . They have a 30-day guarantee on their saddles, so if you try one and it does not work, you can exchange it for a different Terry saddle or get a refund. This is what I did and I found happiness with the Falcon X. You can get these saddles at your LBS and they should also honor the Terry guarantee. I would just check before you purchase. Good luck with your hunt. You will find your perfect saddle, just don't give up.
Holly

So far in my attempt to find the perfect saddle that does not smash the girly bits, the only one that fits the bill is the Selle SMP. The design absolutely takes 100% of the pressure OFF the girly bits no matter what position I find myself.

I used to have a tremendous amount of pain there but with the Selle SMP saddle, I no longer have a problem with smashed/numb/burning girly bits :)

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Originally Posted by Blue_Fedora

So far in my attempt to find the perfect saddle that does not smash the girly bits, the only one that fits the bill is the Selle SMP. The design absolutely takes 100% of the pressure OFF the girly bits no matter what position I find myself.

I used to have a tremendous amount of pain there but with the Selle SMP saddle, I no longer have a problem with smashed/numb/burning girly bits :)

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Sounds worth checking out. Please could you be more specific about the model of Selle SMP you've got? Searching on eBay brings up at least 4 very distinct and different types under that name. :confused:

Thanks!

I've been told the Selle Italia Diva, or the Diva Gel Flow (full cutout) are both good for taking care of problems in the front. I am trying the Gel Flow myself and can hardly wait for the demo saddle to arrive. I am still riding my Brooks until then, but apparently 30 miles was too long to ride it :eek: :(

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Originally Posted by XMcShiftersonX

I feel like I'm stating the obvious here, but things can be created for one reason, and continue to be used, or further developed for other reasons.

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Like...men, for instance. ;)

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Originally Posted by Rebecca19804

Sounds worth checking out. Please could you be more specific about the model of Selle SMP you've got? Searching on eBay brings up at least 4 very distinct and different types under that name. :confused:

Thanks!

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I have a Selle SMP Plus and a Selle SMP Avant... the Avant is more padded and I believe it's about 5mm narrower. My husband also rides a Selle SMP saddle... his is a TRK. He never ever complained about saddle pain but when I got my first SMP he was so intrigued by the design he took my bike out for a short 10 miler to see how it was. He loved it so much that he bought a Selle SMP TRK for himself that very same day. He said he didn't know there was a real difference between saddles or that he actually WAS in pain until he rode the Selle SMP and felt how much of a difference it made.

Hope that helps :)

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Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

Like...men, for instance. ;)

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LOL! That's utterly hilarious.

The Selle SMP saddles sound like a good thing to check out, need to go find out who carries that over here. Unfortunately no LBS here carries Terry products and the Terry website doesn't say anything about international shipping, so I'll exhaust all local options first...

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Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

Like...men, for instance. ;)

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hahaha... I love it:)

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Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

Like...men, for instance. ;)

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I LOL at this one :)

Allow me to scream in frustration. Called up the Specialized distributor in town. They said they could use the measuring thing to find me a BG Jett saddle. Asked if I could try sitting on the saddle to see if its comfortable. Their answer?

"Yes, you can try it but you must buy the saddle after that."

URGRGHH!!!!

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Originally Posted by Catrin

I LOL at this one :)

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I have a dad, younger brother, husband and a 9 year old son. I speak from a multitude of experience. :D

Alexis, that is nuts. If you order from Specialized you can return the saddle within a certain period of time. Why would the distributor have a different policy than the company?

Because that's how it flies here and the distributor knows that unless we want to actually import the saddle from the US, we have no other choice. I went to ask at a few other bike shops and no one has test saddles to try and aren't willing to allow me to test a saddle before buying. I'm just going to order off chain reaction cycles, at least I don't have to pay as much as I would locally and their return policy is a little more flexible.

Quick update: After much wrangling, I got hold of a Specialized Alias 130mm on the secondhand marketplace. First sit, it feels good, hard, narrow enough and supportive and the cut out is AWESOME, no pressure! Hopefully it'll stand up to the long ride...

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Originally Posted by Blue_Fedora

So far in my attempt to find the perfect saddle that does not smash the girly bits, the only one that fits the bill is the Selle SMP. The design absolutely takes 100% of the pressure OFF the girly bits no matter what position I find myself.

I used to have a tremendous amount of pain there but with the Selle SMP saddle, I no longer have a problem with smashed/numb/burning girly bits :)

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This was me too.. my SMP was a godsend for many months until I tried a brooks (once I had a saddle actually supporting my sit bones the "need" for a cut-out mostly diappeared). I still LOVE the huge cut out and that saddle is still on my hybrid (which is now DH's bike, but I probably ride it more than he does because it's easier to pull the kid trailer with).

If you have narrower sit bones the range of saddles in the SMP line is very nice.. I still drool over some of them, even though I know they can't/won't work. I ultimately went to a brooks because I wanted LESS padding, and the TRK is really the only SMP model that is wide enough for me... and it's too squishy for really long rides.

On my list to try next is a brooks with a cutout - I actually just ordered one a few days ago :p

Has anyone tried the Selle Italia Turbomatic Gel Flow Team Edition carbon? I just ordered one and am very excited :D It looks very comfy and pretty..half black half white. It is a 153 and I'm crossing my fingers and toes that it works out.. I have also been having a lot of saddle comfort issues so hopefully this one will solve my problems! I have been buying them on Ebay since I can get them cheaper then resell them if I don't like the fit ;)

Feral, I'm anxiously awaiting your report! I really don't want or need carbon rails, but that's the only way they make that saddle, and I am really coveting it.

If it doesn't work out for you, I've got dibs. :rolleyes:

Ok Oak :D I'll let everyone know in a couple weeks if it works out.

about saddles my bike builder told me.

Get a men's saddle, period. He talked me into getting a men's version of the Terry "Fly" saddle I really, really, really wanted for my bike as I had one on my other bike and loved it.

Reluctantly I got the one he suggested and after the initial break-in period I found it to be absolutely the most comfortable saddle ever! The one he suggested is the Terry Liberator Ti-Race MEN'S saddle.

So my point as well as his is don't be afraid to try the men's fit sometimes it's the best fit. Those darn men seem to know stuff about stuff and what do I know, eh? :rolleyes:

Still, I'd take women riders' saddle recommendations over a man's any day. I don't care how many bikes he's built- he still has a man's rear end. Let him ride 1000 miles on my butt before he suggests a saddle to me. :D (did I really say that?) lol!

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Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl

Still, I'd take women riders' saddle recommendations over a man's any day. I don't care how many bikes he's built- he still has a man's rear end. Let him ride 1000 miles on my butt before he suggests a saddle to me. :D (did I really say that?) lol!

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LMAO! Yeah that pretty much sums it up! Now I feel so stupid for listening to him.......he,hee guess what works for one person will not always work for another.

*did you really say that?* LOL yeah girl you sure have some gonads! :D

Just wanted everyone to know I just put my 2009 Specialized Toupe Gel 155 on E-bay if anyone is interested. My butt just doesn't work with Specialized saddles I guess. I will let you all know how the Selle Italia Turbomatic works out when I get it :D

Well I got my Selle Italia Turbomatic Gel Flow Team Edition carbon and it looks awesome.........but it won't fit my seatpost on my Cannondale Synapse :mad:
I didn't realize that the carbon rails wouldn't fit the clamps on the side of my seatpost. From what my guy at the LBS said a lot of people have that problem when they buy carbon rail seats. I guess I will have to wait and try it on one I am building up. Needless to say I am very bummed :(

What kind of seaport does it need? I've been hankering after a microadjustable one anyway...

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

What kind of seaport does it need? I've been hankering after a microadjustable one anyway...

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It needs hardware that clamps down from the top of the rails not on the sides (like mine) because the rails aren't circular. My husband got to put it on his bike :mad: for our ride tonight and he said it was very comfortable. I will have to wait until next week when I get my beater bike put together to try it.....if I like it it will go on my Storck that we are building over the winter.