Koobi Pursuit Saddle?

Hi All~

I am new to this forum and have been lurking for a few weeks now. I have really enjoyed the shared info, comments, and humor here!

After riding on my new bike for 30 miles, I decided I need a new saddle!

I have read some positive reviews about the Koobi saddles for men. They make a WSD Model I am interested in. It's called the Pursuit.

Is anyone using this saddle and liking it?

It's only 9.5 inches long and I think I may benefit from the shorter nose on it. Most of the pain was in the umm, front area. I think I may need to make some adjustments though with my bike as I also had some hand numbness too.

The seat sits horizontal, no tilt. Would spacers help to raise the handlebars?

All suggestions welcome and appreciated. I have much to learn!

TIA!
Lisa

Hi,

I was just reading your post and no, I haven't ridden on the saddle you discuss, but I noticed I had problems similar to the ones you describe. I was wondering if you ever thought about the width of the nose on the saddle? I have found a narrower width of the nose has helped me and alleviated a lot of the front soft-tissue discomfort I have had (I have had luck with the men's Flite and men's pro-link saddles by Selle Italia, but that's what has worked for me personally.).

You might not need a WSD saddle. It took me almost 7 years to realize that. Everyone has different widths obviously of their pelvises, but you can take two people with the same width of pelvis and the spacing of their sit bones (ischial tuberosities) can be different. This is one of the many factors that determines which type of saddle you like. I also discovered that for me personally, I couldn't stand the saddles that are too cushy or soft...it seemed counterintutive at the time, but now, I wouldn't go back to a mushy saddle for anything.

Also, it takes some time to break in your bike's saddle, so you could possibly like it more with more riding and some minor adjustments on your bike fit. You might want to schedule a bike fit with a reputable person and they can let you try different saddles, stems, handlebars, etc. while checking your alignment and fit. Just remember that saddles feel differently on the trainer than they do while riding. Also, if you know of any guys and gals with different saddles, you might want to borrow them and just get a general feel for what you like on a test ride. (I stole my husband's, for instance).

I have noticed that having my saddle level has helped as well. One thing I discovered is that having my handlebars up higher did help alleviate both my hand and wrist pain as well as many of my saddle issues. When I got my new road bike, I made sure they didn't cut the steerer tube so I could have more heighth in my handle bars. (I am not sure if they can do this with mtn. bikes?) But, you can get a stem with a bit of a rise as well. You might be able to play with the stem length as well, as well as the fore/aft position of the saddle.

Also, if you have a shorter torso and longer legs, the top tube length might be an issue. Once I switched to a shorter top tube road bike, I was able to quit playing that game of alternating my weight (either my wrists/hands would hurt or my front soft-tissue...which was very frustrating).

Also, the width of your handlebars can affect the comfort of your hands and even your saddle comfort. With a mountain bike, you might want to experiment with different grips or maybe bring your brakes in closer, for instance as a couple of things that can help with hand comfort.

Just be sure to make your bike fit changes gradually. Bike fit is so dynamic and things definitely can change. I always make even my equipment changes in small increments. So, say, I get a new saddle, I only ride it for a half hour at a time, so I can get used to it. Or, if I move my saddle more forward or back, I only move it in mm's, not inches, so that it doesn't cause any problems with the rest of my body. Just making one little change can affect the whole body (you are probably aware though of this).

Sorry this was long. Hope that you can get your saddle issues figured out so you can have many happy miles

:)

Sincerely,

Lisa

Lisa~

You have given me lot's of info and places to modify for a better fit! I really appreciate that. :)

So far, I have tried triathlon bars and gloves, which have seemed to help a bit. I'm going to look into some of the other areas you mention though and make a few tiny adjustments, as you suggested.

I just know if I was completely comfortable, I could ride much longer!

Thanks Again!
Lisa :)

Hi Lisa,

Glad to help. I am sure there's more things that I am overlooking, so you might want to go get an expert opinion at your LBS just to be sure. Glad to hear you are starting to get more comfy though! Yay!

Happy Ridin',

Lisa :cool:

Lisa,
Did you ever try the Koobi saddle? I have been thinking about them for some time now, but wanted to get a first-hand accout. I have a Terry Butterfly, which is great on the 'sitbones', but not so good in the front.

Here's what's on my bike... actually is was on my old Trek 1000 and I just moved it to my new Allez Comp.

Yes, when you first ride it, the discomfort switches to the outside of the pubic area (about where your legs screw into your body), but that goes away after about 4 rides. Then all is well down there .

http://www.spazzdog.com/koobi%20splitfit.jpg


spazzdog with a waggin' tail :p

looks like a 'must-try'. Just need a few more dollars, first :)

Hey Faster...

They've changed the name from "Splitfit" to the "SI Classic Gel"

Here's a link:

http://www.koobi.com/koobi/showdetl.cfm?&DID=6&Product_ID=15&CATID=3

They only sell online.
And it's only (I know, a relative term) $64.95 !! That's the same price I paid in 2000.

that's really not much money, is it, considering how much one can spend on less important things. However, being one of the world's great procrastinators, it may still take me a week or two to order it. I'll keep you posted...

I just noticed, that photo of my saddle is dern near actual size!

I guess you could measure the nose and compare.... just kidding.

I should have gotten my well dressed body out of the way on that shot.. nice colors though :D

spazzdog wrote:
I should have gotten my well dressed body out of the way on that shot.. nice colors though :D

I'm standing on my head can't quite figure out the pattern on the tights ;-)

Those aren't tights silly wabbit!

Thats island patterned surfer shorts topped by a jade t-shirt...

spazzdog (always on the cutting edge of new england fashion)

spazzdog wrote "Those aren't tights silly wabbit!

Thats island patterned surfer shorts topped by a jade t-shirt..."

oooooh, way to accessorize! ;-);) :D :cool:

Hey S-dog, I finally ordered the Koobi today!!!!
I'll let you know how it is in a couple of weeks.

Great! I hope you like it. Did you get the SI ($69.00)?

Just a little heads-up... it may be uncomfortable the first week but not on the old "girly bits". It may cause some tenderness in the nether region where the leg attaches to the hip... you know, those pencel-like feeling tendons tweenst your legs. After you get used to that, it's clear sailing.

I will never ride a different saddle. When/if I get to racing well and I need to shed a few ounces, I won't wear socks... but I will not give up my Koobi.

I did get the SI. It probably won't be here until next week, but that's OK. I'm working Sat. and Sun., have a ride planned on Monday with the turtle group, so will ride The Princess (hybrid), so if I don't get on it until late next week it's no real big deal. But I am looking forward to it :)

Well, S-dog, I finally got the Koobi Si, and rode it for the fifth time today. The jury's still out. Initially it felt good, but wasn't set up right. I have been tweaking and fiddling with it every day, and still haven't found saddle nirvana. It is better on the girly parts than the Terry Butterfly I was using, but I find I keep moving around a lot more, trying to get it 'just right'. So I'll fiddle some more, and hope to get it right.

The girly bits do get immediate relief. The rest of you will get used to where the saddle meets the bod, but setup is important. I would recommend putting it in the same forward/back position as your old one. As to tilt, go the same way. Then sit it without changing for a week of riding.

On mine (older model) the nose actually has a slight slope downward. I had to make sure I was leveling the back with the beginning of the slope (top) rather than the end of the nose.

Is this making sense?

Yes, it makes sense. One problem is that the saddle is longer than my old one, so that is where I have had to make the adjustments- forward/backwards. I keep moving it just a few centimeters at a time, which may be why it's taking so long. As for the tilt, I usually like the down down very, very, slightly. So I just use a level to adjust that, and it seems to be about right.
But as you say, it's where the legs meet the body that seems to notice the difference, so that may just take time.
I won't give up yet :)

Latest report for S-dog. I think I've finally got it right. I've haven't been able to get out and ride that much in the past two weeks, but I did get out yesterday and today, and I think it's in the right place. It's still not nirvana, but much better. The weird thing is that I never felt in need of any kind of buttr goo, but now that old place 'where the legs attach' seems a bit irritated. I think if I could just get out every day for a few weeks I could get used to it, but that probably isn't going to happen, now that it's getting cold. (we had frost last night!)

I wanted to let anyone interested know that the Pursuit Saddle by Koobi is on sale on their web site for $39.00, usually $69.00. I ordered one today and will report how I do with it after I give it a try. They say it is a medium firm women's specific saddle. It has to be better than the stock saddle that came with my new Bianchi Veloce. I was doing ok on with it on 5 to 14 mile rides. Monday I did 20 miles and my sit bone area was ok but I was numb in the 'frontal soft tissue' areas for about two days afterwards. Not a good thing I'm sure!
Sandy

Hey Sandy... how is that Koobi treating you??

Hi Slinkedog,
I'm glad you asked. I only have about 50 miles on the the Koobi saddle but so far, so good. My longest ride has been 20 miles. Of corse the sit bones have to toughen up to any new saddle or new rider but the adjustment for this one has been pretty quick. I am happy to report that the numbness issues seem to have been resolved by the Koobi. The info with the saddle says that the leather will break in after a few rides to fit each individual and I can already feel that happening. I think I am going to be very happy with my Koobi and the price sure is right at this time.
Sandy

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SandyLS

I wanted to let anyone interested know that the Pursuit Saddle by Koobi is on sale on their web site for $39.00, usually $69.00. I ordered one today and will report how I do with it after I give it a try. They say it is a medium firm women's specific saddle.
Sandy

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I too saw the sale, ordered mine and have to say that it feels really nice up front (like nothing is there), but my sit bones took a little "get-tough" lesson after a 70 mile ride 2 weeks ago. (My previous saddle was a Performance house brand called "century" it has no cut out but a foam frameless center, and a much softer rear end.---I guess you can't have it all :rolleyes: ) However, I feel "faster" on the pursuit, and much more comfortable bent over in the drops. My daughter just started racing, and she tried my Koobi and begged for her own. I would say that we are both pretty happy with it. (And the price is terrific)--LisaKaren

Hey Faster! That "new place" of irritation ought to disappear once the sadle is broken in. I've never use chamois glop with this saddle, not even on the AidsRide or centurys.

Hope it's all good now

spazz

Received my new Koobi AU Enduro last week, slapped it on the Specialized (and moved my old SI back to the old bike), then went on that Diablo ride Sat.

Granted, I didn't do the whole 13 mi climb, but the 6 I did was planted firmly on the new saddle.

Fabulous! It has a slightly narrower nose profile the my old SI and no "new saddle" whoes at all.

The AU Enduro comes with gel as well (which I did not get). I did go with the magnesium rails.

I are a happy spazzdog :D

After all these interesting comments, I've had a look at the Koobi site and sent an email enquiry about sizing for women. I got a reply from them straight off, which was very informative and I'm now seriously considering one of the PRS saddles. Has anyone tried them, they have the elastiemer inserts for suspension - you add them according to your weight, which apparently reduces fatigue to your sit bones. It's really pricey though, and I'm wondering if the theory behind it all actually works.

Any comments?

I too am interested in hearing more from anyone out there who has, and either loves or hates, a Koobi saddle. Yesterday I did a road race and was in the drops for an extended period of time, pushing along in a big gear, and the pressure was all on my pubic bone. I have a Terry Damselfly which works wonderfully when I'm not in the drops - the pressure is nicely on the sit bones. But in the drops, the pressure shifts to the front. Any feedback/advice/recommendations?

Koobi has a very good return policy if i remember correctly... though i've never returned anything.

Love Koobi!

spazz-o-happybutt

Hi -- just found this website, looks interesting. I just ordered a Koobi PRS Enduro saddle, should get it next week sometime. I have been having issues with frontal pain also and hoping this saddle will resolve those problems. I have been using the Terry Butterfly on our tandem and the TFI Liberator on my Litespeed. I am really hoping that this saddle will prove to be as good as all the reviews say! Will let you know how it works out.

I got my Koobi PRS Euro last Friday and rode a long hill climb with it. Sorry to say I was VERY sore, but I'm sure I had the nose tipped to high. I changed the angle and have ridden it only once more on a 45 minute flat ride. I probably have a few more adjustments to make until I find the right spot, but overall I'm very pleased with it. I definitely know that I am sitting on my sit bones now where before I wasn't. I do have some chaffing on one of my inner thighs (not that I have big thighs), but I'm sure it's just a matter of adjustment. I can definitely tell that the Elastomer Spring Tech. is working, really smooths out the rough spots in the road so they are less noticeable and makes for a nicer ride. I only have about 50 miles on it so far but can't wait till this weekend when I can try it out again. I will keep you updated.

I have ridden my Koobi close to 700 miles now and I just love it. It broke in really quickly and it just seems to be more comfortable each ride. I will have to order another one for the tandem.:D