saddle for wide sit-bones?

Hi,

I'll try to keep this short ... it's kind of complicated.

I have bilateral patellar chondromalacia and disabling tendinitis in both wrists. Happily, I found a good folding bike (http://www.bicicletasguillermo.com/g...es/citybug.jpg) which is adjustable enough to sit me up in a position that spares these joints.

I am SO ecstatic! :D I'm also 40 pounds overweight (right now) which means the stock seat is intolerable, especially because the bike is otherwise such a joy that I ride for hours at a time.

I measured my sit bones (background in engineering and midwifery -- long story) and I figure the best seat width is 71/2 inches, or 24 cm. Plenty of room for the charmingly naughty bits is essential.

Wide sit bones... heavy compression... plenty of air flow. Oh, and I'm out of work because of these wrists. So I can't spend much money.

I've found two seats that come close:
Selle Royal Contour: http://www.selleroyal.com/selleroyal...=ENG&pagecat=1 (can’t find it, even to check price)
Air Rider EasyRider: http://www.airriderseats.com/xcart/p...cat=248&page=1 (don’t know if they ship to Europe)

Not a great selection. Any opinions on these? Any other suggestions? Terry’s are all too narrow.:eek:

I'd appreciate any advice. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

-Isabel

I've finished reading this forum. Wonderful advice, some of which I can use:
• I'll try the "sitting on paper and scooting around" trick, to check my butt-bone measurements.
• I'll recheck my saddle position.
• I have a Specialized dealer locally who might help me with fitting, but their English and my Spanish are about on a par. (However, I'm taking classes.)

I'm hoping this LBS has a good return policy and will let me try different saddles, but it rather depends on whether we can understand each other in the first place.

Again, thanks in advance for advice and opinions on wide seats.

I'd like to know too ;)
I picked up the guide to womens saddles listed below, measured by butt region, let DH help me measure it again, and figure those sit bones are 7" apart. My saddle is 6.5" wide ~ purty sure that's not such a good fit :p

I haven't been to a shop yet to sit on other options - but did find a lbs that carries Specialized, think I'll start there.

brooks b67! 210mm wide, or 8.26 inches.

http://www.wallbike.com/brooks/singl...ngsaddles.html

check it out!! saved my behind!

Mimi, you really love this saddle, even after 54 miles? Always looking for the next best saddle...did you get the "pre-aged" one? If not, did you have a long breaking-in period?

after 54 miles i could have done more; really. and it's the longest ride i've done all year. Mine was not "pre broken in"
it would be cool to get one like that though.
my husband is going to let me borrow his b17 (which is definitely broken in) for my new bike to see if i like it. mind you, it's because he doesn't want to take the b67 off the tandem because getting these things into adjustment is such a hassle.

I hear such fabulous things about Brooks I might have to try one some day, when I'm back in funds. I'm a big fan of leather for durable purposes. Amazing stuff (and yes, I rode motorcycles before the wrists did me in. Hated giving that up.)

I tuned my positioning and that helped some, but still felt like the darn seat was trying to pop me open like an oyster ... sorry, but totally acurate.

I found a Bontrager Web Spring WSD at my LBS which looks promising (and only cost 25 euros -- woo hoo!) Overpadded, but meets all other criteria. My forearms are killing me, but I'm going to head to the beach tomorrow morning long before most reasonable people are on the road (it's a fiesta weekend), so with luck I won't need to grab the brakes. I hope to run and swim while there, so I'll be feeling NOOOOO pain by the time I have to head back through traffic. :cool:

It's only a few miles each way, but at least should give me some idea what I'm in for. Wish me luck.

Cheers,
Isabel

Incidentally, Mimi, I absolutely love that picture of the cat on the bike. Wonder if I could get mine to try that .... :p what a great picture that would be. He feels his dignity keenly, so I imagine his expression would be quite different from that of the lovely grey kitty's.

From what I saw at the Wallingford site, the B72 is the same width, but without the same springs.

Of all the wide ones, which fit on "modern" seat posts? I didn't understand the single rail/double rail stuff.

And do the women's versions really make a big difference?

Are the springs the greatest thing ever, or can you skip the springs and still be happy?

Jeez, I guess I'd better go over the the Brooks thread. Betcha all my questions are answered over there.

Yup, the Brooks thread pretty much answered everything. so, Dear Santa, I'd like a B67 in black for the commuter-mobile. (or a B67s, haven't figured out that difference yet)

I bought an allen wrench and tried to get the old seat off ... couldn't even start the bolt. ARGH! I used to be so buff, once [sniffle]

After covering half the living room with zinc grease from the saddle stem, I decided to take the whole shebang to the LBS and ask them sweetly if they'd help me out.

Meanwhile I put the saddle on the (hard) sofa and sat on it for half an hour. Everything seemed to hold me in the right places, and leave me alone in the right places. Can't wait to ride on the darn thing.

I found a Specialized saddle that's 175mm wide ~ giving it a go soon. It's signficantly wider than anything I've used to date, really hoping to find an appropriate fit with this.

Interestingly, I asked a couple shops for their suggestions. First shop handed me the Terry Butterfly & told me I'd feel happy. When I refused & described the actual situation, and what I was looking for - I was then told it was simply a matter of moving the seat front or back until I was comfortable. Okay, Next? Yes you - here's my problem, and do you have any saddle suggestions? No? Okay, I'll try another shop :p Shop two didn't have a lot of help, well, the people were very friendly, but really didn't know what to suggest. I did my own shopping & found something that I *hope* will work... at least, it'll be the first saddle that is wide enough that my sit bones aren't straddling the seat.

Boy, I wanna ride! I pick up my bike Monday ~ looking forward to riding after a fresh tuneup.

My Serfas with the sun face on the right bun-cheek is 180 mm wide. 270 mm long. With "bits" cut-out. It's on the cushy side, compared to a Terry Sport. I think it was $40 or so. I got it cheap with trade-in of the stock saddle on my bike.

I couldn't find it on the Serfas site. Wonder if they don't make it anymore. Someone with more computer skills than I will probably find it.

I have no real complaints about my Serfas. I just want a Brooks B67 or B72... sigh.

Edit: Sunday 4 June. Rode 27 miles on my Serfas, and decided I really can't justify buying a Brooks right now. Especially now that I really need a stacker bike rack for my apt so we have a place for my bike AND SKnot's bike. Anyway, went to LBS today and bought this 'n' that for SKnot. Also checked the Serfas, it's called the "Niva" and cost $40. LBS had a ton of Serfas stuff that I didn't see on their website.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nokomis

I found a Specialized saddle that's 175mm wide

---

My 2-sided ruler tells me that should cover your 7" span perfectly ... geez, what a thing to say. If we've got any guys lurking, they're falling off their seats about now.

Wish I could say your adventures with your local shops surprised me. If you're a woman under 30, you obviously don't know what your're talking about; if you're a woman over 30, you don't count, so why should they listen. Maddening. Try throwing a few leaflets at the manager, or printouts from the web, if you think other women might have to resort to the same shops.

My big, fat, well-sprung (that's well-SPRUNG, thank you ;) ) Bontrager is just great. It fits as if it were made for me, and still feels supportive at the end of the day.

It's hard to get off the bike because it's just so much fun to scoot around on. I love how nimble it is with the small wheels -- I'm just glad they aren't any smaller. Another nice touch: the wheels are rugged enough for city kerbs.

I rode 4 hours yesterday and 5 today, and I don't want to sit down too suddenly because of muscular aches, but I really can't complain. My posture is already improving because I feel so good and sit so upright on the bike.

I'd better stay off the bike tomorrow because of my forearms. They don't take much. I'm divided between swimming in the Mediterranean for the first time in 25 years or hiking in the Pyrenees ... my gosh I feel lucky. Haven't got much more than 2 cents to rub together, but I am one lucky girl. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by itifft

I'm divided between swimming in the Mediterranean for the first time in 25 years or hiking in the Pyrenees ... my gosh I feel lucky. Haven't got much more than 2 cents to rub together, but I am one lucky girl. :)

---

Wow--you ARE lucky, if those are your alternatives to cycling! That's fantastic.

I read you loud and clear about LBS folks--I used to say that a middle-age woman has to practically slit her wrists to get attention in most bike shops, but that seems to be changing. I've found an LBS that's run by a husband-and-wife team, and they positively cater to me and my ilk, and they're not the only ones--most of our local shops seem much friendlier and more willing to help the non-young-male racer types than perhaps a decade ago. At least that's my experience in my neck of the woods. Not sure about anywhere else.

Well I can totally relate to getting help with saddles from the LBS. I hate to say that I am so upset at all of ours. I don't think we enough woman working at them or the ones that do all ride like to hard core. I have explained my issue of my sensative areas being on fire and don't know what to do. I have tried two Bontrager WSD (Fit) saddles and they didn't work. I have ordered a Terry Liberator for my hybrid and I hope it helps. I haven't done and measuring but will look into that, I just can't deal with the Crotch fire as I put it. The friction is terrible.

I like the first links and may break down and try a Brooks saddle, they just don't look comfy either.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by itifft

Incidentally, Mimi, I absolutely love that picture of the cat on the bike. Wonder if I could get mine to try that .... :p what a great picture that would be. He feels his dignity keenly, so I imagine his expression would be quite different from that of the lovely grey kitty's.

---

Itifft,
the actual cat in the photo was hunting birds through a window. that
might explain the rapt expression on her face! Glad you like her.
She's a tortoiseshell rescue kitty, my favorite cat

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Katina

Well I can totally relate to getting help with saddles from the LBS. I hate to say that I am so upset at all of ours. I don't think we enough woman working at them or the ones that do all ride like to hard core. I have explained my issue of my sensative areas being on fire and don't know what to do. I have tried two Bontrager WSD (Fit) saddles and they didn't work. I have ordered a Terry Liberator for my hybrid and I hope it helps. I haven't done and measuring but will look into that, I just can't deal with the Crotch fire as I put it. The friction is terrible.

I like the first links and may break down and try a Brooks saddle, they just don't look comfy either.

---

I got my first Brooks saddle from my LBS about 20 years ago. he was selling them for 10 bucks each, they were used.
Today he, the owner, will not ride a bike without a brooks but his shop doesn't even sell them.
i was there the other day and some lady who had a saddle big enough for a table on her bike was complaining about pain. I had my tandem right there
and told her about my saddle. The salesperson went right to her MTB specialized saddles with the crotch ditch in them and went on and on about the anatomical reasons to NOT get a brooks. So yes, i agree, your LBS might not be very helpful when you want to try a brooks.


I just rode that brooks for 100 miles yesterday and NO soft tissue damage
and very little soreness in the butt area. THe saddle is still new, i've had it maybe a month?

sometimes it's useful to check out old technology before you spend $$ on more new stuff. that butterfly i got was useless. as was the "woman cut" Mtb saddle i got.

Rode my first ride with sit bones on a saddle! It isn't perfect yet, but was such a difference. On this one, the nose is way pointed down, and I couldn't figure out how to get it flat - looking at the rails & design I'm not sure it's possible... will have DH help me out tonight to see what we can do.

I like the shape - didn't have issues with inner thigh or soft tissue, but only managed about 16 miles. Hope to get a longer ride in this weekend for a better test.

I don't like that it's a gel seat; because the cover is sticky- there's no sliding around to make small adjustments. Could be a good thing, once I learn how to sit perfectly square first try :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nokomis

Rode my first ride with sit bones on a saddle! It isn't perfect yet, but was such a difference. On this one, the nose is way pointed down, and I couldn't figure out how to get it flat - looking at the rails & design I'm not sure it's possible... will have DH help me out tonight to see what we can do.

I like the shape - didn't have issues with inner thigh or soft tissue, but only managed about 16 miles. Hope to get a longer ride in this weekend for a better test.

I don't like that it's a gel seat; because the cover is sticky- there's no sliding around to make small adjustments. Could be a good thing, once I learn how to sit perfectly square first try :D

---

this is the specialized one right? I think it's interesting that the top is sticky.
I wish my brooks was a little stickier :)
It's great if it's better!