Sitting too far back on Specialized saddles?

[bluebug32]

I've read the very helpful threads compiling FAQs for saddles. I seem to have kind of a strange problem, however. I was comfortably riding a Specialized Toupe 143 until I had a bike fit and the fitter noticed that my butt was hanging off the back. My sit bones sit on the very top edge of the saddle. I was beginning to get a little discomfort in the sit bones (not sure if it was from the position or that the saddle was wearing out). I had also had some IT band pain, so my fitter suggested I try the Specialized Romin since it tilts the pelvis forward. My sit bones fall between 143 and 155, so he put me on the 155.

I was still sliding back to get comfortable on the Romin and did the same on the other Specialized saddles I tried. Any position that was correct (ie: sit bones where they should be) put too much pressure on my labia and surrounding soft tissue. After a long ride on the Romin, I felt like I had a UTI, that's how bad the pain in that area was. I also developed a saddle sore at the crease of my leg (between butt and hamstring) and it was chafing the insides of my thighs.

Any thoughts on what shaped saddle I need? If I'm between sizes, should I size up? My LBS only has test saddles in 143 so I feel kind of stuck at the moment. Is there any truth in that a rounded saddle could help prevent the IT band pain (which I suffered from all of last year when I was riding the Toupe) or was it just a coincidence that it subsided around the same time I bought the Romin?

[Owlie]

I have similar measurements to Muirenn (I measured 130, LBS measured 125), and the 143 just about works, which is great, because I'm poor. (Now this post has me wondering if I'm wondering if I'm sitting in the right spot...) However, my bike isn't a great fit and has me a little more leaned forward than I should be on an "endurance geometry" bike.

When I get around to buying a bike that fits me properly, I'm buying a 155 Jett. I'd round up, just in case.

[bluebug32]

Have you seen the discussion about the Romin under the Most Hated Saddles thread?

I'm 125 center to center, and used a 143 Toupe initallly, then developed problems. Went to a local bike shop and sat on a 143 Phenom, and the guy pointed out that I was sitting too far back. Now I have a 155 Ruby and 155 Toupe. Perfect for me.

What are you center to center? According to the chart, I fall between those two sizes.

Huge difference for me.

I can't remember the exact sit bone measurement he said. I'll have to measure them myself, though I have no playdough!

The Ruby is slightly plusher than the Toupe, correct?

[KnottedYet]

Make sure whatever you try next is more T shaped than what you just tried.

You've got a classic case of chafing (butt/ham crease) that screams "too wedged!" and sliding back on the saddle could well be an attempt to get a bit more landscape for the sits and to get away from that too-gradual transition.

The inner thigh chafing could be from a nose that is too wide, or a side effect of trying to clear your hip joints by shifting backwards (so the inner thighs rub on the transition zone).

You could have a saddle that's perfect in every way: wide enough for your sits, minimally padded or cut-out enough for your bits, and at the perfect height and tilt... but if that transition from sit-to-nose is too gradual for your hip joint motion, it's all over! You'll chafe, you'll squish, and you'll shift around all the time.

If anyone ever comes up with a short-cut test to figure out if one needs a T or a pear/wedge saddle, please let me know. All I know is trial and error.

[bluebug32]

Thanks KY. I was hoping you would chime in What's a good T shaped saddle? I guess I'm a little unclear about how to recognize that shape. My LBS lets me try out any saddle they sell (just not take it home), but they sell mostly Specialized saddles. Are any T-shaped?

Also, wondering if you have an opinion on the IT band issue and the value, if any, of having a saddle that tilts the pelvis forward?

Thank you, thank you!

[SarahMN]

What happens when you move your saddle back? I just switched from a SI gel flow to a Specialized Jett. I am still working on the best placement.

[Owlie]

Spesh saddles generally seem pretty T-shaped to me. That Romin's footprint looks a lot more like the Selle Italia I used to have, which to my butt is pear/wedge-shaped. The Jett was a vast improvement in that area.


As to how to recognize them: It's a continuum, as pears are somewhat T-shaped, aren't they? Look at the transition zone. Is there an abrupt transition between the nose and the sitbone area? Then it's on the T-shaped end. What worked for me was that I knew I wanted to cut about an inch off each side of the transition on my old saddle. Kind of like this:



Lines should probably be closer to the bottom set. Please excuse my MS Paint skills.

[bluebug32]

I think my best bet might be to try a Ruby or Toupe in 155. Thanks, everyone!