plus size cycler looking for seat!

[blu23girl]

Hello everyone- Just found this wonderful resource!
I know this has been asked before, but looking for some help. Seems the more research I do- the more overwhelming it becomes!
I just got back into the saddle last year, since being a kid!
The seat that came with my bike was small, hard, and way too small for my sit bones! I put on a huge monster cheap bell much padding seat… I thought more would be better! Well now, a year later, and starting to think about longer rides, I want to do the MS150 ride in September. I think it is time to bring my seat in line with my goals… I don’t have any numbness right now, my main problem is pain on the sit bones… they feel bruised, even after only a short 30-40 min ride… I am a larger plus size woman (lots-o-padding in the rear) I think I measured my sit bones, I’m around 4” to 5” so 101 to 125 mm, although I question if I did it right, b/c that seems small… Anyway- I’m looking for a good seat for my commuter bike (Scott P3) that is comfy & padded, but that will also be able to go the distance this fall on the 150 ride… I’ve been looking at the Selle line but I really have no idea! I live in Alaska, so almost anything I have to order, hard to try stuff out here, not man dealers beyond REI. I’m not limited on budget, willing to pay for comfort, but if I can get it for less, that’s great too…

Any suggestions? Testimonials? THANK YOU!

[surgtech1956]

Have you checked www.bikenashbar.com, www.performancebike.com, www.pricepoint.com websites? Can't offer any advice on seats. I should look into something else - I'm a larger gal too.

[Trek420]

I’m looking for a good seat for my commuter bike (Scott P3) that is comfy & padded, but that will also be able to go the distance this fall on the 150 ride…

Hi, and a hearty welcome to TE. Comfy and padded are not necessarily one and the same. That would be so easy.

Here's a good place to start your search.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=21451

[Heifzilla]

I have a hybrid/comfort bike and my most comfy saddle is sort of a hybrid saddle I am an Athena with a big butt and wiiiiiiiiiiiide sit bones. I don't remember the measurements, but they're wide I went through the whole shebang of smaller saddle killing me, then I got big wide cruiser saddle and that rubbed my thighs horribly, and then I switched to a Selle Royal Lookin'. Selle Royal makes most of their saddles with slightly different forms/shapes for different riding angles. I choose the moderate version of my saddle because I sit more upright than I would on a road bike but don't sit entirely upright like I would on a cruiser. It is so comfortable for me and my wide butt, lol. I am completely supported but it's not too wide, either. And it's not padded much at all. In fact, it's the flattest saddle I have ever ridden. It has a smidge of gel in it, so it's somewhat soft, but it certainly isn't what I'd call a padded, squishy saddle.

Unfortunately, everyone is different and what works for me may not work for you. Just be sure to find an online store that allows returns, even if the saddle has been tried out. I didn't check that and I had a saddle that I ordered online and then had to sell for cheaper than I paid even though it really were brand new with maybe 2 miles on it but had a couple of scratches on the rails from my seat post. It was pretty annoying It did go to a good home with someone that loved it, so all turned out well

Good luck! Saddle searching can be a pain in the butt

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I have VERY wide sit bones. Pretty much the only saddle that is wide enough for me is the Brooks B68 leather. With NO padding or foam. It's dreamy comfy, for me anyway.
Padded cushy saddles can often be MORE painful than unpadded saddles, especially on long rides.
Everyone finds different ideal saddles, we are all different....but please reconsider your impression that padded/foam/cushy saddles will be more comfortable for you on long rides.

[blu23girl]

thanks for the help!
I will definitly try some of the sugested seats out...

and i will reconsider that padded means comfy... just in my limited time- unpadded has meant real pain! but i can be open to try new seats

[whateveronfire]

Lots of TE folks are big Brooks fans. I didn't like my Brooks experiments, but love the various WTB saddles.

I'm an Athena, too, and have the Rocket Vs on my mountain bike and hybrid and the SST on my road bike. I also like the Fizik Aliante. Everyone is different. Try lots out.