Fizik Vitesse

[Andrea]

I just ordered a Vitesse, and it should be here early next week. My San Marco Glamour Aspide has given me a couple of very UN-glamourous saddle sores as of late Not really sure why, because was great when I first got it (other than a tiny bit of numbness if I sat in one position for too long).

So, I should have one or the other up for sale soon depending on how it works out!

[redrhodie]

Oh, no! I was so glad the last one was working out.

You know, I was thinking about you the other day when I was talking to a guy in the LBS about my saddle. He happened to mention that he punched holes in the sides of his Brooks, and laced it up from underneath (which is another way to tighten it up) when he ran out of tension bolt. I was thinking you should try that with your stretched out An Atomica.

http://www.wallbike.com/content/butchering.html

I found this website that shows some. They look pretty cool, too. Are you crafty? If not, maybe a cobbler could do it.

[xeney]

I love my Vitesse, Andrea. I ride Brooks saddles on everything except for my road bike and my mountain bike, and the Vitesse is perfect for me on the road bike. It's really narrow and hard compared to my old Terry Butterfly but much more comfortable for me. It completely eliminated the chafing problems I was having.

[Andrea]

Oh, no! I was so glad the last one was working out.

You know, I was thinking about you the other day when I was talking to a guy in the LBS about my saddle. He happened to mention that he punched holes in the sides of his Brooks, and laced it up from underneath (which is another way to tighten it up) when he ran out of tension bolt. I was thinking you should try that with your stretched out An Atomica.

http://www.wallbike.com/content/butchering.html

I found this website that shows some. They look pretty cool, too. Are you crafty? If not, maybe a cobbler could do it.

I actually did that! I'll have to post pics of it some day. It's pretty hideous, but it worked for a little while, then started to chafe along the cutout (again)

[Andrea]

I figure I'll keep reporting on my saddle experiences in case it helps anyone that's having the same problems...

I did 30 miles on the Vitesse yesterday, and I like it more than the SSM Glamour Aspide. The SSM was getting very flexible, which I know some people like. However, it was causing me to get a massive saddle sore where the skin was getting pinched with every pedal stroke between my thigh and the edge of the saddle. The Vitesse does not flex at all (though it has "wingflex" panels in the middle), has more rounded edges, and it's got a little bit more padding.

The only problem I can forsee is that it will cause some numbness. The SSM had a channel, which, honestly, didn't give much relief, especially when climbing or being in the drops for long periods of time. The Vitesse's padding seems to be softer down the middle, and it does have a little bit of a channel at the very back, so even though it looks like a soft tissue torture device, it's about the same as the SSM.

Right now, I'm just glad that yesterday's ride didn't make my saddle sores worse. I'll update if, like most others I've tried, this one works until it really starts to break in and soften up.

[Sheesh]

I have a Vitesse and have not noticed any breakdown or softening up. I've had it for at least two years and it's just as comfy as it was on day one. Of course, I don't put a ton of miles on my bike, but I did a metric century on it last summer and was just fine. Good luck! I hope the Vitesse works out for you!

[bikemama]

I've used the Vitesse for as long as I've been riding - about 12 years. I had it on my road and mountain bike. However, after two kids I've discovered that it no longer works for my soft tissue. I'm so sad to give it up!

Recently I've tried the Terry Zero X. It's great for soft tissue and not for the sit bones. Next up to try is the Terry Butterfly Ti.

Anyone able to compare the SSM Glamour Aspide Arrowhead with the Terry saddles? It's become apparent that I need a cut out to relieve the pressure!