Saddle pain - is this normal for a new rider?

[Flur]

After I ride I have soreness on the inside edge of my sitbones, and then inside and forward on the pelvic girdle along the bone. When I start a ride I'm sensitive in these areas b/c they are tender from previous rides, but once I get going I don't really have any noticeable pain (if I think about it I notice the soreness but it's not enough that my attention is repeatedly called to it). Both my sitbones are on the saddle. I don't have any sores, chafing or bruising. Is this normal for a new rider and I just need to condition my butt more to the saddle, or do I need to try a new saddle? I'm riding a Specialized Ariel 143mm and it has a nice cutout that I really like.

[KnottedYet]

I'm guessing your saddle is too narrow, no wiggle room and the bones aren't completely supported.

Stress to the pelvic floor leads to pain at the boney attachments, and pain on the "insides" of the sit bones.

Do what you want, but keep in mind that the saddle might not be wide enough for your riding style. (I assume you already did the measurements, and your saddle is wider than your sit bone outer span by a couple cms, and so is adequate for your anatomy.)

[Flur]

So I've decided to go with a wider saddle (155mm) but to stay with Specialized as the cutout is perfect for me. I'm trying to decide between the Jett (performance line, lighter padding) and the Lithia (enthusiast line, gel padding). I'm leaning towards the Jett b/c I think it will support my sit bones better, but I'm worried that there won't be enough padding for long rides. I'm averaging 12 miles/ride right now, but I'm working towards riding a century. Does anyone have any advice for me?

Thanks in advance

[ninerfan]

I have the Specialized Jett and recently completed my first century. My sit bones did start to get sore around the 70 mile mark, but I figure it was simply a function of sitting in the saddle for so long. It wasn't a soreness that made it difficult to ride and I would happily ride another century on my Jett.

The Jett certainly does have less padding so for me, at least initially, I kind of had to train my seat bones to get used to it. That, and a good pair of shorts!

Good luck!

[OakLeaf]

I have the Lithia. I could do with a little less padding up front, but I don't feel it has too much padding under the sit bones. The longest ride I've done on it is 105 (each day, two days back to back) - no sitbone trouble, a little minimal soft tissue pressure/rubbing. It was beautiful for my 64 today. I'm sticking with this saddle for now, but when it's due for replacement I'll probably get a Jett.

Flur, how soon do you plan to do your first century? Might it be possible for you to start with a Lithia and then "graduate" to a Jett as you get more miles and your butt gets tougher?

[Flur]

I'm not doing the century until next year, most likely, so starting with the Lithia sounds like a good idea. Although yesterday I had no pain with the Ariel, so I may keep it after all - we'll see how today goes...