Multiple questions about saddles, pedals & shorts!

[arielmoon]

BF bought me my first pair of road shoes for my birthday (I had been using his mtn bike shoes up until this point) and speedplay 5X pedals & cleats. I rode them for the first time yesterday and on a easy ride was able to get over 34mph on a downhill that I usually get 29/30mph so YAY!! Now of course I am imagining what I could do on a faster/better bike- oh yes the wheels are spinning on that one.

But let me get to my questions:

1. The left pedal/cleat is much looser than the right and I am guessing that the place to address that is in the cleat. (I have arthritic knees and had surgery less than a year ago on the left.) The left pedal felt great and I would like to have the right as lose. I could not find anything in the material that came with the pedals. If anyone knows offhand how to get them to both be nice and lose let me know.

2. I have a limited budget and need a new saddle. I suspect I would like a cut out and a relatively narrow nose. I prefer a synthetic saddle (I am vegan) and am debating between a Specialized Dolce (cheap) or Jett (more expensive but more racey). I know saddles are ver individual so there is no right or wrong answer but if anyone has experience with either one let me know.

3. I have 2 pairs of PI and ride 5 days a week- you do the math! I have 3 pairs of shorts on my wish list and can buy one. Again on a budget but I dont want to be cheap if a good pair is worth the price. Which would you recomend?

a. Decente Bliss
b. Shebeest Triple S
c. Shebeest Ultra D (I LOVE the look of these but alas they are the most expensive) I live in FL and the back mesh sounds oh so appealing even though they are longer than anything I have currently.

Sorry for clumping several things together but I didnt want to have to check on several threads.

[Aggie_Ama]

1. My LBS will often make little adjustments to cleats/pedals for no charge. What pedals do you have? That might help us!

2. Can't help you with Specialized but I love my Selle Italia Gel, it is a bit pricey my tushy is happy. I think it was $100.

3. Are you doing long distance? I have heard nothing but good things about the Triple S.

[arielmoon]

1. My LBS will often make little adjustments to cleats/pedals for no charge. What pedals do you have? That might help us!

2. Can't help you with Specialized but I love my Selle Italia Gel, it is a bit pricey my tushy is happy. I think it was $100.

3. Are you doing long distance? I have heard nothing but good things about the Triple S.

1. Oops- speedplay 5X

2. Is that the Lady Gel? DIVA?

3. I will be doing a century in Sept and or Oct. Right now we ride at 20 miles 5 days a week and a few times I have done 26-30 on the weekends.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I have the Ultra D shorts and they are very high quality and have been great on 50 mile rides for me so far. Haven't tried them on longer than that yet. The foam is denser than my cheaper shorts, but it's not 'puffier', which is good.

[Aggie_Ama]

1. Oops- speedplay 5X

2. Is that the Lady Gel? DIVA?

3. I will be doing a century in Sept and or Oct. Right now we ride at 20 miles 5 days a week and a few times I have done 26-30 on the weekends.

It is the LAdy Gel. Make sure you look at the sit bone width and the nose width, they come in multiple sizes.

[Blueberry]

I have the SSS and the Ultra D. I usually only ride the Ultra D on rides longer than about 60. They're both really nice shorts. The Ultra D is noticeably longer (at least last year's was). Be aware you can burn through the mesh, so you need to put sunscreen there (which kind of defeats the breathability IMO).

CA

[arielmoon]

I have the SSS and the Ultra D. I usually only ride the Ultra D on rides longer than about 60. They're both really nice shorts. The Ultra D is noticeably longer (at least last year's was). Be aware you can burn through the mesh, so you need to put sunscreen there (which kind of defeats the breathability IMO).

CA

Very good point about the mesh & sunscreen!

So... maybe get the SSS for the time being (for training) and get the Ultra D before the century rides?

[ilima]

1. The left pedal/cleat is much looser than the right and I am guessing that the place to address that is in the cleat. (I have arthritic knees and had surgery less than a year ago on the left.) The left pedal felt great and I would like to have the right as lose. I could not find anything in the material that came with the pedals. If anyone knows offhand how to get them to both be nice and lose let me know.

Try some dry lube on the cleats. When my X2s started to get difficult to clip into, I put some dry lube on the cleats and Voila! Good as new. I lube the cleats every few months or so.

[arielmoon]

Try some dry lube on the cleats. When my X2s started to get difficult to clip into, I put some dry lube on the cleats and Voila! Good as new. I lube the cleats every few months or so.

Thanks! It did seem a little better on today's ride and I will try the dry lube!

[TxDoc]

3. I have 2 pairs of PI and ride 5 days a week- you do the math! I have 3 pairs of shorts on my wish list and can buy one. Again on a budget but I dont want to be cheap if a good pair is worth the price. Which would you recomend?
a. Decente Bliss
b. Shebeest Triple S
c. Shebeest Ultra D (I LOVE the look of these but alas they are the most expensive) I live in FL and the back mesh sounds oh so appealing even though they are longer than anything I have currently.

Well, if you are on a budget and can only afford one pair of shorts... how about you buy one that is really good and will last a few years? Like Assos for example. You might spend a little more right now - but it will likely last 3-5 years depending on what detergent you use to wash it. Also, most Assos shorts and bibs tend to breathe a little better than other lycra shorts - and that is very nice in hot weather.
Good luck!

[arielmoon]

Well, if you are on a budget and can only afford one pair of shorts... how about you buy one that is really good and will last a few years? Like Assos for example. You might spend a little more right now - but it will likely last 3-5 years depending on what detergent you use to wash it. Also, most Assos shorts and bibs tend to breathe a little better than other lycra shorts - and that is very nice in hot weather.
Good luck!

I can afford one pair now and another in a month or two. I figure a basic training pair for now and a nicer pair as I get up to the century rides. I ordered the SSS and I'll see what they are like!

I had never heard of Assos! I did a search... the stitching around the crotch is very prominent in the colored shorts... is that common?

[TxDoc]

I had never heard of Assos! I did a search... the stitching around the crotch is very prominent in the colored shorts... is that common?

Yes, but it's flat so really you cannot even tell it's there. Their website is http://www.assos.com/en/
If you want to buy some, look up Glory before you ask your local bike shop to order them - often times Glory has sales on Assos clothing so that would save you some $$$

[arielmoon]

I purchased the SSS shorts and rode in them for the first time yesterday!

Fit: Lower rise +4
Chamois: Not as bulky or thick as the PI's +3
Elastic grips at the thigh: Not what I am used to but ok I think it's ok +1
BF NOT noticing new pair of shorts +1 for shorts -10 for BF.

Score

Shorts 9
BF -10

[csr1210]

Love my SSS's, but then I haven't tried many different kinds.

I have a Dolce saddle, and I think it's too soft. I think that's why I'm having tailbone soreness. I'm currently trying a Brooks, but I think I'd be happier with a cutout (didn't really think I needed it before, but anyway....). The Jett is next on my list to try.

Good luck with the search!

(oh, and a thousand lashes from all of us to the bf)

Christy