Terry Saddles- Performance, Endurance, Sport

[Tanya]

Apologies if this ends up being a double-post (I tried to submit this earlier but it didn't show up).

I have a Trek 7.5 FX and, after about 8 months of riding, I've finally decided that the Bontrager saddle needs to go. It's not horrible, but I feel like there must be something better out there. The area by my sit bones still gets tender after about 15 miles. I don't have any other problems from the saddle--no chaffing, no sores, no numbness. I ride 3-4 times per week, 80-100 miles total weekly. I'm interested in Terry saddles since they've gotten decent reviews and they have a wonderful return policy, in case I order a particular saddle and it just doesn't work out.

I read in an earlier post that the sit bone area tenderness could be alleviated by a narrower saddle. Correspondingly, I was intrigued by the Terry Damselfly. It seems narrower, and I'm also interested in whether the cut-out would benefit me. However, this saddle is in the "Performance" category. While I ride consistently, I'm by no means a competitive rider. Would this saddle be completely incorrect for my needs? Should I be looking at saddles in the "Endurance" category? Or "Sport"?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

-Tanya

[KnottedYet]

What is your center-to-center sitbone measurement?

[Tanya]

I've tried to measure myself, but I can't get an accurate read (I was doing the wet paper towel in between paper trick). I will have to visit my LBS this week to get a real measurement done.

[KnottedYet]

Try using your hands. (I think it's more accurate, anyway.)

Sit on your hands, and feel for the two bones of your butt. They feel like elbows poking down into your hands.

Put the tip of your index fingers right under the part of the bones that is pushing hardest into the chair. (squish the very tip of your fingers between the chair and your sitbones)

Lift your butt from the chair leaving your hands on the chair, and have your assistant measure the distance between your fingertips. This is pretty much your center-to-center.

Then put your fingertips against the outsides of the bones. Push them right into the bones so they are on the outside of the bones. Lift your butt from the chair and have an assistant measure the distance between your fingertips. This is pretty much your outside.

Some people have sitbones that angle a lot from front to back. The sits are heavy thickened portions of the rami and can have unique personalities of their own. You can measure again on the forward part of the heavy "elbow" bit if you can feel that yours have a definite angle. The forward portion of the heavy thick part of the bone is what your weight rests on more when you are in a more aero position. DON'T measure the thin blade like portion that is in your crotch, that is the rami and you do not want a saddle there. Measure from your backside.

Repeat your measurements a few times, average them out if you want.

You can also get these measurements by lying on your back with your knees to your chest holding a measuring tape and poking around for landmarks.

[KnottedYet]

Your measurements tell you where to start in your saddle search.

The saddle has "cheeks" on the wide back part. Sometimes the cheeks are even domed up a bit. Your sitbone is meant to land in the high part of that dome to take advantage of the padding and the overall architecture of the saddle.

Measure the saddle from center of cheek to center of cheek. The saddle's center-to-center should match yours.

Next measure the saddle's overall width. Generally the saddle's overall width should be pretty much the same as your outside measurement, if not slightly wider. You want to be able to shift around to power up hills or use body-english around corners or just to give your butt a break, and STILL have the bones land on the saddle. (you sit ON a saddle, you do not INSERT it)

In the case of a suspended leather saddle (which you are not looking at yet) your saddle must be about 2 cm wider than your outside measurement so you do not have bones contacting the metal cantle plate.

[maillotpois]

Knott that is the best description I have ever read for how to measure your sit bones! Thanks!