saddle suggestions?

[rose]

Hello,
This is my first post, but I've been reading for a while. I bought my first road bike today, and I'm already in love. It is an Azzurri Imperia. I've been riding all my life but this is my first road bike.

I got a male specific Selle Italia X2 saddle with the bike, but I wanted to buy a female specific saddle. I know about the sit bones and all that, but I was wondering which saddles people found good for long periods of time.

I am doing the Round the Bay for the fifth year this year, so I was hoping to get a new saddle in time for that. I was having a look around, and because I just want to experiment with saddles, I would like the cheaper ones to begin with.

I found a Scott Contessa and thought that would be the place to start. Does anyone have any opinions about this one? Or any suggestions? I wouldn't mind trying a Selle Italia Gel Flow, but I find they are quite expensive.

[smittykitty]

The Specialized Jett and Ruby seem to be very popular here. Based on TE recommendations (and my LBS), I have Jetts on both my road bike and my Trek FX. There was a bit of a "learning curve" for my sit bones as they got used to a firmer saddle, but in the end (say 100 miles or so later over a few rides), I am happy with my saddles. And believe me, I was a very unhappy camper with my previous saddles.

Of course, there is always the disclaimer.....what works for one, may not work for another. Seems we aren't all made the same. Good Luck.

[pll]

Welcome to TE! Congratulations on the new bike... posting pictures of a new bike is a long standing tradition in this forum (and I am particularly curious since I've never seen an Azzurri bike). The question of a the "best" saddle is a perennial one and very subjective. I have a Selle Italia Diva that I like thus far. If you look in this forum, there is a section called "Gear and accessories". There are so many threads about saddles, it will make your head spin.

[macski]

A saddle is a very personal choice - what works for one person is a torture device for another. I am a fan of Specialized saddles and have a Jett on all of my bikes.

Today I rode for 92 kilometres and hardly noticed my saddle - which is the best thing you can say about a saddle. I was a little tender in the sit bones around 50 kms but there was no chafing or discomfort resulting from the saddle anywhere.

Before you decide on a saddle have your sit bones measured in an LBS because that may narrow your choice (no pun intended).

Oh, and my partner has an Azzuri and loves it - he was with me on the ride today.

[Sylvia]

When I was looking for saddles, I purchased mine off of ebay. They are cheaper and if it doesn't work, just put them back on ebay to sell.

[Biciclista]

Also a lot of us have found saddles made for men work dandy for women!