Is Jett The ONE After All?

[Norse]

I have posted of my search for saddle nirvana before, but here's the background: (1) Terry Race Liberator - worked ok for a few years then started chafing like crazy; seemed too cushy and too flexy; (2) Specialized Jett - did not even notice it for about the first 40-45 miles but then, my sit bones started crying; (3) SM Aspide Glamour Arrowhead - really wanted to love this saddle but had to finally admit that the chafing and saddles sores would always be an issue; (4) Jett goes back on and I also try new shorts - Sugoi Evolution, hmmm.... (5) meanwhile Bontrager Inform RL I ordered from LBS arrives, I only have time for one longer ride before big 4-day event ride - no nirvana on the long ride and no matter how much I tweak it down, my girly bits are saying "I think you should stick with a cut-out"; (6) Jett goes back on again and one more tune-up ride and then off we go for 300 miles/4 days.

By day 4 of this ride last year, ooh... my body did not want to get back in the saddle. Ouch! Day 4 this year, hmm... so I have a little chafing but nothing more than you would expect under the circumstances and my bottom actually feels, wow, it feels comfy getting back in the saddle on day 4. Could the Jett be the one I have searched for all along? Could it be that it just needed more breaking in for the sit bones? Other info - I wore Sugoi Evolution shorts the first 3 days of the ride and my old PI's the last day. I felt great the last day so maybe it's a combination of breaking in and different shorts the first few days. For now, the Jett stays and the Bontrager (90-day money back guarantee) goes back.

[shellabree]

It sort of sounds like it! I think that whenever you hop back in the saddle after consecutive long rides without too much "oooohhhh" and "ahhhhh"... you've got a winner!

Iornically, I'm about to test out a Jett. I'm dying here and I like the idea that the Jett comes in different widths AND that many women "seem" to be very happy with it. We shall see...

Keep us posted...

[kermit]

If you found a saddle that will tolerate 4 days and 300 miles, I'd say that's a keeper. I wanted to like the Jett and did like the ruby for a while. As you can see from my post, I'm in limbo with the SLR lady. Just ordered a SSM glamour aspide and may look at the Bontrager. Did that saddle give any relief in front as marketed? I am used to cutouts but wonder if that is what is causing my left sided pain/almost chafe. I was using thin shorts and am also digging out the fatter PI's. It's a constant work in progress.

[Norse]

It certainly is a constant work in progress, isn't it? I did not notice any improvement in front with the Inform but then again, I only used it on one longer ride.

[Norse]

One note about the sizing on the Jett: my sit bones fell in between so the LBS recommended the smaller size 143. I tried this but felt like my sit bones were sitting on the edge, not the saddle, so I got the 155 instead and this is what I am using.

[shellabree]

Hubby is bringing me home a Jett 155 today! I'm hopeful! He got me the white/pink version. I'll let everyone know how it goes.

[malaholic]

I rode on a Jett for a year and while I loved that it never hurt me up front, I also had problems with it really hurting my sitbones on 50+ mile rides, even with good shorts. But, like you, after trying a bunch of other saddles it was still the closest to "the one" that I had found. This year, I switched to the Toupe (men's saddle, non-gel version) in the same width and my sitbones are much happier. Even though there's no padding on the Toupe, it seems to have more flex, was easier to break in, and is just overall more comfy for me.

So, if you end up feeling like the Jett is almost-but-not-quite right, the Toupe might be another option for you. I haven't tried the gel version, or the Ruby (women's version, also with gel) so I can't say whether those would be even better or worse.

[crazycanuck]

I have a Jett on my mtn bike & haven't noticed any serious problems with it. THen again, when on the dirt i normally pay more attention to what's coming up on the trail & my body position rather than how the saddle feels.

[Grits]

I just wanted to say that I am so jealous of anyone who has found "the one." I am still on my quest, but at least you have given me another one to try!