bi-saddle

[Martha716]

Hi,

I read a lot of posts about saddles as I was having major problems even on short rides with my new Giant Avail WSD. I'm in the UK and perhaps you call the Giant Avail something different in the US, but that's not a big deal. Just imagine an aluminium and carbon road bike with a Giant seat. Now, imagine me having parted with a lot of money for the bike spending another $200.00 on a new saddle because I can't stand the pain from the one that came with the bike!

At first, I thought it was disaster as I didn't like the bisaddle. I had to fiddle with it for a long time, put it on a trainer, change this, adjust that. I rode it on roads and felt wobbly. I worried. I thought, Oh hell, I'll just have to go back to the drawing board.

Well, finally, I "got" it. I don't know how long it took exactly but a couple of weeks. Anyway, long story slightly less long, I just did my first sportive in it and had no pain. Okay, maybe some point soreness but nothing like what I was going through before. No numbness, nothing.

Now, this is an expensive saddle and it will not work with extreme racing positions. My handle bars are angled up on my Giant road bike and so it is not too extreme a position. But I like the saddle. I think there are a few new seats out there that might also work okay, but I got along with the bi-saddle very well.

Just one point of view!

Martha

[Trek-chick]

I think most stock saddles are the first thing to get changed out by a most people when they purchase a new bike. I can not remember a bike I ever owned that I kept/liked the stock saddle. Glad you finally figured out a position that works for you. If you do decide to get a new saddle, a lot of companies will let you return them after 30 days or so, if it isn't comforatable for you.

[WindingRoad]

Yeah I second that, I ALWAYS change out what comes on the bike. Honestly they don't usually put a very good saddle on the bike when you get them to keep costs down. Just do your behind a favor and go get your sit bones measured for a new saddle at your LBS. That's a nice bike though. Have fun with it!

[arielmoon]

My stock saddle was ok but I did change it out after a year and only spent $70 on the new one.

[Owlie]

The stock saddle that came with my Avail did not work at all for me. Too narrow, too hard, and no cut out. No amount of fiddling got it so it was comfortable; it was merely tolerable, and only for short rides. I got rid of that thing in a month.

[Librarygirl]

Hey Martha,

I just bought the 2010 Avail a couple of weeks ago and I too have found the saddle incredibly painful! Between that and realllly sore hands, I have had to put it aside and keep on riding my old hybrid until I get a chance to get things fixed up in those areas on the bike.

I found that with the saddle it wasn't really my sit bone area, it was the 'delicate area at the front' that was being squished most uncomfortably

Now comes the fun search for the right saddle....

Glad to hear that your new saddle is working for you!

Linda.

[Martha716]

Yes, Library Girl, EXACTLY!!!

I rang the guy at bi-saddle in desperation because there was no hope I'd ever maintain my marriage and my cycling if I rode in that darned stock saddle that came with the Avail. It hurt after 5 miles, let alone 50! I couldn't even do 50. I got off the bike swearing at the saddle!

Okay, on the hands problem.... I tried out the Avail at a bike shop and said it was too much pressure on my hands. They turned the stem upside down or something? And there are some stem risers there, too. I can't remember but anyway that fixed it completely. I'll try to find out exactly and then post again because I really love my Avail now. I used to have a hybrid Trek WSD and I like the avail more now....but it did take a new seat and something happening to the handlebar position.