THIS is a top-selling saddle?!

[zoom-zoom]

While at our LBS after hours the other day our shop friend was putting the finishing touches on a new road bike for a customer. This was the saddle he put on it:


My MIL swears by this saddle, but she has a VERY upright custom Seven. I had that saddle on my clunky mountain bike and it was like a torture device. That saddle was part of the reason I was so averse to ever get a road bike.

It's wide, short, squishy, heavy, pear-shaped...the exact opposite of my favorite saddle.

Our LBS owner said that is his most popular women's saddle...really?!

[shootingstar]

It does look awkward to ride for awhile on that.

[owlice]

Except for the "short," it sounds just like me!

[zoom-zoom]

Except for the "short," it sounds just like me!

Ha, even the short sounds like me...though I'm more of a pear/hourglass hybrid.

[Eden]

I would bet that's what gets put on all the new bikes being sold to people who've not ridden before because it looks like a big comfy sofa.... then in a month or two when they either switch saddles or stop riding because it is uncomfortable that LBS doesn't usually hear about it....

[blackhillsbiker]

They put one of those on my first bike (the Cannondale). After a long ride, I was ready to rip it off and throw it into the trees and take my chances with the seatpost! It was that saddle that brought me to TE, and convinced me to get my first Brooks.

Deb

[Biciclista]

I think Eden nailed it. People remember bike saddles being uncomfortable, so they THINK they want a big cushy thing. The ones that get serious about riding toss those things into the flowers..

[zoom-zoom]

I would bet that's what gets put on all the new bikes being sold to people who've not ridden before because it looks like a big comfy sofa.... then in a month or two when they either switch saddles or stop riding because it is uncomfortable that LBS doesn't usually hear about it....

I suspect you are right...but then you have someone like my MIL who has this on her road bike and on the tandem she rides with her BF. She's kind of a nut, though. I have never seen that saddle on any other road bike--pedaled by a female or a male (there is a men's version, too).

[Geonz]

and saddles are personal. There's just no telling what will feel good... but... that does look RONG.

[Geonz]

Serfas does make a lot of squishy stuff!

What I've never understood is the Rx claim. I mean, really?

Means you'll need a doctor after 15 miles.... no, just say it "rex." As in, it wrecks the riding experience...

[pll]

Or as in Tyrannosaddle Rex...

[Owlie]

Or as in Tyrannosaddle Rex...

You know how the Terry Butterfly used to have a butterfly on the top of the saddle? I'm picturing one with a T-rex now. (That would be awesome, actually. Yes, I'm a colossal nerd.)

[zoom-zoom]

You know how the Terry Butterfly used to have a butterfly on the top of the saddle? I'm picturing one with a T-rex now. (That would be awesome, actually. Yes, I'm a colossal nerd.)

Ha, I should sharpie a T-Rex on the top of my Jett...just 'cause it would be funny.

[Cataboo]

It is a top selling saddle if its being pushed by the bike shop. If a woman comes in and tells the bike shop guy that her saddle hurts and he then steers her towards this saddle - then it's the bike shop worker that's really not helping that woman... And maybe she'll eventually end up on Team estrogen and figure out what she really needs.

If the bike shop guy on the other hand, takes the time to measure the woman's sit bones, ask what parts are hurting, etc... and explain about pressure points, etc... I doubt this would be a top selling saddle.

Now, it may be that women don't want to discuss their sore bits and are going in to bike shops, seeing this saddle, and grabbing it thinking it will fix everything without talking to bike shop guys.

[zoom-zoom]

Now, it may be that women don't want to discuss their sore bits and are going in to bike shops, seeing this saddle, and grabbing it thinking it will fix everything without talking to bike shop guys.

I'd bet this is part of the problem. Plus our LBS is small and doesn't carry a lot of saddles. They carry mostly Terry saddles for women. I've never bought a saddle there, since all of their women's offerings are too wide/squishy/pear for my butt. I'm trying to convince the owner that he should try the Arione Donna, since he does carry Fizik and carries the men's versions and the women's Vesta. I would try the Donna from him if he carried it.