Is it the saddle or me?

[ny biker]

This is probably TMI but I'm so bruised and swollen down there. Is this a saddle problem or a fit issue?

I'll check into another professional fitting. The LBS that gave the best went under a couple of years go but I'll call a couple of stores. I had the bruising problem once over the summer. I went for a couple of days..an hour or so each day for 3-4 days and ended up with the same problem. I was off the bike for 3 weeks until I healed up. Maybe a center opening would prove useful. I thought I was doing good until today.

If you haven't yet measured your sit bones, start with that. It's free (unless you need to buy a tape measure) and you can do it at home.

As for the cutout, if the problem is chafing, then a cutout might help. If it's bruising from too much pressure, then a cutout will not help and may make it worse.

Look here for more on measuring sit bones and testing to see if you could use a cutout.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=39475