Newbie saddle woes

[VeloVT]

Thanks, bikingmom!

Has anyone tried the Fizik Arione tri saddle -- and if you've tried it and the road Arione, how do they compare? Is the tri too cushy? In pictures it looks squishy.

Also, how about Selle San Marco Aspide, and similar Selle San Marco saddles?

[emily_in_nc]

Also, how about Selle San Marco Aspide, and similar Selle San Marco saddles?

I ride the Selle San Marco Atola Gelaround (women's) saddle and love it. It's pretty small, narrow, and not super cushy, but for the first time ever I don't get chafing or saddle sores. The cutout is kinda diamond shape and very soft on the edges - no pinching of the girly bits. And it's nice looking. I can't say enough good about this saddle!

Emily

[Trekhawk]

I ride the Selle San Marco Atola Gelaround (women's) saddle and love it. It's pretty small, narrow, and not super cushy, but for the first time ever I don't get chafing or saddle sores. The cutout is kinda diamond shape and very soft on the edges - no pinching of the girly bits. And it's nice looking. I can't say enough good about this saddle!

Emily

Like Emily I am a Selle San Marco Atola Gelaround fan. I have this saddle on both of my road bikes.

Happy saddle hunting.

[susanm8048]

I have the non gelaround version of the Atola and like it too after many, many trials and errors. The cut out is just right for me.

Can I ask ( it is a little off topic) if anyone has compared the gel vs non gel around versions? Am I missing out on an even BETTER ride??

Sue

[Squirrel 2]

Lots going on here.

First of all to newbie Liza, if your pubic bone in on the edge of the cut-out, you are sitting wrong on that saddle, or the saddle does not fit you. It is usually the soft-tissue that is attacked by cut-out issues. Take the bike to the shop & ask them to check your seating position, you might be sitting crooked & hanging off to one side, which would put pressure on the pubic bone. Better yet, have them measure your sit-bone width. Maybe you are too wide for the Damselfly. That saddle is not known for comfort in a more upright riding position.

The width of the Arione is similar to the width of the Damselfly. It is flat & has no cut-out. I ride this one as I can't abide a cut-out. The tri version is very soft up front, it's all gel up there, and the nose is wider. I have no interest or need to try that one as I don't ride much in the drops, & wider up front would be higher potential for chafing up there.

Selle San Marco Aspide is a hard saddle. The Atola & the Aero both have good cut-outs with no sharp edges. These 2 are also wider (140 & 145 mm vs about 130 for Damselfly & Arione), so if you need more area to space & support your sit-bones, they are a better option. There doesn't seem to be much difference between the gel & non-gel versions of the Atola. There is a considerable difference in the Aero as the gel version is much softer all around than the non-gel. Just personal preference, the gel version gets hotter so the non-gel might be better in warmer riding conditions.