Brooks Saddles

[khgulledge]

OK - I posted somewhere else (maybe the meaurement post) about some issues I was having with my stock saddle.

I have a Trek Pilot 5.0wsd and have been having problems with pressure and some pain on/in the soft tissue of the crotch area. I bought a Terry Butterfly and this weekend, rode it 53 miles. I really don't know if the seat is set up correctly; I need to check the KOPS to make sure it's correct fore/aft and also check seat height. But, that still may not help.

I found that while riding, I don't feel as if I'm actually sitting on my sit bones. If you are sitting correctly, you should not feel any pressure anywhere else, right? So, if the Butterfly is postioned correctly on the bike, am I not sitting correctly? How do you figure out this? Gosh, I just want a saddle that feels good so I can do longer rides.

I've got either a metric or english century coming up this Saturday and I would really like to ride without pressure/discomfort on girly parts!

I did measure and I think my sit bones are 5-5.25", which is around 130mm. That's kind of narrow isn't it? From the Brooks web site, it seems that the narrowest seats are in the 152mm range (6"). Wouldn't this be too wide?

I'm just so confused on this sitting issue....

Karen.

[KnottedYet]

The saddle you choose needs to be WIDER than your sit bone measurement. In an ideal world, your sit bones would each land in the center of the "cheek" of each side of the saddle.

If you call Wallingford Bicycle Parts 1-888-731-3537 Bill or Diane will answer the phone (unless they are crazy busy)

Tell them what your measurements are, what bike you ride, and how you feel on your current saddle. They will be able to steer you toward a couple Brooks saddles that might work for you.

They are full of knowlege, and don't be afraid to "girl talk" with Bill. He is VERY cool, and understands women's saddle issues. He also won't mind a bit if you ask that Diane call you to discuss girl issues.

They are both great. Call them.

(and no, you shouldn't be weightbearing on anything but your sit bones. Is your seat to high or your handlebars too low, or your posture goofy? Or is it the saddle?)

[Kitsune06]

Just confirming what Knotted said. My sitbones are 155-160ish and I'm going for the B17S, just because it's closer to 170 and should be more accomodating to my wider base. What was hard for me was learning that though I have a skinny butt, my bone measurements could be a little wider than expected- AND that I was sitting on my seat ALL WRONG. I had all my pressure on that little bridge inside one's thighs and very little on my actual sitbones. No wonder I was getting chafing issues, etc...

So... I hear ya. =) I'm sure the more seasoned Brooks pros will be able to confirm/deny my assumptions.

Also... I'm getting my 1st brooks this weekend!!! YEE!

[khgulledge]

Thanks...I'm still not sure whether I'm actually sitting correctly on the saddle. I did the paper towel measurement last night and my bones are narrower! I put the paper towel on the carpet, sat on it and wiggled just a little to make sure I made an impression - then measured and got 4.5"! That's close to 115mm! Can this be wrong??

Anyway, I adjusted the Butterfly so that it's ever so slightly tilted UP and went for a test ride. I also, tried to hold my abs in a little more and concentrated on making sure I sat more on the bones (I think). Riding like that, I didn't have much discomfort in the girly parts area, but I don't think I could ride for a long time like that (abs held in). Could be that my posture on the bike is not correct...

Guess I will try the Butterfly out at Bikefest and go from there.

How do you get your SO/husband to understand the issues you have and that you may need to try SEVERAL saddles before you find the one that's right??

Karen.

[xeney]

Can't help you on the husband issue; mine got terrible saddle sores on his first ride when he got his Giant, and he has a collection of about a dozen discarded saddles (not including the ones he's given away), so he understands. Although he hates Brooks saddles and doesn't believe that I really like them.

But my sit bones are also about 4.5 inches apart. I should probably try some men's saddles. (The B-67 works great for me, but I use it on a very upright bike -- I don't think it would work on a road bike.)