Too many choices!

[Daggett]

I have a Serotta Fierte on order that I should be receiving soon. I need to pick a saddle for my new bike. I have read a lot of the great information on this website and I'm overwhelmed. I have measured my butt, my bones are about 5 3/8 inches apart. I talked to Bill at Wallingford bike and he suggested the B17S, Team Pro S, or the Finesse. Then there is Fizik, Terry, Stella and so on.

Most rides will not excede 50 miles. I'm 40 and not interested in racing, at least not yet. Any suggestions? Thanks

[KnottedYet]

Try the Serotta first. If you love it, keep it.

If you don't love it (it doesn't "disappear" under you after 100 or so cumulative miles) send it back. Call Bill, tell him what you did and didn't like about the Serotta. Tell him which of his suggestions appeals to you most, and why.

Let him help you decide which of the 3 saddles to try. Give it a good, long try. Like, 200 or so miles. A couple months. As the leather softens to you, the feel of the saddle changes RADICALLY. You have to give a Brooks a chance to show you what it can do. Be sure to use Proofhide.

If you have any issues, call Bill. He is a fountain of knowlege, and doesn't mind at all if you call him a lot. (I have called 3 or 4 times with questions about my B67.) Or post here, since there are a bazillion Brooks riders on TE. And with the 6 month exchange policy, you really can't go wrong.

I'm also 40, not going to race (but it might be fun), and most of my rides are 50 miles or less. I love my Brooks, and as it has softened I love it more. It "disappears" under me. I doubt I'll ever go for a different brand.

[mimitabby]

You can't go wrong with Wallbike; order the first one on the list and if you don't like it, send it back! They honor their 6 months guarantee!

[Daggett]

I'm sorry I wasn't clear. The Serotta is the bike I have on order. It isn't coming with a saddle. I need to purchase one before I receive my bike.

[KnottedYet]

Call Bill, order one of the 3. Which one appeals to you most? Mine came in the mail in just a couple days.

None of those would fit me, because I have the monster-super-sized sit bones. So I never even tried them, though I did sit on a B17 when I test-rode a Surly. It was fine, but narrow for me.

But the B17S is the cheapest... and probably a good place to start. At the least, you could then tell Bill how you felt with the B17S and he could then use that information to tell you what saddle to try next.

[Squirrel 2]

OK, you've heard from the Brooks fans. Now you'll hear from the other side.

If you're getting a Serotta, you've probably got a pretty good LBS to deal with. I would start there. Ask what they have in stock that you could try out. Your measurements are a little on the narrow side, but not terribly so. They might recommend you give Terry saddles a try. If so, you'll get to see how you like a cut-out as all Terry saddles have cut-outs. If you don't like those, Fizik has quite a variety of saddles, none of which have cut-outs.

I ride a Serotta bike as well, and I started out on it with the Terry Butterfly. I didn't know what I liked at that point, but I learned as I went along. I do not race, but I like doing long rides, 50+ miles, so I learned I did not want soft, wide, or cut-out. Much later I ended up on the Fizik Arione, which is flat & narrow & firm, my perfect ride.

You'll find your own perfect ride. My Serotta is very special to me, so fast & light. I wanted the saddle to be like that, too. Give me new technology, it's come a long, long ways.

Enjoy your new bike when it comes in. You picked a winner!

[mimitabby]

If you're getting a Serotta, you've probably got a pretty good LBS to deal with. I would start there.

You'll find your own perfect ride. My Serotta is very special to me, so fast & light. I wanted the saddle to be like that, too. Give me new technology, it's come a long, long ways.

Enjoy your new bike when it comes in. You picked a winner!

make sure your LBS has a saddle return policy. that's why we like wallbike!

[Quillfred]

Here's another consideration. If you are getting the Ti model Serotta consider the Brooks Finesse as it is also Ti and is a nice light weight balance to the bike. The men's Team Pro (CroMo rails) made my bikes feel top-heavy.

The folks at Wallbike can walk you through the different uses for the saddles. You might also look at the TE for sale for saddles as well. I am reminded by my new Finesse that Brooks saddles tend to be a bit slippery when new. This will resolve with time, a little Proofhide and patience.

Happy riding,

Quill

[Daggett]

I ordered the Finesse through Wall. I just received a call from my LBS, my bike should be in on Tuesday

[Kathi]

Yea! I liked the Fierte but got the Ottrott (custom) it only took 3 mos!

BTW, I'm MWOS from the Serotta forum, welcome to TE.