Serfas Saddles

[Lise]

Like many others, I'm in the seemingly endless search for "the" saddle. I got so lucky with my Larkspur--the saddle's great, and I never wanted to change it. It's a hybrid bike, and I ride relatively upright.

Now I'm trying to find one for the Bianchi Veloche, on which I am much more bent over, and in the aerobars when I can be. I started with a Serfas saddle, I think this one: http://www.serfas.com/performance_saddles/LX-1.shtml It's comfortable for the sit bones, but the nose is too wide. Too much pressure and rubbing on the crease of my groin.

I've tried the Serfas tri saddle, Terry Zero X, and Terry Fly (men's). While I like the longer, leaner nose on these saddles, they're all too hard for me. I put the original Serfas back on yesterday, and rode 40 miles. Only complaint was the width of the nose.

I looked at the Serfas website, and am thinking of trying this one: http://www.serfas.com/performance_saddles/LR-304.shtml

Anybody with Serfas experience?

I seem to like a wide, soft back, and a narrow nose. Any other suggestions?

[KnottedYet]

Lise - that Serfas Niva is the saddle I had before the Brooks B67.

The width of the nose bothered me some, but especially the transition from the wide part to the nose. Lots of chafing in the fold beween butt and thigh. And too mushy.

I like the B67 because it has a wide back and a VERY narrow nose, with an abrupt transition. It's not too mushy, and the leather is softening in just the right places.

[salsabike]

Mr. Salsa and I have used Serfas for a long time. That includes two STPs, which are a little over 200 miles in one or two days. He used a Brooks for years, by the way, but never really liked it, and gladly got rid of it in favor of the Serfas. So it's all wildly variable (as usual).

I am currently experimenting with a Performance Contour, which isn't bad, and still have a Rondine to try. I am also definitely planning to try a Vitesse--if Nanci can ride that damn many miles on hers, I'd like to check it out! Weren't you thinking about a Vitesse too---have you done that one yet?

[Lise]

I am also definitely planning to try a Vitesse--if Nanci can ride that damn many miles on hers, I'd like to check it out!

Seriously. That may be my next move. I'm kind of embarrassed going back to the LBS with these saddles. I think next time I'll just order it directly from somebody who has a return policy. Where are you going to buy yours?

Knotted--I actually like the mushiness of the back of the Serfas Niva. It is so comfortable. But, just like you, it's the chafing in the fold of the groin. A-noy-ing.

I also wondered about my Sugoi Performance shorts, which I noticed bunching up there. Are they too big? Is it the chamois wrong? Is it the saddle? Argh.

[Nanci]

I'd send Vitesse on a vacation up to you, but she won't be available till December...

[Lise]

Thanks for your offer, Nanci! I hope to have found happiness in a saddle well before then.

[salsabike]

Seriously. That may be my next move. I'm kind of embarrassed going back to the LBS with these saddles. I think next time I'll just order it directly from somebody who has a return policy. Where are you going to buy yours?

Knotted--I actually like the mushiness of the back of the Serfas Niva. It is so comfortable. But, just like you, it's the chafing in the fold of the groin. A-noy-ing.

I also wondered about my Sugoi Performance shorts, which I noticed bunching up there. Are they too big? Is it the chamois wrong? Is it the saddle? Argh.

Actually, I'll go to the LBS for the Vitesse--just trying to figure out WHICH LBS. As long as they let me ride it seriously and return it if necessary.

[Sheesh]

I tried several different saddles when I bought my new bike and loved the Vitesse. I actually just went back to order one for my commuter bike.

[Lise]

I got a "trial ride" WTB Deva today, rode it 8 miles tonight. I think I like it. I'll give it a longer trial tomorrow. I love the WTB Comfort V on my Larkspur. I would highly recommend it for anyone with a hybrid bike.

[triflor]

Lise, I've been riding on a Serfas Curva for a year now. I find it comfortable (but before I was riding on a men's saddle), and have put thousands (?) of kilometers in on it. I'm happy enough with it that a new saddle is low down on my priority list. One thing that I noticed at first with this one is the plastic pieces on the side near the back. They shouldn't bother you at all, but I could notice them when I first started with this saddle, now I don't feel them at all.

[LisaB]

Lise, I have a Serfas Carma http://www.serfas.com/performance_saddles/WCST-1.shtml on my tandem and so far have been very happy (I can't move around as much on the tandem, so seat comfort is a big deal - and I've had about 20 different saddles on it in the last year and this is the first saddle that has let me last more than 30 miles).

I have a Serfas Tri-W on my daily commuter http://www.serfas.com/performance_saddles/TRI-W.shtml and it's OK, very long and narrow. I'm thinking about getting a second Carma - recommended by my PT - for the daily driver!

[Duck on Wheels]

UK Elephant and I also wound up buying Serfas Carma. It seems to fit our sit bones and give plenty of room for leg mobility. It's not that the nose is so narrow, but more that the saddle drops straight down rather than flaring outwards at the lower edge in the curve between the nose and seat. I haven't put in all that many miles on this saddle yet. Maybe UK could comment on whether it's working out for her.

[Trek420]

I went from Terry to Avocet back to Terry to Avocet and now have this ...


http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=20850

[Quillfred]

Lise

I don't know if you've tried or considered the Selle SMP Strike as it seems like one that TTs have used:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=7379

Quill

[Lise]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm "settling" right now with the WTB comfort V. The Carma does sound good, though, and the Selle SMP Strike sure looks interesting. My Comfort V is great for the sit bones, but still a bit wide in the groin, and a bit too much pressure under the symph pubis when I'm on the Bianchi. It's perfect on the Larkspur. Argh. The search continues!