Seriously, what's the best saddle?

[Offthegrid]

I tried being all macho girl with a fizik, but it's just killing my butt. I know you have to get used to riding when you've been out of it for a while, but this is riduclous: I hurt for days afterward.

Whatcha riding these days?

[Squirrel 2]

Fizik Arione -- the only saddle that doesn't hurt me for days afterwards....

Everybody's different.

[SalsaMTB]

This tush swears by the WTB SST 2K. It is no longer in production, but can be found online for a great deal. It is not very padded, but oh so comfy.

http://www.greenfishsports.com/index...ROD&ProdID=190

A lot of people seem to like WTB, not necessarily the one I like though. But, as everyone is going to say, everyone likes different saddles. You just have to keep trying until you find a good one. Many women have had good results with the Terry Butterfly, which I think has a 60 day guarantee.

Also, so many people say you need to ride it for a while to get used to it. I swear this was not true for me once I found the right saddle. I suffered through a couple different saddles, thinking if I just put up with the pain I would adjust, but I didn't. When I got the WTB, I had no pain after my first ride on it.

Another suggestion is to call your local shops and see if any of them have a saddle demo program. We offer it here, people can try out 10 different saddles to find the one that is the most comfy.

Good Luck!

[emily_in_nc]

I've been very happy with the Selle San Marco Atola Gelaround.

YMMV.

Emily

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

You should read the gazillion answers already posted on the Favorite Saddle/Most Hated Saddle threads....

[CyclChyk]

Ditto what Lisa said.You will get LOTS of info there to digest. Altho around here the preferred seems to be Brooks. I myself am in love with my Selle Italia Lady so.....

Good luck and good hunting.

[GLC1968]

I agree with the others about checking out those threads about this.

Personally, I like the Terry Fly (the Butterfly is too wide for me), but that's for long rides (40 miles or more). For shorter/faster rides, I have some other saddles that work...so it can really vary by how you plan to ride. I've also lately discovered that the way you are positioned on your bike also matters. My commuter has me a bit more upright, and for that bike, I need a slightly wider saddle than I do on my more aero road bike. If you have a comfort bike, hybrid, MTB or other...then the best saddle shape/padding/material may need to vary as well.

It's not an easy process to find the 'perfect' saddle...but it's absolutely worth the effort!!

[ClockworkOrange]

I recently bought the following saddle, it is so comfortable.

I am not sylph like, unlike some of the gorgeous girls on this site, so this particular saddle suits my derriere a treat.

Specialized BG2 Sport Womens Saddle

Proven Body Geometry vascular pressure relief developed for our high-end saddles.
Scientifically proven BG2 reduces the blood flow problems in most other saddles.
Scientifically proven Body Geometry design with V-Groove plus window relieves pressure and improves bloodflow , even in extreme riding positions
Elastic Shell Technology for sit-bone cushioning
Synthetic cover
Hollow Cr-Mo rails
265mm long x 150mm wide
Approximate Weight: 380gm
Price $46.48

Good luck with whatever you decide on, let us know what you chose.

Sally

[Offthegrid]

Oops, I didn't realize there was a whole saddle forum! But now I started this thread, so maybe just best to continue here ...

I have the Fizik Arione now, and it's just killing me. Not sure if it's because of my weight or not. Two years ago I did a MS ride with it, but I couldn't even sit on the saddle the 2nd day. Much of 2005 I didn't ride.

The pain is NOT in my girl parts, but the fleshy part of my butt, toward the back and near the center. I've been riding again for 3 weeks, and yesterday I only rode an hour (and had to keep standing up b/c of the pain). Today I can't even sit on the bike it hurts so bad. (I don't need a cutout b/c it's not the girl parts that bother me.)

I tried measuring my sit bones, and I *think* they are 165-170 mm, but I'm a big gal, so it's hard to tell.

I'd like to try the Brooks, but not sure whether to get the B17S or the B67. Because of my weight, I'm leaning to the 67 but not sure about the springs and whether my saddle bag would fit. I don't want to wait until the spring to get the springless version. I ride a Litespeed Capella.

[madisongrrl]

Fizik Aliante.....warning, it's hand-made and retails at ~ $200.

[pll]

My 2 cents: I have been lucky with saddles and I have not seen either one discussed in the other threads.

I have a WTB Speed She (available through REI for $35) in my road bike. I have done several long rides (62 miles to 105 miles...) and the saddle was not an issue beyond being tired of sitting on it. I have to acknowledge that I have good bike shorts (I like Pearl Izumi ultra and microsensor) and "going comando" made all the difference in the world.

In my mountain bike, I have a Serfas Women's Terazzo Select (http://serfas.com/performance_saddles/TRCW.shtml, MSRP is $100 but I got it for $60 in a local bike shop) which I like a lot. My MTB rides (1-3 hours) have not been as long as the road ones, but I do not notice the saddle.

[mimitabby]

My 2 cents: I have been lucky with saddles and I have not seen either one discussed in the other threads.

I have a WTB Speed She (available through REI for $35) in my road bike. I have done several long rides (62 miles to 105 miles...) and the saddle was not an issue beyond being tired of sitting on it. I have to acknowledge that I have good bike shorts (I like Pearl Izumi ultra and microsensor) and "going comando" made all the difference in the world.

In my mountain bike, I have a Serfas Women's Terazzo Select (http://serfas.com/performance_saddles/TRCW.shtml, MSRP is $100 but I got it for $60 in a local bike shop) which I like a lot. My MTB rides (1-3 hours) have not been as long as the road ones, but I do not notice the saddle.

Hi, Pll
well, that is really the bottom line with saddles. we're all different and what works for you might not work for me. But your post proves that you dn't have to spring for the most expensive saddle, sometimes a 25 dollar one does the job quite well!

And welcome to TE!!! WE'd love to get to know you.

[pll]

Hi, Pll
well, that is really the bottom line with saddles. we're all different and what works for you might not work for me. But your post proves that you dn't have to spring for the most expensive saddle, sometimes a 25 dollar one does the job quite well!

And welcome to TE!!! WE'd love to get to know you.

Hi! Agreed... trying the saddles is essential. I did not do much testing, but I did some. Experimenting with the shorts also helps (before my introduction to the "proper" ways of wearning bike shorts, I was not in good terms with my saddle).

Just left my intro in the relevant thread.

[SadieKate]

My 2 cents: I have been lucky with saddles and I have not seen either one discussed in the other threads.

I have a WTB Speed She (available through REI for $35) in my road bike. I have done several long rides (62 miles to 105 miles...) and the saddle was not an issue beyond being tired of sitting on it. I have to acknowledge that I have good bike shorts (I like Pearl Izumi ultra and microsensor) and "going comando" made all the difference in the world.

Oh, yeah, it has been discussed a lot and generally not favorably, including by me. However, I love my Avocet saddle (not available now) and a bunch of people hate the thing. Just goes to show that there is no "best" saddle. You just have to find the saddle right for you.