Seats / Saddles

[mimitabby]

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/forumdisplay.php?f=72

start with this; there's a thread favorite saddles, and one; most hated saddles.

you want something comfortable. it also has something to do with bike fit and your posture. You shouldn't be sitting on your tailbone, you should be sitting on your sit bones.. welcome to TE!

[indigoiis]

Thanks!
I had no idea this was so involved.
I gots some learnin' to do...

[Starfish]

I gots some learnin' to do...

Don't we all! Welcome.

[KnottedYet]

My happy list:

wide enough to support my ischial tuberosities.
"T" shaped
no cut out
no gratiutious padding to hurt my tailbone
narrow nose
long nose

The winner, and champion (in black leather for my black Surly and honey leather for my gold Waterford) Brooks B67.

www.wallbike.com

[Cyclo Kitty]

Brooks 17 for me, the Champion Special is great on my commuter.

I have the B17S on my cross bike and here's why I'd consider changing it: it is slightly wider as it curves back from the nose-- the leather flares out a little more because of the shorter length, and I'm rubbing on it a little when I pedal.

The B17 saddles:
have a good sit-bone width (for me),
are smooth enough to adjust position when you need to but not so slippery that you fee like you'll slide off;
mold to you with time (my always feel great from the start, but I have been riding a Brooks of some description since I was a kid).
There is no cut-out (they chafe)
there's no depression running the length of the nose (again, chafing),
and there's no gel or foam to compress and change shape.

There are other good saddles out there, and the BSGs do know that women need different saddles. My guys are a little shy about bringing it up, but they know. If there is a woman who works in the shop, talk to her.

[Starfish]

There is no cut-out (they chafe)
there's no depression running the length of the nose (again, chafing),

I know Cyclo Kitty knows this, I'm just sort of making it clear for anyone newer who is shopping for a saddle...

I really need a cutout and depression. Right now, my Specialized Jett saddle keeps my feminine parts really happy, with no chafing.

[KnottedYet]

Once you know the saddle characteristics you like, it becomes MUCH easier to narrow down the search for the "right" one.

There are a gazillion saddles out there, and one person's dream saddle is another person's nightmare.

Ind - can you take your old saddle with you to the bike shop tomorrow and discuss its good points and bad points with the shop guys? A lot of shops have the Specialized sit-bone measuring board, which would help give you an idea of the minimum saddle width you need, too. (1 or 2 cms to the outside each of your sitbones is sort of the rule of thumb)