I'm still looking -- Terry saddles?

[alison_in_oh]

I have never known such joy as realizing that I've just capped off 25 miles on my new saddle and am feeling only the thrill of the ride. No bruising of the buttbones. No mashing or chafing of the tender parts -- not even wearing boy-chamois! I can't wait to get a long ride in! Whoo!

(This might not be my final saddle, but it gives me such hope for my future in this sport! Such a wonderful day to be alive! )

[Veronica]

I think I may take my Finesse off the tandem and give it a try on the MTB.

V.

[joyrider]

...on the WTB. As to your old saddle, I'm coming to that same point with my Serfas Rx. It was great when I was riding max 30 - 45 minutes. But now, I'm just in pain all the time. Mashed ladyparts I expect and to a certain extent I can stand, but my sitbones are hurting so bad I'm really bogging down on longer rides. It's this radiating pain that lasts for days - in fact, went for a 45 minute ride last night and it's bothering me to sit here. Basically, I'm turning for home because my butt hurts so bad I can't take it anymore! Whine, whine.
Anyway, you know what's funny? My new Trek came with a WTB that I instantly ripped off to put on what I considered to be my "fancy, woman-specific" Serfas. I'm thinking about popping the WTB back on. I envy your 25 mile ride with no pain! I want that Hallelujah Moment! I, too, have a husband who is starting to turn purple every time I mention another bicycle expenditure. I guess it's a good thing I got the Serfas at REI - because back it goes! - two months later, covered in mud...

[alison_in_oh]

...on the WTB. As to your old saddle, I'm coming to that same point with my Serfas Rx. It was great when I was riding max 30 - 45 minutes. But now, I'm just in pain all the time. Mashed ladyparts I expect and to a certain extent I can stand, but my sitbones are hurting so bad I'm really bogging down on longer rides. It's this radiating pain that lasts for days - in fact, went for a 45 minute ride last night and it's bothering me to sit here. Basically, I'm turning for home because my butt hurts so bad I can't take it anymore! Whine, whine.
Anyway, you know what's funny? My new Trek came with a WTB that I instantly ripped off to put on what I considered to be my "fancy, woman-specific" Serfas. I'm thinking about popping the WTB back on. I envy your 25 mile ride with no pain! I want that Hallelujah Moment! I, too, have a husband who is starting to turn purple every time I mention another bicycle expenditure. I guess it's a good thing I got the Serfas at REI - because back it goes! - two months later, covered in mud...

Oof, I feel your pain! Sounds like how the Selle Italia treated me, I can almost feel the phantom pain now! Ick!

I've now ridden the WTB Speed She Comp for two treks of over 3 hours each in addition to intermittent 20-30 mile jaunts(...a little over 300 miles not including near-daily commutes, just 10 minutes each way). About the 3 hour mark, my rear just barely starts to get uncomfy -- basically, like I've been sitting too long! No pressure points, no smashing of any sort. I'm not sure I will ever be able to tolerate that kind of pain again! I might go with another saddle if I start getting more serious (looks like my first race this weekend!) just because I can tell that some of my power's getting sapped into the bounciness of the padding, and the nose is a bit wide so it chafes in some positions. Otherwise -- I'm stoked! Spread the word, pain-free riding is possible!

[Trek420]

alison_in_oh "Yeesh. I've spent the last seventy or eighty miles on a men's Selle Italia Turbomatic Gel. In a few positions I can ease the mashing of the tender bits, but my sitbones are killing me"

I just switched from the Avocet OS 2 gel to the Sella Italia Women's Gel.

I've been bike commuting on it (short rides) and 1 or 2 longer rides, it seems ok so far. I've gone back and forth between either Terry or Avocet before so this is my first Selle.

[alison_in_oh]

alison_in_oh "Yeesh. I've spent the last seventy or eighty miles on a men's Selle Italia Turbomatic Gel. In a few positions I can ease the mashing of the tender bits, but my sitbones are killing me"

I just switched from the Avocet OS 2 gel to the Sella Italia Women's Gel.

I've been bike commuting on it (short rides) and 1 or 2 longer rides, it seems ok so far. I've gone back and forth between either Terry or Avocet before so this is my first Selle.

I determined it was definitely the saddle width that caused the most trouble. The pressure was all on the inside of my sitbones, because the seat was already sloping off by the time it reached the width of my pelvis. It was like someone was driving a wedge up there to try to split my pelvis in half, ugh!

I'm pretty sure I've heard of other women liking the Women's Selle Italia though.