New Selle Italia ladies saddle for 2008

[Thorn]

According to Trek, cutouts make no difference in comfort or performance

What? Trek420? Oh, that must make for interseting dinner conversation...oh, wait, that's Trek Bicycles.

But seriously, Knot, I hope you did not read any negative towards you, your research, or your explanations. This is a topic near and dear to my heart...ok, tush. These boards have a wealth of information on the topic (thanks to wonderful people like you), but like all good information, it leaves me wanting more, more, more! Every time you post good information, I end up with more questions.

Some day when you perform the definitve study (using, of course TE as your research victim pool ), I want to read it, even if I won't understand 1/2 of it.

I have to admit that I do periodically go out to the Wallingford site and look longingly at Brooks saddles for the shape and the width, but then I keep riding my SMP for the cutout--being able to pee after a ride is more important to me than "pantyline" chafing. Yes, I should try the Brooks, but, memories of riding the non-cutout saddle stay with me and bias my initial opinion.

Of course, I want the perfect saddle. But, I know that what works for me will not work for the next woman. And, if we want that woman to ride, be it sitting up on a commuter or a hybrid, tilted for road, or aero for the triathlon, she needs the saddle for her. It sure would be nice if saddle manufacturers would stand up and notice that we aren't all built the same and don't ride the same. Sigh...I dream of a perfect world.

Thanks for your continued information and, of course, your research into the research. You're teaching us all.

[KnottedYet]

I think we should use our power to get some real research done! Or find someone who will design saddles based on our experiences!

Was it Mimi who suggested we start our own saddle company?

The Trek rep I talked to said the women's Inform was going up to a size 160mm. I'd certainly like to see more than two women's sizes (150mm and 160mm) if they are going to aim at a wide range of women. (hey, the men's Inform comes in THREE sizes.... uh-oh, do I sound bitter and hostile?)

Hee hee, I've got a little evil giggle that the first design testers gave the women's Inform poor reviews. Just cuz the pelvic rehab goddess at my clinic was aghast at the info I came back with about the Inform. She'll be happy to hear she might've been right.

[Thorn]

On another thread someone chastised us (politely, of course--this is TE) for complaining and not doing. Perhaps, at a minimum, it is time to start a TE letter writing compaigns to the saddle manufacturers.

Point them out to the board's "research", which, I suspect rivals theirs and covers a heck of broader spectrum of the population. I mean, we have a wealth of women who not only can tell you where the ischial tuberiosities are, but why they care and how far apart theirs are. They can tell you what they look for in a saddle and they can even tell you what they don't look for, but what they know works for other women and what is just a plain stupid feature.

Hmmmm....and, perhaps, we should suggest they come *here* to recruit for saddle trials. This is an opinionated board!

[Surlygirl]

I just ordered one of these from beyondbikes.
They sent me an e-mail today saying they were delayed a bit. I expect they'll be in stock in April.
http://www.beyondbikes.com/bb/SearchResult.asp

[rij73]

Thanks! So glad you found it listed somewhere... Wow, $156! That is definitely going to take some convincing with DH...

Here's the full link: http://www.beyondbikes.com/bb/ItemMa...1&MatrixType=1

[Running Mommy]

Tell your shop to call Todson for the Allay saddles
800-213-4561.
They are the distributor of them as of now...
There looks to be 5 different models btw..

[Thorn]

Tell your shop to call Todson for the Allay saddles

Thanks much! I sent him email.

[Running Mommy]

No problem... I saw an ad for them recently in our trade magazine, so I pulled it out to see who was distributing them. I've never heard of Todson?? But hey- I'm a newbie to the biz...

[Surlygirl]

I think the 156.00 is a mistake. The main page says 117. on sale. Plug in Diva and see.

[rij73]

Ah... We are looking at two different saddles. The Diva and the SLR Lady are different. Slightly different shape, different weight...

Here are the two links:
Diva: http://www.beyondbikes.com/bb/ItemMa...2&MatrixType=1
SLR Lady: http://www.beyondbikes.com/bb/ItemMa...1&MatrixType=1

[Surlygirl]

You are Right Rij73. Now I'm really confused. I went to Selle's web site and they say the
SLKis called the Diva. But the picture at Beyond doesn't show Diva printed on the front. The dimensions are different too. The web site says the SLK is 145 wide. Hmmm. Maybe I'll call Beyond and see if they know.
Thanks for the links.

[Andrea]

It looks like they have two versions of the SLK Lady Gel flow- the standard "winged" one and the Diva. Which, to be confusing, are not both listed under the SLK category
The SLR Lady Gelflow is listed under SLR saddles.

Off topic:
I wish they made an all-carbon saddle in something over 131mm wide. Like 155.. .with a little bit of a channel... and a narrow nose... I'd be all over that

[OakLeaf]

>After achieving unexplored results in the anatomic study of ladies saddles<

WTH? They achieved results without exploring them? They studied the anatomy of saddles, but not of ladies? Knot, I see what you're so annoyed about!

[Velobambina]

I wonder if TE will carry this saddle? I'm thinking about swapping out the Specialized saddle (Jett ???) on my Seven.....

[Andrea]

>After achieving unexplored results in the anatomic study of ladies saddles<

WTH? They achieved results without exploring them? They studied the anatomy of saddles, but not of ladies? Knot, I see what you're so annoyed about!

Yeah, I had a WTF moment with that line as well...