Help me find a saddle, please!

[KnottedYet]

Are saddles a bit like bike sizes in that most people can fit 2 sizes but it's a matter of preference?

Yup. There are a gazillion variables, but at least the measurements give you an idea of where to start.

Kinda like shoes, in that you can measure your feet on one of the foot sizer thingies, but depending on the style and brand of shoe and the way you walk, the size shoe you buy could be different than the size the measurer gave you.

So, I can be measured at a 8.5 shoe size, but end up happiest with a 9.0 shoe. (at least I have a point to start trying shoes at, and know that trying size 7.0 or size 10.5 would probably be a waste of my time) And someone else who also measured at a size 8.5 shoe could end up happier in a size 7.5.

[RoadBunner]

I was looking at the SMP line, but they are so $$ and I'd like to give something a bit more wallet friendly a chance before taking the plunge.

Later today I'm going to call around to see if any LBS has the Specialized saddles. Online return shipping could get pretty pricey after one or two times.

BleeckerSt I am starting to believe what you said about the LBS guys. They actually took the butterfly that came with my bike off and swapped it for the Fizik. I would have liked to have given it a try since so many women seem to like the Butterfly model.

[RoadBunner]

Okay, quick update...

Called a LBS and was told they had both the 143 and 155 of the Jett on the shelves. I went down and talked to the LBS guy about the differences in the Jett, Lithia, and one Ariel. He had me sit on the butt-o-meter and told me I basically fell in between the 143 and 155. He said to go with the 155 if I did more riding on the hoods and to go with the 143 if I did more riding in the drops/aero. I told him right now I'm mainly on the hoods, but did have plans in the future to put aero bars on the bike. So he said to go with the 143 since technically the 143 fit and it would be better for leg movement in aero.

Of course, the whole time I'm also thinking how everyone here said 155 minimum.

I meandered back to the shelf and there wasn't even a 155 in the Jett there ! I figured I had driven all the way out there, and they did say I could return it "so long as I didn't ride a century on it and beat it up" so went ahead and got the 143.

I just put it on the bike and am trying to redial in my fit measurements. Just in jeans it is DEFINITELY more comfortable on the soft tissue than the old Fizik. The Fizik gave me problems even after 6 or so miles so hopefully I can get out and ride on this one and see how it goes. It is definitely firmer in the back than the Fizik so I'll probably be sore there for a bit.

Anyhow, hopefully I didn't make a huge mistake taking his advice, but figure it is reversible damage. I'll let you know how this goes.

[KnottedYet]

I meandered back to the shelf and there wasn't even a 155 in the Jett there !

SNEAKY!!!!! (not you, THEM!)
Glad the 143 feels better than your old one, though! Good luck!

[OakLeaf]

Hope the saddle works out for you!

Your trip to the LBS sounds so much like mine that I have to defend them a little bit. I called the LBS to ask what they had in a 155 and they said they had a Lithia. Like you, I drove there, went back to the display and there wasn't anything that wide. I asked one of the employees and he said what they had was what was there. When I pressed, he asked the boss, and it turns out it was the boss I'd talked to originally, and what he meant was that he could pull the saddle off a bike they had on the floor. Which is what they did, and it's the one I'm riding now.

It's just possible that something like that happened to you, too, and it wasn't an intentional bait-and-switch.

[RoadBunner]

The guy I talked to on the phone (who I happened to mention to that I was thinking the 155 was the size I was most interested in) was not the guy who helped me on the floor. I don't even think the floor guy knew they didn't have a 155 on the shelf. We had our 143 vs 155 discussion away from the shelf. They did have 155 in the other Specialized saddles and I never asked if the Jett 155 was tucked away in the back or on a bike already. I still have warm fuzzies for this shop (so long as they take it back if I decide nay).