Saddle pain - is this normal for a new rider?

[mayanorange]

Hi guys,

Hoping to piggyback on this with a couple questions. I've been a mtn biker since jr. high but haven't been riding much the last couple years- no good trails around here. There are some nice road rides and hubby and I were thinking about the MS150 next year, so we went out and got road bikes. I have been out on it enough to realize I needed to adjust the handlebar position (bad wrist wasn't happy), but I'm having issues finding a saddle. Previous mtn bikes had low end saddles- I think my Jamis Xcountry that I did many miles of crashing around the CA mtns on had a Velo plush something and I only got front end numbness after a really long ride, but nothing that didn't go away by the next day.

I've tried 4 saddles so far- SSM Glamour aspide, Specialized ruby 143, Specialized Jett 155, and WTB Speed She. I'm starting to think I'm a total wuss. Aspide after a ~3-4mi and Ruby after ~5-7mi (I need a computer!) had my sitbones hurting for 3 days afterward. I realize there should be some butt break-in time, but it's hard to build up muscle if I can't stand the saddle after 3 miles. I borrowed a trainer and tried the Jett and WTB and the Jett was too hard still in back and maybe the cutout was wrong- felt like I was sitting on 2 bars of steel. WTB padding level was tons better (butt was still unsure after the Ruby torture and a reminder from Jett) but it's a short length saddle and I felt like I was not supported enough. I did the specialized butt-o-meter somewhat unsuccessfully and they estimated me at 130mm, also had my husband palpate (biologists are handy) and measure and he said 145-150mm. 155mm seems to be ok, but maybe I need wider. Hoping for suggestions before I drive the LBSs too crazy. I was going to try the Dolce but the LBS guy insisted I try Jett.

Thanks!

[OakLeaf]

I was going to try the Dolce but the LBS guy insisted I try Jett.

WTF? Because the Jett is $105 and the Dolce is $53??? Or maybe he just didn't have a Dolce in stock and wanted to foist off on you what he did have?

If you were having that much sitbone pain you definitely want something with a little more padding! At least to give you a chance to toughen up!

Personally - I would find the Dolce too squishy for me, but I have a friend who rides upwards of 7,000 miles a year on her Dolce and LOVES it. She just buys a new one every year since they're so inexpensive.

If you like the general shape and cutout of the Specialized saddles, definitely try one of their softer ones to begin with!


ETA: if you were on your sitbones with the narrower saddles, and not putting your weight on the soft tissue, then those are probably plenty wide for you.

[mayanorange]

It wasn't a stock problem- I had the dolce in my hands and was trying to checkout with it, but he insisted I couldn't possibly want something that squishy. I guess I'm trying to find a saddle that's squishy under my sit bones but not too squishy up front. The 143 Ruby felt fine width wise and the 155 Jett honestly looked to be almost the same width as that one, and the WTB is the same width out back. The Dolce is only 155 and looks huge, but I guess I'm just going to continue swapping them out til I find one that works.

[sundial]

Try it! It flexes with each pedal stroke. One bike shop mechanic rode the MS 150 with it and said it was the best Specialized saddle yet produced. But then everyone is built differently too.

[redrhodie]

I rode my old Dolce saddle until it ripped apart. It was pretty comfy for a stock saddle. It's been a while since I had it, but I don't remember having any discomfort from it.