Fizik Vitesse

[ehirsch83]

I usaed to have a Vitesse, it led to horrible horrible chafing and absesses. Oddly enough, I have the stock saddle that came on my bike has been te best saddle yet! The men's specialized toupe. It gets a little uncomfy after 3 hours, but not rubbing and chaffing like I used to experience. Plus no more puss filled things!( I know, a little too much info)

[Skierchickie]

Maddy13: Which Vitesse is it? I have the HP, and it is the first saddle I've ever had that did NOT chafe my legs. I've been wondering if the CP and the others are shaped differently, or just padded differently, or what.

Wow - Emily! Just......WOW!

I just found (in the last week and a half) that my shorts have probably been a lot of my problem. I finally have a pair that is just right. I wish I'd worn them mountain biking tonight (grumble, grumble). I always mistakenly assume that because I'm more upright, the shorts don't matter as much. Anyway, the Vitesse seems a lot better with the Shebeest SSS shorts. I'm going to need another pair.

[OakLeaf]

a lot better with the Shebeest SSS shorts. I'm going to need another pair.

Order two pairs, I did.

And I'm going to need another couple of pairs when I get back to Florida in the winter

[Skierchickie]

I can't afford this forum! I'll have to get rid of some shorts so I can honestly say I only have one wearable pair. I'd better talk my boss into a huge promotion - wait - no! - then I'd never get out to ride!

[teawoman]

I'm currently trying the SSM Glamour Aspide. It doesn't aggravate the saddle sores I got from the stock saddle on my bike, and it does relieve some of the pressure on the girly bits, also a prob. with the stock saddle. But my sitbones are a bit sore. I'm still fiddly faddling with the adjustments and haven't gone for more than two hours: this weekend's 100k will be the test.

[Sandrider]

I have an 8-year-old Vitesse saddle which I have ridden over 1,000 miles on a MTB. Unfortunately it got damaged in winter storage and I am now in the market for another saddle. I bought the new Vitesse before reading the Cycling News review cited by Liza in this thread. The review was right on target based on how the new Vitesse HP feels to me. The two bumps seem too high or not in the right position compared to the old Vitesse. I find myself constantly shifting to find a comfortable position and my sit bones are always sore after using the new Vitesse HP. It feels much softer than the old Vitesse - don't know how much of a factor this in my discomfort. I don't have any other discomfort from the Vitesse HP, so the basic shape seems OK, but the bumps are not in where mine are!

Does anyone know what saddle most resembles the old Vitesse?

Alternatively, can anyone tell me what to look for in a saddle in terms of width based on how the Vitesse HP feels bump-wise? Any recommendations very welcome!

Thanks for the great discussion - very helpful.

Linda

[Skierchickie]

I should have listened to Liza! I hesitated to try the Arione, because it didn't LOOK like what I thought I needed. And, I sat on DH's (when he took it off his bike after about a week). I thought it was too narrow in back and too pear shaped. Suspected it would have to be surgically removed if I tried it.

Well, my new bike came with one. I thought I'd give it a shot before putting the Vitesse HP on. I must say, it seems to be at least as good, in different ways. Except for today, my sit bones have been quite pleased (I was beginning to wonder about the Vitesse). My soft tissue, not perfect, but not as bad as on most. The pear shape may be okay because of the wing flex thing - I'm not sure, but I'm not getting the usual chafing. I'm going to continue to try the Arione. 170 miles so far. Keeping the Vitesse close, though!

[maddy13]

Skierchickie, the only model my REI had in stock was the cp. Maybe the hp is better. Brought the selle italia slk and fizik aliante home today. Hopefully only one is going back to the shop tomorrow.

[pcs]

I'm looking to switch out the saddleon an old MTB turned into a road beater with drops and slicks. Nashbar has a Fizik Vitesse Sport that looks pretty good (e.g. about the right width and right price range)-- has anyone ridden on this saddle? I suspect it might be a bit different than the other models in this thread, but any advice would be great. Additionally Nashbar has a Selle San Marco Aspide Glamour Gel (no cutout, 2007 model)-- anyone with any experience on this model?

Thanks!

[VeloVT]

Just so no one is scared away from trying the Vitesse --

The Vitesse HP came stock on my bike. I did some 15-mile trainer rides (which I think tend to create more potential for saddle pressure than outside rides) and a few 20-30 mile outside rides with the Vitesse, and I thought it was pretty comfortable. No big complaints.

Ultimately I decided that I preferred the narrower width, wider nose, and pear shape of the Arione (which I had been riding previously). So while I didn't end up staying with the Vitesse, I didn't find it uncomfortable at all. In fact my boyfriend, who was riding a Specialized Alias that we both disliked, commented that it was much more comfortable than his saddle. It just didn't suit my riding style as well as the Arione.

Here's an interesting review of the Vitesse HP:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?.../fizik_vitesse

I suspect the HP may be firmer and flatter than the other Vitesse models. If you are OK without a cutout, I would say give it a try. It is entirely possible you will hate it, but it's also possible you won't -- I didn't !