Sitz Bones "parts"

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

My opinion is that if your sit bones are 140mm apart, then a 143mm saddle is still going to be too narrow- your bones would still be on the saddle frame edges.
Would you consider an unpadded Brooks leather saddle? Or did you already try one and find it not suitable?
I have VERY wide sitbones and the Brooks B68 is the only saddle wide enough for me (210mm). It's very comfortable for me, even on long rides of over 50 miles. The Brooks B17 is 170mm in back.
http://www.wallbike.com/brooks/standardsaddles.html#b68

P.S. I would *not* recommend the Brooks "S" models however. Supposed to be for women, many women (including myself) find them way too short in length.

[Flur]

It seems that if your sit bones are 140mm apart you should be fine on a 155. Did you try those already and they didn't work for you? (I couldn't tell from your previous post if you'd tried them or if you had them on order). I don't know why a store would push a 143 for you; that's clearly too small.

Also, when you ride are you in a more upright position, or are you more folded over? I ride more folded over, especially in the drops (my seat is about 3 inches higher than my bars), and I find that I do feel more pressure on the inside of my sit bones, but I know my saddle is wide enough b/c both sit bones are dead on it with space all the way around - I can feel them pretty well and I've checked, numerous times. I had trouble at first and thought that my saddle was too narrow, but I stuck with it and let my pelvic muscles strengthen and now I'm pain free.

[mayanorange]

I agree with these guys- I have 145ish sitbones and need 155-160 in my saddle width.

There's new data out on Bontrager's site and in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise that shows we don't actually sit on our sitbones on the saddle as much as is lore. But I still think the whole pelvis width needs support and from where you say you are raw- it's either to narrow or too much curve right to left.

Discussion of the bontrager info here: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=25618

[Miranda]

It seems that if your sit bones are 140mm apart you should be fine on a 155. Did you try those already and they didn't work for you? (I couldn't tell from your previous post if you'd tried them or if you had them on order). I don't know why a store would push a 143 for you; that's clearly too small.

Also, when you ride are you in a more upright position, or are you more folded over? I ride more folded over, especially in the drops (my seat is about 3 inches higher than my bars), and I find that I do feel more pressure on the inside of my sit bones, but I know my saddle is wide enough b/c both sit bones are dead on it with space all the way around - I can feel them pretty well and I've checked, numerous times. I had trouble at first and thought that my saddle was too narrow, but I stuck with it and let my pelvic muscles strengthen and now I'm pain free.

Hmm, that is a thought. Maybe I will take one I like the best out of the lot on a further ride in chamois shorts. Yep, these saddles I ordered and rode a mini test marathon around my subdivision today. So, not much distance, but trying to determine "are my sitz bones on this saddle for starters, or not?". My seat and bars are about level. On the hoods, the position is semi-aero I guess, and drops areo. My road bike is a compact version, so slightly more upright. Gosh, what bone part I was on, it's sore tonight. My body must not be even. The left side is normally more sore than the right. Maybe that's a mechanical thing with my pedal stroke to work out with a fitter later.

[Miranda]

My opinion is that if your sit bones are 140mm apart, then a 143mm saddle is still going to be too narrow- your bones would still be on the saddle frame edges.
Would you consider an unpadded Brooks leather saddle? Or did you already try one and find it not suitable?
I have VERY wide sitbones and the Brooks B68 is the only saddle wide enough for me (210mm). It's very comfortable for me, even on long rides of over 50 miles. The Brooks B17 is 170mm in back.
http://www.wallbike.com/brooks/standardsaddles.html#b68

P.S. I would *not* recommend the Brooks "S" models however. Supposed to be for women, many women (including myself) find them way too short in length.

No, I have not tried a Brooks, yet. Thx for that link. I have read much about them here on TE. It seems like for ladies wider, it's one of the few options. I like that the B68 comes in silver rivets. I wish the other did. But, at this point, that is the least of my concern. If my rear end can spend more time on the saddle, then who cares as it won't be seen sitting idle without a rider.

[amy]

Maybe you all can help me. I don't feel "pulled apart" on my saddle but I keep finding myself rolling forward towards my public bone on a long ride, leaving me quite sore. Someone once had told me that I would be able to maintain a better position when my core was stronger... hmmm.. I've now done quite a few miles, and I teach yoga and have a pretty solid core. And I'm still sore. Is it seat position or seat size, you think?

On a side note, I had my bike built for me with extensive measurements and trainer rides... as I'm a 6 foot tall woman with a long inseam and narrow shoulders. But the seat was added almost as an afterthought by the LBS.

[Flur]

Maybe you all can help me. I don't feel "pulled apart" on my saddle but I keep finding myself rolling forward towards my public bone on a long ride, leaving me quite sore. Someone once had told me that I would be able to maintain a better position when my core was stronger... hmmm.. I've now done quite a few miles, and I teach yoga and have a pretty solid core. And I'm still sore. Is it seat position or seat size, you think?

On a side note, I had my bike built for me with extensive measurements and trainer rides... as I'm a 6 foot tall woman with a long inseam and narrow shoulders. But the seat was added almost as an afterthought by the LBS.

Does your seat have a cutout?

[mayanorange]

I had a long response typed out, but the kitten just deleted it!

From what I read today (see the Bontrager thread), we actually do put significant weight on the pubic rami- sometimes more there than on the ischial tuberosities. Especially in the drops, you should be able to tip the pelvis forward onto the rami and be supported. My current saddle unfortunately also tries to support a lot at the pubic symphysis (and thus girly bits), so I'm still hunting for one that has the right shape up front. I'm trying the Lithia tonight on the trainer and have a SMP TRK on order, but if those don't work, maybe I'll try out the new Bontrager.

For those non-anatomists:

[Miranda]

I agree with these guys- I have 145ish sitbones and need 155-160 in my saddle width.

There's new data out on Bontrager's site and in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise that shows we don't actually sit on our sitbones on the saddle as much as is lore. But I still think the whole pelvis width needs support and from where you say you are raw- it's either to narrow or too much curve right to left.

Discussion of the bontrager info here: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=25618

This was a saddle I was asking about recently also. My lbs did not have it yet last I checked. Just the sit tool. Thx for the link. What always kills me in the lbs when I tell them my sitz bones are not on the saddle is the sales rep insistance that a 155+ saddle is soooooo wide... like omg, lady, NO ONE needs that big! Where do these folks come from? Twiggy land? Ribs you can count on me, yes. But I didn't push out 10# kids being a Twiggy in the lower half. The bones down there are way wider on my pearish body.

I had a long response typed out, but the kitten just deleted it!

From what I read today (see the Bontrager thread), we actually do put significant weight on the pubic rami- sometimes more there than on the ischial tuberosities. Especially in the drops, you should be able to tip the pelvis forward onto the rami and be supported. My current saddle unfortunately also tries to support a lot at the pubic symphysis (and thus girly bits), so I'm still hunting for one that has the right shape up front. I'm trying the Lithia tonight on the trainer and have a SMP TRK on order, but if those don't work, maybe I'll try out the new Bontrager.

For those non-anatomists:

God Bless you for finding this in google. I kept doing searches and didn't find this good of a diagram. Inferior pubic ramus... if that is part of the downward sloping bone to the sitz... that's where I think my pressure rests. Seems like Knott once posted a name for that inner line of the bell curve "ishchial something something". I know when one rolls forward to more aero, like hoods to drops, you will be hedging towards the inside of the bell curve. I tried to pick some flater toped saddles, vs sloped. Maybe the slight slope is hitting wrong. I think it's close, but not quite. btw... the cat kicked me out too earlier, thus how I ended up coming back later... thx for persistance in posting.

[Miranda]

Maybe you all can help me. I don't feel "pulled apart" on my saddle but I keep finding myself rolling forward towards my public bone on a long ride, leaving me quite sore. Someone once had told me that I would be able to maintain a better position when my core was stronger... hmmm.. I've now done quite a few miles, and I teach yoga and have a pretty solid core. And I'm still sore. Is it seat position or seat size, you think?

On a side note, I had my bike built for me with extensive measurements and trainer rides... as I'm a 6 foot tall woman with a long inseam and narrow shoulders. But the seat was added almost as an afterthought by the LBS.

I would hope with a cust built ride the shop would help work out this issue for you. My problem improved somewhat with fitting changes even without the saddle switch. My core was strong, and I had that happen too. I also practice other things to relieve crotch pressure... stand periodically while riding, dismount for a longer water break, alternate positions (hoods, drops). I'm just not sure I'm width/shape wise to my bones yet. Hope you get some relief.

[OakLeaf]

I don't feel "pulled apart" on my saddle but I keep finding myself rolling forward towards my public bone on a long ride, leaving me quite sore.

My guess is either shape or tilt, maybe both. If it's level, try tilting it down a touch. If it's pear-shaped, try a T-shaped saddle.

And, personally I never felt "pulled apart" on a too-narrow saddle, just chafed and blistered miserably.

[amy]

Flur- Yes, my seat has a cutout. I have a Serfas women's saddle.

Miranda- I'm actually sure the LBS would be totally helpful. I just never manage to get over there with my crazy work schedule. The guy who helped fit my bike was great. I liked him a lot. He spent about a few hours on the trainer with me, figuring out what would work. But he totally didn't think about the seat. When I was checking out, the woman behind the counter told them to put on the saddle I have now... "Trust me, you'll want it." I was a little sore at first but things seemed to adjust and then I was off my bike for a few months, and it has been a sore transition back on.

[lph]

oh, and next time someone at the lbs tried to tell you that "no-one" needs a saddle "that wide" just ignore them (I was going to write something a lot ruder but I figured I'd just offend the friendly bike store owners here on TE ). Next time you ride behind ANYBODY, check and see how much of their butt is actually resting on the saddle - only a fraction. The size of your hips on the outside really doesn't say much about the width of your sitbones on the inside, except on average I s'pose tall bigboned people have wider sitbones than short petite ones.

Good luck finding a saddle!