Bontrager women's Inform saddles now available

[ny biker]

I'm planning to go in tomorrow to have my butt measured and pick out a saddle. I've got a couple of short (20-30 mile) test rides planned for this weekend and if they go well I'll test it on the Civil War metric next weekend.

Well after 20 miles on my new saddle, the Inform RL, I'm not sure what to think.

First I should note that my old saddle was pretty comfortable. Sometimes it would hurt on long rides, usually on flatter terrain, which I guess is because I don't move around on the seat as much when I'm not climbing. The pain was clearly due to too much pressure on the narrow part in front. But the saddle is old and getting worn out so I figured it's time to look into a new one. The old one (a Juliana, which they stopped making about 5 years ago) is t-shaped with no cutout. I measured the widest part and it's about 155 mm wide.

So I did the sit-bone measurement at the LBS and they said I was "in between" and therefore recommended I try the narrower saddle, which is 140 mm. Okay, so it's narrower than the old one, but I'm keeping an open mind here. It's also more pear shaped. But I'm willing to test it.

I did a quick ride (10 minutes or so) yesterday when I first got it and it was okay. It feels harder than the old saddle, but there is definitely more weight on the sit bones and less pressure on the front, which is good.

After today's ride I felt a little chafed, which might be because of the pear-shape. Or maybe it's because the weight is distributed differently on this saddle compared to the old one? Anyway overall I felt okay.

So the jury is still out. Tomorrow I'm hoping to ride for 30 miles or so, and this time I'll use chamois butt'r. So maybe I'll know more then.

I am kind of wondering if I'd be better off with the wider version (150 mm), but if chafing turns out to be the main issue than I don't think wider would be better.

To be continued...

[Andrea]

I just tried one last night. I measured exactly in between the small (140) and medium (150) sizes. I tried the 140 to make sure it wouldn't love it, but it felt too small (not too surprised since the saddles I've been most comfy on are at least 150mm). So, I did 25 miles on the 150.
The good:

• It's got a stiffer base than the Ruby that I've been on for a couple of months, which I like.
• The "dent" rather than cutout thing is pretty sweet. Even with the squishy padding, my soft tissue was very comfortable riding on both the hoods and the drops.
• That "bump" of padding in the front was also really nice when I was doing some hard pedaling in the drops, where I tend to rotate forward towards my pubic bone (not comfortable at all on the Ruby).

The not-so-good:
It's got pretty squishy padding that started to chafe my side-taint about halfway through the ride (similar to what I've experienced with a Terry Butterfly and the SI Shiver).

I'm going to try again today with some Assos creme, but chafing in that spot has been the downfall of many saddles before this one...

[Zen]

The not-so-good:
It's got pretty squishy padding ...

Then it's off my list.
Padding does nothing but irritate me.

[Biciclista]

I can't believe the LBS took a gal (Ny biker) who was in between and put her on the SMALLER Saddle. That means, it is too small.

sigh...

NY BIKER, aside from the pear shape and the foam squishiness, maybe you can try the bigger one?


I'm not surprised that this is Bontrager's best effort at making something for women..

[ny biker]

I am planning to try the wider saddle, I just haven't had time to get to the shop yet. TS Hanna got in the way last weekend.

I have no reason to blame Bontrager for anything. I did the Civil War metric on my old saddle on Sunday and was reminded of how much pressure is on the nose of that saddle when I ride with it. There was no such problem with the Inform.

[Miranda]

The not-so-good:
It's got pretty squishy padding that started to chafe my side-taint about halfway through the ride (similar to what I've experienced with a Terry Butterfly and the SI Shiver).

I'm going to try again today with some Assos creme, but chafing in that spot has been the downfall of many saddles before this one...

Amen to that sister...

I wish I could cut a hole in that "side-taint" thing. Just when I think I've about got it nailed on a saddle, this ugly beastly spot rears it's head for a hello.

I measured for a 150. I ordered both a 150 and 160. I rode the 150 last night and the lovely spot made itself known. I haven't put the 160 on, but we will see if that's any better. The center dip is pretty good I will agree. And the platform is pretty flat.

Wish I could take my kitchen knief to it and cut the sides of the "side-taint" thingy spot off the saddle. I'm getting pretty deranged in my saddle search... ya never know...*laughs like evil* oooo aaahhhh hhaaaa hhaaa.

My saine side will be sure to take police pics of the saddle homicide at the crime scene.

For now... that is all.

[Andrea]

Amen to that sister...

I wish I could cut a hole in that "side-taint" thing. Just when I think I've about got it nailed on a saddle, this ugly beastly spot rears it's head for a hello.

I measured for a 150. I ordered both a 150 and 160. I rode the 150 last night and the lovely spot made itself known. I haven't put the 160 on, but we will see if that's any better. The center dip is pretty good I will agree. And the platform is pretty flat.

Wish I could take my kitchen knief to it and cut the sides of the "side-taint" thingy spot off the saddle. I'm getting pretty deranged in my saddle search... ya never know...*laughs like evil* oooo aaahhhh hhaaaa hhaaa.

My saine side will be sure to take police pics of the saddle homicide at the crime scene.

For now... that is all.

Just in case you haven't tried it- the Specialized Ruby is the first cutout saddle I've ridden that has never bothered my side-taint. I hate how flexible it is, though.