Sugoi short or Jett saddle--too wide?

[SCurve]

I am interested in what you all think about the Sugoi RS Flex shorts. I have worn a pair with a Specialized women's Jett 155 saddle, and I get rubbing on both sides of my pelvis when I ride. It is really hard to tell whether the chamois is too wide, the shorts are too big, or the saddle is too wide. I am NEW to touring, and this is my first pair of padded bike shorts EVER. Your input would help me so much, as I always feel like the men at my cycle shops (where are the women riders in Chicago?) don't know what I am talking about.

I originally thought the Jett was too wide and I should try a narrower one, but now I am thinking maybe the Sugoi shorts simply are too loose. I have a Medium, but perhaps I need a Small? Any thoughts from anyone on this thread? How tight do I need to go? I hate it when there's a bulge of skin below the elastic on my shorts! Ew!

Also, what are Shebeest and can they *really* be more expensive than the $125 Sugois?

I really appreciate your insights. I want to come back from a 2-hour ride with only my legs hurting, not my crotch!

[SCurve]

Thank you, Jen! It's nice to know I am not alone.

I did not get to sit on a butt-o-meter, although I had heard of them. I got my bike at Kozy's, which is really annoying because they just aren't that professional. Anyway, so that is where I got my saddle as well. I am headed to On the Route on Lincoln Ave this Friday so I can get properly fitted, although it appears their fitting expert is leaving(??), so I may need to go elsewhere.

I'll definitely check out REI for riding shorts the next time I head out west. I'm in Indiana Tues-Thurs so I need to fit all of my bike riding/fitting/shopping into the other 4 days of the week, which makes it a *bit* tricky. It's really great to get your input, though!

[Tokie]

Yes the shorts need to be quite snug. There should not be any looseness for the chamois to move around between your butt and the saddle. Yes, there is the "dreaded sausage leg" phenomenon. We(mostly) are not Barbie dolls. It is real. I look for the longest shorts possible, so they hit at the narrowest part of my sausage above the knee. You can order several pairs of different brands and models of shorts here at TE, try them on with underwear in the privacy of your own home (so no one can hear you shriek "too much sausage!" and "woo-hoo, less sausage in this pair!") and get an idea of different chamois size and thickness. I am a Louis Garneau fan myself, and prefer shorts with "high compression" fabric.You won't find a bike store anywhere with this kind of selection! Tokie

[KnottedYet]

As far as the saddle goes, make sure to decide if it's a problem of "too wide" or "too pear shaped."

(where is the chafing? Is it in the butt-crease/top-of-thigh/pantyline? Maybe too pear-shaped?)

[SCurve]

Top of thigh chaffing, for sure. It feels like the chamois is rubbing or folding right where my pantyline is. So I think you both might be on to something, KnottedYet and Tokie. I should try a bunch of shorts and perhaps a different shape of saddle.

Because I am new to TE, I did not know I could order products from the site. Where? How?

[KnottedYet]

scroll up to the top of the page.

In the banner that says "Team Estrogen, where style..." there is a chickie on a bike. At about her knee and elbow level is a "click to shop" link.

Once you start, you won't be able to stop!

[aicabsolut]

I had a lot of problems there with the Jett saddle. It was definitely the right width in the rear, because the narrower one didn't support my sit bones. But it was too wide (and too tall on the sides) in the middle. I switched to the Ruby, and things have been a lot better (well, now I'm having chafing towards the front, but that's either the shorts getting slightly loose on me or from how the saddle broke in--there's a big dip now). However, the Ruby is a race style saddle, and so I wouldn't really recommend it for really long touring rides. Still, you may need a saddle that is wide in the back but tapers more towards the front, or is at least not as tall and squishy on the sides as the Jett. It was hard for me to find the right saddle, because a lot of ones with a good taper in there aren't wide enough at the sit bones. If you think you could do without a cutout, I think that may make it easier. You could try Brooks or Fizik.

Like the others said, if your shorts are a little loose in the chamois, any chafing tendencies will be magnified.

[ny biker]

Also, what are Shebeest and can they *really* be more expensive than the $125 Sugois?

Shebeest shorts are great. Go for something with a seemless chamois. I like both of these:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSB_2141.html

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSB_2101B.html


The first one is their "long distance" short and goes for $120, while the second is also good for at least several hours on the bike and is $80.

[Misandal]

SCurve,

Shorts and saddles are very, very personal things and what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. That said, I've just recently had horrible experiences with both versions of the Jett saddle (the one with stitching and the one with the smooth cover). I experienced chafe on either side, as you described, right at the pantyline - and I had the narrow saddle.

I also ride in the Sugoi RS shorts and they're great for me - not with the Jett, though. Nothing for me was good with the Jett. My saddle now is the Aspide Glamour, which is wide through the rear, narrows significantly at the nose, and has a little channel, as opposed to a cutout, to relieve pressure at the front. Not having a cutout, and having good shorts, took care of the chafe issue for me.

Good luck! I think the shorts/saddle thing is something everyone has had to work their way through.

[Biker Jo]

Hi, SCurve,

I live in Chicago, and last year I went to Get a Grip - they have two shops, one on Irving Park and one on Fulton - and got fitted on my eight-year-old Trek. They made a bunch of adjustments, and while it was a bit pricy, it was worth every penny. This year I decided to buy a new bike from them (a Cannondale), and I couldn't be happier with it.

REI has shops in Northbrook and Oak Brook, and they're opening a new shop the beginning of October on Halsted near North Avenue.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about Get a Grip, or if I can be of any further help.

[SCurve]

Thanks, everyone.

Unfortunately, I *definitely* need the cut-out. I always have, even with a hybrid and a mountain bike. Because my back is all fused, I can't take pressure off the front of my pelvis when I ride (it takes the brunt of my weight, rather than my sits bones), so I need the gap in the saddle to take all that pressure off for me.

Interesting insight into the "high sides" of the Jett--that's exactly what I have been feeling. If I can find a "shallower" saddle, which also has a cut-out, that might just do the trick.

And the shorts--I'll try a small instead (despite my fear of sausage). Those darn Sugoi are made of just the softest, most invisible-feeling fabric ever, so if the small one has a chamois that does not shift/rub on me, I'll be ecstatic.

This weekend will be weekend number 3 of morning-til-night experimentation and *cha-ching* credit card charges at the LBS! Does it ever end?