Saddle choices...

[emily_in_nc]

I have a Terry Butterfly on my Titus Racer X. Tried a WTB saddle with channel but needed a cutout and more width. I don't see a problem with using a "road" saddle on a mtb, at least for someone like myself who is not a "technical" mountain biker -- I ride fireroads and easy single/double track. I use "mountain" pedals on my roadie too -- whatever works!

[Red Rock]

Irulan- your correct the MTB is a typo, I meant the WTB brand.

Thankyou for all of your input here. I will stop by the Specialized store to see of they will let me demo an Ariel saddle or perhaps work something out with my current shop.

I will keep looking and thinking about what I want.

Red Rock

[smurfalicious]

I vote use what works for you. I bought a Fizik Vitesse when I assume they were very new. At the time it was still being marketed as unisex and for road. Coming from the terrible Titec saddle that my bike came with anything was better.

On my roadie I have a white/pink Fizik Vitesse and plan to get a black one for the old Sugar I have my eye on.

Working in the industry and being more intimately involved with every friggin part, eh hem, I have noticed that the big differences start to appear when you really get into specialized riding. Sliding off the back, grabbing the nose with your thighs, grabbing the nose with your hands for crazy dirt jumps tricks (my dream) is when it makes a difference. I rode and raced on that Vitesse and I feel it allowed me to be very dynamic on my bike.

I say if it works for your needs and it's comfortable go for it. No saddle that causes discomfort is worth it. I'm flabbergasted by those of you who can rock a cut out. Can't tell you how many times folks have tried to sell me those. I have uh, fluffy, girl parts and those seem to pinch my "junk" as it were.

BTW I hate WTB saddles. I think they have a lot of awesome designs, and I rode one I really liked, but that turned down nose grosses me out. It looks like a bird beak leaving my crotchel area and I just can't deal with that.

[Cataboo]

I use the ariel on my road bikes & have an avatar on my mountain bike. I like them better than the terry butterflies.

The only caution about using a roadie saddle on a mtb is that many mtb saddles have reinforced edges, because if you're actually mtb'ing, you're going to end up laying down the bike and the saddle will get torn up if not reinforced.

[Andrea]

One other note about some road saddles-
There are a few out there w/carbon or carbon/metal rails. I've seen these fail in some road wreck situations, so I'd avoid anything them for MTB use.

Otherwise... what everyone else said.

[Red Rock]

Thankyou for the continued input. I stopped by two LBS today and looked at saddles. They were a bit surprized that I wanted a saddle with minimal padding. They are so used to people that want lots of padding the owner did not know what to think.

I do not know what my current shop will have or be able to order for me. The specialized shop wants a purchase, try it and if it does not work to bring everything back so they can resell the saddle. To me that sounds like a "pain in the butt" no pun inteneded.

The Trek dealer had a few Bontrager saddles, I think the race lites that had minimal padding and the channel/cutout combonation.

When I was measured at the specialized store they had me at 135mm and if I was sitting upright it would go to 155mm for sitbone width. This is according to their chart. Would it be ok to just stay at the 135mm and not go to the 155mm for seats?

Or is this going to be a whole lot of trial and error here? Is finding a saddle always such a big deal as this?

Has anyone ever used a Bontrager saddle?

In this small town, one shop has one product and another shop has something else. So I feel like I am putting one shop against another to find
what I want.

Thankyou for your input on this.

Red Rock/Ellen

[alpha_omega]

Or is this going to be a whole lot of trial and error here? Is finding a saddle always such a big deal as this?

Has anyone ever used a Bontrager saddle?

In this small town, one shop has one product and another shop has something else. So I feel like I am putting one shop against another to find
what I want.

Thankyou for your input on this.

Red Rock/Ellen

Just out of curiosity, how were you fit on the bike? Was it a comprehensive dynamic fit? Very often saddle pains can be caused by improper adjustment. Many saddles not only go up and down on the seat post but can also tilt nose up / nose down / slide forwards / backwards. Getting the saddle tweaked into just the right position can make all the difference in the world.

Saddles are such personal pieces of equipment, it's impossible for anyone to recommend something for someone else. You really just have to keep trying until you find one that works. Many people find that a saddle works great for 20-30 min, but stretch it out to two hours and they're in tears.

After checking fit, I'd keep trying different models until you find the one that's just right. I know it's a pain to keep bringing things back, but if you're serious about riding distances you want to be as comfortable as possible. A good, well fitting saddle is crucial in that quest.