intro and saddle prob

[alpinerabbit]

I'll recommend my SMP any day, but they are pricey except for the TRK, or a wide-nosed TT/Tri saddle.

[TxDoc]

Hi Sue and welcome back to the cycling scene
Not sure it helps, since saddles are a very personal choice, but this is what I use:
-on my road bikes, I have the Selle San Marco aspide carbon superleggera. Here it is: http://www.glorycycles.com/sanmaassuca.html it does have sort of a groove so really there is no pressure at all. The downside is that it is expensive
Before buying this one I had a seat with a cutout, Selle Italia SLR gel flow. It is very comfortable, one of my favorites over the years, but a little bit too padded. I like the plain carbon better because it has no padding on top and it makes the ride more comfortable.
-on my time trial bike I keep an old Selle San Marco Era arrowhead gelaround (they don't make this anymore, but it was wonderful although still a little bit too padded). I might try to switch to the carbon for that bike too, but haven't decided yet.
An all of my bikes, the saddle nose is actually pointed downwards, always been like that in over 30 years.
Hope this helps and good luck!

[tctrek]

Hi, Sue and Welcome to TE! Saddles are a little bit like men.. you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince . I would buy them with as long as they were returnable. Try it, return it. I ended up with the Selle San Marco Aspide Glamour. Haven't had any saddle soreness every since!

[tantrumbean]

Hello, there is definitely quite a few bikes shops that will let you try saddles - unfortunately the only one I can think of at the moment is Paul Hewitt and Leyland is a bit out of the way for someone living in Cambridge.

TE is a great forum, but it might be an idea to post your query on cycle chat for a bit more local knowledge - I'm sure someone on there would be able to recommend a shop near you that will let you try racing saddles...

[Suechoccy]

tctrek wrote: "Saddles are a little bit like men.. you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince"


Oh dear, I hope not. I kissed far too many frogs to find my prince among men!

I went to a local bikeshop yesterday, got my butt measured on the Specialized butt-foam measurer, 138 or so, so bit the bullet (and the wallet) and now have a Jett to try. Rode it in last night's Cambridge CC 10 and the cut-out channel was a revelation (ah, bliss) but over a longer distance I wonder if the rails along each side will be too hard... so am reserving judgement until after this weekend, got a 30 on Sunday which will be a good test.

Not sure about chamois cream or other lubes, mainly because I never used it and have never had a problem with infections/sweat in that area, so am a bit wary of clogging up pores and causing a new problem. But I'll bear it in mind as another thing worth trying, along with shorts.

Fingers crossed for a comfy tush for me this Sunday please, or else there'll be a twice-used Jett coming up for sale shortly!

[papaver]

good luck!

[Jiffer]

tctrek wrote:
Not sure about chamois cream or other lubes, mainly because I never used it and have never had a problem with infections/sweat in that area, so am a bit wary of clogging up pores and causing a new problem. But I'll bear it in mind as another thing worth trying, along with shorts.

I mentioned the A&D in particular, because you mentioned getting raw spots. For me, it helps prevent and/or heal them. It's sort of thick and sticky, so the slipperiness of the Chamois Buttr helps prevent raw spots in a different way. But lubrication of any kind is another one of those personal preferences. Everyone is different.

[yetigooch]

Try the SMP saddles.....they are designed with the nose of the saddle pointed downward.......I've not used them myself but have friends that have them and like them very much.