My cheeks hurt :)

[Helen]

Hi Helen, sure your "burning cheeks" aren't muscle fatigue? You know... "feel the burn"...?

For that i recommend a gentle ride just to ease the muscles a bit...

Well ... I guess I am talking about my muscles but I am pretty sure they are not fatigued but squashed from the not so smoth rides I've made this last week.

Thanks for your recommendation but I sincerely think there is no such thing as "gentle ride" ...
Maybe all I need is to change my sadle ... What kind of sadle should I buy ? Are they all going to fit on my bike ?

[RoadRaven]

Lots of threads here on women specific seats (try searching for discussion).

Generally they are a bit wider where your sit bones go, and have a cut out piece so our "girly bits" dont get squished.

There are several shapes of women's pelvis' so try out some seats and see what feels good for you.

[Helen]

Lots of threads here on women specific seats (try searching for discussion).

Generally they are a bit wider where your sit bones go, and have a cut out piece so our "girly bits" dont get squished.

There are several shapes of women's pelvis' so try out some seats and see what feels good for you.

That's great because my present seat is a 100% boys seat even with that hole in the middle.
BTW: Does anyone of you knows what the heck that hole does ?

[emily_in_nc]

That's great because my present seat is a 100% boys seat even with that hole in the middle.
BTW: Does anyone of you knows what the heck that hole does ?

For me, the saddle cutout prevents chafing and rawness of the inner girly bits. I can't ride a saddle without one without quite a bit of discomfort during a ride and even more afterwards - when I pee and when I shower/wash there. Owwwww!

Emily

[Helen]

I can't ride a saddle without one without quite a bit of discomfort during a ride and even more afterwards - when I pee and when I shower/wash there. Owwwww!

Emily

So let me see if I understood correctly. You are saying that riding a saddle with the cutout in it its a good thing ?

[DeniseGoldberg]

So let me see if I understood correctly. You are saying that riding a saddle with the cutout in it its a good thing ?

It really depends on you. I tried several saddles with a cutout and hated them; I (comfortably) ride a saddle without a cutout. But for other people the cutout helps. In my experience, you need to keep trying saddles until you find the right one for your body and your style of riding. Unfortunately I haven't found a way to figure that out short of riding with different saddles!

[emily_in_nc]

So let me see if I understood correctly. You are saying that riding a saddle with the cutout in it its a good thing ?

Yes, for me a cutout is a must. MUST. HAVE. CUTOUT.

But, everyone is different. Your mileage may vary!

Emily

[CorsairMac]

Helen: have you talked to your LBS? You might see what their return policy is on saddles and/or they may let you try some out. As you can see from Denise and Ems' opposite viewpoints - it's a truly personal thing. Same thing for a womens saddle vs a mens saddle. The best thing you can do is try different saddles until you find the one the works for you. And let us know what you find - we Love hearing about what saddles work for whom and why!

and good luck!