need advice?

[OakLeaf]

The Lithia was close enough for me to ride it for nearly 6,000 miles, until it was good and worn out, but it was a bit too squishy for me. That's why I went with a Jett next - nearly identical shape, but firmer.

I've only got maybe 600 miles on the Jett so far. It's definitely better for me than the Lithia, but as I said, on longer rides I do get what sounds like exactly what you're describing. I'd say it's right between the lesser trochanter of the femur and the ischium, which is what leads me to think I need an even more T-shaped saddle. Not sure there is such a thing short of a Brooks... But again, it's possible even less padding would solve the problem - and again, the Jett is close enough that I'm keeping it 'til it's worn out.

OTOH I'm not sure that I'm completely adapted to the Jett yet, and/or that it's completely broken in.

[vness]

I've only got maybe 600 miles on the Jett so far. It's definitely better for me than the Lithia, but as I said, on longer rides I do get what sounds like exactly what you're describing. I'd say it's right between the lesser trochanter of the femur and the ischium, which is what leads me to think I need an even more T-shaped saddle. Not sure there is such a thing short of a Brooks... But again, it's possible even less padding would solve the problem - and again, the Jett is close enough that I'm keeping it 'til it's worn out.

OTOH I'm not sure that I'm completely adapted to the Jett yet, and/or that it's completely broken in.

if I may ask, what's your sitbone width? Have you ever tried a Ruby? After reading your posts, I'm thinking either the Jett or the Ruby might work... now if I can only be sure what width to order LOL

[OakLeaf]

if I may ask, what's your sitbone width? Have you ever tried a Ruby?

<digging my butt-print out of my cycling pack and measuring...>

You know, center-to-center it's only about 120 mm. Outside-to-outside is more like 153. I was figuring I should be on a saddle that supported the whole area - it never really occurred to me to try something narrower but still T-shaped.

Hmmmmmmm. Food for thought for my next one - but that's likely a season and a half away. Although, I will say that when I demo'ed a Specialized bike back in '06, I was still getting chafing up front. I'm not sure what saddle that was or how wide, but by the archived specs on that bike it should've been a Jett (or maybe a Dolce, I'm not 100% sure of which component package it was that I demo'ed, but it was a Ruby bike and definitely not the Dura-Ace equipped Ruby Pro) and I would expect that demo bikes would be equipped with 143s. One of the pairs of shorts I had for that weekend was definitely part of the problem, but the other pair should've been good; it's actually a 22-year-old pair of first-generation Terry shorts that is still one of my favorites.

Tilt could've been part of the problem, of course. As a large group on demo bikes, we were only set up pretty quickly on them - seat height was about all they did IIRC. I brought my own shoes and pedals.

And I haven't tried a Ruby. That was going to be my next one. That, or a Selle SLR Lady Gel Flow which people speak highly of.

[radacrider]

Hi, good luck with the saddle search.

I have a Lithia on my "SUV" bike and a Ruby on my road bike. To be honest, I don't "notice" the Ruby at all when riding. After some miles on the Lithia, I do notice it some, probably the gelynish of it.

I was in one of the LBS recently and could swear the new Lithia's are softer than mine.

Both saddles, for me, are free from girly bit discomfort.

I like the Lithia on the SUV cuz I may not always wear padded shorts or liners, just jump on and go. Otherwise, I would probably swap out for the Ruby.

[Kiwi Stoker]

I have the Jett on the tandem and the Ruby on my single road bike.

I appreciate the Jett's extra padding because even though the tandem has a suspension seatpost because I sit right over the rear wheel, I feel everything.

My road bike came with the Ruby saddle so I decided to give it a go. It's great, just enough padding and I adapted to it really well. I wouldn't however put it on the tandem.

I would choose the saddle that fits the "ride" of the bike. If you are coming from a very soft saddle, yes the Ruby will take a bit of getting used to.

[vness]

after getting more & more miserable as well as more & more confused about what to try, I finally picked up an older model Jett 143 with the stitching (ouch?) that my LBS had on a bike. Truthfully, it doesn't look "that" much different than the Avatar overall and even though my sit bones measure about 117mm, I'm also not sure I don't need a 155.. sigh

Plan is to ride it fri, sat & sun, and if I like it enough, order a newer one (w/ti rails and no stitching) for about $25 more than what I paid. Unfortunately I don't have the time to heal from the past couple of days, so I'll be trying it with tissue already swollen & chafed. Taking today off since I rode late yesterday and am so sore I could scream.

I am also very interested in the Selle Italia SLR Lady, though the pear shape is a bit of a concern, as is the width, if, in fact, I do need a 143. lol... do I sound as confused as I feel? LBS is ordering one anyway.

Thank you ALL for your input. Yes, I was looking at the Bontrager (only because I agree that I don't really ride "on" my sit bones anyway since I'm not very upright on the bike) but the shape really put me off.

This forum is a lifesaver. There are so many threads about so many 'other' things I relate to here.

Bright Blessings
namaste,
v

[stokerpam]

I've tried several saddles over 8000+miles including Butterfly - didn't work - and have finally settled on the Specialized Lithia. Tried Ruby & Jett briefly too but in the med size, & I need the wider one for stoking since am more upright. Not perfect but my favorite so far. Also wonderful is "Assos Chamois Creme" on places prone to chafing. Works better than chamois buttr or aquaphor even tho costs a lot more. (Several people rec Sugoi shorts - see if they work for you - sizes run small) Ride 45-60mi ~3x/wk