Teaching an old dog new tricks (saddle!)

[tzvia]

Lots of good info here and I don't want to parrot what others have said about saddle fit and sit-bones, but it is the best first step towards finding the 'right' saddle. I couldn't find a comfortable saddle until I discovered that I have wide sit-bones, and bought a wide enough saddle. Getting your weight off the soft parts and onto the bones is step one.

As for chamois cream, I don't go on a ride without it (except for my short 5 mile commute to work). I forgot a few weeks ago, and chafed like mad. I don't think I'll forget again . If you chafe, give it a try. I use Shea Butter.

[Kelly126]

Is "Chamois" cream appropriate if you have a gel-type liner in your bike shorts? Do you apply it on the liner or on your person? I have a cold and am under the influence of Nyquil, otherwise I don't even think I could ask these questions. Sometimes it stinks to be so modest.

[Biciclista]

when i use chamois butter I apply it to my skin.

[MommyBird]

My seat is a Prologo Delta Kea, and I have to say it fits me to perfection.
It sort of came with the bike. "Sort of" because Cannondale packed the wrong color seat and bar tape with my bike and when they sent the white replacements, they sent the seat from the next model up. FREE UPGRADE!

I rode my bike with the black seat several times and it was not quite right.
I am blessed that my "sort of stock" seat works and I have not had to shop for the perfect seat. The very thought makes me cringe.

As for shorts, I have three brands. I rank them from Super to OK. 1) Performance, 2) Perl Izumi, 3) SheBeast. I think I may be the only person on this sight who is not thrilled with her SheBeast shorts.

I swear by chamois cream. Some pads can be like sand paper for me. I usually just put it on me and not the shorts.

From reading about this subject, I have come to realize that this is not problem with a one-size-fits-all solution. I hope you have a short and inexpensive learning curve in your quest.

[OakLeaf]

I use shea butter on both my person and my chamois. On my person so I can get it exactly where I want it, on the chamois mostly to prevent what I put on myself from soaking in, and also to make sure I've got those random spots covered.

[Kelly126]

Okay, I think I have a rough measurement of my "sit bones" and I'm approximately 177 mm from point to point (7 inches). I measured my bike seat and it's approximately 6.5 inches across. Are my 'bones' supposed to be supported by the seat? And if so, wouldn't I need a seat that's at least 7.5 inches across? Am I on the right track? Nine weeks until the 50 mile ride and I'm afraid I'm losing training time. Ugh.

[MartianDestiny]

If that 177mm is at all accurate then it's no wonder that you are uncomfortable on a stock saddle (most of which are 130mm or maybe 143mm). I think you are right that you'll want something that width or wider. It is a wide measurement (I'm trying to be PC here, and it is normal for women to be well, wide...), so you may want to double check it before frustrating yourself trying to find a saddle in that range (as you can see from my picture, specialized saddles come in 130mm, 143mm, and 155mm).