Saddle input please!

[Owlie]

I keep running into issues with this. I can't tell if it really is the saddle size and shape, the cut-out shape, shorts, or just a lack of lube and all I need to do is get out that tub of shea butter.

Once I find "the spot", I'm good. It's getting me to stay there. I'm getting a bit of soft tissue discomfort, but I can't really tell if it's compression-related (it's not numb or anything) or friction (because it doesn't feel like...I don't know, mild rug burn). I've done the too-narrow saddle (stock saddle...), and this isn't what it feels like. It feels like it should correspond to the rear of the cut out, but I can't tell for sure. (I don't think, however, that the rest of my soft tissues would benefit from a cut-out-less saddle. Ouch.)

Oddly, this is a recent phenomenon, as I'd done similar distances prior to March with no real discomfort whatsoever apart from the expected sit-bone soreness from not riding. And then, BAM.

BF's mom suggested the possibility that it's a fit or adjustment issue. Possible, I guess. (I've noticed it more if I spend time in the drops and with the new pedals, although that might be because that's fresh in my memory.) Can anyone comment?

(I think I need a fitting anyway, so as soon as I can get the $$ and transport organized (LBS is 40 minutes away and I'm carless), I'm going to do that.)

[Owlie]

Update: I've been experimenting with saddle position a bit, and I think I've got it. I moved it forward about 3 mm, and a preliminary test in the worst-offending shorts I possess (it was worse in some than in others), no mashed girly bits. Not on the hoods or drops either. Yay!

However, I think this just confirmed my original suspicion on the pear/T shape. I can feel a bit of chafing, and while it may be down to the fact that I think the shorts are now a bit on the big side (seriously?), I'm really thinking it's the saddle. There's a 1.5-2 cm chunk I want to take out of either side of it.

The other thing I'm concerned about is that I felt squished, reach-wise, before I moved the saddle. I kept ending up with pain in the upper back muscles from trying to compensate. Who knows, though? I'll see how that feels after my ride tomorrow. It may well be a moot point, as this allows me to sit back.

So: similar width to the Lady Gel Flow, with a cut-out, but more T-shaped. Go.

[zoom-zoom]

Specialized Jett, 155mm. The same saddle you are on was both too wide and too pear-shaped. I have the 143mm Jett and am lovin' it!

[zoom-zoom]

Duh...just now read up the page and see that I already said that.