Cobb Saddles

[artifactos]

thank you for the info... I do have a couple of questions:

I just read somewhere that the saddle (or lack thereof) somewhat affects bike handling - that it puts more weight onto your arms on the bars - it went so far as to say not to try sitting up & riding without hands. I hate the thought that I might not be able to fully sit up occasionally to do stuff

Can you comfortably ride in all the various permutations one uses on a road bike? If it's just for an aero position, it might be too limiting. Though I spend a lot of time in the drops, I certainly don't only ride that way.

I'm wondering if, in the interim, I should try riding a tri saddle without a cutout and a wider nose. I've always used cutouts because of my ahem... 'full girly parts' and a very narrow nose. The nose on a saddle has never bothered me but I'm thinking that the cutout itself, riding on my rami, could be part of the problem. Did you try more traditional tri saddles before turning to the Adamo?

I have always had problems with saddles with noses. I tried cutouts, that wasn't enough. I tried a handful of saddles (my LBS owner would give me a couple weeks on trial - I usually brought all of them back in within 20 miles because of major soft tissue pain/tears), most of them race/tri saddles, some with cutouts, some with dents.. they only would have worked for me had I ridden in a super upright position all the time, because as soon as I rolled my hips forward (onto my rami), my girlie parts got squished and bruised and torn. Ouch.

So, that's why I went with the Adamo. I ride it on the hoods just fine, in the drops just fine, and expect to be fine in aerobars when I get them. I can sit up with one hand on the flat bar and be fine, too. I have never been comfortable riding without hands, and the adjustment of my nose downward (which was necessary to keep me comfortable) makes me less comfortable with trying it.

As for putting more weight on your arms.. I really only noticed any difference when I tilted my nose downward, and I only noticed it for a couple rides before I adjusted. I haven't had any wrist pain or arm pain at all as a result.

As for the width.. yes, the width of the rear of the saddle is a little wide for me. I plan on switching to one of the narrower models in the future, but for now this one works for me - I only get chafing in one of my sets of shorts, and a new pair of shorts is more affordable than a new saddle.

Good luck!

[kermit]

I met two girls at a century I rode last fall and both had adamo saddles on. I had looked at them and do see a lot of women riding them. One of the girls tried it the day before an IM tri, put it on and never turned back. It seems once you get used to the minimal nose nothing else changes as far as handling. There is a really good place in Boca that has like 65 saddles to try and they do a great fit. It's called Racer's edge. It may be worth a trip? I only heard that the adamo fit is critical and takes some getting used to as far as seat bone soreness. I opted against it because of my broken hip/back and frequent SI pain. Still happy with the max flite, not perfect but only trouble I have is occasional numbness which is resolved with two seconds out of the saddle. Let us know whats up?

[OakLeaf]

wow, do they have Selle Italia? I probably won't be in Boca again until after the first of the year, but if they have that Turbomatic I definitely want to try it!

[kermit]

I am almost positive they have SI saddles. They have a website and fit schedules.

Hey V,
I just got a e-mail from www.trisports.com and they have a 25 dollar saddle demo program, including the adamos. ????????

[vness]

I am almost positive they have SI saddles. They have a website and fit schedules.

Hey V,
I just got a e-mail from www.trisports.com and they have a 25 dollar saddle demo program, including the adamos. ????????

hey kermit... thanks for all the info. One of the problems of going to a shop and trying saddles there is that it often takes 100's of miles. I haven't figured out the exact specs, but I figure I've easily put over 2000 miles on my current saddle... initially, though not perfect, it wasn't bad. Only began biting badly the past month or so. That said, I'll go check out their website - ok, just checked & as they specialize in bit fit and I already paid a fortune for one - I think I'd better contact my guy first :)

the demo program on trisports looks interesting but it doesn't say exactly how many you can try LOL and you only get 7 days.

Competitive Cyclist has a return policy on saddles - I think it may be 60 days, which is pretty good. They've got Adamos as well. I also need to ask my fit guy what his policy is - I know he rides and offers them as well. Team Estrogen will also let you return saddles after trying them for 90 days. They have a Serfas Gel Tri saddle that would allow me to experience no cut out and a wide nose... would my rami fit on it? LOL

I'm really not sure what to try... it's definitely my rami that are getting punished but it's not from the nose... that sticks out well past my 'parts'.. it's farther back. And I really do enjoy being able to sit up, hands off, on occasion: on my way to a ride when I'm having trouble getting the top off my Prime - to just a nice stretch on my way home. It's also fun to control the bike with my butt LOL

but I am getting awfully tired of not being able to get my recovery rides in between my harder rides. I fear my top end is suffering. Certainly my sanity and body weight are - gained 3 lbs back this week and no, it ain't muscle - I've been binging at night... sigh.

Waffling isn't getting me anywhere - I'm going to have to do something and fast. But 'waffling' is something I seem to be pretty good at these days... particularly when $ is so tight... sigh...

blech - better stop whining and do something!! I'll be in touch :)

and you're the best!!

namaste,
v