No cutout = no chafing

[OakLeaf]

I think that Knott's test is probably spot on. If you've got "stuff" hanging down there when your bones are well supported, then I can't see how you're not going to need a cutout. But if not, then, ... not. And as she's said, a cut-out distributes the pressure over a smaller area, which isn't a good thing if you can distribute it over a larger bony area.

[GLC1968]

I think that Knott's test is probably spot on. If you've got "stuff" hanging down there when your bones are well supported, then I can't see how you're not going to need a cutout. But if not, then, ... not. And as she's said, a cut-out distributes the pressure over a smaller area, which isn't a good thing if you can distribute it over a larger bony area.

Or at least a big indentation. I definitely have enough 'stuff' to need a cut-out (by Knott's test) but I've found total comfort on a non-cut out saddle! I am utterly shocked but completely pleased.

[trista]

I'm very happy with my no-cutout saddle

[zoom-zoom]

Revisiting this thread. I am thisclose to buying the same saddle that kermit referred to in the OP. I have the version with the cut-out and LOVE the saddle, except I get the same chafing (and sometimes serious clitoral pain/stimulation...TMI?) that I've had with every saddle with a cut-out. I have a Bontrager Affinity RL WSD on my CX bike and like the little dip, but the saddle isn't quite T-shaped enough for high mileage, like on my road bike. I rode a Mukluk last week with a Prologo saddle. And, other than it being a hair too narrow, it had that dip and I had no issues up-front. Granted, I wasn't quite as aggressively positioned as I am on my road bike, but I still suspect that the edges of the cut-outs are the prime culprit in my specific saddle woes.

[Catrin]

It is interesting to me how many saddles are da bomb for some of us and are implements of torture for others.

My SI Diva caused a lot of problems because the cutout was too wide, but my SI Lady Gel Flow just rocks - it is indeed THE saddle for me. I've tried saddles with depressions and had different problems with those.

This thread brings home more than any other how highly individual bike fit is - especially in the saddle department.

[Reesha]

I'm about to try out an Arione Donna (arrives at LBS today eeeee!) and it has a nice central channel down the whole thing and is 145 mm wide. My old saddle was stock on a WSD bike (I figured it was good for me, doh!) but only 130 mm at its widest, but it did have a little dipsy do in the middle. Turns out I've been sitting on my tailbone and soft tissues for four years. When I upgraded to the men's Arione (thinking it was the right width for me) and it was awful, lbs measured my sitbones at 140 mm. This should be good. Hopefully my saddle search will end here... but I'll have to keep kermit's saddle in mind!

[zoom-zoom]

I tried the Arione Donna and found it to be VERY painful--but I think it was too narrow, so I was sliding off to one side. Instead of my bits falling over the channel they were being mashed into the edge of the left side of the channel--owie!