Saddles not supporting the sit bones - what to try next?

[Artista]

NY Biker, it sounds like we have similar saddle issues. I, too, am defaulting to a Bontrager Affinity. Not because it's ideal, but because it causes the fewest problems. I also thought that I couldn't use a cut-out, but discovered that my cut-out problems centered around "humped" cut-out edges like on the Terry Butterfly. I've tried other cut-out saddles with smoother cut-out edges that were better, but still not as good as the Bontrager for me.

A couple of the other saddle that you might consider are the Terry FLX & Specialized Jett. The FLX is supposedly geared toward an aero riding position but wasn't awful for my more upright position. Still, I determined after about 1 hour of riding that it would probably contribute to soft tissue chafing for me on longer rides. The Jett again wasn't awful, but not as good as the Bontrager Affinity.

I plan to try the SI Lady Diva with the channel, rather than the cut-out, next.

[ny biker]

Thanks everyone for your replies. They have given me lots to think about.

I decided it made sense to try a Specialized saddle, since they're so easily available at local shops and they are pretty t-shaped. I bought a Lithia, in 145 mm since that's what the measuring tool recommended. I chose the Lithia because it was more t-shaped than the Jett and supposedly is designed for a more upright position. I looked at one of the mountain bike saddles that Muirenn mentioned, but it was very hard so I don't think I would like it.

The store offered a 14-day return period, but due to lousy weather and being busy at work, I was not able to test it until day 15. So, anyone want to buy a 145 mm Lithia? Because it was very painful. I'm inclined to think the 155 mm version would not be good either, because I think pressure from the edge of the cutout caused problems.

My LBS bike fitter is in Belgium right now for the Tour of Flanders (lucky him!!). Once he gets back, I will make an appointment to verify that my position on the bike does not need to be changed. And I will probably try the Affinity next, although I will feel really guilty if I buy and return yet another saddle at his store.

In the meantime, I'm thinking of putting the Evoke back on the bike temporarily, so I can think more about what I do and don't like about it. I was able to do shorter rides on it last year without pain, and I can't say that about some of the saddles I've tried lately.

If the Affinity doesn't work, I'll look into the SLR Lady Gel Flow and/or Diva, as well as Brooks.

BTW, I saw an SI Turbomatic at the LBS last weekend. It is very firm.

Thanks again!!!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

All your descriptions of how you ride and what you are looking for are screaming out for a Brooks.

[ny biker]

I'm still confused about which Brooks. The B-17 is 170mm, and the tall sides look uncomfortable even on the B-17 narrow. Also the cutouts on the Imperial versions look very rough, like they would pinch. I would really like to be able to actually look at some different models in person, but I don't know any shop around here that carries them. I just emailed a friend who has one to ask where he got it.

Edit: it turns out my friend has the B17. So I will go have a look at it.

The plot thickens...

[ny biker]

I just read the entire Brooks thread. (And am now exhausted... )

I'm around 135-140 mm from outside to outside, as near as I can tell. I put an exercise mat on a table, sat on it for a while, then put a piece of paper over the indentations on the mat and colored them in with a pen. Did this several times. The outer edges are 135-140 apart and the centers are about 122-125 mm apart.

FWIW, both the Bontrager and Specialized measurement things say I should have one of their mid-sized saddles, ~145 mm wide.

I will have a look at my friend's B17 and go from there.

Thanks.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Try a B17 first- it's sort of a woman's size 'middle of the road'. Few women are too narrow for the B17. If the B17 is too narrow, try the widest Brooks- the B68. I don't recommend you start with a Swallow or Swift unless you are very narrow boned. I also recommend you get the regular B17 to try first, not the B17S, which has super short rails and really limits your fore-aft adjustability.

the tall sides look uncomfortable even on the B-17 narrow. Also the cutouts on the Imperial versions look very rough, like they would pinch

You can't tell anything by looking at them. You're just used to looking at racey styled plastic saddles. And when you get a chance to examine the Brooks in person, then you'll say "Oh those are sooo hard!- they'll be terribly uncomfortable!".
You have to ride them. Your butt does not have eyes. lol!

[Biciclista]

The cut out of the imperial does not pinch. Now I've never ridden it NAKED so I don't know how it would perform in that condition. But the chances of that happening are pretty small. With clothing on, jeans or padded bike shorts, i have not detected any pinching, just a subtle LACK of stress in the area it was designed to protect.