Help me troubleshoot my saddle?

[macski]

Anyhow, regarding price, I see that the Specialized options (Jett, Lithia) are in the same range as Brooks: $85-100. Is that what you expect paying for a saddle? (I realize that if one's butt is happy on a cheap one, that's great too, but am interested in your, well, saddle budget item.)

Yep, that's what I'd expect to pay (in the US anyway - they are much more expensive here in Australia).

As pinsonp2 said you may find a bargain on eBay or Craig's list but it might take some time to find what you need. Me? I'm not that patient.

[OakLeaf]

Yep, that's about the price range for a saddle. I'm not sure why the comfortable firm narrow-nosed ones are so much more expensive than the uncomfortable squishy huge ones. But the one I've been curious about and just haven't been able to justify is closer to $200.....

[chryss]

OK, many thanks. I've installed the WTB Speed, which looks like an improvement though I'm skeptical. I'll let you know what transpires in the saddle department.

[redrhodie]

The Specialized Dolce saddle might work, and it's pretty inexpensive. I rode one until I wore it out! http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...ItemId=0&eid=0

[OakLeaf]

True, I forgot the Dolce. It's too squishy for me, but I have a friend who rides upwards of 7,000 miles a year on a Dolce saddle. I think she buys them by the dozen.

[pinsonp2]

I have a Dolce saddle on a Crosstrail. The first 15 mile ride and I got a bit sore, but that was it. Otherwise it is OK for that bike. I do prefer the Ruby or Jett for my roadies.

P2

[Catrin]

Yep, that's about the price range for a saddle. I'm not sure why the comfortable firm narrow-nosed ones are so much more expensive than the uncomfortable squishy huge ones. But the one I've been curious about and just haven't been able to justify is closer to $200.....

I happily pay $160 for my beloved SI Ldy Gel Flow, but I did have so many saddle related problems last year that I hate to change what works. So I have it on all three bikes - well - it will be installed on the mountain bike as soon as it arrives I know that one doesn't spend as much time seated on a mountain bike, but I dislike the saddle that came with it...and why change what works?

[Chicken Little]

I have had my share of saddle issues, sold most of them on Craigslist, always looking of a bargain, etc.

Today I go into Performance and by this cushy men's saddle, on sale for $21. I get out of work early, stick it on, (It looks hideous on my Serotta, but great white covers it) and ride 58 pain free miles, IN THE DROPS for about 1/2 of it.

Go figure.

I can offer no advice on saddles.

[chryss]

Intermediate report...

I joined the "more leisurely" of two women-only group rides of the local cycle club today. About 13 miles, which started out really leisurely and ended up about as fast as I'd been going. I don't have the stats in front of me.

The WTB Speed was better width-wise but now squished the soft tissue of my crotch, which is quite as unpleasant. I may have to lower the nose -- I don't think I put it on entirely level. But my feeling is we won't get happy with each other. Oh, well, the search is on!

[chryss]

Just to let you know where I am going with this question: I'm still riding the WTB Speed, which has become sort-of bearable for a while by lowering the nose and moving it forward a little. It does become painful after about 75-90 min, which is how long I tend to ride.

After studying what I know I like and what others recommend, I ordered a Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow at a place where the price was ok, and it's now winging its way to Alaska. I'll post once I have experience with that one.

[OakLeaf]

Wow. Thanks! I'd feel bad about using them if I had a LBS that dealt SI ... but since I don't and apparently wasn't willing to take the risk IAE, that is extremely tempting.


ETA - I notice that they do a currency conversion for your convenience, but actually charge in pounds sterling. If you have a card that doesn't charge a premium for transactions in foreign currency, use that one.

[chryss]

OK, to write up how this issue played out: I ordered a Selle Italia Diva, after reading a lot of the threads here and guessing what type of saddle was most favoured by those who appear to be built similarly to me. I was debating between the Diva and the Lady models.

The SI Diva was immediately a huge improvement, but still to get to the point where I'm not being squished after about 90min riding took a bit of adjustment. In particular taking the nose down mm by mm makes quite a bit of difference. I'm *still* fiddling with front/back.

I've not yet reached the "I don't even feel the saddle after a while" state, but for the rides I do, it isn't bothering me (and for the first hour feels awesome).

[Catrin]

OK, to write up how this issue played out: I ordered a Selle Italia Diva, after reading a lot of the threads here and guessing what type of saddle was most favoured by those who appear to be built similarly to me. I was debating between the Diva and the Lady models.

The SI Diva was immediately a huge improvement, but still to get to the point where I'm not being squished after about 90min riding took a bit of adjustment. In particular taking the nose down mm by mm makes quite a bit of difference. I'm *still* fiddling with front/back.

I've not yet reached the "I don't even feel the saddle after a while" state, but for the rides I do, it isn't bothering me (and for the first hour feels awesome).

Sounds like you are getting there! It can be quite the journey to find the saddle our butts like! I tried the Diva last year but the cutout is too wide and too long for me. The Lady was just right

[chryss]

Yeah, I'm still trying to find out the limiting factor now. Earlier, it was pressure on the soft tissue -- very unpleasant -- and the Diva did away with that.

Right now, it's my sit bones that need frequent repositioning after 2.5h. But my impression right now is not that it is the insides specifically. I'm not convinced I don't simply need to ride more to harden my tush.

[Owlie]

I found that with my Jett, I needed to toughen up my sitbones (especially my left, for some reason) because I hadn't actually been putting a whole lot of weight on them with the old saddle. My weight ended up in other places. So it can happen. Give it a little time and see if it gets better.