Help me troubleshoot my saddle?

[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.

[OakLeaf]

I just looked at SI's website ... worth noting that they now have the Turbomatic Gel Flow (the one with the cut-out) in all black with manganese rails. Should be more stain resistant, less expensive (and possibly more durable) than the old carbon rail version.

[blue_angel]

MTA: Right now there is ...a like-new/never used Fizik Vitesse for $50. Deals are out there.

I totally need to jump on that! I am a fan of Fizik saddles in general. I'm trying out the Fizik Aliante--jury is still out on that one, but I've been riding a Vitesse for 6 years and have been really pleased.

Other saddles that I've liked are the WTB Speed She and the Brooks 17S. I tried the Terry Butterfly and hated it.