SI Turbomatic, SSM Aspide Glamour, Ruby...T-shaped Saddle Chat HERE!

[zoom-zoom]

I have a feeling the Glamour is similar to the Ruby in terms of firmness...maybe even moreso, from some things I've read.

[Becky]

I have a feeling the Glamour is similar to the Ruby in terms of firmness...maybe even moreso, from some things I've read.

In my very unscientific opinion, it's harder/less padded. I specifically went saddle-hunting at the Specialized dealer because my sit bones ached at the 3-hour mark. The fact that I was ready to buy a Ruby makes me think that the Ruby had slightly more padding, but it was dense, supportive cushion, not squishy "migrate into your bits" cushion.

[zoom-zoom]

In my very unscientific opinion, it's harder/less padded. I specifically went saddle-hunting at the Specialized dealer because my sit bones ached at the 3-hour mark. The fact that I was ready to buy a Ruby makes me think that the Ruby had slightly more padding, but it was dense, supportive cushion, not squishy "migrate into your bits" cushion.

That's exactly what I'm looking for. I really liked the cushion on that Arione Donna (a bit firmer/thinner than the Jett)...I'd love to see how a wider version of that would work for me. The existing one is 147...I think even 155 would be good. I think because of the shape of it, the effective width was less than the 143 Jett, at least under my butt. My guess is it would work well for the women who fall on the smaller end of the 143 size chart.

[RubyTuesday]

This is just the thread I needed. I am riding a Ruby right now with a Jett saddle. While it feels comfortable when I first start to ride, by the end of 15 miles I am moving around on the saddle to get comfortable. I have solved some of my issue with Hoo Haa Ride Glide, but my sit bones were sore last night after my ride. Without getting too graphic....ok going to be hard not to be too graphic when you are talking about "bits", but I found them tingly sore at the end of the ride. I often feel I need to shift in my seat because I feel a bit "splayed" and need to shift to close the gap. Told you this was going to be graphic....sorry. So I am wondering if I should try a seat with no gap. I definitely want one that is a bit squishy, I think. Why do people here like the harder seats?

I am having a hard time measuring my sit bones. I tried this morning using some of the tactics you mentioned, but I am off a lot at each measuring. I came up with 127 once and 139 the next time. Is there anyone technology that can measure sit bones?

I am new to riding, so maybe some of my issues are just newbie issues and I need to toughen up.

Gawd, I never thought I would be online talking about this stuff.

[zoom-zoom]

RT, I wonder if you're suffering the "too-narrow-saddle blues," too. If you're measuring somewhere between 127-139 I suspect that maybe you also need to move up to the 155.

As far as firm saddles go...when I first started riding my Jett made my sit-bones feel enraged. With time your sit bones will adapt and your rear will toughen and you won't have those discomforts. After my last 2 century rides my sit bones were about the only part of me that didn't hurt.

With a firmer saddle your weight is borne by your sitbones. If you're on a saddle with too much padding, your sitbones can have a tendency to sink-in, then the softer foam or gel padding can be displaced and jam itself into your soft tissues. Better to have some sit bone discomfort than pressure and chafing on your privates.

[zoom-zoom]

Oh, and as far as measuring techniques go, I've always done the flexible tape measure method, though it can be a challenge with my long torso and short arms...and the dense "padding" over my sit bones.

My hubby has helped me and we both pretty consistently put me at ~130mm center-to-center.

Other people have gone to shops to be measured on gel or memory foam pads or done measurements with playdough, etc.

[RubyTuesday]

Thanks Kirsten, I guess I will just stick with this seat for awhile and toughen up.

What the heck did we do before we had forums? Suffer in silence, I guess. I think I measured finally about right at 130 also.

[zoom-zoom]

That would be interesting to try the men's models--how much do they differ from the women's equivalents in = widths?

I figure I can always try the Ruby...and if I don't like the lack of cushion I could go with the same size Jett or Alias or Avatar. That nice return policy that Specialized has is a good deal--and it gets people like me opting for their stuff, vs. some of the European competition.

[zoom-zoom]

The Henge looks like it could be useful on my CX bike...interesting!

[macski]

zoom-zoom - glad you are enjoying the Ruby so far. I must be similar to you in terms of width of saddle. I am on the cusp on the Specialized chart between a 143 and a 155 - the lbs guy said that if I rode mostly in the drops I should get the 143 but if more time on the hoods, I would need a 155 (which I got)

One of my bikes came with the Ruby and I hated it - numb girly bits for a couple of hours after every ride. Swapped it with my Jett from another bike and everything was fine although I noticed my sit bones if I hadn't ridden for a few days and got back on the bike. Then I got a new bike and got a Jett for it and it has been the best yet - no sit bone pain at all and good for long rides. It wasn't what I expected because this Jett is the model down (the sport version) and has slightly more padding. Go figure! But I rarely even notice my saddle on a ride unless I stay in one position for too long.

I noticed that you said you were concerned aout getting a saddle that was too squishy and so was I, which is why the new Jett was such a pleasant surprise.

But if you continue to like the Ruby you won't need to consider Jett models.

[zoom-zoom]

At some point I'd consider getting a Jett in the 155 for my cyclocross bike. I think I will stick with the 143 for a while, since I won't be putting nearly the miles on that bike that I do my road bike...and during races my butt won't be in the saddle as much, anyhow. If I end up doing a lot of outdoor riding this Winter it may be a nice thing to have on that bike, though.

[Kathi]

This is the 3rd season for my Ruby. I bought it because my bike fitter recommended it to me, my old saddle was too wide and we were trying to solve my back issues. I was skeptical of it because of the cutout. I hated the 1 cutout saddle I had tried and ended up selling it. In retrospect the bike I had it on didn't fit and that could have been my issue with that particular saddle.

My bike fitter told me to be patient with the Ruby, that after it was broken in I would love it. Unfortunately, I went on a week long bike tour the next week and didn't get time to break it in. On the tour I was pretty miserable, especially my sit bones. I realized my sitbones had never really touched my previous saddles. I noticed that my shorts made a difference. My beloved Shebeest Triple S shorts weren't comfortable as I also sat sideways on the saddle and got chafing on the right side, but the Shebeest Century shorts felt much better. The difference between the 2 shorts was the chamois, the Triple S had a liner on the wings of the chamois while the Century short had foam padding.

Halfway through the tour I was determined to take the saddle back when I got home, it was the worst saddle I ever had. I thought as good as my fitter is he was wrong about that saddle. I wore the Century shorts for the rest of the tour and by the end of the week things were calming down and I was beginning to appreciate it Now the Ruby is the most comfortable saddle I've ever had.

When I buy new shorts I make sure they have padding on the wings and I've had no chafing since. My fitter recommended putting chamois cream on the chamois. I don't remember if I did that on the tour but I do now for rides over an hour.

My fitter was right on, as usual, give the saddle time to break in and it will be perfect. I just tried to break it in to fast. Later that summer I put the Ariel on my mtn bike and like it as much as I do the Ruby.

A comment about the sideways sitting. I did that for years no matter what saddle I used. I never understood why until I started having issues with my SI joint. I was also sitting sideways in chairs, the car, etc. Now that I have that issue straightened out, for now, I no longer sit sideways on my saddle.

Hope this helps with your saddle decisions.