Hi from A Newbie

[Owlie]

I couldn't live in Texas. I'm not heat-tolerant. I can barely handle Ohio!

If you need to replace the current saddle: Measure your sitbones by the method of your choice (tape measure, play-dough (I rolled marbles into the depressions to make it easier), or bike shop butt-o-meter). Then try the cutout test. Tell us your results--sitbone width and yes/no on the cutout and we can try to suggest saddles for you.

[KateNTx]

Owlie, I'm cold intolerent...moved away from Ohio years ago for just that reason...northeast Ohio to be more precise. I should probably add that I have (and please, no Hate on this) no fat on my sit bones, sitting in a car for more than an hour hurts them, as does sitting on wooden church pews, wooden chairs etc. I've aways had what I call the "curse of the boney butt" it's like having shoulderblades, but to sit on...not fun at all. Oddly, I remember NO discomfort at all with the Banana seat I used to ride on...I may have to look for an old bike that would take one...something other than a fixie though...at my current age/conditioning, I'm not up to not being able to downshift to take hills!

[Owlie]

Owlie, I'm cold intolerent...moved away from Ohio years ago for just that reason...northeast Ohio to be more precise. I should probably add that I have (and please, no Hate on this) no fat on my sit bones, sitting in a car for more than an hour hurts them, as does sitting on wooden church pews, wooden chairs etc. I've aways had what I call the "curse of the boney butt" it's like having shoulderblades, but to sit on...not fun at all. Oddly, I remember NO discomfort at all with the Banana seat I used to ride on...I may have to look for an old bike that would take one...something other than a fixie though...at my current age/conditioning, I'm not up to not being able to downshift to take hills!

I went to college in Cleveland, then lived there the year after. I can understand wanting to move away from those winters! This last one was long and brutal. (Maybe I should move to the PNW...)

Hm...I'll let someone else with more experience with saddle issues suggest something that might work. You may want something with a little more padding in the rear, though a lot of padding throughout can compress your soft tissue.

[KnottedYet]

How about a Serfas Niva? http://www.amazon.com/Serfas-LX-2-Ni.../dp/B001AIS5C6

They aren't too expensive. They are well padded without being mushy. They have a cut-out.

They are a bit on the pear-shaped side, with a gradual transition from nose to sits, but unless you need a really T-shaped saddle it should be fine.

Pretty easy to find used, don't pay more than $20 for a used one.

[pll]

Welcome to TE, KateNTx!

You mentioned that you had been riding only a few days, after many years of not being on a bike. Whenever one starts riding (e.g., after a winter of not being in the bike), your sit bones feel a little bruised. I would definitely change the saddle (TE also carries some nice ones) and look at the over all fit of your bike. If you are able to touch the ground with both your feet, the saddle might be a tad too low.

There are many pages and videos that describe bike fit -- here's one: http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

[KateNTx]

That Niva looks like it would be worth the cost to try out. I'm going to try to get over to BCS Bikes this afternoon/evening (waiting for peak heat to end before I ride over), because I need/want to get a headlamp anyway (as hot as it is, it's either get up near dawn to ride, or get the gear to ride at night if I want to extend beyond a mile or two and I am NOT a morning person.) Oh, and in the contributing to minors category...buying my BFF's kids new bikes for their b-days, in the hopes that we can ride around their subdivision together for a "bonding" activity...I love being "auntie"!