Saddle for longer distances?

[murielalex]

Thank you so much! That does give me some ideas to start with, and I'll get my sit bones measured, officially, tomorrow. I'm not worried so much about cost. By June, I should be riding 200+ miles a week, increasing more over the summer, and if I can get a saddle that suits me sooner rather than later, no matter the cost, it will be worth it.

[murielalex]

I measured my sit bones using the playdoh method I read about here (thanks, people!), and it looks like my insides are 76 and my outside are 133. I also did the "do you need a cut out" test I read here, and although not too squished, gonna guess yes for starters.

[murielalex]

It's truly from the outside. I measured five separate times since I had a hard time believing it. My actual hips bones are fairly wide.

EDIT: just re-rolled the playdoh, and it hasn't changed. Center to center is 95.25

[Owlie]

It's truly from the outside. I measured five separate times since I had a hard time believing it. My actual hips bones are fairly wide.

EDIT: just re-rolled the playdoh, and it hasn't changed. Center to center is 95.25

Then you have a ton of options available! I'd say to try looking at men's saddles.

[ny biker]

The Bontrager Affinity WSD comes in 134mm, also. No cutout but there is a divot in the nose.

[murielalex]

Yes, stay away from most women's saddles. Though Specialized in a 130 will work. You can try any of those saddles that are around 130 mm or so. (A lot of mens saddles are 130, 132, 135,... you get the picture. That's the correct range).

Forgive my newbieness, but doesn't 130 in a saddle represent the outside measurement of the saddle? If my sit bones end at 133, wouldn't that be too small? I'm confused.

[Wahine]

Forgive my newbieness, but doesn't 130 in a saddle represent the outside measurement of the saddle? If my sit bones end at 133, wouldn't that be too small? I'm confused.

No, you are right. You want to get a saddle that is at least the same width as the outer measurement, I would even add 2 mm to be on the safe side. But yes, if your sit bones are that narrow you could get away with most men's saddles quite nicely. However, as long as the nose is narrow enough, there is no danger in getting a saddle that is slightly to wide.

[murielalex]

Well, just to update folks. After reading the threads here, I decided to try out a Brooks B17 from Wallbike. I've had it a week now, and after making a couple adjustments, I find it quite comfortable, and I haven't yet tried it out with bike shorts. Today, I did about 20 miles, my longest ride so far. I can't imagine how it will feel after I get it broken in. I know I need to find out how it feels in the 50+ miles range, but for now I feel like one of the lucky ones: found my saddle!