New Rider with Saddle Troubles

[Sky King]

Just to add to the confusion, How about an all leather saddle w/ zero padding? Once I discovered how comfortable they were, I can't imagine riding anything else
Brooks B17 Imperial
Rivet Pearl

[macski]

I agree with others that it appears you will likely prefer a t-shape saddle.

I had a Ruby that was reasonably comfortable - not really any pain but some numbness occasionally. Then I got a Jett and it is so much better - no problems for long rides.

You might want to ask your LBS if the have a Jett that you can try.

[CaliRider]

Thanks for the ongoing support here! I thought the link to Steve Hogg's SMP page was timely because I had ordered one and it arrived today!!!! I can't wait to try it out in the morning. I had no idea that finding a comfortable saddle would be so difficult, but the advice and opinions on this forum have been invaluable.

[CaliRider]

Update: My Selle SMP Lite 209 arrived yesterday, and this morning I took it out for a 25-mile ride. I am blown away. I need to make some minor adjustments, but it was night and day compared to the other saddles I've tried. I was riding with my husband and kept exclaiming about how comfortable I was and how nice it was not to feel pinched and smashed and otherwise in pain. I am very hopeful that I can now stop obsessively reading about every saddle under the sun and can concentrate on actually riding!

[zoom-zoom]

Yayayayayayayayay!!! This was exactly my experience with the Drakon (1 level firmer than the 209, but otherwise the same saddle) on my road bike. I recall my words being "game changer."

I now have a 209 on our tandem and am looking at a Glider for my CX bike. The only issue I have run into is that the seatpost on my road bike doesn't allow me to angle the Drakon nose up as high as I need, so I feel like I'm sliding off the front a bit. Makes my upper body tired really fast. Once I can figure out a better seatpost option it will be perfect.

[smittykitty]

Kinda thinking a might want to try one. Get chafing (raw) at panty line on 60+ mile rides. Besides, I haven't bought a new saddle for about 3 years now!

[Owlie]

Kinda thinking a might want to try one. Get chafing (raw) at panty line on 60+ mile rides. Besides, I haven't bought a new saddle for about 3 years now!

Ditto! Zoom, what's roughly the same padding level as the Jett?