Kontact Anatomical (update of old E3): Has anyone tried it?

[KathiCville]

Thanks, Wahine, for the response! I'm intrigued too! I just wish the return policy was 90 days, not 30. Then I'd be more willing to give the Kontact a try, even without TE'er input. I'm not sure that my posterior will give me enough data in 30 days. :-)

[emily_in_nc]

Seems like the lack of cut-out would be an issue if it turns out you are one of those who needs one. Have you ridden non-cutout saddle before? I have never been able to tolerate riding more than a few miles on one.

[KathiCville]

Seems like the lack of cut-out would be an issue if it turns out you are one of those who needs one. Have you ridden non-cutout saddle before? I have never been able to tolerate riding more than a few miles on one.

Good question, Emily! I probably do need a cut-out. I've noticed that I'm squirming around on my old Terry Butterfly quite a bit, trying to get comfortable, and end my 10-20m rides with some "lady bits" soreness that I don't recall experiencing except on much longer rides. The discomfort is what got me thinking that it might be time for a new saddle.

[OakLeaf]

I've been wondering about that myself though.

I know our parts change a lot as the years go by. But back in the day, back before Georgena Terry invented the cut-out, I could ride all day on the tensioned leather saddle on my first diamond frame bike. When I went to plastic shell saddles, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven the first time I rode the one with the cut-out in the shell but not the cover ... but it still was gel, and it still wasn't as T-shaped as a tensioned leather saddle.

I wonder how badly I really do need a cut-out if the saddle fits me properly. That saddle is likely too narrow for me, but gawd that shape is appealing.

[Wahine]

Good question, Emily! I probably do need a cut-out. I've noticed that I'm squirming around on my old Terry Butterfly quite a bit, trying to get comfortable, and end my 10-20m rides with some "lady bits" soreness that I don't recall experiencing except on much longer rides. The discomfort is what got me thinking that it might be time for a new saddle.

It's really common for cut out saddles to break down over time and become uncomfortable even if they were great in the beginning.

I used to use a Terry Butterfly as well but I got tired of having to replace it every year, so I thought I'd try a no cut out saddle and when I found a saddle with the right amount of support that was very flat, I found I had way less lady bit soreness and chafing. So sometimes a cut out is not the answer to lady bit soreness.