saddle for wide sit-bones?

[itifft]

I hear such fabulous things about Brooks I might have to try one some day, when I'm back in funds. I'm a big fan of leather for durable purposes. Amazing stuff (and yes, I rode motorcycles before the wrists did me in. Hated giving that up.)

I tuned my positioning and that helped some, but still felt like the darn seat was trying to pop me open like an oyster ... sorry, but totally acurate.

I found a Bontrager Web Spring WSD at my LBS which looks promising (and only cost 25 euros -- woo hoo!) Overpadded, but meets all other criteria. My forearms are killing me, but I'm going to head to the beach tomorrow morning long before most reasonable people are on the road (it's a fiesta weekend), so with luck I won't need to grab the brakes. I hope to run and swim while there, so I'll be feeling NOOOOO pain by the time I have to head back through traffic.

It's only a few miles each way, but at least should give me some idea what I'm in for. Wish me luck.

Cheers,
Isabel

[itifft]

Incidentally, Mimi, I absolutely love that picture of the cat on the bike. Wonder if I could get mine to try that .... what a great picture that would be. He feels his dignity keenly, so I imagine his expression would be quite different from that of the lovely grey kitty's.

[KnottedYet]

From what I saw at the Wallingford site, the B72 is the same width, but without the same springs.

Of all the wide ones, which fit on "modern" seat posts? I didn't understand the single rail/double rail stuff.

And do the women's versions really make a big difference?

Are the springs the greatest thing ever, or can you skip the springs and still be happy?

Jeez, I guess I'd better go over the the Brooks thread. Betcha all my questions are answered over there.

[KnottedYet]

Yup, the Brooks thread pretty much answered everything. so, Dear Santa, I'd like a B67 in black for the commuter-mobile. (or a B67s, haven't figured out that difference yet)

[itifft]

I bought an allen wrench and tried to get the old seat off ... couldn't even start the bolt. ARGH! I used to be so buff, once [sniffle]

After covering half the living room with zinc grease from the saddle stem, I decided to take the whole shebang to the LBS and ask them sweetly if they'd help me out.

Meanwhile I put the saddle on the (hard) sofa and sat on it for half an hour. Everything seemed to hold me in the right places, and leave me alone in the right places. Can't wait to ride on the darn thing.

[Nokomis]

I found a Specialized saddle that's 175mm wide ~ giving it a go soon. It's signficantly wider than anything I've used to date, really hoping to find an appropriate fit with this.

Interestingly, I asked a couple shops for their suggestions. First shop handed me the Terry Butterfly & told me I'd feel happy. When I refused & described the actual situation, and what I was looking for - I was then told it was simply a matter of moving the seat front or back until I was comfortable. Okay, Next? Yes you - here's my problem, and do you have any saddle suggestions? No? Okay, I'll try another shop Shop two didn't have a lot of help, well, the people were very friendly, but really didn't know what to suggest. I did my own shopping & found something that I *hope* will work... at least, it'll be the first saddle that is wide enough that my sit bones aren't straddling the seat.

Boy, I wanna ride! I pick up my bike Monday ~ looking forward to riding after a fresh tuneup.

[KnottedYet]

My Serfas with the sun face on the right bun-cheek is 180 mm wide. 270 mm long. With "bits" cut-out. It's on the cushy side, compared to a Terry Sport. I think it was $40 or so. I got it cheap with trade-in of the stock saddle on my bike.

I couldn't find it on the Serfas site. Wonder if they don't make it anymore. Someone with more computer skills than I will probably find it.

I have no real complaints about my Serfas. I just want a Brooks B67 or B72... sigh.

Edit: Sunday 4 June. Rode 27 miles on my Serfas, and decided I really can't justify buying a Brooks right now. Especially now that I really need a stacker bike rack for my apt so we have a place for my bike AND SKnot's bike. Anyway, went to LBS today and bought this 'n' that for SKnot. Also checked the Serfas, it's called the "Niva" and cost $40. LBS had a ton of Serfas stuff that I didn't see on their website.

[itifft]

I found a Specialized saddle that's 175mm wide

My 2-sided ruler tells me that should cover your 7" span perfectly ... geez, what a thing to say. If we've got any guys lurking, they're falling off their seats about now.

Wish I could say your adventures with your local shops surprised me. If you're a woman under 30, you obviously don't know what your're talking about; if you're a woman over 30, you don't count, so why should they listen. Maddening. Try throwing a few leaflets at the manager, or printouts from the web, if you think other women might have to resort to the same shops.

My big, fat, well-sprung (that's well-SPRUNG, thank you ) Bontrager is just great. It fits as if it were made for me, and still feels supportive at the end of the day.

It's hard to get off the bike because it's just so much fun to scoot around on. I love how nimble it is with the small wheels -- I'm just glad they aren't any smaller. Another nice touch: the wheels are rugged enough for city kerbs.

I rode 4 hours yesterday and 5 today, and I don't want to sit down too suddenly because of muscular aches, but I really can't complain. My posture is already improving because I feel so good and sit so upright on the bike.

I'd better stay off the bike tomorrow because of my forearms. They don't take much. I'm divided between swimming in the Mediterranean for the first time in 25 years or hiking in the Pyrenees ... my gosh I feel lucky. Haven't got much more than 2 cents to rub together, but I am one lucky girl.

[mimitabby]

Incidentally, Mimi, I absolutely love that picture of the cat on the bike. Wonder if I could get mine to try that .... what a great picture that would be. He feels his dignity keenly, so I imagine his expression would be quite different from that of the lovely grey kitty's.

Itifft,
the actual cat in the photo was hunting birds through a window. that
might explain the rapt expression on her face! Glad you like her.
She's a tortoiseshell rescue kitty, my favorite cat