A question about cut-outs that's probably been asked before

[nuthatch]

I'm with you, Bounce. My saddle is 6 3/4 across and it's just too wide for longer rides. My sit bones can't bear as much of the burden when the seat is so wide. Maybe it has to do with the slope of the seat shoulders, more than the width at the top of the saddle.

[SadieKate]

Bounce asked about the width at the widest point - 7 inches. If you measure from ctr to ctr of the highest points of contact, the width is 4 1/2 in. The saddle is fairly flat so you do sit firmly on your "sit bones" and take the weight off your delicate parts. I find that that too steep a slope means the saddle turns into a hatchet head no matter how wide it is. My sit bones hurt more when they feel like they're sliding downhill.

The seat of the saddle tapers very quickly to the nose which tapers to 1 1/8 in so there is no chafing of backs of legs and thighs.

[bounceswoosh]

I'm with you, Bounce. My saddle is 6 3/4 across and it's just too wide for longer rides. My sit bones can't bear as much of the burden when the seat is so wide. Maybe it has to do with the slope of the seat shoulders, more than the width at the top of the saddle.

I have a Serfas saddle:

http://www.serfas.com/racing_saddles/TRCW.html

It's listed as 5" across, but I think it's actually slightly wider. I've noticed that it sometimes feels, after a while, like my hip has to go out more than it should in order to ride. Maybe it's because the saddle is also fairly tall. Hrm. Or maybe my thighs are just really wide =)

[slinkedog]

CindySue and I just did about 28 miles and my tush is pretty happy! I definitely felt it more in my sit bones, but it wasn't bad. My soft tissue area is very happy!!! I did get moments of feeling mashed, but I just got my butt back in the right position and it was better. I may need to tweak the angle a little, but so far so good!!

[SadieKate]

For me, the saddle needs to be level. You may also have to play with the fore/aft position. Changing saddles changes so much on the bike.

[AutumnBreez]

I have been having the same issue, but I have the seat that came with bike and it is a men's saddle. Today our LBS (previously professional cyclist in his younger years) rode with my husband and I, he watched my form and noticed that my seat was too high because of the stretch I was having to make with leg extention, and also moved nose down ever so slightly (for women's needs). I rode 3x longer today, this helped alot. I have a Terry Butterfly tri gel coming in by mail and it should relieve that pressure even more, can't wait to be able to ride a longer distance, as my legs were always ready but the other part was not willing to sacrafice more then I had already dished out. 1 hour is all I could go before. I rode for 3 hours today. I am a bit tender because I had already riden for an hour when asked to move to lead pos. for him to see my form.

[bounceswoosh]

I have been having the same issue, but I have the seat that came with bike and it is a men's saddle. Today our LBS (previously professional cyclist in his younger years) rode with my husband and I, he watched my form and noticed that my seat was too high because of the stretch I was having to make with leg extention, and also moved nose down ever so slightly (for women's needs). I rode 3x longer today, this helped alot. I have a Terry Butterfly tri gel coming in by mail and it should relieve that pressure even more, can't wait to be able to ride a longer distance, as my legs were always ready but the other part was not willing to sacrafice more then I had already dished out. 1 hour is all I could go before. I rode for 3 hours today. I am a bit tender because I had already riden for an hour when asked to move to lead pos. for him to see my form.

Yes! Having a pro fix your seat height makes a huge difference. From what fitters have told me, women tend to put the seat too high and men tend to put it too low. Your legs should never extend fully while pedalling.

Getting a full-up professional fit is expensive, but can really be worth it, especially if someone's having pain or discomfort they can't pin down.

[sarahfixit]

My terry liberator race is about 6-3/4 by 10.5. Fits me like a glove. Fore/aft and tilt are soo totally critical though. The unique thing with the lib-race is is it has a kinda sag and curve up to the nose, sorta settles you into a set area. If it is set right the added surface makes it more comfy, set wrong and it can really make the boyfriend who rides it sometimes quite unhappy

[SadieKate]

CindySue and I just did about 28 miles and my tush is pretty happy! I definitely felt it more in my sit bones, but it wasn't bad. My soft tissue area is very happy!!! I did get moments of feeling mashed, but I just got my butt back in the right position and it was better. I may need to tweak the angle a little, but so far so good!!

Hey, slinkedog, what's the scoop. Are the sit bones OK? How's the saddle working out? I was thinking about you whilst spinning along at Party Pardee today.

[slinkedog]

Hey Sadie... thanks for asking! Well, the jury is still out. The sit bones are definitely taking more of the pressure, but I'm still experiencing pressure on the privates, to some degree. Last week with Cindy I rode about 28 miles and it felt really good. Today I did about 36 and I was slipping forward a lot. It's still better than my Terry, tho. I have a couple more weeks to decide, so I'm taking them!!

How are the Pardee?

[SadieKate]

Slipping forward - is the nose of the saddle tilted down a bit to much?

Pardee - beautiful weather and scenery. I'd never ridden up there and it was sure worth it. Saw Yellow and hubby as well as Kim and her driver at the end. They started almost an hour in front of us, but we were able to chat at the end.

[slinkedog]

It's totally flat. I checked. I think the thing is it has those raised places in the back and I slip off of them. I may try a very, very slight tilt up and see if that helps, but I'm afraid that will put more pressure on the privates. What do you think?

I'm so glad you had a good time yesterday! I'm already scoping rides for next year!! The Cindy jersey for next year is GORGEOUS!!! I think I'll have to ride it just to get one.

[SadieKate]

When you say you slip off the raised placesw, are you slipping forward? Tipping up the nose can put more weight on the back of the saddle but only if the saddle is far enough forward. How is your knee crank alignment? The saddle could be placing you a tad farther back than your old saddle. Even 1 mm could pull you forward.

On to the jersey, the logo is ready for next year? I swore I wouldn't do this ride again (Pardee was great!) but I might just do it to get the jersey. Will there be an early notification list again this year (2006)? Then, I could have dinner with everyone.

Pardee had little traffic, truly incredible law enforcement support, over 80% really excellent pavement, only 1,200 riders, beautiful wildflowers, emus, Mumb Gumbo, german choc cake, etc., etc., etc. Can you tell I liked it?

[slinkedog]

I'm so glad you had a good time at the Pardee! That sounds like a really cool ride. German chocolate cake is a very, very good thing. I'm trying a new oatmeal cookie recipe for the Tierra Bella this weekend. It has pecans, chocolate chunks and dried sour cherries instead of raisins. If they turn out well I'll bring a bunch to the ride to share with CindySue and anyone else from TE that I run into!

I had Blaine adjust my saddle forward just a little yesterday, but I won't get a real ride in for a couple of days since the bike is in the shop for a tune up as of today. Hopefully I'll get it back tomorrow or Wednesday. I'll see how it goes. I'm thinking about going to REI and getting one of those women's Serfas Rx saddles to try out, too. REI has a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so if I hate it I can return it. I'd like to compare it with the Avocet. I'm really looking forward to trying out the Avocet with the new adjustment. I'll keep you posted!