New Rider with Saddle Troubles

[OakLeaf]

To me it takes at least a 35 or 40 mile ride for problems to really show up. It isn't how many rides, it's the distance, as I settle into the saddle, and minor discomfort does or does not become major. IME if it's good for 40 it's good for 100+. Can't speak for anyone else, though.

[zoom-zoom]

To me it takes at least a 35 or 40 mile ride for problems to really show up. It isn't how many rides, it's the distance, as I settle into the saddle, and minor discomfort does or does not become major. IME if it's good for 40 it's good for 100+. Can't speak for anyone else, though.

+1. But if it's not good at 10 it will be miserable at 40 and likely horrific at 100.

[TigerMom]

So....next question....can you tell immediately when the saddle is right? I just picked up a Toupe from the LBS (didn't have a Ruby). They're letting me try it for a week. I just took a quick spin and didn't find it particularly comfortable overall. So....how did you know when you'd found the right saddle?

If you did a quick spin and it's not comfortable....it's not the right saddle. Can you get your LBS to lend you other saddles to try before you buy?

This post might help you too:
http://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/...ll-about-smps/

[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?

[zoom-zoom]

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

I think the Lite 209 is pretty close. The Drakon is more like the Ruby.

[CaliRider]

So while we're comparing SMP saddles, do you happen to know how the Glider differs from the 209? There is one listed on our local Craig's List right now, and I'm wondering if I should snatch it up.

[kermit]

I have both the glider a elite 209 on the way for trial. I was told the lite209 has a little more padding is longer and the cutout is a little wider than the glider.

[nuliajuk]

The effective width of the Glider is 110mm, while the Lite 209 has an effective width of 102mm. I have both and find the Glider a bit softer. When I ride the Lite 209 it seems to take a little longer to ease into it. Both seem to be recommended for a medium-wide pelvis, but the Glider is a little bit more plush.

[zoom-zoom]

The effective width of the Glider is 110mm, while the Lite 209 has an effective width of 102mm. I have both and find the Glider a bit softer. When I ride the Lite 209 it seems to take a little longer to ease into it. Both seem to be recommended for a medium-wide pelvis, but the Glider is a little bit more plush.

The Glider is sounding increasingly ideal for my CX bike...it's flatter than the Lite 209, too, right...I mean less curved-up at the rear...?