Measuring Sit Bones

[Tiffany]

Hi all,

I've been hearing a lot of you talking about the measurments of your sit bones. I was curious ... how exactly do you know the measurments of your sit bones? Is there a trick I need to know? I'm lookingat getting a new seat this year and I think this kind of information would be helpful.

Thanks!

[Tiffany]

Scratch that ... I just remembered to use that little thing called the search function.

[sundial]

LOL! I've pulled that stunt before I had my coffee.

If you can locate a bike shop with a Butt-O-Meter (Specialized or Trek dealer) that's the easiest way to find out.

[Tiffany]

Thanks, sundial. I plan on calling my LBS today!

[OakLeaf]

I sneaked a sit on the LBS's Specialized buttmeter while DH tried on some shoes yesterday. The measurement I got was considerably different from what I'd come up with at home sitting on a piece of paper on top of my Pilates mat. So it's probably worth measuring a few times and taking the average, I guess.

I still have to work up the nerve to put the time, $ and energy into the saddle search, though

[KnottedYet]

Don't forget that the butt-o-meters only get the measurements of the point of the sit bone. The sit bone itself is about 1.5-2 cm wide, so your paper and Pilates mat might be more accurate if you want the measurement that will include the entire sitbone. (outside edge to outside edge). (the sit bone/ischial tuberosity is quite thick and heavy and curves like a rocking chair rocker. It also angles forward. As you trace forward on the bone it becomes thin and blade-like (the rami) and eventually the left and right sides meet at the front (the pubic bone))

If you want a saddle that is only as wide as the contact points, measure point to point. If you want a saddle that is as wide as the entire bone structure, measure outside edge to outside edge. In either case, consider getting a saddle that gives you a 1-2 cm margin to your measurement so you aren't perching on the frame edge of the saddle and so you have some wiggle room for changing position as you change effort and change orientation of the pelvis (climb, descend, coast, sit up no-hands, etc.)

Really, the butt-o-meter is just a fancy version of your yoga mat and paper! You did good!