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

[slinkedog]

I'm currently riding (between trainer and road) about 7 hours a week on my bike. I've been riding bout that frequently for about 2 months, now. (Should my privates be pretty tough by now?) My saddle is a Terry Butterfly Tri Gel and it does have a cut out in the center.

Now for the question: Are my privates supposed to fall down into the cut-out? The cut-out in my Terry is way too narrow for that to be happening. It doesn't seem to make a whole lot of difference to have the cut out if everything just ends up mashed on top of it anyway. I've been researching saddles for a while now, and it looks like the cut-out in the Selle Italia and some of the Serfas saddles is wider and I wonder if that might be a good thing, or would it pinch?

Any advice, Ladies?

[bounceswoosh]

I'm currently riding (between trainer and road) about 7 hours a week on my bike. I've been riding bout that frequently for about 2 months, now. (Should my privates be pretty tough by now?) My saddle is a Terry Butterfly Tri Gel and it does have a cut out in the center.

Now for the question: Are my privates supposed to fall down into the cut-out? The cut-out in my Terry is way too narrow for that to be happening. It doesn't seem to make a whole lot of difference to have the cut out if everything just ends up mashed on top of it anyway. I've been researching saddles for a while now, and it looks like the cut-out in the Selle Italia and some of the Serfas saddles is wider and I wonder if that might be a good thing, or would it pinch?

Any advice, Ladies?

Erm, I think most everyone agrees that stuff falling into the cutout is bad. The idea of the cutout is simply to relieve direct pressure, not to let things relocate.

That said, I have a Serfas cut-out saddle and like it. My parts don't fall in. I'm not really sure how anyone's parts fall in when wearing lycra with a chamois inside, but I guess it does happen occasionally to some people.

[slinkedog]

Well, I guess that's sort of what I mean. Not fall in, exactly, but be where the cutout is and not be totally smashed. I tried out a Fizik saddle with no cutout or channel at my LBS and I honestly didn't feel any difference from my Terry with a cutout. I hope that clarifies a little.

[SadieKate]

Some parts toughen up and some parts don't; your "sit bone" area will but not the other parts (I don't even want to think about calluses there). No, you need a different saddle. Go check with your LBS about which saddles have return policies so you can try them. I personally love the new anatomic cut Avocet Air 02. There is an indentation in just the right place for these parts that I haven't seen in other brands. Avocet used to have a return policy. I've never tried a cut-out saddle so I can't compare, but I have heard that you either love them or hate them -- no middle ground.

[slinkedog]

Hey Sadie... I saw in another post about your happiness with your Avocet saddle. I went onto their website but was unable to ascertain exactly which one you have. I'd like to give it a go. I sent their Customer Service an email trying to figure it out and I'm awaiting their reply. Where did you get it?

Thanks for your response, Ladies. I'm still trying to figure this all out, and unfortunately, even though my husband knows a lot about bikes, he just can't quite relate to this specific issue.

[nuthatch]

Parts bulging into a hole or parts smashed against a seat.... I'm thinking the parts shouldn't have so much pressure on them to make it an issue if your sit-bones are sitting right on the appropriate spot and the seat is tilted at just the right angle to make that happen. So far, I haven't been able to get my seat to that "sweet spot." Parts are a pain - we ought to be able to zip them up into a pocket when we ride! I don't even want to think about what happens to boy parts.

[Veronica]

According to my husband, boy parts don't seem to have too much of a problem. Lucky them.

V.

[SadieKate]

I use the Super Anatomic Air 02 40. If this image uploads properly, you'll see the cup-shaped indentation in the middle of what WTB would call their "Love Channel." For years, I used the previous generation of this saddle with good success. I needed to replace a saddle and tried this new and improved version and was very impressed. I couldn't believe how much more comfortable it is. Bubba even switched to the boy's version on the tandem and his Knobby X. Avocet does have a 30-day back guarantee. I would call Avocet rather than waiting for an email (I have better success with this with most of the bike companies). If all else fails, The Rest Stop in Sacramento usually has these in stock.

Avocet Super Anatomic Air 02

Edited to add that I use the titanium-railed version. I'll take any extra little bit of spring for comfort not to mention that you save a whopping 20 grams! I can tell the difference between Ti rails and chromoly when I'm on a bumpy road. Must be my delicate "little" tush.

[slinkedog]

This saddle looks great! I actually called Avocet, per your suggestion, and they said this is pretty much their mainstay saddle. Curious that they don't have the specs and such on their site. Oh well. Anyway, there are a couple of shops where I can buy it locally, but the 30 day guarantee is no more. I'll see if I can take my bike, have them put it on and take a little ride about the area and see how it does. Thankfully the place that carries it is right on a main cycling drag in Los Altos.

Thanks for the info!!

[SadieKate]

Glad, you found it. The site says 30-day guarantee so I'd push them on this one. Also, if you click on the link above and scroll to the bottom of the page you'll see a link for specifications.

As I've said before, this is a great road saddle. The back of the saddle is wide to fit a women's pelvis, but the padding is only where you need it so the nose can be kept very narrow, meaning no chafing.

[slinkedog]

Sadie, I picked up the saddle this morning and will mount it when I get the kids down for naps. The bike shop said I had 30 days to return it, so who am I to argue???

I'll let you know how it goes! Thanks for the recommendation!

[slinkedog]

Okay, I got the Avocet saddle on my bike and I rode the trainer for about 40 minutes this morning... WOW! I do have to say that my sit bones are going to have to get used to it, but my soft tissue area was quite happy. I'm hoping to do about 30 miles tomorrow, so we'll see how it goes!! Thanks again for the rec, Sadie.

[bounceswoosh]

Okay, I got the Avocet saddle on my bike and I rode the trainer for about 40 minutes this morning... WOW! I do have to say that my sit bones are going to have to get used to it, but my soft tissue area was quite happy. I'm hoping to do about 30 miles tomorrow, so we'll see how it goes!! Thanks again for the rec, Sadie.

Sadie, how wide is this saddle at the widest point?

I'm pretty happy with my current saddle, except I think it's just a *smidge* too wide for me at its widest.

[SadieKate]

Okay, I got the Avocet saddle on my bike and I rode the trainer for about 40 minutes this morning... WOW! I do have to say that my sit bones are going to have to get used to it, but my soft tissue area was quite happy. I'm hoping to do about 30 miles tomorrow, so we'll see how it goes!! Thanks again for the rec, Sadie.

Oh, good, slinkedog. I'm glad the really delicate parts are happy. For me, that is the most important. This is not a cushy soft pillow of a saddle, but I find that I do best with this for long rides. The firmer support with the anatomic cut means I don't get pressure in the wrong spots as stuff squishes around inside the saddle. Sit bones are trainable; delicate parts are not.

Bounceswoosh, the website says 7 in wide by 10.2 which was confirmed with my trusty tape measure.

Just ground up Mt Diablo with V and Bubba and not a single twinge - 12 miles of grinding in the same *** gear and position all the way.

SadieKate

[bounceswoosh]

Bounceswoosh, the website says 7 in wide by 10.2 which was confirmed with my trusty tape measure.

Wow, that's really wide. No go for me =/ Glad it works for you guys, though!