Buying saddles online..help!

[crazycanuck]

Hey,

I want to purchase a Selle Italia SLK Gel Flow saddle but don't want to pay $300-369 at bike shops here in Perth. So, i'm meandering online searching and have found one but with some reservations. The one i found is 145mm wide I've never bought a brand new saddle.....

I know my sit bone measurements but how do I choose a saddle online? If your sit bones are 155mm & the saddle is 145mm, does that mean it would be ok?

I'm a wee bit confused... Guide me oh wise ones

[ilima]

If your sit bones are 155cm & the saddle is 145mm, does that mean it would be ok?

Hmm. Not sure someone with 155cm sit bones should be on a bike at all!

On a more serious note, I think you want a saddle that is wider than your sit bones. I just did a quick measurement of my sit bones, and I think they're about 130-140mm and I ride a saddle that's 152mm wide (Aspide Glamour).

[Andrea]

My personal guideline (based off of 2 years worth of saddle-swapping and 14 saddles) is when you're looking at modern synthetic saddles, you want one that's at least as wide as the center to center measurement of your seatbones.
If you're looking at a Brooks, go with one that's a little wider than the measurement from outside to outside. That way you won't make seatbone contact with the frame of the saddle.