No cutout = no chafing

[kermit]

I learned that the hard way. After insisting and believing I needed a cutout continued chafing kicked my butt. I decided to go out on a limb and retry the SSM aspide glamour with the little SCOOP. Took it out for another ride today after a couple initial trainer rides. Two hours and I can't say perfect comfort, needs a little tweeking (nose down, forward) but I love the fact that I didn't get any rubbed spots. A little numbness and two seconds out of the saddle and that is fixed. I am really rethinking the whole cutout thing in general. WOW.

[Catrin]

I learned that the hard way. After insisting and believing I needed a cutout continued chafing kicked my butt. I decided to go out on a limb and retry the SSM aspide glamour with the little SCOOP. Took it out for another ride today after a couple initial trainer rides. Two hours and I can't say perfect comfort, needs a little tweeking (nose down, forward) but I love the fact that I didn't get any rubbed spots. A little numbness and two seconds out of the saddle and that is fixed. I am really rethinking the whole cutout thing in general. WOW.

Congratulations on figuring out what your butt needs! Not everyone needs a cutout, for sure. For those of us who do then we really do, but for those who don't they can certainly cause a problem. It seems to take forever sometimes to figure out what our butts need

[Chicken Little]

I'm off the cutout thing, too. I wondering if for some, not all, but some, the cutout need is an indication of fit, seat height, seat angle, too loose/tight shorts etc. BUT, whatever works for you and keeps you pedaling.

[OakLeaf]

I think that Knott's test is probably spot on. If you've got "stuff" hanging down there when your bones are well supported, then I can't see how you're not going to need a cutout. But if not, then, ... not. And as she's said, a cut-out distributes the pressure over a smaller area, which isn't a good thing if you can distribute it over a larger bony area.

[GLC1968]

I think that Knott's test is probably spot on. If you've got "stuff" hanging down there when your bones are well supported, then I can't see how you're not going to need a cutout. But if not, then, ... not. And as she's said, a cut-out distributes the pressure over a smaller area, which isn't a good thing if you can distribute it over a larger bony area.

Or at least a big indentation. I definitely have enough 'stuff' to need a cut-out (by Knott's test) but I've found total comfort on a non-cut out saddle! I am utterly shocked but completely pleased.

[trista]

I'm very happy with my no-cutout saddle

[Trek420]

Congratulations on figuring out what your butt needs! Not everyone needs a cutout, for sure. For those of us who do then we really do, but for those who don't they can certainly cause a problem. It seems to take forever sometimes to figure out what our butts need

To cutout, or not to cutout? That is the question. Sometimes this thread is the answer http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=25954

[nuliajuk]

I didn't like cutouts either, but now I'm borrowing an SMP until my own arrives and not having any chafing. You can't get a much bigger cutout than an SMP, so go figure. Maybe the shape and size of the cutout matter?

E.T.A.: One saddle you could try is the Fizik Arione. I didn't like it because the "wings" at the back dug into the back of my leg, but the nose was very comfortable. I'd consider trying this saddle again in the men's version if I needed to, for that reason.