Jett, Lithia, Ruby Comparison?

[MichelleOH]

I am pretty sure I am in need of a more T-shaped saddle than the pear shapes I have been trying out. I get sore toward the inside of my sit bones. I measured a few different ways and keep coming up right around 127mm center-to-center. (More than the pear shape, could it be that I'm just going too wide on saddles? Yesterday I picked up a Selle Italia Diva that is 152mm wide. Still feeling the inside soreness after just a mile on this one.)

I want to try a T-shaped saddle, but can't really find a place that compares the Specialized Jett, Lithia, and Ruby. I'm *guessing* it's mostly a padding difference? I'm going to stop by my local dealer on my way in to work, so maybe I can lay hands on one, hopefully two, but I won't hold my breath.

Anyone know off the top of their head about these saddles?

[OakLeaf]

I've ridden a Jett and a Lithia, never a Ruby. The main difference is the padding. But I *did* sit differently on the two saddles, just because of the level of padding. So when I switched from the Lithia to the Jett, I had to make some minor fit tweaks.

Neither one was T-shaped enough for me in the 155 mm width, in a road position. The Jett is great in an upright position on my hybrid. I'm happy on my SI Turbomatic now.

[Penny4]

I just bought a Lithia Gel today, mainly for the width (168) and just put it on my road bike. I only took a quick spin around the block, but it felt ok so far. I am switching from a Terry Butterfly, which, after riding it for 2 years, i think is too narrow. The Lithia is quite padded, but so is the Terry Bfly, which is why I decided to try this one before the Oura (which is what the sales guy recommended).

I've tried the Jett and did not like, but everyone is different

Muirenn, do you ride on a 168mm saddle? I thought there was someone on the forum that did, but can't remember if it was you. I was just going to ask for suggestions in that wider width. (sorry, don't mean to hijack OP's tread)

[Penny4]

I ride in a pretty relaxed position, rarely in the drops. Core strength is pretty weak, and I have not been riding a lot this year.

I think he showed me the Oura, because there weren't too many 168's in stock. I was really hesitant because it was so different from the Terry. I really went in looking for a Lithia but there weren't any 168's on the main display rack, so i was going to give the Oura a try, but my inner voice was telling me it would not work, lol. I was wandering around the store and found a Lithia 168 in a smaller saddle display rack.

[Penny4]

Doesn't look like the Ruby's/ Toupes come in 168mm except for the Ruby Pro, which I don't think would be right for me either.

[Penny4]

Yes, I made a list last night of the possible 168's from Specialized Romin EVO Comp Gel was on there, thought I didn't realize it was the equivelant of the Oura. I don't think he had the Romin in 168 though.

[Penny4]

And interesting that you mention you have to size up in the Oura/Romin. The 168 Oura looked small to me! But it also appeared kind of domed? I dunno...it just didn't look right to me at all, lol.

[OakLeaf]

Turbomatic ... tends to work better for guys.

Interesting - I didn't know that. I think a lot of the reason it does work for me, besides the pronounced T-shape, is the doming, that makes the cut-out effectively much more generous than it appears in a photo. Maybe it works better for guys and old freakin' ladies, both of whom have a whole lot of loose soft tissue down there.

[MichelleOH]

Thanks for all the info! Picked up a Toupe Expert, but it was $130!! I feel like I got taken on that one. Will try it out tonight.

[ny biker]

Do you definitely need a saddle with a cutout? I tried a Lithia once and it was very painful, for the reason Muirenn cited. My sit bones were on the edge of the cutout.

T-shaped saddles without cutouts include the Selle San Marco Aspide Glamour and the Bontrager Affiity WSD. The Aspide Glamour is 155 mm wide and very firm. I found it uncomfortable because I needed more padding. I'm currently using a Bontrager Affinity WSD RXL saddle, which is not perfect but is very good for me. The Affinity comes in three widths and three levels of padding -- R (most padded), RL (mid-level padding) and RXL (least padded but still not as firm as the Aspide Glamour). I tried all three versions and liked the RXL best -- the others had too much padding in the nose for me, which caused some problems with numbness. However I offered both the R and RL to a friend and she preferred the R, so it may not be too padded for some people. Bontrager offers a 30-day comfort guarantee. One note about the RXL - due to the shape of the rails, you may need a different seatpost clamp, but that can be easily obtained from either Bontrager or any LBS that sells their products, and it would also be returnable if you try the saddle and decide you don't like it.

[MichelleOH]

I don't think I need a cutout, no. I originally thought it would just be better in case I did. I know that's not true for everyone. Years ago I had a Terry Liberator with a cutout and it seemed to be okay, but I guess my body has changed with time. Ha! Thanks for the suggestions!