butterfly seat bad!! need something new?

[goddess1222]

my butterfly seat is getting to me. my sit bones are now getting sore. i haven't gained any weight, so i know i need another seat. is there anyone out there that changed out of a butterfly into another seat because of sit bone issues? which seat did you get?

[Veronica]

I went to a Brooks Finesse from the Butterfly. I realized I'd never felt my sit bones before when I got it. Wallingford Cycle has a six month no questions asked return policy if you want to try one out.

Veronica

[missliz]

You used to love that seat. Maybe you need your fit checked- as you get stronger and better your position will change on the bike. Are you still stretching your back?

missliz

[BikeLady]

First question: how old is your Butterfly? I've been using them for about 4 years now, and I find they only last for about 3000 miles or so. Then the foam starts to compress and the underlying frame starts biting.

I just put a Damselfly on my road bike. It's narrower and a LOT firmer than the Butterfly. I wouldn't want one on my mtb, but on the roadie, it's very comfortable.

[SadieKate]

Don't know whether you're looking for a road or mtb saddle. My sit bones complain when the saddle is too soft. I like the Avocet 02 for road and WTB Laser V Stealth for mtb. I also like Ti rails because they add extra "suspension" without compromising support the way soft saddles do.

[eyeore53]

since we're talking about seats... i tried the butterfly & didn't like it, but now i'm wondering if a cut out seat is right for me. i wanted the air hole for breathability, but my bf seems to think it's causing me discomfort- more so on my road bike when i come into the drops. when i lean forward, my labia gets pinched. is this unusual? we've tried playing w/the angle of the seat & i've already tried 2 different seats. any advice?? tks!

jady

[missliz]

Well- everybody is built differently in that area, so you need to ride what's comfy. I HAVE to have that hole, and not for airflow. I can't mash my c**t into a hard seat for miles- I wind up cocking my whole pelvis into weird position and straining my back. A lot of women have never had a minutes trouble with a regular seat. Depends on your anatomy.
Before the first Liberator Race came out, I was taking power tools to Bontrager design seats and making my own cutout. Great handling saddle, but they broke quickly. The whole hole thing was for women like me who whined at Terry 'till they made a serious saddle with one. I can't ride without the cutout now.
If you don't care for it, ditch it. Or try another brand- I have a Nashber knockoff that's great, won't last like a Terry, but the design is slightly different.
The whole seat thing is so onerous.

missliz

My apologies for any bad puns or double entendres.

[eyeore53]

and guys thought they were the only ones w/sensitive parts to watch out for!!

tks for the response!

[emily_in_nc]

I get completely chafed and raw without the seat-hole cutout, but YMMV.

I even changed from an upright bike to a recumbent until I finally tried a Terry saddle and realized that I could ride an upright again! That's how miserable I was without the cutout.

Emily

[eyeore53]

YMMV? you lost me!

my mtb is a speed she- not a cut out & i don't seem to have the same problem. my logic was if i was going to be spending more time on the bike (longer rides) i'd want some ventilation. i'll give it another shot & then back to a regular seat!

[goddess1222]

oh yes, still stretching my back. i do love this seat, but if feels too hard now. i have only had it for about 6 months. i might check out that Avocet seat sadiekate talked about, thanks for the info.

a fit check is a really good idea!!! it has been a while since i have had one.

[emily_in_nc]

Sorry....

YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary

(especially where saddles are concerned!)

Emily

[missliz]

OK, here's a funny- I have a great classic cross country bike, a '95 Zaskar in ball burnished out of Easton triple butted 7005, ovalized down tube, handbuilt wheels, King headset (worth every painful cent!), Manitou glitzy but tough girl fork, all the trick stuff, with a 2000 Sachs drivetrain, then I got hurt, but I had to get a twenty five dollar super padded seat with- get this- springs on the rails! ! And they're just fabulous!
I kind of get this feeling from the bike, like that dirty look the dog gives you when you make her wear the sweater she hates. Apparently I've completely lost my mind from not riding.
This is the seat we curl our collective lip at- and now that I'm better I'll tire of that ultra padding pretty quickly, but my god are those springs great! I have a good susp. seat post, but having the springs in the seat is different and my back never hurts. It has the cutout, and it's the most comfortable one of those I've ever used- I know about that pinching thing eyeore mentioned.
Having to put that "thing" on my XKE convertible of a bike was SO painful. Then I rode it, and it was love! It's strange to be a civilian.
Seats are weird.

Heres hoping I'm back on a rock hard rail soon.

missliz