Saddle question: What goes where in aero position?

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2009-07-15 8:54 AM

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Champion
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Subject: Saddle question: What goes where in aero position?

I have read a thousand discussions on BT about saddle comfort and I understand that the common answer is 1) find where your sit bones are, and 2) find a saddle that fits them.  I know that women have wider hips usually, and thus wider sit bones (usually) and either way there are a million saddle choices to choose from. 

I have a really old gel seat, that came from a free bike that was later parted out, and I keep going back to it.  I put it on my tri bike (I know - the travesty!) and its very comfortable.  I tried the stock "mens" seat, then a Terry Butterfly (returned), and I currently am test-riding a Cobb.  Nothing feels as good as the old soft gel seat.  The only reason I'm looking for an alternative is that I am afraid it will degrade due to the covering not being leather and getting it wet in races.  And it must be at least 8 years old.  (and it looks uncool)

So, I was trying the Cobb seat last night and am confused about the role of my sit bones.   I know where they are and when I am sitting up it's fine.  But when I go into aero position, I roll forward and I'm no longer on them.  All the pressure is further forward in the more sensitive soft tissue area.  So, I wonder:

  1. Am I am not understanding what part of me should be touching the seat in aero?  Is it still the sit bones? Seriously?
  2. Do I have a lack of inflexibility and should I be working on rolling my hips under me?  I can roll there, but not stay there.
  3. I realize this could be a fit issue, but would a better fit really find me on my sit bones?
  4. Question for the women: how far forward do you sit on your seat?  Can you see the nose of the seat when you're in aero?  I understand from reading that women tend  to sit further back, which is why I am not asking men.  I have seen several men here say they sit more on the nose.

Help please... I intend to get a seat fitting and I know everyone is different, but I thought if I could straighten out my expectations I be more intelligent about my complaints, etc.  Thanks!

2009-07-15 8:58 AM
in reply to: #2286410

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Saddle question: What goes where in aero position?

Oh-one other thing.  The seat appears to tilt up at the nose.   It's adjusted all of the way down.  Are there any saddles out there that tilt more forwards by design? I really think that would help.

2009-07-15 9:02 AM
in reply to: #2286410

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Subject: RE: Saddle question: What goes where in aero position?
I am not on my sit bones when I am aero. I am even rotated so I am not fully on them when I am on my road bike. (although IO am a bit) My MTB is really the only time I ride fully on my sit bones.

When I am aero, my junk/pubic bone touches (well, in theory...my damselfly and now specialized saddles both have cutouts).

I typically ride somewhere in the middle of my saddle.
2009-07-15 9:05 AM
in reply to: #2286410

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Subject: RE: Saddle question: What goes where in aero position?
When I am in aero I am NOT on my sit bones, but rather rolled forward. I can still see the nose of my saddle , I am not that far forward on the seat. I think hip flexibility helps when you are trying to get used to an aero position for sure.

As to the pressure on the "sensitive " tissue this can be a fit issue but it can also be a seat issue. The trick is to find a saddle that is comfy when you are upright AND aero. When I bought my new bike the stock seat was fine when I was upright but sheer torture when I was in the aero position. When I changed the seat it was sweet relief ! The new seat was instantly comfortable in an aero position..

Good Luck! 
2009-07-15 9:47 AM
in reply to: #2286410

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Subject: RE: Saddle question: What goes where in aero position?

When I move down into aero i slide my hips back so I am at the back of the seat and still sitting on the sit bones on the fattest part of the saddle. i also have a Cobb and love it.

2009-07-15 10:51 AM
in reply to: #2286597

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Subject: RE: Saddle question: What goes where in aero position?

Nipper - 2009-07-15 8:47 AM

When I move down into aero i slide my hips back so I am at the back of the seat and still sitting on the sit bones on the fattest part of the saddle. i also have a Cobb and love it.

Is this on a road bike with aerobars?  On a tri bike, this is typically not the correct way to sit in aero position for good power output but if it works for you then then it works for you.  On my mountain bike I sit on the sit bones but on my tri bike I'm much more forward on the saddle.

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