Best Women's Saddle...

Thomas Demerly - 2008-08-23 2:58 PM I'll preface my statements with a gender disclosure: I'm a man. I am a man who sells a lot of triathlon and road saddles to females so I do have some insight into what does and does not come back to our store as unacceptable. Firstly- and it has to be said, the saddle itself is a less important part of saddle comfort than most people believe. I the U.S. the common "cure" for saddle discomfort symptoms is... a new saddle! Riders install a succession of saddles in the hope of finding that one "best" saddle. There are the arguments that saddles are "individual" (they are in fact). While saddles are an individual choice and there is no one "best" saddle there is also absolutely no "magic" saddle that is comfortable. Saddle comfort is not ENTIRELY about the saddle, instead it is about an amalgam of saddle and seating comfort factors. Check out this feature I wrote on the three factors that predomiantly influence saddle comfort: http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/features/saddlecomfort.shtmlSecondly, I notice in your profile picture that you appear to be on a bike equipped with aerobars. I cannot tell from the small photo if this is, in fact, a 78-degree seat tube angle triathlon geometry bike- it may be, or it may be a road bike retro-fitted with aerobars. Regardless, remember that when you are sitting in the triathlon position you are NOT sitting anywhere near the tuberosity bones or "sit bones". Again: You are NOT sitting on the sit bones. If your position is set up correctly your pelvis is rotated far enough forward so that the ischial tuberosity bones (sit bones) are actually not pressing on the saddle but are angled rearward at between 50 and 45 degrees. This means you will be farther forward on the nose of the saddle, straddling the nose with your crotch. On a road bike the relaxed posture will put you (correctly so) on your sit bones, but even on a road bike as soon as you assume the lower, aerodynamic position your ischial tuberosities (sit bones) are now facing rearward. This dispells the marketing approach of "measuring" the distance between the ischial tuberosities- which is good, because in my job, I am already measuring too many crotches to be worried about also measuring butt-width Bottom line: You'll be straddling the nose with your crotch on a tri bike if you are sitting correctly and your bike fits correctly. It will not feel good. It will never feel even tolerable if you don't use chamois cream and good shorts while training. It is something you'll get gradually accustomed to but it will never be absolutely "comfortable", merely sort of tolerable. IF you're not using chamois cream yet delay the purchase of a new saddle until you actually buy and use some chamois cream. You may find a $19.99 tube of chamois cream negates the need for a $100 saddle. Here is a link to an excellent article on chamoic cream by Dan Empfield of slowtwtich.com: http://www.slowtwitch.com/Products/Chamois_cream_the_best_thing_you_re_not_using_461.html[/QUOTE]

 

Wuaooo!!! Thank Thomas with all your suggestions and articles...very interesting and I will take it very seriously....I will read them again, analyze and digest all that you wrote here for me...Again...Thanks you!!! I appreciate your help...And re-think what exactly I need...LOL

About my bike...It's a Tri- Bike: 2007 Kestrel Talon SL Aero and it has the dual position Kestrel Aero Seatpost...and it comes with a Selle Italia Saddle that is too firm...Here is a pic of my bike:

Oppss!!! where is the Pic???

Let me try again:

"

 

 

Edited by velorider62 2008-08-23 2:36 PM

Thomas Demerly - 2008-08-23 3:32 PM Hmmm, well, FWIW I have tried a few Selle Italia's and I must agree that as a saddle brand... they trend toward firmer. Most of the models are a trifle too firm for my taste. I have a Selle Italla SLR T1 on my tri bike now and I think I am going to try the newest version of the Fizik Arione Tri 2 next- not because I don't like the previous 3 or 4 saddles I've tried (as I mentioned- it isn't ALL about the saddle..) but becuase I gotta try all the new stuff som at least I sound like I know what I'm talking about... Nice bike- your Kestrel. All the best, Tom.