Rabobank (Page 31)

Hope my late rising isn't rubbing off on you folks!

Crossing my fingers for a 5:30am group ride and swim tomorrow AM.

I wish.  Been up since 6am and busy doing work stuff.

Miss a day of posting and that mean to make Neal happy and reach the goal he set for me

I now have to post even more each day.

Don't worry it will not all be on team Rabobank

I will spread around the pleasure of my wisdon

on other threads

But will help Neal and his goal

here

on

Team

Team TOPAGE!

Edited by kns57 2009-07-13 11:26 AM

Rabobank!

Hey, team!  I've had issues with saddle, and currently debating trying something new, so thought I'd take a Lunchtime Poll:

What's your saddle?  Did you switch from your bike stock saddle?  Do you like it?  Do you love it?  Did it take a while to build up to longer rides on it?  How'd you choose what you've got now?

I got a serfas womans saddle.  Don't remember the exact model, but it did not take long to get to longer rides on it at all.  In fact, once i got it and tossed the stock saddle, I was much happier in that area after a ride of any length.  Now I love it and would not trade it for anything.

That's funny, I have a serfas saddle on my hybrid and I love it... it's one of their "cruiser" saddles with springs... the only problem is that it's a SPONGE.  It barely drizzles during the day, I have wet riding through the next morning between work and home. 

Is it a racing saddle?  with cutout?

I slacked on the weekend too.  Not sure what I need to do to keep on track now.

So I guess a few extra posts can't hurt

Oh my, can I relate! I have had serious saddle issues. Here's my story:

- Started with the stock saddle that comes with P2C, the Selle Italia Trilon. Hated it. Barely could make it through the fitting!
- Switched to the Terry Damselfly, which had failed me miserably on my roadie but figured I'd give it a whirl on the tri bike. At first it was great. I ended up riding it for almost 4 months and a max ride of 60 miles. After IMNO it was really hurting me, it pretty much ruined the bike leg of the race for me due to the severe pain it was causing.
- Had a century in a week and couldn't bear another mile on the hideous Damselfly so I made an interim switch to the Profile Tri Stryke, felt like a dream in comparison. It performed well for the century but I only made it a month on it. It turned into an evil horrible thing that not only hurt like hell to ride, it gave me a saddle sore that I then had to go ride 10 days on in WI. Fun.
- Switched to the Koobi PRS Tri T1 in WI - LOVE it!!!!!!! Finally. I have put over 300 miles on it I think and I still love it. I realized during the race yesterday that for the first time ever, I don't think about my saddle. I did 114 on it in WI and was fine.

I think saddles are super personal, others who tried the Koobi didn't like it. I know women who swear by the Butterfly and I couldn't ride around town on that thing. It was an expensive trial and error journey but the only way I could find one that works. You don't have to "break them in" but you do need to ride them a few times to know how they will really feel, and over varying distances. Because they often area  relief at first compared to the last but not quite right. If it hurts on the first ride, it's always going to hurt, unless you're new to cycling and "toughening up" down there

I chose Koobi because they are a saddle company. They don't make anything else. Becuase the guy spent 30 minutes on the phone talking about my riding habits, my build, my bike, my training. He was willing to take it back after 10 days of riding on it in WI if I wasn't happy. The width was perfect for me - not too wide and not too narrow. Rather than being "cutout" it has this channel all the way down the middle so it doesn't squish when you sit on it. It's the most incredible aero position saddle I have ever felt.

Currently I'm using a Fizik arione tri2 carbon saddle.  My stock saddle was like a brick and I wanted something lighter.

It's not bad, but it's not great.  Occasionally I will have some minor discomfort, but I've been able to get through several 60-70 mile rides without it being a major issue.

That's my two cents.  Not sure if this helps you at all.  I'd listen to the ladies on the thread.

Edited by disturbed275 2009-07-13 12:07 PM

Thanks everyone.  It helps to hear more perspectives. 

I'm actually scared of my Oly I just signed up for primarily because of my saddle issues.  I can't STAND to put my rear on the bike for more than 15 miles right now (starts hurting by about mile 10!) and it's seriously bumming me out since I don't feel like I can even put in the training, let alone finish that race distance without pain.  I'm hoping my LBS won't give me a hard time swapping the saddle out for something else.  Last time I tried to get something different, they told me I should try the same saddle one size up (Specialized Jett) and adjusted the seat.  My stock seat (Bontrager) wasn't a dream (significant chafe and I felt like no matter how I adjusted it I was always feeling like I was falling off the seat) but I could do a 40miler without serious rear pain on it... just a little less skin on my inner thigh


Edited by running4beer 2009-07-13 12:29 PM

I think is a gel seat.  No sponge at all.  Looks a lot like this one available at REI.  This might be a newer model.  I've had mine now for 5 years and love it.  Have put 1000 miles on it.


Edited by kns57 2009-07-13 12:56 PM

Why do they even bother with stock saddles?  They always end up in the trash.

I'd go to another LBS. They should never give you a hard time for wanting something different, you're a customer and it's your choice! I hear you on the pain. I literally couldn't fathom another mile on mine and had to switch. Just be sure to pin point the pain and discomfort so you're finding an appropriate change. For example, the Damselfly was hard as a rock and while the firmness was ok, it pressed really hard on my inner thigh/kind of on the sitbone mostly on the left side and it caused hamstring and ankle pain. Hideous. Wide, female-specific saddles are too wide for me and cause chafing. The tri stryke was causing soft tissue pain, so it was crushing the girl parts essentially. It was fine on the sit bones. Knowing that I was looking for something not much wider and more designed for being in aero on delicate parts for hours and hours on end.

Good luck, saddles are a pain - both literally and figuratively.

Ha!  I was wondering the same thing!  You'd imagine that if you started with your best saddle, you might sell more bikes...

...on the other hand I guess they skimp on the saddle cause, like Kristin says, it's a really individual thing, so that 'best' saddle for one person might not be the best for everyone else.

Ok, so I think I'm convinced that I need to go back to my LBS and swap the saddle for something else before I hit the gym this evening.  I've been in too much pain from riding short distances that more T.I.T.S. likely won't help. 

The woman who sold it to me said that I could bring it back if it didn't work for me.  I'm hoping they didn't just mean that I could trade it for another size (!)... If they try to make me pay for a new one, I'll probably go somewhere else.

(ha!  the board edited out TimeInTheSaddle when I typed it without the periods in between. )

Edited by running4beer 2009-07-13 1:32 PM