Saddle width

RedSunshine365

I stopped at the LBS and while there I had my husband get his sit bones measured because he's not loving the seat on his hybrid. The gal told him he should be in roughly a 155mm seat for his hybrid. Then I had her measure mine. It seemed to me my indentations were obviously wider but she said I should be in a 142 road bike seat and a 155 hybrid seat. So I ask her what my actual measurement was and she said 133.

Huh?

I am taking this whole experiment with a grain of salt.

jenj1313

I got measured as well, and didn't like the saddle they put me on, but I think it's because I wen't with one that was too aggressive. I ride a fizik women's road saddle that I love, and my mountain bike saddle is just the standard Bontrager women's saddle that came on my Gary Fischer.

My boyfriend, on the other hand got measured for a Specialized saddle and he likes it a lot. He's a tall guy and he's got normal proportions, but because he's a big guy, his hips are probably bigger than most. He went to a bit wider saddle based on the measurements and it worked for him. His saddle would still be too narrow for me, though.

So... yeah... I'd say, just go some place that allows returns or loans out testers!

zoom2

Red, that sounds about right. My sitbones are in the 125-130 range and I have a 145 on my road bike and a 155 on my CX bike...though I think I can probably go narrower on my CX bike, too. The general rule of thumb is to take your sit bones measurement and go for a saddle that is ~20mm wider--giving you 10mm of wiggle room on either side.

RedSunshine365

Thanks!! I just was confused, thinking if I measured 132 why on earth is the road bike seat supposed to be wider...but I understand now.

So here's another question..how would you know if your seat is too wide? I actually have had really good luck with mine, but it's 155mm wide...so too wide according to the measurements. I tend to slide forward quite a bit and am pushing myself back. I need to get re-fitted, but am wondering if saddle width has anything to do with the scooting forward while riding?

zoom2

Your saddle could be too wide and/or the wrong shape. I cannot do anything that is not REALLY t-shaped. I am waiting for this saddle to become available for demo or purchase:


See how abruptly the nose flares into the seat portion? That's the kind of saddle that works best for me. I've tried more pear/wedge shaped saddles and always end up sliding forward.

Make sure your nose isn't tilted down, too. That can also cause a person to slide forward.

RedSunshine365

I'm diggin the shape of that saddle..I'll have to check it out.

I stopped by my LBS tonight and chatted with the owner about this stuff...he just said to come and we'll start working on small adjustments until we find the sweet spot. Having good resources...both online (here!) and at your LBS is wonderful..


...ETA...I googled those Ergon saddles and it just so happens that my LBS is a dealer!

zoom2

...ETA...I googled those Ergon saddles and it just so happens that my LBS is a dealer!

Mine is, too, but I don't know if they will carry the saddles, or not. They don't carry a lot of saddles and none that I've ever liked.

TRHuston

So on my never-ending quest for a comfy saddle, I recently purchased a Selle Italia SLR Lady Flow. I had been riding the Gel version on my road bike for the past year or so and I felt that it was a bit too wide. It kept pushing me forward, so I had to push back, but it was difficult because there was so much padding I had to lift my butt up, re-adjust and bet somewhat comfortable again, only to have to start the whole ordeal over again in a matter of minutes. I liked it because of the cut out. I figured though, that if I kept getting pushed forward, I was still mashing my bits into the nose of the saddle, so the cut out really served no purpose.
Long story short, I test rode my new Selle today. About 30 minutes with a chamois and about another 30 later tonight without. I can definitely feel my sit bones hitting the saddle. (Weird to say, but I've never really felt that before for a prolonged period of time without contorting my body because my pelvis is tilted really far forward) I think all minor adjustments were correct and my nethers had no complaints. I was just wondering if what I'm feeling for the first time is comfort in a saddle? Help a sister out.

zoom2

I was just wondering if what I'm feeling for the first time is comfort in a saddle? Help a sister out.

Sounds like it to me--it's a novel feeling, isn't it!? :happy:

TRHuston

Indeed! However, I was a stupid, stupid girl. Loving my new saddle so much, I ordered a second one to put on our tandem bike. Instead of taking the one I had been riding for about a month, because it was adjusted perfectly, and putting it on our tandem before the Almanzo 100 this weekend, I put the new saddle on. 100 miles later and my nethers are pissed! I assume I won't have any more breaking in to do on this saddle at least.

RedSunshine365

After nearly 500 miles this spring, my bum is the only part of me that still aches after about 30 miles. I loathe the thought of saddle shopping again, but as I ride more, I'm still waiting for the saddle to stop bothering me. I'm guessing this means it's not the "one".

My Selle Italia Diva is quite squishy once it hits the narrower part of the saddle, just over the rails. I get sore in that spot..push myself back, feel good, fall forward, start teh process over again. I never feel like I can stay perched on my sit bones. I had a bike fit recently and dropped the handlebars one spacer. I ride more downhill now.

I should add that Iv'e never had a saddle sore and the only time I've had chafing issue is after wearing the boxer biker shorts under a pair of running tights (that didnt' fit). My saddle is rubbed smooth on the sides though..so I know I'm making contact there. I

zoom2

Red, I'd bet money that your saddle is too pear/wedge-shaped and that you need a more T-shaped saddle. I have the same problems you do when I am constantly pushing myself back, then my thighs force me forward.

I really like the Bontrager InForm Affinity saddle. Instead of a cut-out it has a dip and it's pretty T-shaped. The Specialized Jett might be another one to try. Both come in widths.

I'm still waiting to try the Ergon SM-3 saddle when it becomes available. It *looks* like the perfect saddle for me.

RedSunshine365

Thanks zoom...I'm going to stop tonight if i can and test ride one of those two saddles since they should be easily found in the stores....and returnable if I don't like it.

I have to add that I *thought* my Diva was T-shaped.

zoom2

Nah...the Diva is really pear-shaped. I can't do SI saddles at all. The Turbomatic was about the only SI saddle that was good for me, shape-wise, but it was very domed and the actual sit area was not nearly as wide as they claim. Another really T-shaped saddle is the Selle San Marco Aspide Glamour (Arrowhead model has a cut-out). It is VERY firm, though. And the cut-out wasn't a good shape for me, unfortunately. The firm part didn't bother me in the least.

Look at overhead photos of these saddles to see the difference in transition from nose to rear. The T-shaped ones will have a much more abrupt transition, instead of a gradual and subtle curve.

RedSunshine365

I am trying out a specialized oura expert in 155 width. The gal there said she really preferred over the Jett so I decided to try it. Interestingly, she put me in the 155. She said that saddle should be sized a bit differently die to the way it slopes
In the back.

20 mile ride first impressions are favorable. I can tell I'm more on my sit bones and not on my soft tissue. I still scooted forward when hitting bumps. I really like the sloped back. I have no post ride soreness at all.

Time will tell.

RedSunshine365

I returned the OURA. My sit bones were barking at me after about 20 miles. Quite the opposite of my issue with my Selle Italia Diva.

I picked up a Bontrager Affinity RXL off flea-bay for $10...it was used for a few months but looks brand new and so far...I really LIKE it! Granted, it's only been 10 miles so far but I can already tell I like it better than the OURA. Considering it was a $130 saddle, I am going to feel quite lucky if this one works out!

zoom2

I like the dip on the Bontrager saddles, vs. cut-outs.