"I just bought a new Specialized Bike and although the store gave me the choice of several saddles, I find the one that I got called ""milano"" is very uncomfortable.
Does anyone have any recommendations for a comfortable women's saddle. Also, is it possible that adjusting or tilting the saddle more up or down might help.
Advice and recommendations are greatly appreciated. I used to cycle quite a bit,10 years ago, and am trying to get back into cycling and hope to train for a century but I am concerned that the uncomfortable saddle might prevent me from increasing my distance.
Thanks
Irene"
Women's Saddles
Sat, 06/28/2003 - 8:36pm
Mon, 06/30/2003 - 11:37am
#1
Saddles
"If you haven't been riding regularly, any saddle will be uncomfortable. As you increase your mileage base, it won't hurt so much.
Fit and setup are also very important. A knowlegeable shop can help. Proper seat height and overall bike position can make a big difference. The saddle should be level or very close to it. Tilting the saddle up or down more than a degree or two will create other problems.
A saddle that works well for one person may not be right for another. You have to find what's right for you, and that usually means trying several different models. See if a shop will let you test a saddle and return it within a few days if it doesn't work out. Some shops have a bin of saddles that have been returned that you can choose from. Above all, don't buy a big, soft, cushy saddle. They may feel OK for 4-5 miles, but they're murder on long rides.
""Chainwheel""
"
Sat, 06/28/2003 - 8:38pm
#2
terry
i spent a lot of money and a lot of time trying different saddles. the terry seems to just be the best. there are different widths, from narrow dragonfly to wider models. and at toga, where i bought mine, they warned me that some women find that the split in the middle can pinch. but all i can say is that terry is it for me. andrea
Sun, 06/29/2003 - 4:03am
#3
I have the Terry Butterfly Gel and I love it!
Beth
Sun, 06/29/2003 - 3:40pm
#4
I went through 3 saddles before the Terry Butterfly. Works pretty good for me.
Sun, 06/29/2003 - 12:07pm
#5
Terry not for everyone
I've tried at least 3 Terry's and never found one to be comfortable. I now use a Trek women's saddle that has the center split and hole. I don't know what the model name is, but I got mine at Sid's (they had to order it for me). It comes in either leather or lycra cover. Best saddle I've ever had.
Mon, 06/30/2003 - 9:56am
#6
Fizik Vitesse
"I love my Fizik Vitesse--it's particularly sleek looking too if that's important to you ;-) It's a bit less cushy than some of the other saddles out there, but has the width in the back that helps make it more comfortable.
Fizik has a couple of new models out that have more cushiness--the vitess [cp] which has gel in the center is very nice too.
I see they now call the women's saddles ""unisex"", but they're the same saddles they once called ""Women's"".
http://www.fizik.it/products_unisex.aspx
the ""CP"":
http://www.fizik.it/newProducts.aspx
Local shops don't really seem to carry these saddles, but I'm sure they can order them for you.
Robin"
Mon, 06/30/2003 - 11:00am
#7
fizik and terry
"I have both the Fizik and Terry ""Fly"" saddles and love them both. I think the pinching some people feel on the Terry Saddles are caused by the seam around the hole on some models. The Fly (and maybe the butterfly) model doesn't have that seam and is very comfortable."
Tue, 07/01/2003 - 9:03am
#8
Tue, 07/01/2003 - 9:04am
#9
Terry not for everyone - ditto
"Although many women I know rave about Terry saddles, I did NOT like what I tried. I hated the Butterfly. Its width and give created problems for me almost immediately. I've thought of trying the Dragonfly, but I actually found a Specialized women's racing saddle that works well for me. Don't know if it's the ""milano"" you refer to, but it's narrow and hard like a man's saddle and has the oh-so-important dip down the middle. I find it very comfortable, but it's probably because my hips are narrow and my back needs the support of a harder saddle.
You question whether raising/lowering the seat and/or tipping the saddle front or back helps. Make sure to read Chainwheel's response because he/she's right on point. Messing with your seat without really knowing what you're doing can be a very bad idea. Having spent an entire summer raising and lowering my seat in search the elusive Comfortable Ride (much to the annoyance of my friends), I can't recommend it. I suggest, if you haven't already done so, take the bike to a good bike shop like Toga or Sids and pay to have them properly fit your bike to you. It can make a huge difference both in terms of your comfort on the bike and your cycling level in general, because once you're comfortable on your bike, you can really focus on bettering your skills. (I find unnecessary pain - as in, pain caused by my bike or my shorts or whatever, as opposed to pain experienced due to the challenging nature of a particular ride - a huge distraction.) After you've been fitted, you might find yourself surprised to learn that the saddle was (perhaps) never the problem to begin with."
Wed, 07/02/2003 - 6:01am
#10
Women's saddles - here's another good one
When I first started riding, I had a saddle that was SO bad it almost was the end of my cycling career. I have since experimented with lots. The Terry is good, but the best I have ridden yet, believe it or not, is the Nashbar knockoff of the Terry. It has that split in the middle, it's cheap as hell, and it's the only one that works for me. Saddles are a very personal thing. When I find one that works, I stock up because who knows what next year's model year will bring ...
