Ladies Saddle - Advice

brownetara

Hiya,

I'm looking at two saddles -

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/selle-italia-x1-lady-flow-saddle/ or

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=57224&categoryID=199

I do things like Tour De Connamara, Burren etc, not looking at racing so don't want to spend a fortune. Any thoughts?

Tara

Oryx

What have you at the moment and how long have you been using it? I hated the saddle on my bike for the first year. I tried others but didn't like them either. I ended up just getting used to it, though I do have it tipped down a fraction at the front so my weight is on my sit bones and not anything delicate.

A lot of women swear by ISM saddles but I'm finding the one on my tt bike hard to break in.

brownetara

Oryx wrote: »

What have you at the moment and how long have you been using it? I hated the saddle on my bike for the first year. I tried others but didn't like them either. I ended up just getting used to it, though I do have it tipped down a fraction at the front so my weight is on my sit bones and not anything delicate.

A lot of women swear by ISM saddles but I'm finding the one on my tt bike hard to break in.

I have a nice comfy one which I've had about 2 years but it looks awful on my new super speedy bike, the covering is wearing away and its definitely not a slim line model! See attached.

silvo

I have the Riva saddle and find it very comfy and sturdy at the same time. I have had Selle Italia ones in the past and have found that although they are comfortable, they tend to wear quite fast.

MB Lacey

Both the saddles you've chosen look good, both SI and Specialized get recommended as women's best saddles a lot online.
Before buying online though maybe call into your lbs and get your sitbones measured? It can make a big difference apparently.
Buy a saddle that's too narrow and it mightn't support your sitbones, buy one too wide and it might cause chafiing.

I'm looking at buying a new saddle too, one for the commuter and one for long distances on the road bike.
Did the 105km Tour of Louth on Sunday and really need to ditch the saddle that came with my bike and buy a saddle with a cut out bit!
By 90km I was feeling a lot of pressure and felt that a cut out bit would have helped.
Same goes for my commuter, I cycle in jeans and the stitching in the crotch is starting to dig in apparently a cut out bit helps.
Neither my road or commuter saddles have the cut out bit.

Same as you, I'm thinking of getting the Specialized Riva for my commuter, but I'm not sure it would be ok for longer distances of 100km+.
So for my road bike I was thinking about either the Selle Italia Diva gel flow or Specialized Ruby/ Oura. Online reviews of both are glowing.
Was going to call into lbs this evening and get measured and see what's on offer.

I'd be interested to see what saddles other women find comfy for 100km+ cycles?
I realise that what's comfy for one woman mightn't suit another given our different body shapes etc, but would still be good to hear.

MB Lacey

silvo wrote: »

I have the Riva saddle and find it very comfy and sturdy at the same time. I have had Selle Italia ones in the past and have found that although they are comfortable, they tend to wear quite fast.

What kind of distances are you doing on the Riva?

brownetara

So for my road bike I was thinking about either the Selle Italia Diva gel flow or Specialized Ruby/ Oura. Online reviews of both are glowing.

Think these are a little out of my price range - looking more round the €25 mark myself! Might try the lbs and see how I get on.

Thanks,

T

silvo

MB Lacey wrote: »

What kind of distances are you doing on the Riva?

I have done 150+ on it and felt grand afterwards.

cdaly_

Any views on the brooks leather saddles from the ladies POV? I've been riding one for a couple of years now and it's just brill.

MB Lacey wrote: »

Same goes for my commuter, I cycle in jeans and the stitching in the crotch is starting to dig in apparently a cut out bit helps.

Would you not ditch the jeans for the commute? Even with a cutout saddle, there's a lot of bulky stitching in that area.

MB Lacey

silvo wrote: »

I have done 150+ on it and felt grand afterwards.

That's good to hear, that could save me a small fortune, might get the same saddle for commuter and road bike then.

cdaly_ wrote: »

Any views on the brooks leather saddles from the ladies POV? I've been riding one for a couple of years now and it's just brill.
Would you not ditch the jeans for the commute? Even with a cutout saddle, there's a lot of bulky stitching in that area.

Haven't ever cycled a Brooks, I think I'm averse to non cut out saddles.
Yes, I think I will have to ditch the jeans for commuting unfortunately.

brownetara

So any votes for the Selle Italia? :0

Amz

I've a Spcialized Ruby and I love it. Have done some triathlons and cycle touring with it.

I just started using a Brooks saddle on my touring bike, at the weekend. (Not sure of the exact model) it has a cut out too. I found it quite comfortable, but I only did about 20km on it, so I will reserve judgement.

I wish I'd known about saddles with a cut out before a rather unpleasant cycle from Dublin to Wexford a year or so ago. Makes a huge difference for me, but I know some girls who hate them.

Tempted to get a Selle Italia, but would love to try it first. I know some bike shops have loaners to let you try before you buy, but they rarely have ladies saddles.

MB Lacey

Amz wrote: »

I've a Spcialized Ruby and I love it. Have done some triathlons and cycle touring with it.

I just started using a Brooks saddle on my touring bike, at the weekend. (Not sure of the exact model) it has a cut out too. I found it quite comfortable, but I only did about 20km on it, so I will reserve judgement.

I wish I'd known about saddles with a cut out before a rather unpleasant cycle from Dublin to Wexford a year or so ago. Makes a huge difference for me, but I know some girls who hate them.

Tempted to get a Selle Italia, but would love to try it first. I know some bike shops have loaners to let you try before you buy, but they rarely have ladies saddles.

Yep - so many reviews say the SI Diva/ SI Lady gel are the ultimate in comfort/ quality over long distances.
I phoned several bike shops in Dublin on Fri, no-one stocks it. Wheelworx didn't stock any wsd saddles at all which I found surprising. Harry's have the selle italia diva on their website but not in stock.
As you say, difficult to try before you buy when there's nothing to try.

Why did you put a Brooks on your tourer if you were happy with the Specialized Ruby out of interest?

Amz

I'd been swapping the saddle from my road bike to touring bike. Which is a bit impractical. I couldn't find the ruby for sale again in my size, to buy a second one. Was reluctant to risk buying a different saddle in case we didn't get on

Friend had the Brooks hanging in the shed for past couple of years, not used, so suggested I try it out at the weekend.

MB Lacey

Amz wrote: »

I'd been swapping the saddle from my road bike to touring bike. Which is a bit impractical. I couldn't find the ruby for sale again in my size, to buy a second one. Was reluctant to risk buying a different saddle in case we didn't get on

Friend had the Brooks hanging in the shed for past couple of years, not used, so suggested I try it out at the weekend.

If you're based in Dublin, they seem to have all sizes in stock.

http://www.cycleways.com/store/product/55641/Specialized-Ruby-Expert-Women%27s-Saddle/

Amz

Ah super! They had none last time I checked!

Cheers!

nak

Specialized Oura for me, Ruby was too flat. Have tried Fizik, Selle Italia (men's Flite was more comfy than women's), Terry, Bontrager, Brooks (horrendous).

cdaly_

MB Lacey wrote: »

Haven't ever cycled a Brooks, I think I'm averse to non cut out saddles.

Brooks B17s imperial

Yes, I think I will have to ditch the jeans for commuting unfortunately.

Or maybe not...

Ladiee Person

Selle Italia all the way.... I bought one 3 years ago when I upgraded my bike and I loved it so much I got a second one for my commute bike and they have both stood the test of time.

MB Lacey

cdaly_ wrote: »

Brooks B17s imperial


Or maybe not...

That cut out looks like it would leave a sharp imprint on the area it's supposed to be giving relief to!

Those shorts are quite cool

Big Mig

brownetara wrote: »

So for my road bike I was thinking about either the Selle Italia Diva gel flow or Specialized Ruby/ Oura. Online reviews of both are glowing.

Think these are a little out of my price range - looking more round the €25 mark myself! Might try the lbs and see how I get on.

Thanks,

T

Ladies Sella Italia!! Have it on both road bikes and on my track bike!!! Now...........I haven't actually tried any others!! But I do like my saddle!!