Need advice re saddle

Fishy1

So, female cyclist here! I've recently bought a secondhand man's Cube carbon road bike, having ridden my woman's hybrid for past few months.

I had no issues with the saddle on the hybrid, presumably because it was designed for a woman's anatomy. However having been out for a couple of short spins over the weekend on the road bike, I've been very aware of discomfort almost from the start of the cycle. Without being too specific, there's no issue with my sit bones, the pain / discomfort is elsewhere!

I never had this issue with the hybrid, even when I started cycling as a complete novice, so I don't think it's a case of just getting used to it. I also wear good women - specific padded shorts.

The road bike saddle is long & narrow and doesn't have a groove in the centre, like my hybrid does. Do I need to buy a woman - specific saddle? If so, any recommendations?

Really hope I can sort this issue out as I'm thoroughly enjoying cycling since taking it up for the 1st time earlier this year, and I LOVE the road bike!

Red Kev

Do you still have the hybrid and if so can you swap saddles?


If you can and it's comfortable then I'd consider buying the same saddle again.

If not then you can get female saddles, so maybe try a bike shop with female staff for advice.

Mattie500

My wife uses a Sella Italia ladies saddle.... She finds it great as it is designed specifically for ladies.

this is a link to one of many places you can get it and is one of many options.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/selle-italia-womens-diva-gel-flow-saddle/

Wishbone Ash

Fishy1 wrote: »

.... saddle is long & narrow and doesn't have a groove in the centre....

A suggestion could be a women's' specific nose-less saddle. Should be able to Google something there.

If you're in the Dublin area, I think Cycleways on Parnell Street do women's saddles.

Thud

you'll be looking for a cut out in the saddle similar to the one in Mattie500s post

eeeee

The hybrid would have had you on a more upright positron, so you wouldn't have been sitting on yourself as much irrespective of what saddle you had on.
Try saddles with cut outs, I use an adamo myself, it has no nose so way comfier! The selle Italia was torturous for me,but saddles are a completely personal thing.
Don't let it stop you, the right one is out there somewhere!

MB Lacey

nee wrote: »

The hybrid would have had you on a more upright positron, so you wouldn't have been sitting on yourself as much irrespective of what saddle you had on.
Try saddles with cut outs, I use an adamo myself, it has no nose so way comfier! The selle Italia was torturous for me,but saddles are a completely personal thing.
Don't let it stop you, the right one is out there somewhere!

Good points above.
With the road bike you are leaning forward more on your bits (!) whereas with the hybrid you were more upright, so as suggested a saddle with a cut out might help avoid that pressure which can result in discomfort.
Trouble is, the cut out can sometimes be too far back, in which case a completely noseless saddle, like the adamo/ specialized Power is worth considering - though they're not cheap.
Cycleways do stock women's saddles with cut outs as above poster suggested, they also had two women working there which was great.
I have the specialized Lithia on my road bike and the specialized Myth on my road commuter bike.
Take your hybrid saddle in with you, some women like flat saddles, some like curved up at the back.
Happy cycling.

eeeee

Here are two good articles on this, I'm linking them again:

https://totalwomenscycling.com/lifestyle/choose-womens-saddle-73817/#!/#9D5XJLZGRtqHXtH1.97

https://totalwomenscycling.com/fitness/cobb-saddles-ask-innie-outie-62577/#QKwTVeeATaUOh784.97

Hope that helps!

Fishy1

Firstly, apologies for the delay in replying but I was working all day & then just had to take advantage of the lovely evening to get out on my bike again!

Thank you so much to everyone for the fantastic advice & links. I honestly think that the cycling forum has the best Boardsies of all