Saddles

[Sharky]

At first I thought it was a joke but when I was at Incycle getting my new saddle yesterday they actually have a device that measures your sit bones to help determine the correct width to get.
I had this vision of Dirty taking a tape measure to my butt but he had me sit on this cushy foam thingy leaving the indents of the bones that are then measured. Figured out my previous saddle was too wide and maybe why I wasn't completely happy with it.
Ended up getting the Specialized bg Avatar Gel. I've read some good reviews on it.

[Waldo]

Originally Posted by Sharky

Figured out my previous saddle was too wide and maybe why I wasn't completely happy with it.
Ended up getting the Specialized bg Avatar Gel. I've read some good reviews on it.

Hope you'll follow up with a review of the saddle and the effectiveness of the fitting. Anybody know of a central or south O.C. shop that offers that level of fitting service?

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by Waldo

offers that level of fitting service?

Ya, you can fit yourself: put a piece of paper your couch...sit on a piece of paper, go to your bike shop, lineup the dents on the paper to saddles. Fitting complete. Or maybe just get use to the saddle you have.

Dean

[Sharky]

Dean oh wait you're serious!!
The numbers are built into the device along the top and I believe anyone that sells Specialized should have the device in shop.
I'm just waiting on the seatpost to get in this week to try it out and will let you know.

[Waldo]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Or maybe just get use to the saddle you have.

Well, yeah, I guess that's possible, but I'd rather not develop a calloused taint if it's not absolutely necessary! I'd been considering trying a slightly wider saddle, but since the models I seem to like tend to be $60+ (some +++), it'd be nice to get some expert guidance!

[dstepper]

Wider saddles are harder to get behind on the downs.

[Waldo]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Wider saddles are harder to get behind on the downs.

That's why I only ride uphill. I do reverse shuttles.

[cH4os]

I have the Selle Italia San Marcos Ponza K, on both of my MTB SSers.. Love them! And the Sell Italia SLK for my road bike. I have the Brooks Leather Saddle on my Fixie...

I get my saddles from Switchback Cyclery, give them $20 and they will let you try every saddle in the joint until you find one you love! then the $20 goes to the purchase.

[ka0t1c07]

I use the SLR and from the looks of it, it dont look comfy. But I been on long rides and its been good to my Donkey so far.

[Innes]

Originally Posted by Sharky

At first I thought it was a joke but when I was at Incycle getting my new saddle yesterday they actually have a device that measures your sit bones to help determine the correct width to get.
I had this vision of Dirty taking a tape measure to my butt but he had me sit on this cushy foam thingy leaving the indents of the bones that are then measured. Figured out my previous saddle was too wide and maybe why I wasn't completely happy with it.
Ended up getting the Specialized bg Avatar Gel. I've read some good reviews on it.

I thought it was a little strange at first too, but I went with it and used the measurement to pick and appropriate saddle. I've been using an Avatar Gel for a little over a year now and I have no regrets. It has developed a bit of a creak recently though.

[Sharky]

After 3 rides on it I'm definitely loving it , too. Most women assume they fit a 155mm which is what I'd been doing then measured the sit bones at 140 last week so I advise getting measured . Went with the 143mm and it's perfect. But this Avatar Gel is noticeably more comfortable but correct width may have something to do with it, also.

[Pain Freak]

Sit bones are of a major importance, and should be a big factor in deciding which saddle to get. On the other hand there is the concern about the other part of the anatomy that is located in the same general area.I've found that as long as the seat is slotted I have little to no issues with things going numb. My doctor told me if it is getting numb, get rid of the saddle immediately. I've had really good luck with the Selle Italia Trans Am on my road bike and all my mountain bikes are WTB's of different makes, but I like the Stealth the best.

A lot of people think a wider or a softer seat is the answer...it isn't. Soft seats will push up on the nerves and restrict blood flow which is usually what causes numbness. A lot of the road guys are going with all leather (mostly Brook's ) saddles. You can wet them and then wrap a plastic bag over them or saddle soap them and ride them for a few hours and the saddle will conform to your shape, but it still doesn't work for everyone.

[Waldo]

Spent about 4 minutes on a friend's bike last week with a WTB Pure V on it, and it was love at first site. That extra width seemed to be what I needed - it was a huge difference in comfort compared to the narrower WTB or Bontragers I'd been running. I'll probably stop by Switchback this week and see what they have to test, but the Pure V just went to #1 on my list for now.

Sharky, are you still happy with the BG Avatar gel?

[tkblazer]

i run a pure v on both of my mtn bikes... picked them up on ebay for around $35 shipped

[Sharky]

Very happy it's been very comfy on the point7 and have been getting some good riding in on it but before I replace the one on the Blur (not liking the Butterfly Ti) I'm interested in first trying the Spec. Alias and WTB Pure V after reading some of the posts. Think Incycle has a big sale coming up in may, too? I have to now agree with Mike about the sit bones I think that made a big difference...get ya tushy measured.

(let us know how it turns out with your 4-legged kid "Mooch"...I just know he'll be OK)