Women's Saddles?

[sourceofdenial]

My girlfriend just got a hardtail and is new to the sport. So far she's been a champ(went down to Pocahontas and she gracefully endo'ed off some of the TTFs on the lil wva trail on her second day and got right back up and tried again.) But her sitbones are absolutely killing her. We measured, which seemed really futile, and figured that the specialized BG and terry saddles arent really that much wider than regular old WTB Devo saddles and Selle Italia jobs. If anything, putting your fingers on your sitbones and having another person measure them looks really funny. Seriously, go home and bend over, put your fingers on your sit bones, and have someone measure them. Take a picture. Its a riot.

What are the ladyfolk riding? A women specific saddle? She could hardly sitdown on sunday. I tried to explain that it hurts the first day anyway, but it seemed like it was more than just a little soreness.

[DaveG]

My girlfriend just got a hardtail and is new to the sport. So far she's been a champ(went down to Pocahontas and she gracefully endo'ed off some of the TTFs on the lil wva trail on her second day and got right back up and tried again.) But her sitbones are absolutely killing her. We measured, which seemed really futile, and figured that the specialized BG and terry saddles arent really that much wider than regular old WTB Devo saddles and Selle Italia jobs. If anything, putting your fingers on your sitbones and having another person measure them looks really funny. Seriously, go home and bend over, put your fingers on your sit bones, and have someone measure them. Take a picture. Its a riot.

What are the ladyfolk riding? A women specific saddle? She could hardly sitdown on sunday. I tried to explain that it hurts the first day anyway, but it seemed like it was more than just a little soreness.

But it's probably just going to take some time. Butts get in shape for riding just like legs do. My wife's been riding for years and just uses normal saddles. She doesn't like wide saddles because she can't get behind them.

Dave

[Auger N]

Maybe some of the ladies will post up, because for now it's only the guys weighing in on the women's saddles, which is kind of like when guys talk about childbirth...

Nevertheless, I just went through a lot of purchasing of women's saddles as my wife had to get new saddles for her two stolen bikes. She's been riding for a long time and settled on the women's Selle San Marco Aspide Glamour, which is more of a roadie saddle. Nevertheless, SSM does have a sizing system which is based on weight and shorts size, which I suppose is better than just winging it.

My wife did try the Specialized Body Geometry but wound up returning it. The sizing process does not involve bending over, but rather sitting on a piece of memory foam, from which the sit bone indentations are then measured.

Finally, Terry saddles are always popular. The Butterfly may be better for your beginner GF since it is sort of cushy. Tastes change as you get more proficient, my wife initially rode on a Terry Bella Gella but now years later is amazed she ever rode on something that wide!

[jabberwocky]

I find that it helps beginners to have a wider, softer saddle to start. I've still got a slightly wider, much softer saddle (a Terry of some sort) that I put on my bikes when I take a beginner riding. Even then, try to limit saddle time and she'll be happier the next day (even if she feels ok during the ride, don't let her ride for more than say 45 minutes to an hour at a time). Give her a few days minimum between rides too.

Saddles are extremely personal. It can help to try several different ones.

Everyone goes through saddle pain when they first start. If she keeps riding she will definitely adjust.

[Squirrel Girl]

I like the Terry Butterfly. I have a hard time getting behind it, but I finally decided it was because I have fat thighs.

I tried a Sella saddle for women, but it wasn't anywhere as comfy as the Butterfly.

The other thing to consider is that despite what most men think, you *don't* have to have your saddle horizontal to the ground. I'm apparently quite abnormal, as the most comfy orientation for me is the nose pointed down 17 degrees. Actually, many women like their saddles pointed down in front. Probably not as much as I do, but so I've read.

[smdubovsky]

The woman who got my wife into riding LOVES her "selle italia gel lady" on her road bike. My wife borrowed it and tried it her mountain bike and also really liked it (I tried it and liked it too), but its a little to wide to get behind easily for a mtb. My wife is quite happy w/ the non "lady" version we bought.

[crack monkey]

My wife has used several Terry saddles with success. Currently on a Terry Butterfly, I forget what model her previous Terry saddle was.

[Mrs. Outlaw]

All of my bikes have WSD saddles. On the mtb that I ride the most I have the Specialized Jett which I like. I probably should have gotten the narrower version because I can't get behind the saddle as easily as I'd like. I have the Terry Butterfly on my other mtb and like that as well.

It does take a while for your sit bones to get used to riding. Wearing bike shorts with a good chamois also helps. I like the padding in the Shebeest shorts, they're on the expensive side, but in my opinion well worth it. http://www.shebeest.com/products/breezer_boardshort_f07.htm

Good luck!

[smusante]

WTB Deva is my saddle of choice for sure. But, as some folks have already said, everyone is different. It's really important to have her sit bones support her weight, not any other part. Therefore, the saddle needs to be wide enough to support these. I don't mean that if you're overweight you're going to need a wider saddle, it's all about your bones.

For years I was riding a Terry Damselfly but then once day realized that my sit bones were actually going over the edge and my weight was being supported between my sit bones instead of on them. Specialized actually has a "assometer" that helps you determine the width of your sit bones. Do it, it's helpful. Check out this thread about other ways to measure: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=17748&highlight=measuring+bones

And more padding is not necessarily better. IMO more padding will actually make you fall "into" the saddle more and therefore you will not be supported anymore by your sit bones and instead you'll have pressure all over.

It might take a little time but she should be able to find a saddle that works well for her. I've been riding for a while now and amazingly only recently have figured it all out. I used it think being sore was just part of riding - even after years of riding I would still get sore on long rides... not anymore!!!! :)

[sueper]

It took me forever to find a saddle that I like. And preferences are very position-oriented. I use a vastly different saddle on my road bike, for example. My .02 cents is coming predominantly from a road biking background...

Other things to consider...how is her position on the bike? Are you sure that it is her sit bones that are hurting and not another area? Is she contacting the saddle too far forward/how is her knee/saddle fore-aft position? How does her bike fit her? ie: is her TT too short or bars very high (that will put more weight on her rear)?

I agree with the point that most beginners will get a bit sore, so to limit the duration for a while. It might be just that...

Use high quality women's chamois/shorts and perhaps some chamois creme like Assos. Remind her to shift her position from time to time and get out of the saddle...(is she up on those bumpy descents?).

I know that Terry will let you try different saddles and exchange them within 30 days without any trouble. And I've seen some shops that sell Specialized saddles that have that impression measuring device, to check the width of pelvic bones.

[philvw]

If anything, putting your fingers on your sitbones and having another person measure them looks really funny. Seriously, go home and bend over, put your fingers on your sit bones, and have someone measure them. Take a picture. Its a riot.


I don't know if any good will come of this thread for SoD's GF, but this line alone is worth the price of admission. Thank you!