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Saddles, etc.

burnman's picture
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started by burnman on February 6, 2008

I'm looking for some feedback on saddle preferences/experience. I currently train on a road frame with a pseudo-upgrade saddle (Specialized Alias gel). I've tuned in a comfortable aero position using my profile ff seatpost and clip-ons. However, with the seat fully forward I'm planting on the nose (which is fine), and my current saddle is killing me on 2hr+ sessions - primarily in the aero position. Shortening the stem (or shifting my body rearward) provides better distribution on the seat, but in doing so I can feel my angular advantage being compromised. It's not too much better in the standard, non-aero hand positions either, so I plan on replacing the Alias anyhow. My LBS does a 2 week try-and-find saddle trial, but I want to narrow it down. I welcome any and all input, particularly that relating your saddle choice to body type and size. I'm average height (5'9), rather thin and narrow in the hips.

Also, if anyone can offer advice on anti-chafing methods or products, I would be even more appreciative. Up until recently, I've gotten away with using my kids' J&J baby powder, but between repeatedly inhaling the dust and my expanding leg muscles it's just not doing the job it used to.

ryanweeg's picture
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ryanweeg posted 29 weeks ago.

I would seriously consider the fizik arione. I use it on all my bikes (road, mountain, tri) and it works amazingly. The ability to change positions on the longer nose, the flexible wings just fit my body perfectly. It seems to fit alot of others and pro's who probably aren't all recieving sponsorships. Check out the slowtwich link http://www.slowtwitch.com/News/Athletes/The_top_ten_pro_men_in_Kona_and_... to the top ten male pro's on their bikes. You can see atleast 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 8th, and 9th are all using fizik arione. There might be more in the top ten but you just cant see some. Anyways, as with everything though, but especially saddles, what works for one may not work for another for whatever reason, therefore experimentation is a MUST to find what you are comfortable with on your bike.

"If one can stick to the training throughout many long years, that willpower is no longer a problem. It's Raining? That doesn't matter. I am tired? That's beside the point. It's simply just that I have to."
-Emil Zatopek

GGehrke's picture
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GGehrke posted 29 weeks ago.

I was having issues with nose riding last fall. I got a Profile Design TriStryke saddle and have not had a problem since. It's got a really cushy nose that's designed to allow you to ride on it. It has a cutout, which is not unusual, but the cutout is also very forward so it's effective even when you are nose riding. The width of the nose takes a bit of getting used to, but now I don't even think about it.

Other things I like about it are that the only stitching is pretty far toward the back of the saddle. My previous saddle had stitching on the side of the nose that caused really bad chafing issues. It's nice that it's cushy, too, because I don't need a really thick chamois. Those are the type of Triathlon specific touches that make it really nice. It even has a depression on the underside to make hooking it over a bar in the transition area more stable.
However, I do have mixed feelings about the neoprene material. Most recently I have been noticing that it's not interacting nicely with the material of my clothes. I have a nice new pair of Descente bibs that are already showing a lot of wear. I guess, though, it does help keep me from sliding around (i.e. creeping forward even more in the aero position) which is nice - keeps you from having to use your arm muscles as much.

You should definitely try a proper chamois cream. I used Assos for a while and it was awesome, but pricey. Body glide is also worth a try - I find it's more resilient on a long ride than any goop type cream.

Anton's picture
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Anton posted 29 weeks ago.

Body glide for the lube job.
Saddles? First I think it's awesome that you're LBS has a try and fly program...too sweet.
I've used everything...almost literally. You name it...I even swapped saddles with beads1985 to give his a try.
I keep coming back to my Terry Fly (The mens of course.) Cushy,comfy and light with Ti rails.

"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://anton.trifuel.net

swimmer52's picture
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swimmer52 posted 29 weeks ago.

Lube: Assos is the bomb, seems to work better for me than Chamois Buttr.

Speaking from a female's point of view, the Specialized Jett works best for me, (and other chicks I've talked to) but I mtb with additional training on the road bike, so comfort in the aero isn't as important to me. But I like the Jett for reasons of putting the pressure on the sit bones and not anywhere else.

"Whether you think you can or can't, you're right"

CGroth's picture
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CGroth posted 29 weeks ago.

i have to give a second vote to the profile tri stryke. it fits my sit bones perfectly and the nose does a very good job of keeping my neither here nor there region numbness free.

brittda's picture
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brittda posted 29 weeks ago.

Anton wrote:
Body glide for the lube job.
Saddles? First I think it's awesome that you're LBS has a try and fly program...too sweet.
I've used everything...almost literally. You name it...I even swapped saddles with beads1985 to give his a try.
I keep coming back to my Terry Fly (The mens of course.) Cushy,comfy and light with Ti rails.

]

I use the Terry Butterfly tri, and hubby uses the Terry Fly. So far they are the most comfy I have found....and I have to say like Anton, I have tried them all.

TriSooner's picture
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TriSooner posted 28 weeks ago.

Also, saddles shouldn't be perfectlu lined up (for guys at least). They should be off center (if you are above the seat looking straight down onto it) by about 2-3 degrees. Just a teeny-tiny bit so you don't mash the giblet nerves.

trimas's picture
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trimas posted 28 weeks ago.

I ride a Selle Italia Signo, which is more of a road saddle. I have wider sit bones so I require a saddle that is wider. The Signo is 141 mm wide and fits me pretty well. If I were you, I'd seek out a Specialized dealer to get your sit bones measured. I think they have this tool called the "assomoter" which does the job. I don't sit on the nose of the saddle at all. The nose of my saddle is tilted downward a few degrees so I don't get any crotch discomfort when in the aero position. Good luck.

RV's picture
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RV posted 28 weeks ago.

You really shouldn't need a lot of lubes etc if your saddle fits you well.
I use the Fizik Tri-Arione 2.
http://www.fizik.it/catalog.aspx?subid=Arione_TRI2_Carbon_braided
I also use a forward seat post and clip-ons and I prefer to ride on the front of the saddle. I also went through quite a few saddles before finding this one or a previous incarnation of it.
Been using it for several seasons now. I regularly do long 5+ hour bikes throughout the season and this one works great for me.

RV

It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss

burnman's picture
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burnman posted 28 weeks ago.

Great feedback here - I really appreciate it. I kind of figured that solving the saddle problem would in turn eliminate the rubbing problem, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. The recommendations thus far are similar to what I've seen elsewhere. My LBS has a TriStryke in stock, so I'll probably give that a go for my long sessions this coming week. The Arione and Terry Fly are also on my short list, but need to be ordered. In the end, I have no choice but to give them a shot and find the one that isn't a pain in the ass. Thanks again.

tri-ac's picture
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tri-ac posted 28 weeks ago.

i have the fizik arione (not tri), and it's been a huge improvement over my felt stock saddle. if your sit bones are hitting the right spots and your aero position is not pushing you into the meat of the saddle, you should be fine. definitely stand up every now and then to relieve some numbness and to stretch all the muscles out.

i've found the rubbing problem to be more of an issue of your shorts/pants/bibs whatever
the pad gets sweat-soaked and starts to move & rub...50 miles seems to be my limit without some kind of lubricant

Gary3's picture
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Gary3 posted 28 weeks ago.

I second the Fizik Tri-Arione 2. If not try the Adamo series.

theShiba's picture
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theShiba posted 28 weeks ago.

Don't you guys mean f:î'z.ï-k'` ;) I swear that name has so much punctuation/accents... no, seriously it's "fi'zi:k" WTF?

tri-ac's picture
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tri-ac posted 28 weeks ago.

theShiba wrote:
Don't you guys mean f:î'z.ï-k'` ;) I swear that name has so much punctuation/accents... no, seriously it's "fi'zi:k" WTF?

don't encourage them by printing it out like they do ;)

stewarba's picture
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stewarba posted 28 weeks ago.

TriSooner wrote:
Also, saddles shouldn't be perfectlu lined up (for guys at least). They should be off center (if you are above the seat looking straight down onto it) by about 2-3 degrees. Just a teeny-tiny bit so you don't mash the giblet nerves.

Does it matter to which side of center? I've been steadily increasing my distances during my base phase and the longer I am in the saddle, the more uncomfy I get. At about the 2 hour mark I start squirming pretty bad. I currently just have a stock saddle and am looking to upgrade.

Goals in writing are dreams with deadlines – Brian Tracy

2008 Sprint Tri A race goals
S: 500m in 10:00 – FS Stroke only
B: 22mph avg over course
R: 5K <= 25:00
Place top 50% for my age group