Help with a new saddle
691
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1141 days
deepbluex posted 2 years ago.
Apparently, the more gel padding, the worse off you are. It sounds counter-intuitive but apparently very hard narrow seats are better for you because they allow you to rest your pelvic bone on the seat with less pressure exerting on your "family jewels" while gel seats distribute more pressure on soft-tissues.
Hard seats may feel uncomfortable at first but are better in the long run while soft wide gel seats may feel more comfortable at first but result in more pressure in undesirable places in the long run. That's what I read at least. I'm using a $50 Serfas seat which is fairly hard but has a little bit of gel padding in the very back of the seat. I had a more padded seat on the bike before and it was less comfortable. pro bikers use very stiff seats so there must be something to it.
3354
Member
1401 days
RV posted 2 years ago.
I went through several saddles before finding one that I was happy with. I ended up with the Fizik Arione TRI saddle. The product description is: "The Fizik Arione TRI saddle has a 'Wing flex' design for free thigh movement and increased pedalling power (more clearance for leg stretching) and increased nose padding for extended time in the aero position. The Arione Tri saddle is longer than most saddles, making it an excellent choice for triathletes who like to move forward in the saddle when putting the power to the pedal."
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
35
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1109 days
JasonBroussard posted 2 years ago.
Thanks, have either of you been professionally fitted and if so was it a life changing event. I'm pretty happy about my set up now, except for the darn seat thing.
3354
Member
1401 days
RV posted 2 years ago.
JasonBroussard wrote:
Thanks, have either of you been professionally fitted and if so was it a life changing event. I'm pretty happy about my set up now, except for the darn seat thing.
I was fitted by my LBS - and it was ok. However, in a couple weeks I am going in for a new bike fit at a Tri shop that is FIST certified. Anxious to see how that changes things.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
691
Member
1141 days
deepbluex posted 2 years ago.
When you get fitted at the LBS, do you get fitted while your hands are on the hoods or hands on the aero bars? and does it make a difference?
1008
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1192 days
PJT posted 2 years ago.
deepbluex wrote:
When you get fitted at the LBS, do you get fitted while your hands are on the hoods or hands on the aero bars? and does it make a difference?
A good fitting should definitely include both positions. It's possible for a bike to be comfortable when you're on the hoods and not when you're in the aerobars. Just one example: if the stem is too long, you won't fit well on the hoods, but you could be OK on the aerobars if they are adjustable. The opposite is also true--you could get a good fit on the hoods but not be OK in the aero position.
Back to the saddle question: there really is no one-size-fits all answer. Some newer tri saddles have increased the amounts of gel in the nose, because riders in the aero position spend more time there. Road bikes are different. Cutouts work for some people and not others. So you may have to get out on several different ones to see what is comfortable for you.
194
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1133 days
vmarwin posted 2 years ago.
It depends on your anatomy, BUT I ride a Fizik Arione Tri and I really like it.
If you wish to be out front, then act as if you were behind.
2436
Member
1319 days
Triguy98 posted 2 years ago.
Selle San Marco Tri Aspide. LOTS of gel. Once you break the gel in, it's SOOO comfortable. I have a Selle Italia Flite saddle on my MTB. Forget about that "more gel is worse" thing. No way. For my new MTB build up, I got the MTB version of my Tri saddle.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
45
Member
1157 days
David posted 2 years ago.
I just got the same one - the San Marco Tri gel...
I'm starting to love it. But it doesn't help you ...
Note though that when I switched, I didn't give the right slope to the new saddle. It took me a few rides (and some muscle pain) to notice my mistake. Now it's flat again and I ride just fine (just as slow but very confortable)...
:cool:
My wife bought me a new Quintana Roo Tequilo for my birthday a few weeks ago and I have to say it's an awesome bike (BUT). I've been varying the seat position but for what ever reason no matter where I put it, it still kills my you know what. I haven't been professionally fitted as of yet but plan on it when I get some time (don't know if it will help anyway). I don't know whether they saved some money on the bike by using a inexpensive seat of what but none the less, I need some help. I've been looking on the net at different seats but how the heck can you tell what feels good on the goods if you know what I mean. More expensive doesn't always mean better.