21,000 miles and my rear end changes.

fooferdoggie

fooferdoggie

Well-Known Member
I have used this saddle on three different bikes for over 21,000 miles. I wore one out. its a little soft but that works on my commutes so I don't have to wear padded shorts. but in the last few weeks my inner thigh muscles where they have rubbed this whole time on the seat decided to start complaining. I knew the seat is too wide but I need a saddle that is flat end to end as I need a little up tilt to keep from feeling like I am falling forward. I needed it side to side as I just had my sit bones measured and they are only about 135 to 145 wide. I have been looking at saddles for a few years but end to end flatness is almost impossible to find. I finally found this specialized sallee. its not perfectly flat but its closer then anything else. they had one flatter but it was a carbon fiber one for 250.00 but it was even harder.. this guy hurts my sit bones but I hope they will get used to it. I may not be able to ride without padded shorts on my commutes but I am hoping. Now I know my width most seats are too wide and I feel like I am sitting on a rod on the more padded seats as I sink into the center. anyone else have things change? This is not a cheap fix either I need two saddles at 140 each
IMG_0530.jpeg
 
fooferdoggie said:
I have used this saddle on three different bikes for over 21,000 miles. I wore one out. its a little soft but that works on my commutes so I don't have to wear padded shorts. but in the last few weeks my inner thigh muscles where they have rubbed this whole time on the seat decided to start complaining. I knew the seat is too wide but I need a saddle that is flat end to end as I need a little up tilt to keep from feeling like I am falling forward. I needed it side to side as I just had my sit bones measured and they are only about 135 to 145 wide. I have been looking at saddles for a few years but end to end flatness is almost impossible to find. I finally found this specialized sallee. its not perfectly flat but its closer then anything else. they had one flatter but it was a carbon fiber one for 250.00 but it was even harder.. this guy hurts my sit bones but I hope they will get used to it. I may not be able to ride without padded shorts on my commutes but I am hoping. Now I know my width most seats are too wide and I feel like I am sitting on a rod on the more padded seats as I sink into the center. anyone else have things change? This is not a cheap fix either I need two saddles at 140 each
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I think that most of us notice these changes as we age or our fitness changes.

I rode Selle Italia Flite saddles for many years, but I switched to Fizik saddles a few years ago. I ride the Aliante, (saddle for a “bull” or rider that has limited movement). I love the saddle and never think about it while riding, (as it should be). Fizik has a good selection of well made saddles designed around mobility, application and budget.

Some manufacturers even have demo programs, (I know that Selle Italia, Fizik and Specialized all have or had a program.

A good bike fitter can be money well spent. It saves a lot of money and time by buying right the first time. I treated my wife to a professional fitting some years back and it was a very good investment as well as educational.

I like a saddle that is upturned in the back with a level nose. Saddles are very personal and very important and what works for one will not work for another.

I’ve never used one to the point of having it break down much, but others might think that is was just getting broken in.

My Fizik Aliante
D677D2B3-A8DC-4EB3-8705-8BDF63A22E6B.jpeg


My Selle Flite Gel Flow, (I still ride that saddle on that bike).
41091F68-9E9F-4AC5-BCFD-3285B9D7CD36.jpeg

I do prefer the ride quality of Titanium rails. Both saddles are Italian. Both are fine quality. I did find the Fizik with the relief channel to be uncomfortable, the one that I ride has no channel). I’m sure that others love it with the channel.

Best of luck. This is a topic as old as cycling, but with great options now.
 
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Djangodog said:
I think that most of us notice these changes as we age or our fitness changes.

I rode Selle Italia Flite saddles for many years, but I switched to Fizik saddles a few years ago. I ride the Aliante, (saddle for a “bull” or rider that has limited movement). I love the saddle and never think about it while riding, (as it should be). Fizik has a good selection of well made saddles designed around mobility, application and budget.

Some manufacturers even have demo programs, (I know that Selle Italia, Fizik and Specialized all have or had a program.

A good bike fitter can be money well spent. It saves a lot of money and time by buying right the first time. I treated my wife to a professional fitting some years back and it was a very good investment as well as educational.
Click to expand...
nothing has really changed in the last few months really. but maybe that week I hit 250 miles maybe that was too much. but I have been needing a narrower saddle. but finding what I need has been a struggle. I have several shops to check. the best one has a good selection but no selle italia but looking at their webpage they don't really have one narrow enough, being overweight adds extra to my sitbones and that does not help.
 
fooferdoggie said:
nothing has really changed in the last few months really. but maybe that week I hit 250 miles maybe that was too much. but I have been needing a narrower saddle. but finding what I need has been a struggle. I have several shops to check. the best one has a good selection but no selle italia but looking at their webpage they don't really have one narrow enough, being overweight adds extra to my sitbones and that does not help.
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SQLabs might have what you need.

Here is another option:
www.sportfit-lab.com

Bike Seat Demo Program

Rent 1-3 demo saddles. We pay shipping both ways -- you receive credit toward a purchase! Over 40 road and Tri saddles in stock. Rent online or call us for saddle advice.
www.sportfit-lab.com www.sportfit-lab.com

There may be other similar sites as well. Please keep us posted and please share any insight.
 
Djangodog said:
SQLabs might have what you need.

Here is another option:
www.sportfit-lab.com

Bike Seat Demo Program

Rent 1-3 demo saddles. We pay shipping both ways -- you receive credit toward a purchase! Over 40 road and Tri saddles in stock. Rent online or call us for saddle advice.
www.sportfit-lab.com www.sportfit-lab.com

There may be other similar sites as well. Please keep us posted and please share any insight.
Click to expand...
ya thats a good idea. but they don't always give you like the sitbone measurement. I know what I need but finding it is hard because it seems everyone wants more curves. this one looks good but they don't really give an idea on the sitbone range. but i found it on amazon for 110. maybe I will get it I can return the other to the local store as they have a 30 day window

www.bikeseatguru.com

SQlab 610 M-D Active

The M-D Line represents a maximum of relief. The M-D Line was developed for maximum relief of sensitive areas. Pressure distribution according to medical criteria. M-D provides maximum dip and, in combination with the high classic step shape, distributes the body weight to the sit bones. The 610...
www.bikeseatguru.com www.bikeseatguru.com

 
I got something like a blister on my groin. I would get that when I rode to much without padded shorts. I could ride 20 miles a day 5 days a week without shorts anymore got to wear shorts. but the new saddle So far I have to always wear padded shorts till the bump thing is fully gone its getting better. but I think this saddle is a bit firm for no padded shorts. but I can't find a saddle with no curve thats more padded. even the little curve this one has causes a bit of an issue.
 
Rome said:
I got rash or jock itch a while back but it was from riding with wet shorts after a swim in the ocean.
I need new saddle anyways. This comfort foam is not happening, can't find a sweet spot when pedaling at cruising speed.
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I think I lucked out o the saddle I use that came with my bike . it was o the soft side but it works pretty well. but it took months to get used it it too.
 
Djangodog said:
SQLabs might have what you need.

Here is another option:
www.sportfit-lab.com

Bike Seat Demo Program

Rent 1-3 demo saddles. We pay shipping both ways -- you receive credit toward a purchase! Over 40 road and Tri saddles in stock. Rent online or call us for saddle advice.
www.sportfit-lab.com www.sportfit-lab.com

There may be other similar sites as well. Please keep us posted and please share any insight.
Click to expand...
thanks for the recommendation. so far three saddles and no go. but the main guy I emailed him and he told me most likely my saddle was worn out and thats why it was hurting my thighs. I checked and compared it to a new one and it was a lot harder. There are a couple more to try. but getting a saddle flat end to end and side to side and to too wide is a really hard thing to find.
 
My Cero had a Ergon SFC30-S Gel seat. It was shockingly comfortable. Granted I didn't do nearly as many miles as you. But still, that Ergon seat was pretty good, and I'm a fat/wide beach cruiser seat guy.
 
@fooferdoggie: My Strava tells me I rode for some 17,671 miles so far (not exactly your 21,000, I give that!)

It was not only the time spent in the saddle but also my growing awareness that made me rethink the saddles. My butt was suffering on my long rides (you ride more often, I ride for longer distances, and that matters, too). I decided to change my riding position for my e-bikes to more forward, and it was a full success for my Vado SL but I could not do as much to my full-power Vado.

I allowed myself an experiment: I swapped my trusted and comfortable Selle Royal Respiro Moderate for the stock Specialized Bridge Sport saddle on my Vado SL (which I can ride in a real forward position!) As I typically ride in chamois, I found the harder and narrower Bridge Sport easier on my rear end! (The padded Respiro Moderate on my big Vado exerts too much pressure on my perineal area!)

Now considering to find some narrower saddle for the more powerful of my e-bikes... No idea what it might be yet.
 
I'm fed up with wide "comfortable" saddles.
Here's my latest purchase for my big Vado:

1663987528870.png

Specialized Phenom Expert. Now, I need narrower, "sporty" saddles.
 
mschwett said:
clipless
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Not if I want to live for a couple years more! One of my worst crashes occurred in a suburban Warsaw artery when I was clipped in Shimano road pedals! The next experiment was the "easy" Shimano clipless MTB pedals. Avoided a collision with a car at the last moment! No, thank you! :)

Drop bars... I appreciate the very concept of a gravel bike. However, my demo ride on a Creo didn't satisfy my needs. I went back from the ride with a lot of ache in different parts of my body. You could say "bike fitting". I would say "for what purpose?" :) Trust me, my Vado SL mods have put me in a very low forward riding position I'm extremely happy with! I actually ride in the "hoods", that is, Innerbarends that are spaced similarly to road bike ones!

1663989522939.png


fooferdoggie said:
you bought carbon and titanium shame on you.
Click to expand...
Sometimes you have to spend your hard earned money on something :D
 
fooferdoggie said:
my wife had a saddle with titanium rails and one cracked on the middle of our ride. I was able to make the break centered on the break so we could ride home.
Click to expand...
Steve, the steel rail of a Respiro Moderate cracked on one of my rides, too. It is either fatigue or tightening the rail clamp too strongly.
 
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