New saddle - Replace, adjust or MTFU?
Discussion
Evening all,
Having just got back from work - a 32 mile round trip on my new bike - I am faced with that all too common dilemma. Everything good, except I feel like I've been the attempted rape victim of an elephant with bad aim!
To be specific, the elephant's aim is bad to the point where the sort bit is, to put it technically, the bit just behind the b
ks - although they weren't overly comfortable either! 
The saddle is a Fizik Arione. It's currently spirit-level flat. On my other two bikes I've got cheapish (£40-ish from memory) Specialized Avatar saddles with a groove down the centre which are perfectly comfortable over this sort of distance or longer, but the Fizik suits the rest of the bike so well that I'd rather stick with it if I can.
Would moving (or tilting) the saddle forward a touch help? Is this just normal given the different saddle type, and something that will go away?
All thoughts welcome.
Having just got back from work - a 32 mile round trip on my new bike - I am faced with that all too common dilemma. Everything good, except I feel like I've been the attempted rape victim of an elephant with bad aim!
To be specific, the elephant's aim is bad to the point where the sort bit is, to put it technically, the bit just behind the b
ks - although they weren't overly comfortable either! The saddle is a Fizik Arione. It's currently spirit-level flat. On my other two bikes I've got cheapish (£40-ish from memory) Specialized Avatar saddles with a groove down the centre which are perfectly comfortable over this sort of distance or longer, but the Fizik suits the rest of the bike so well that I'd rather stick with it if I can.
Would moving (or tilting) the saddle forward a touch help? Is this just normal given the different saddle type, and something that will go away?
All thoughts welcome.
Gizmo! said:
Is the rear end of the saddle more padded than the bit under the barse? Maybe you're inadvertently leaning backwards once you squish the padding.
No, but it is a hell of a lot wider! That's why I was wondering about moving it forwards, as it currently feels like I'm riding on the skinny bit. 
Kermit power said:
To be specific, the elephant's aim is bad to the point where the sort bit is, to put it technically, the bit just behind the bks - although they weren't overly comfortable either!
Everyone's arse is different, you need to try different saddles until you find one that's comfyks - although they weren't overly comfortable either! Have you considered one with a cutout centre section that relieves pressure on the perineum?
eg
Kermit if you have a specialised and they work get another one, it really is that simple, if it does not fit no amount of tweaking will change that.
It also sounds like you get on with the relief channel saddles which Fizik do if you have a look, for info good old sigma let you kind of try before you buy on saddles, you buy the saddle and they give you a demo version if you don't like it after a couple of weeks use you take it back they refund your money no questions asked.
Also to add if you look on Fizik website your saddle is recommended for snakes, now I don't always agree with this assumption but you may be more of a bull in terms of fizik saddles
It also sounds like you get on with the relief channel saddles which Fizik do if you have a look, for info good old sigma let you kind of try before you buy on saddles, you buy the saddle and they give you a demo version if you don't like it after a couple of weeks use you take it back they refund your money no questions asked.
Also to add if you look on Fizik website your saddle is recommended for snakes, now I don't always agree with this assumption but you may be more of a bull in terms of fizik saddles
Edited by The Walrus on Wednesday 4th April 10:38
One issue may be that the saddle isn't wide enough for your sit bones. If the saddle too narrow then in effect your sit bones aren't touching the saddle which will increase the perineal discomfort.
Options would be to have yourself measured up properly or to get a saddle with an open centre or look at specially designed saddles such as an SQ Lab, which has a raised back to let you lean further forward without perineal contact
Options would be to have yourself measured up properly or to get a saddle with an open centre or look at specially designed saddles such as an SQ Lab, which has a raised back to let you lean further forward without perineal contact
http://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/blog/2011/09/a...
That post is specifically about SMPs, but if you're having perineal problems, then it's worth your time to have read.
The guy is a whackjob, but beneath his more outlandish theories, he really does have a solid knowledge of what he's talking about.
That post is specifically about SMPs, but if you're having perineal problems, then it's worth your time to have read.
The guy is a whackjob, but beneath his more outlandish theories, he really does have a solid knowledge of what he's talking about.
the selle smp or SMP4BIKE range is worth a look, the Evolution made riding far more comfortable for me and I have recommended the range to many others
get the fit right and try as wide a variety of makes / models as you can, there is no one saddle / type of saddle that is ideal for everyone
get the fit right and try as wide a variety of makes / models as you can, there is no one saddle / type of saddle that is ideal for everyone
Well, I took the bike back up to Cycles Dauphin at lunchtime. We had a fiddle around, put the bike back on the turbo, tried moving backwards & forwards, and agreed as a result that it was definitely a Kermit to Saddle shape incompatibility problem rather than an incorrectly positioned seat.
As a result, they are phoning round some of the other local bike shops to see how quickly they can find me a Spesh Romin which I know will fit me to replace it.
If I wasn't already 100% convinced of my decision to spend a bit more buying from Dauphin rather than over the web, then this certainly would've convinced me. Outstanding service!
As a result, they are phoning round some of the other local bike shops to see how quickly they can find me a Spesh Romin which I know will fit me to replace it.
If I wasn't already 100% convinced of my decision to spend a bit more buying from Dauphin rather than over the web, then this certainly would've convinced me. Outstanding service!
Kermit power said:
Well, I took the bike back up to Cycles Dauphin at lunchtime. We had a fiddle around, put the bike back on the turbo, tried moving backwards & forwards, and agreed as a result that it was definitely a Kermit to Saddle shape incompatibility problem rather than an incorrectly positioned seat.
As a result, they are phoning round some of the other local bike shops to see how quickly they can find me a Spesh Romin which I know will fit me to replace it.
If I wasn't already 100% convinced of my decision to spend a bit more buying from Dauphin rather than over the web, then this certainly would've convinced me. Outstanding service!
Good stuff and if you have a romin saddle already it def sounds like you have wider sit bones than the fizik is designed for.As a result, they are phoning round some of the other local bike shops to see how quickly they can find me a Spesh Romin which I know will fit me to replace it.
If I wasn't already 100% convinced of my decision to spend a bit more buying from Dauphin rather than over the web, then this certainly would've convinced me. Outstanding service!
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