Ladies saddles?

Tonik

Tonik

Cannon Fodder
Was hoping I could get some suggestions on saddles. I'm 5'9 and a size 12. I like romantics walks on the beach....:D....I ride technical, fairly rough trails here in Townsville with heaps of ascending and descending so Im off the saddle a fair bit and need something thats not chunky so I dont get caught up in transition.....BUT when doing distance rides, it gets a bit uncomfortable. Last years Hotrock8 I had to shove a frozen powerade down the front of my knicks to numb the pain between laps.
 
A

AiDeN J

Likes Dirt
My girlfriend has a Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow. I have sold many to female riders they just seem to have the best shape and comfort level.
 
Isildur

Isildur

The Real Pedant
The new(ish) Specialized Ariel saddle is by all reports great!

My GF was having some serious saddle dilemma's with the stock saddle that came on her Cypher (Giant Carbon thingy - Ouch!). After a couple of hours riding, she would be sore for a couple of days!

On the recommendation of a few different people at a particular bike shop on the northern beaches (who aren't a Specialized dealer), we were sent to a different bike shop to grab an Ariel. Her initial impressions were really good, and although we haven't done a proper ride yet - just tooling about on the streets - she really loves it!

Best to get it fitted though. This is really easy - just go to a Specialized dealer and sit on their "Arseometer" and they can fit the saddle that's right for your sit bones.

She got the standard version, was about $120 I think. There is also a version with Ti rails if you're into weight saving. Although, I think the Ti version has slightly less padding. The shape is still exactly the same.

Hope that helps you to enjoy your riding!
 
M

monc

Likes Dirt
I've also got an Ariel, but the less padded more pricy version (came on the bike), and I've found it to be pretty good, although not totally pain free (on more than 1 hr rides). A friend had the cheaper more padded version and hated it with a passion (too squishy, wrong shape etc).

The Specialised Jett also has some really good reviews, but is more expensive.

Saddle are hard, as everyone's bum, riding style and pain tolerance are different.
 
Pebble

Pebble

Likes Bikes and Dirt
Right now I'm using a WTB Speed V, I also have a Laser V on the other bike but find the Speed V comfier, just a shame that it doesn't come in a lighter version at all!! It's about a medium width and I find it doesn't get in the way on the DH rides.

It's just a combination of width and shape and finding the correct saddle position on your bike - a lot of variables.

The WTB Devo (I tried a used one briefly) I could tell right away it wasn't going to be any good for pedally rides, even though it's about the same width as the speed v it has a different shape. Saddles like WTB Rocket V and SDG RL that came stock on the bikes were all too narrow.

I'd love to find a saddle that's as comfy for me as the Speed V but a bit lighter when it comes time for replacement.

So you could go to the Specialized store (or other bike shop that does fitting) and buy new or just take a guess from past experiences and others recommendations, buy used if you can until you find the right one. I brought both my WTB's used off Farkin.
 
osmund

osmund

Squid
I have a Fi:zi'k Vitesse on my new Giant Anthem (it came standard) and I actually really like it. I find it very comfy for longer rides (the longest ride is only 3 hours for me so far) and easy to get behind for the descents.

Also, I think that I have a Selle Italia XR on my hardtail and I liked this saddle a lot until I rode with the Fizik Vitesse.
 
Z

zed42

Likes Bikes
I have a Specialized Avatar which so far this year has got me through the Mont, BMC and Dirtworks.
The shop I bought it off does a "Comfort Guarantee" where if you buy a saddle and take it away for a proper ride and end up hating it, you can bring it back and swap it. Might be worth checking if any of your local stores do a similar thing.
 
T

tim_d

Likes Dirt
In fear of being flamed for starting a new thread I'll just post here..
I'm in need of a saddle for my gf, but as she has hardly ridden, and really may not enjoy it, we really only want to spend $50 max on it.. (for now anyway).

Been looking at a couple, the VELO gemini Serena Womens saddle off T7, and also the WTB Speed ladies saddle off ebay..

Couldn't find any reviews whatsoever for the Velo and all the ones for the WTB said it was uncomfortable and painful..

I know seats are a thing you need to try for yourself as it might be comfortable for you, but terrible for someone else, but anyway, does anybody have any suggestions for cheaper seats like these? Any thoughts/reviews on the ones I posted up there^^.

Thanks in advance.
Tim
 
M

Megs:)

Likes Dirt
I have ridden on a WTB Speed She, which I think is the same thing and I think it was the most uncomfortable saddle I have ever tried. It has a cutout in the underneath hard plastic but on top, the padding and cover go right over the cutout, meaning it basically feels like it has no cutout at all. I would try the Specialized saddles. I have tried their Jett, Toupe (a boys one that I find OK) and the Lithia (which is the softest of those 3) and they have all been comfy due to a well designed cutout area mid-saddle that keeps your girls bits from being squashed. (Spesh boys saddles have a very similar cutout for reducing pressure on the perineum.) The Terry Butterfly is also comfy but expensive.
 
Labcanary

Labcanary

One potato, two potato, click
Tim, I have just ordered a VELO gemini Serena Womens saddle from T7 so could give you a verdict in a few days (once I actually get it and install it!).
 
Labcanary

Labcanary

One potato, two potato, click
Hi Tim,
The VELO gemini Serena Womens saddle is not too bad. It's better than one of their previous models but is still just a cheaper option. It is cushy and the cut out in the middle makes a big difference to comfort but one thing I dislike with the Velo is that the material used tends to "grip" my pants/shorts making them bunch up.
Hope that helps a little with your decision.
 
M

mtbbella

Squid
Hi All,

I too have a saddle question so thought I would post to this forum. I've just purchased a road bike to complement the mtb training and swapped out the stock saddle for a fi'z:ik vitesse women's specific saddle.

I've only had a chance to ride the bike a couple of times - longest ride being 1.5hrs - but i'm already experiencing discomfort and numbing pain - especially my more sensitive bits! :( I realise that saddles take some time to 'wear in' but I was wondering what I should be looking at adjusting. Should I be tilting the saddle forward? I've heard that this can increase pressure on the hands and lead to other problems though.

Thanks for your help!
 
Cypher

Cypher

Likes Dirt
but i'm already experiencing discomfort and numbing pain - especially my more sensitive bits! I realise that saddles take some time to 'wear in' but I was wondering what I should be looking at adjusting.


I have found that for the "discomfort" part, you sometimes need to break your bottom in - not the seat. It gets better the more you ride, you just need to get over the first bit.

However the numbing pain is a bit of a worry. All seats come with a variety of adjustment options. Arm youself with allen keys and look underneath the saddle - move it back and forth, tilt up or down until you find a position that does not give you numbing pain.

How do you pedal? Perhaps you pedal action maybe affecting your saddle comfort. Do you spin smoothly or bounce a bit when you pedal. A nice smooth pedal gait will do wonders for discomfort.

If none of these things work, look for another saddle.
 
M

mtbbella

Squid
It is primarily the discomfort and numbing at the front that is most concerning for me. I've had my pedalling technique checked out and I do stay fairly smooth througout - no bouncing in the seat. I will play around with the seat angle and see if that will be of any help.
 
A

alli

Squid
I have a velo, great! On both MTB & Road on trainer!

tim_d said:
In fear of being flamed for starting a new thread I'll just post here..
I'm in need of a saddle for my gf, but as she has hardly ridden, and really may not enjoy it, we really only want to spend $50 max on it.. (for now anyway).

Been looking at a couple, the VELO gemini Serena Womens saddle off T7, and also the WTB Speed ladies saddle off ebay..

Couldn't find any reviews whatsoever for the Velo and all the ones for the WTB said it was uncomfortable and painful..

I know seats are a thing you need to try for yourself as it might be comfortable for you, but terrible for someone else, but anyway, does anybody have any suggestions for cheaper seats like these? Any thoughts/reviews on the ones I posted up there^^.

Thanks in advance.
Tim
Click to expand...
 
J

JessD

Likes Dirt
female saddles

Just been reading a few posts listed here.
A bit of history...
I race 24 hr MTB Races, I do long 8+hr road rides often, I have been riding and racing now (seriously) for nearly 4 yrs.
I have learnt what it feels like to go for a shower after a long ride and be stinging very badly in the nether regions.
I have had nasty saddle sores...the whole gammett really.
Here is my verdict:
Specialized have a female specific seat range in 3 sizes, dependent on your hip width(sit bones).
So if you have smaller width hips, you get the smaller size seat etc...
What this does is displaces your body weight through your sit bones evenly onto the two pads on the rear of the saddle(you do not need softness in the seat here as you would imagine, the less the better!..same with fat chamois, more to rub! ouch)
When you are sitting on your butt as opposed to putting weight into the front end, causing burning sensation etc...you just dont get the pain - but yes, it takes time to get used to your weight going through your hips..and you may get slight bruising, but it gets better.
Sometimes after 24 hrs on the bike, I get bruising and dry skin like a 20c piece on my butt cheeks where my hips push onto the seat through my glutes.
But guess what...no burning or stinging in the shower afterwards!!!! Woo hoo...
The other thing you need to look at is your reach, where is your seat in relation to your handlebars, are you putting too much weight forward? Are you stomping on the pedals? Keep your hips still and feel your pedaling power coming through your hips and glutes, relaxed but in control in the shoulders, chest back, shoulders down...
It takes time to get the position right, but its worth it and it does start with the right saddle.
I spend around $200 on mine, but you can spend less in the Specialized Range.
 
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