What is a good bike saddle for a beginner?

Question

I'm a beginner who is overwhelmed by the choices out there. I'd like a nice cushy saddle that won't kill my seat bones, and not the hard thin ones that look like they are torture devices. Please recommend a good female-specific saddle. I'm considering the Fizik Arione, Selle Italia Signo, Selle Italia Flite Gel. thanks!

Answer 1

Ah, several different shapes of females.

Most love WTB's She Speed (or similar WTB varieties)

Terry Liberator is torture for some, blessing for others.
Terry Butterfly is somewhat similar to the WTB product and less complaints than Liberator (yet some females match up with one and not the other).

Those 3 above are the majority of female-preferred saddle choices. One of those. . .should. . .be a pleasant experience.

Sportourer is fantastic on the mountain bike, XC, mountain comfort hybrid, 700c hybrid, and some, but not all of the new turbo-hybrids. A road bike with handlebars that are at least as high as the saddle is also eligable for the Sportourer. For those bikes that aren't eligable, a Profile Designs H20 can put the handlebars at the necessary height to support a wider saddle. Wider isn't for everyone because some saddles have squarish edges. Who's butt is square?? Anyway, wider with gently sloping very rounded side edges can be quite good.

aebike.com has these at very nice prices

The Specialized dealer has a thing nicknamed the "Assometer" which is a newly-popular measurement tool. It can be helpful . . . except for what you've mentioned.

Why? It, alone, cannot convince manufacturers to take the padding out of the shorts and put it back in the saddle where it isn't so darned hot. So, the resulting saddle from the Specialized Assometer will probably still require that you wear the padding in your shorts. Why? Very firm marine foam in the size for a bike saddle is also very expensive to produce, and squishy is no good. So, a top of the line padded saddle? At the price required, there's no market.

If none of the above will do it, get the female specific racing size PRE-Softened Brooks, smear it both sides with proofhide or mink (rub, rub, rub--THIN coat!) and then put it into a large ziplock bag onto the roof of the house or inside a hot car for about a week. In 7 days, clean well with leather horse saddle cleaner and give it a light coating with proofhide. Ignore it for another day. Polish with towel. Now, break it in slowly as if you were starting the training season. You know the drill, 2 miles, 5 miles, 7 miles, 10 miles, etc until the two large dents form in the top right where your sit bones are. Don't go distance on it till the 2 dents appear. This will custom fit for you and only you. You'll need to add a disposable shower cap to your under-seat flat-pac for those times the bike is on tour and must endure an overnight rain.

Well, one of these 5 is sure to get it. In any case, most cyclists have a cardboard box brimming with saddles. Might ask around at the road touring club if anyone has something you can test drive.

Answer 2

As a beginner, I would not worry about saddles, I would first worry about what type of rider I wanted to be, the time you'll be putting in on the bike and what type of riding you'll be doing. I would set up some guidelines as to ( Time, Avg. Distance etc.) and start there.

Chances are the saddle that came with the bike is sufficient for the bike and a beginner or it wouldn't have been put on the bike. The saddles you're considering IMO are for a seasoned cyclist, not a beginner, they are butt breakers and a person can look forward to 3 to 4 hundred mile break-in period with those saddles.

If you must change, as someone said consider a Terry it's a good female-specific saddle.

Answer 3

Actually, I think that the right saddle varies for each person. Don't go for a very cushy saddle, they seem nice, but actually are not that good.

Maybe go to a bike shop to have your butt measured. And I mean it literally ;) Some bike shops have like a cushion where you sit, and it leaves your sit bones and they measure that distance. Usually saddles comes in 135,145 and 155 widths.

Another brand that you might consider is Terry.

Answer 4

I understand that Specialized has a new fitting system to put you in the right saddle by having you sit on a gel thing and measuring the width of the indentations. of course there are differences between road and off road, and everyone is different, but this seems like an intelligent place to start, so I'd check out my local Specialized dealer.
Good luck.

Answer 5

Find one that is a good medium. ultra light seats were not meant to sit on for long times. Big ones rub the insides of your legs raw unless you sit super low. There are not many female specific seats out there so your best bet is to either go to the bike shop and let them hook you up or go through trial and error. But I suggest picking on in the middle because you will be better off in the long run.

Answer 6

Hi, i think its better for u to use Salle Italia Trans am (prolink) saddle its good for female riders.

Answer 7

You are probably going to have to try them out. I'm guessing this is for a road bike? Go to your local bike store and try them out. Bring your bike, (or try one on display) and ask to have them put on to try. Most bike stores are really laid back, and will oblige. Good luck!

Answer 8

those are all very good brand names, but try a Specialized womens specific saddle. my friends tell me they are great.

Answer 9

Don't go with a soft saddle, you'll regret it.

Answer 10

GEL