road bike seats

[Arwen's Mom]

Any recommendations from the ladies? I need a "faster" seat for my road bike 😉
Currently have a VERY squishy (and heavy) one.

 

[tednugent]

you probably want to get your sit bone width measured.

then from there... start looking at saddles with appropriate width

 

[MST.ESQ]

Not the kind of thing you want to buy on-line. Most stores have a brand or two that participate in the try before you buy program. Worth every dollar.

 

[Robin]

I can't really give too much advice - I use the saddles that came stock on my road and CX bikes. My road bike is a woman-specific bike though - and has a women's specific saddle that is a little more squishy. It's a Specialized Body Geometry Women's Riva Sport.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[ChrisRU]

Go to a shop that will measure you up. After a few years of guess work and trying different saddles, a quick trip to a shop that measured me up solved my issues and I now have saddles that are comfortable.

 

[newspills]

At home version of measuring

http://youtu.be/E7j9LUVJrjA

 

[Arwen's Mom]

Thanks for all the responses 😀
Just to clarify: I would never buy something like a seat online, I plan on checking out a few at Halter's when time and money permits me.
Was asking for recommendations/reviews just to get me started on what is available as I havent bought a new seat in forever and was looking for comments like: tried so and so seat and hated it, or have this one and like it, or this one fell apart in like 6 months blah blah blah
being fully aware that bike fit and butt size will effect seat comfort.

"skifreak", I like that one, looks nice and comfy and faster than my current one 😉

 

[giff06]

Hey Jill,
Pat uses the Terry Butterfly on both tandems and seems to like it. You seem to be on the right track of "try before you buy".
Ed and Pat Gifford
the Snot Rocket tandem

 

[pixychick]

At home version of measuring

http://youtu.be/E7j9LUVJrjA

That's pretty cool. I just tried it and it seems to work.

I agree with going with a shop that will let you try some saddles. Also, there is more to finding the right saddle than just width. Some are more crowned and others flatter. Plus some people prefer the hole or groove to relieve pressure. I find this pressure thing more critical on a road bike where you spend more time in one place. Everyone is different so personal opinions only go so far. You may just need to find what works for you, but width is a good place to start.

 

[Nipper]

Try to borrow a saddle or two or three or go on a club ride and try some - many can be eliminated in
a short time. I have had great success with Specialized saddles - the Oura or Romin are very light
with minimal gel - a racing style saddle. I have one on my road bike and it is very comfortable. I also
have a Specilized Lithia on my cross bike. This has more padding, but is still quite light and is really comfortable for me. I am 5'9" and 135lbs. There also is nothing better than a good pair of bike shorts - well worth the money. Get the width by doing the butt sitz bones measurement and go from there.
Good luck!

 

[stb222]

Do the taint hater SMP seats work the same for women? :hmmm:

 

[trivan]

I agree go to the local shop and get measured. When I got my new bike,I did one ride and was sore. Walked in to high gear and they measure me and recommended a seat with a guarantee that as long as I keep the packaging and the seat in good condition, they will take the seat back and work with me till I find the right one. Well, there was no need as the seat recommend fixed the problem. I'm a believer in it's the fit and not ow much padding. My seat is still very firm, but sized correctly.

 

[Arwen's Mom]

There also is nothing better than a good pair of bike shorts - well worth the money.

I have tried "biking shorts" with the padding and HATED them.