Woman-specific saddle

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2013-06-02 6:11 AM

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Master
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Bedford, MA
Subject: Woman-specific saddle
I love going on rides with my wife, but she frequently complains of tingling 'down south' and, as a result, she doesn't really like longer rides. She has the stock saddle that came on her Giant OCR1 bike, and I'd like to get her a better saddle for her upcoming B-Day. Any recommendations from the ladies?

Thanks in advance!

Edited by natethomas2000 2013-06-02 6:12 AM

2013-06-02 6:42 AM
in reply to: natethomas2000

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Bronze member
Subject: RE: Woman-specific saddle

In my opinion, this is one of those things she is just going to have
try on like a pair of shoes. You never know how a saddle is going to
feel to someone else and there are a lot of sensitive parts that could be affected. I took my bike to the shop and they fit every
saddle they had until I found one I could live with. The saddle they
swore I would love I couldn't tolerate at all. It also took me a while
to work up to being able to ride long no matter what saddle I had.

But, here are my two favorites:

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb/saddles/womens-roadmultisport-saddles/womens-lithia-comp-gel

^^^ This is the saddle that came on my road bike and I liked it so much I moved it to my tri bike. I tried to order one in black to match my bike better and I figured out they come in different sizes. I didn't pay attention and the size I ordered did not work AT ALL and is sitting in a box in my attic.

http://spincity.co/product/serfas-womens-carma-77928-1.htm

^^^This is the saddle I bought for my road bike after I switched the other seat to my tri bike.

2013-06-02 7:25 AM
in reply to: 0

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Pro
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, New Hampshire
Subject: RE: Woman-specific saddle
Terry Damselfly is the one Kara's riding on her road bikes, and John Cobb Plus on her tri bike.

The great thing about John Cobb is that you have 180 days to test it out. I do believe Terry has a performance guarantee as well.

Another thing to consider is to lower the saddle slightly and/or tilt very slightly nose down

Edited by audiojan 2013-06-02 7:26 AM
2013-06-02 1:58 PM
in reply to: audiojan

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Champion
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, Minnesota
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Woman-specific saddle
I just picked up a Selle SMP TRK which is apparently a men's saddle, but it's great.   The center space is so wide that my lady bits are much happier.  I've tried a bunch of things (including the Cobb, no thanks) but I think this is a good combo of design and some cushioning. 
2013-06-02 7:35 PM
in reply to: BikerGrrrl

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Member
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North Augusta, South Carolina
Subject: RE: Woman-specific saddle
I recently replaced the stock saddle in my Felt...Every ride ended in swollen and horribly irritated/ chafed/torn lady bits.

I'm now riding in the Bontrager Hilo RXL (not the adjustable one) and I'm SO happy! I rode 40 miles today (about 50 minutes in aero) and had no 'shower screamers.' I'm quite pleased with the difference it's made.
2013-06-02 8:12 PM
in reply to: glfprncs

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Bronze member
Subject: RE: Woman-specific saddle

Originally posted by glfprncs I recently replaced the stock saddle in my Felt...Every ride ended in swollen and horribly irritated/ chafed/torn lady bits. I'm now riding in the Bontrager Hilo RXL (not the adjustable one) and I'm SO happy! I rode 40 miles today (about 50 minutes in aero) and had no 'shower screamers.' I'm quite pleased with the difference it's made.

I could not tolerate the saddle on my Felt B16 at all. I road on it one time and switched out the saddle from my road bike. It was like a torture device!

2013-06-02 9:40 PM
in reply to: trigal38

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Master
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Sin City
Subject: RE: Woman-specific saddle
I absolutely LOVE my Selle Italia Ldy Gel Flow. Totally heaven. But again, she has to TRY them out...some women have narrow front but wide sit bones. Some has narrow sitbones. So there's a lot more variety.

Selle Italia Ldy Gel Flow is awesome, so is Specialized Jett, Specialized Ruby.

She has to try them out.
2013-06-02 9:52 PM
in reply to: natethomas2000

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Pro
5011
5000
Twin Cities
Subject: RE: Woman-specific saddle
It totally depends on my bike...on my MTBs, I have Specialized BC comps. For tris, I have had good success with the Damselfly (Terry), but now ride a Specialized Tri Tip.

On my road bikes, I have a Damselfly and a Specialized Jett and a Specialized Ruby. Both the Ruby and the Jett are 143s, but I really am not happy with the Ruby. I do like the Jett.

Lots of trial and error, really.
2013-06-03 8:25 AM
in reply to: natethomas2000

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Champion
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MA
Subject: RE: Woman-specific saddle

Depends what exactly is the issue.

I like the SMP Glider. Split is large so lady bits don't touch any part of the saddle. I agree with others find a shop that has generous return policy, has a demo collection, or go with a saddle with generous return policy.

2013-06-03 11:25 AM
in reply to: natethomas2000

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Master
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PNW
Subject: RE: Woman-specific saddle
As others have mentioned, finding the right saddle for a woman is not really about 'recommendations'...it's about her anatomy, her bike and her position on that bike. It is truly mind-boggling how different we all are down there!

If you really want some solid information, read this thread:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=39475
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