Bike saddle recommendation (female anatomy)

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Z
2007-03-02 8:53 AM

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Master
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Reston, VA
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Subject: Bike saddle recommendation (female anatomy)
Very sore rider here with a good pair of biking shorts. Any female riders on this forum have a good saddle to recommend? I'm in so much pain after 1.5 hours ride that I can't even start thinking about the next one. I'm a taller (5.10) rider if it makes any difference. All recommendations are appreciated.

Z. (in pain)


2007-03-02 8:57 AM
in reply to: #708738

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Master
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brummie land
Subject: RE: Bike saddle recommendation (female anatomy)

i've got a specialised body geometry one. they come in different widths depending on your sit bones. worth a try imho.

 

 





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2007-03-02 9:04 AM
in reply to: #708738

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Expert
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Shelby Twp
Subject: RE: Bike saddle recommendation (female anatomy)
I also have a specialized seat with the cutout.. much better. I couldnt even make it 20 minutes on the seat the bike came with.
2007-03-02 9:56 AM
in reply to: #708738

Pro
3715
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AZ
Subject: RE: Bike saddle recommendation (female anatomy)

Hi Z

I have the same problem, and am about to buy an Adamo saddle. 

http://www.ismseat.com/adamo_saddle.htm

Here are the email conversations I have had with Steve from ISMseats.com

Hello, I have heard local bike shop owners say your Adamo saddles are not for women, however this year you offer a pink one.  (I assume it is targeted toward women).  I am interested in trying your saddle as I am a female triathlete who gets frontal numbness on the bike.  I have a nice saddle now, but it just hurts and I fear will keep me from enjoying longer distances.  Can you tell me what your experiences have been with women using the saddle?

Hi Tanya, Thanks for your interest in our ISM saddles.  It sounds like I need to do more product information seminars with the retailers. Our saddles are not just for men, many women are enjoying the comfort our saddles provide and in fact three professional female triathletes are using our saddles exclusively. Hillary Biscay-USA, Bella Comerford-Scotland and Emma Weitnaur-Australia are all riding the Adamo saddles. Hillary was 2nd at IM Wisconsin and 3rd at IM Florida and IM Brazil on the Adamo Racing saddle and Emma Comerford took 1st at the ITU World Championships in Australia and 1st at IM Florida also aboard the Adamo Racing saddle.  Numbness is not an issue with our saddles. Proper set up and installation are very important in achieving maximum comfort. The saddles are designed for the rider to place all of his/her weight on the sit bones. As with all nose less saddles, the ISM saddles place pressure on the sit bones. The sit bones are covered with muscle, which must be conditioned before you achieve maximum comfort. The amount of time for muscle conditioning varies among all riders. It took me about four rides to become conditioned and if I lay off for an extended period, I must start the conditioning process again. The doctors have compared the muscle soreness to a weight workout and no damage is being done to the body. A PDF showing the set up and installation instructions and a diagram showing proper positioning can be viewed and printed at the following link, http://www.blackwellresearch.com/pdf/adamo_setup.pdf.  It is not uncommon for the retailers to think the saddles are just for men. If you would like to give me your bike stores name, I might be able to give them some information and hopefully increase their sales.   Our saddles are not just for men and not just for women. They are just for comfort. Best Regards; Steve Toll .ismseat.com [email protected]

Thanks Steve! I really appreciate your taking the time to respond.  What are the major differences between the racing saddle and the road saddle?  I see the road one is slightly heavier, but am just wondering which one to get.  I am not a top level racer, and am not yet weighing stuff I add to my bike by the gram (not to say that will never happen :-).   Can you tell me the difference? Or point me to a page that might illuminate that for me?
Both the ISM Adamo Roadand Adamo Racing saddles employ the same proven dimensions and design characteristics. The primary differences are the foam, gel and rails. and Adamo Racing saddles employ the same proven dimensions and design characteristics. The primary differences are the foam, gel and rails.  and Adamo Racing saddles employ the same proven dimensions and design characteristics. The primary differences are the foam, gel and rails.  The Adamo Roadsaddle has more gel in the area of the sit bones continuing forward to the front of the saddle and a thicker foam base covering the entire saddle. Road bike riders spend most of their time in the 60 degree riding position (on the brake hoods) and were requesting more gel and padding in that area. The Adamo Racing saddle has ultra light foam and two gel pads in the sit bone area and two additional pads on the front arms. The inside edges of the front arms of the Adamo Roadhave had the foam trimmed away to create more of a trough in the relief area. Although the difference is minimal the Adamo Roadsaddle did perform better during our blood flow testing in the 30 degree position. The Adamo Roadsaddle has cr-mo rails, is approximately 135 mm wide and weighs about 320 grams.  The Adamo Racing saddle has titanium rails, is approximately 130 mm wide and weighs about 270 grams.  It’s hard to say which I would recommend. Bella just e-mailed me last week and she really likes the
Adamo Roadbut Hillary has been using a red Adamo Racing for almost a year. My wife loves the Adamo Racing saddle. We have a pink Adamo Racing saddle coming out within the next couple of months.  Best regards, Steve

 

 

 



Edited by StandsWithFist 2007-03-02 9:58 AM
2007-03-02 9:59 AM
in reply to: #708738

Extreme Veteran
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South Park, PA
Subject: RE: Bike saddle recommendation (female anatomy)

it's all very personal really, but i have the koobi ti tri and love it. 

 k

2007-03-02 10:35 AM
in reply to: #708738

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Extreme Veteran
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Frome, (Nr Bath) Somerset
Subject: RE: Bike saddle recommendation (female anatomy)
I have a specialized female saddle on my Specialized Dolce and haven't had any problems on long rides over a hour.

2007-03-02 12:07 PM
in reply to: #708738

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Expert
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Plano, TX
Subject: RE: Bike saddle recommendation (female anatomy)
Several female friends really like thier Terry saddles. (Terry Butterfly, perhaps?)  Designed specifically for women, like all the Terry products.
2007-03-02 12:49 PM
in reply to: #708738

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Master
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Tiger's Den
Subject: RE: Bike saddle recommendation (female anatomy)

I just got a Terry Tri gel based on the recommendation of a few ladies who ride LOTS. This will be my 3rd saddle. It is a very personal thing, and unfortunately, it's one where to you have to try it out to see if it works for you.

I know Terry offers a 30 day exchange if you are not happy with your saddle.

2007-03-02 12:51 PM
in reply to: #708747

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2007-03-02 12:52 PM
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Edited by SweetK 2007-03-02 12:52 PM
2007-03-02 1:52 PM
in reply to: #708738

Veteran
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Subject: RE: Bike saddle recommendation (female anatomy)
I have the Terry but it's not wide enough for my sit bones. What I did was this (I know, it seems a little silly and the "visual" isn't pretty): I felt my sit bones and put a lipstick mark where they were. Then I sat on a piece of paper on a stool. then measured the space in-between. No wonder the Adamo (very narrow in that area) and the Terry don't fit. Turns out, my sit bones were hanging over them. I'm on a hunt.

2007-03-02 3:16 PM
in reply to: #708738

Master
1888
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Winder, GA
Subject: RE: Bike saddle recommendation (female anatomy)
I was wondering the same thing lately so I'm glad there's been lots of responses, keep 'em coming! I know tons of women love the Terry Butterfly but also many who don't. I have a problem with mine too, not in the sit bones but in that my weight is on my pubic bone when using my aerobars and it is painful after about 45 minutes.
2007-03-02 5:25 PM
in reply to: #708738

Tulsa, Oklahoma
Subject: RE: Bike saddle recommendation (female anatomy)
I ride the Airone Tri2 but it's not for everyone. I know several women who ride the flow saddle by Blackwell Research and are very happy with it. Also, the specialized saddle has received very good reviews.

2007-03-02 6:11 PM
in reply to: #708738

Champion
19812
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MA
Subject: RE: Bike saddle recommendation (female anatomy)

I think saddles are very personal but change as your riding changes. I think all women do well with one with a cut out. When I first rode my road bike I think I made it 3 miles without thinking I'd never ride again as it hurt. Now riding 7 hours I'm fine...it takes some time to get used to it.

I started with a Terry Butterfly Tri gel saddle...loved it...has a cut out and rode it my first year with a road bike.

Last year I bought a tri bike, and got the Terry Zero X which is a harder saddle made for their race team and I liked it better. It has a cut out as well.

You can check out Terry saddles here

http://www.terrybicycles.com/product.html?idc=ac542610&c=Saddles&sc=Women%27s+Performance

I just bought a new road bike a Specialized that has a mens harder, even smaller saddle that is fabulous and has a cut out. Seriously your butt gets used to riding and in time you will like harder saddles...but it takes time.

Suggestions...use chamois butter and body glide on your private parts to avoid irritation. Make sure your bike is fit properly. Do a search here on BT about bike fit and there is a huge difference in how they are done and how good they are.

I think bum pain is caused by number of factors:
1. Bad bike fit
2. Not enough time in the saddle
3. Poor choice of bike shorts
4. Saddle that doesn't fit you well

Many folks run out and get new saddle but you really need to give yourself some time in the saddle to know if it works or not. Most bike shops and Terry will allow you to try one and return in if it doesn't work out in some time period usually 30 days. If you haven't had a bike fit consider getting one.

It will get better....ride more and soon, bum pain will be a thing of the past.

Z
2007-03-05 11:18 AM
in reply to: #708738

Master
1652
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Reston, VA
Gold member
Subject: RE: Bike saddle recommendation (female anatomy)
Thanks so much to everyone who responded. I guess I'm not alone ;-)
2007-03-05 11:55 AM
in reply to: #708738

Elite
2553
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Tucson, AZ
Subject: RE: Bike saddle recommendation (female anatomy)
When I had my bike fit, the fitter told me that the current saddle I had (Terry Tri) was too wide for my sit bones. He could tell just by looking at the stress marks on the saddle. I made the switch to what he recommended, which was a Profile Design one. But I had no clue I didn't have the right saddle until I got my bike fit.

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