Fifty Plus (50+) - New Saddle

Got a new saddle for my Felt. The one that came on it was a killer. Went for a Specialized Alais 155. LBS said they would swap if I did not like it. Will give it a try saterday and let you know.

Went LBS shopping for a saddle yesterday. Guess I'll end up ordering online and hope I like what I order. Very disappointed at the lack of selection. Guess not enough bike business around to justify carrying any inventory in this area. Visited one shop that carried Specialized saddles, and they only had one good road saddle and only had it in the 143mm width! (forget which one it was, but it is one that is available in multiple widths). Also, when I told the salesperson that I wasn't sure exactly what width would be best for me, he pointed to the pad Specialized uses to determine fit, didn't offer to check it or anything after I tried to use it. Guess they have more business than they can handle (or he didn't feel like ordering a saddle if the 143mm in stock didn't fit).

I bought one of these Serfas saddles about 6 months ago. Made a world of difference in how comfortable my old 67 year old bony butt feels on a longish ride.
http://rideonsports.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=465

Freeranger it was not like that at all here where they sell Specialized. They have allways been verry helpful and I have never bought a bike there just accsy. Thay even said they would swap it out if I did not like it. I rode today for the first time on the new saddle it was much better than the felt saddle. So far so good. If your ever down this way PM me and I will tell you where they are.

There are many advantages to living in smaller towns like I do. Having a wide selection of cycling accessories and parts at the local bike shop is not one of them. I feel your pain.
I don't know about Freeranger's situation, but I can't blame my guys. I suppose they could carry a lot of inventory and charge higher prices to pay for all the stuff that doesn't move.

Went LBS shopping for a saddle yesterday. Guess I'll end up ordering online and hope I like what I order. Very disappointed at the lack of selection. Guess not enough bike business around to justify carrying any inventory in this area. Visited one shop that carried Specialized saddles, and they only had one good road saddle and only had it in the 143mm width! (forget which one it was, but it is one that is available in multiple widths). Also, when I told the salesperson that I wasn't sure exactly what width would be best for me, he pointed to the pad Specialized uses to determine fit, didn't offer to check it or anything after I tried to use it. Guess they have more business than they can handle (or he didn't feel like ordering a saddle if the 143mm in stock didn't fit).

Why not go back to the Specialized dealer and measure it yourself? Maybe you are suited for the 143 (I am), and if not you'll know what you are suited for! Then you can order from them on a trial basis or buy from Ebay, and just re-sell if it doesn't work.

The butt pad has good instructions written on the bottom, if I recall. Just read the back and do what it says. Then you can decide if you want to get the recommended saddle or not. If not, you will have learned something useful.

Road Fan

Some members of this forum use a Brooks saddle, or they use no saddle at all.

I bought one of these Serfas saddles about 6 months ago. Made a world of difference in how comportable my old 67 year old bony butt feels on a longish ride.
http://rideonsports.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=465 I have no experience with that model, but my Serfas ARC has served me well for several years. It is my only modern saddle; everything else is either Brooks or Ideale tensioned leather.