Triathlon - Any Triathlon Saddle Recommendations?

I have a Cervelo CSC with a Selle Italia SLR Gel Flow saddle that is torturing my rear end!!

Here's the saddle I have: http://www.totalcycling.com/index.php/product/SD8_SLR_GEL_FLOW.html?action=currency&id=USD

I know part of the problem is that I need to get used to cycling in general, but I need something more comfortable anyways. I now have aerobars on the bike and am in aero position and really need the extra padding on the nose.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a female triathlon saddle? It could be male too. I sort of want one with a cutout. Not sure if a good triathlon saddle with a cutout exists.

My plans for 2009 include 4 triathlons minimum, 2 of which are half-Ironman distance. So I'll be riding some long rides and will need the comfort.

THANKS!

Go with a fizik Arione Tri2 saddle, or a Adamo ISM one. Check them both out, I've rode both and love them both.

There are many saddle choices with cutouts, some high end and some low end. The first thing to realize is that the saddle is a personal fit item, what is good for me or you may not be good for somebody else. The best advise is to try and try again. If you have a good LBS they should have test models for you to try out. If you use these test samples though it would be considered VERY bad form to not buy from them.

Another thing for you to think about is that your bike is not a tri/TT design and the best fit may come from changing to a tri/TT geometry design. I had this problem when I tried to use my roadie in the aero position for extended periods. When I switched to a tri geometry bike the aero position was much more comfortable in all areas.

Lastly, have you tried a professional bike fit at a LBS. It will cost some money, but they may be able to get your current bike to be more tri oriented and forgo the possible expense of changing the frame style.

After spending too much money on different saddles with comfort fit issues, typically at any ride above 20 miles, I finally broke down and bought a high end pair of shorts. Problems solved. My advice don't buy another saddle until you have some high end shorts and still find you have comfort issues. My saddle Selle San Marco Tri saddle, my shorts Louis Garneau Carbon Ion H-flexx.

I know is sucks spending so much on a pair of shorts.

Well, I'm not a girl so I will assume my comfort issues are different than yours, but I switched to the Adamo awhile back. It took some getting used to, but once "seasoned" to it I'll never go back to a conventional saddle, at least for any aero style riding. You can sit way out on the front of it with no pressure on sensitive areas.
I thought it was primarily a guy thing, but recently spoke with a gal at a tri shop on a P2C with an adamo saddle and she related similar discomfort issues with other saddles, but very happy with the adamo.
They are not for everyone, but really good if it works for you.

I'm going to investigate some of the these suggestions. The various LBS's here just don't have the greatest selection which sucks, so now I'm mostly shopping online.

I have a pair of pretty nice Pearl Izumi bike shorts. I think this might be them: http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.php?mode=view&pc_id=106&product_id=1229804. They are not top of the line though because I know they have some more superior models.

I had a professional road fit and then recently had a re-fit for the aeros. So my seat and bars were adjusted. I'm pretty confident the fit is pretty solid but I need some more riding before figuring out if I have any problem areas.

Thanks for the suggestions and keep them coming!

Saddles are one of the hardest things to recommend since everyone fits them differently. I always tell people to find a place that will exchange saddles and just keep trying. If your LBS will swap saddles you're in luck. Otherwise, Performance has an excellent return policy. Terry will take returns for up to 30 days. Koobi, which is what I ride, will also return up to 30 days. I'm sure there are others.

Check out cobbcycling.com they give you six months to return their saddle.