Triathlon - Tri saddles (shape)

why are Tri saddles shaped the way they are?

I find I often ride the front part of my road saddles and only occasionally sit back (but I do)

can I use a Tri saddle for other things like long joyrides or commuting?

If you think how far forward you have to lean to get into the aerobars, you will answer your own question. There has to be some place for your genitalia to go.... I tried to ride my road bike with aerobars and a regular road seat and it made me go numb in a few places.

I just installed a Selle Italia SLR T1 on my CAAD5 road bike. So far, so good. I'm training for a few tris later this season, and wanted to be more comfortable in the drops (or aerobar, should I go that route). The wider, plush nose/point is way more comfortable when I'm "on the rivet."

ismseat.com

I use the ISM ADAMO (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5574735911&toolid=10001&campid=5336500245&customid=&icep_item=350307124563&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg) also.

If you think how far forward you have to lean to get into the aerobars, you will answer your own question. There has to be some place for your genitalia to go.... I tried to ride my road bike with aerobars and a regular road seat and it made me go numb in a few places.


THIS. :lol:

I use a Serfas tri saddle... although I've been considering trying an Adamo. Are they really all that? My coach swears by them, but then he's sponsored by them so what else could he say? ;)

The shape of the saddle is such to provide more support on the front part of the saddle, assuming you spent a lot of time on the aero bars. That said, I do not like Tri saddles (or have not found one that likes me yet). On my 2 Tri bikes I am using road saddles pushed pretty forward on the rails. On one I have a Bike Blue saddle and on the other a San Marco Royal.

I use a serfas tri saddle and in the latest build pic you can see the effects of me using the nose to support my aero position... its friggin bent!!!

THIS. :lol:

I use a Serfas tri saddle... although I've been considering trying an Adamo. Are they really all that? My coach swears by them, but then he's sponsored by them so what else could he say? ;)

I use the Adamo Road and my wife races with the Adamo Typhoon. After hearing her talk about how much she loved hers for a season, I broke down and bought one. My impressions were mixed at first. It had a much longer break in period than I was used too. The pressure on the front went away immediately, but it took my rear awhile to adapt (not much padding back there, me, not the saddle). However, I can now say that after a 100 mile+ ride I have zero saddle discomfort. I would also like to try the new Cobb V-Flow saddle sometime, hear great things about it.

Even using a selle Italia SLR TT saddle me and the boys where starting to lose some feeling !Its actually the pressure on your perineum which causes the numbness.
I switched to an ISM adamo racing saddle .http://www.ismseat.com/products_racing.htm
Took about 2-3 rides to get used to which I reckon is a lot quicker than actually getting through the saddle sores most people endure when they first start doing more than an hour a day on the bike
I have never had any numbness at all since I started using one of these.Also the gap between the blades means if you hit a pothole it will not make the saddle smash straight up into your perineum potentially damaging you for life
You can use it like a normal saddle and sit back but the chances are you will have to alter the saddle position if you are going to sit up and ride as they recommend a slight tilt down to open your pelvis up a little bit and if you are sitting back with the nose tilted down it will put a lot of pressure on your hands and wrists and you will most likely get numb hands.
better than numb nuts and erectile dis-function which ever way you look at it !