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10-20-04, 12:13 PM
Sorry for the long post…
First, let me tell you that I've been having saddle problems for a long time. In fact, various web searches brought me to this site about a year ago. I lurked for a long time before I thought I should start participating. My problem is numbness, mostly just during the ride. But I will say that the wrong saddle would cause me to go numb for hours after getting off of the bike.
I've got a great LBS that will let you take almost anything out of the store and give it a nice long ride before you buy. A few months ago, one of the shop owners attended an industry conference where Specialized put on a presentation about their new line of BG saddles. He was really pumped up about them and was riding one on his bike. He spent a while trying to talk me into trying one. It took a lot of time as I tried one of the original BG saddles (don't know the model) and thought it was something akin to a torture device!
So a couple of weeks ago I stopped into the shop and had a look at the new BG's that were on the rack. They had the Avatar Gel and the Alias in several widths. The shop did not yet have their "width fitting device", but the owner recommended a 143. The Avatar Gel felt like it weighed a ton. The Specialized web site says 365g., but it sure felt heavier. The Alias had firm but sufficient padding so I chose the Alias .
I put the Alias on the bike that evening in place of the most recent loaner, an S.I. Genuine Gel Flite Ti. The Alias happens to be the same in almost every dimension, so it went on in the exact location. Not only have I tried a lot of saddles, but I've tried all of them in different positions to give them all a fair shot before giving up on them.
The next morning I went out on a 55 mile hill ride with some friends. It took me until sometime around 35 miles to remember I was on a new saddle and low and behold the boys were still awake. I couldn't believe I had actually gotten off of a bike after 55 miles with no problems. I made a mental note to slide the saddle back a bit, as I felt that I was pushing myself back when climbing.
The following Wednesday evening, I slid the saddle back .5" and rode loops around Valley Forge park with friends. After 10 miles or so, I noticed the same familiar numbness. I guess I went too far back and was riding on the nose of the saddle.
That brings us up to this past Sunday. I put the saddle back to it's original location and road a metric century. After 63 miles (much of it climbing), no discomfort. I think I finally found a fit.
You know how after you found something that was previously lost, people tell you "I bet it was in the last place that you looked". Of course it was. After I found it, I stopped looking. Same situation with the saddle. There may be better saddles out there, but after all the trials I've been through I'm calling off the search. So far, the only thing I don't like about the saddle are the two embroidered circle designs near where you're sit bone make contact. I really don't like embroidery of any kind of a saddle as it tends to abrade shorts and bibs. Overall it seems well made, so I'm keeping it. It has a similar design to the S.I. SLK, a saddle that was next on my list to try, so if you really need a light weight saddle and have chronic numbness, maybe the SLK would have been a good choice.
One thing I've learned, just because a saddle has a cut-out doesn't mean it will stop numbness. Some highly touted saddles like the Terry Liberator, Fly and first gen. Specialized did nothing for me. While the Vetta TT and S.I. Flite, both without cut-outs, weren’t perfect, but I could ride them if I changed position often enough. Before I hear it from their supporters, I will admit that I did not try the Koobi or Brooks. The Koobi was on the list. With all of the talk of the Brooks requiring a substantial break-in period, I was leery.
After 155 miles of test rides, I guess I'll go pay for the saddle. Gotta love a good LBS!
As you already know, saddles are a personal issue, what works for me may not work for you...All the standard disclaimers apply, no affiliation with Specialized, your mileage may vary, action figures sold separately, do not induce vomiting, etc.
First, let me tell you that I've been having saddle problems for a long time. In fact, various web searches brought me to this site about a year ago. I lurked for a long time before I thought I should start participating. My problem is numbness, mostly just during the ride. But I will say that the wrong saddle would cause me to go numb for hours after getting off of the bike.
I've got a great LBS that will let you take almost anything out of the store and give it a nice long ride before you buy. A few months ago, one of the shop owners attended an industry conference where Specialized put on a presentation about their new line of BG saddles. He was really pumped up about them and was riding one on his bike. He spent a while trying to talk me into trying one. It took a lot of time as I tried one of the original BG saddles (don't know the model) and thought it was something akin to a torture device!
So a couple of weeks ago I stopped into the shop and had a look at the new BG's that were on the rack. They had the Avatar Gel and the Alias in several widths. The shop did not yet have their "width fitting device", but the owner recommended a 143. The Avatar Gel felt like it weighed a ton. The Specialized web site says 365g., but it sure felt heavier. The Alias had firm but sufficient padding so I chose the Alias .
I put the Alias on the bike that evening in place of the most recent loaner, an S.I. Genuine Gel Flite Ti. The Alias happens to be the same in almost every dimension, so it went on in the exact location. Not only have I tried a lot of saddles, but I've tried all of them in different positions to give them all a fair shot before giving up on them.
The next morning I went out on a 55 mile hill ride with some friends. It took me until sometime around 35 miles to remember I was on a new saddle and low and behold the boys were still awake. I couldn't believe I had actually gotten off of a bike after 55 miles with no problems. I made a mental note to slide the saddle back a bit, as I felt that I was pushing myself back when climbing.
The following Wednesday evening, I slid the saddle back .5" and rode loops around Valley Forge park with friends. After 10 miles or so, I noticed the same familiar numbness. I guess I went too far back and was riding on the nose of the saddle.
That brings us up to this past Sunday. I put the saddle back to it's original location and road a metric century. After 63 miles (much of it climbing), no discomfort. I think I finally found a fit.
You know how after you found something that was previously lost, people tell you "I bet it was in the last place that you looked". Of course it was. After I found it, I stopped looking. Same situation with the saddle. There may be better saddles out there, but after all the trials I've been through I'm calling off the search. So far, the only thing I don't like about the saddle are the two embroidered circle designs near where you're sit bone make contact. I really don't like embroidery of any kind of a saddle as it tends to abrade shorts and bibs. Overall it seems well made, so I'm keeping it. It has a similar design to the S.I. SLK, a saddle that was next on my list to try, so if you really need a light weight saddle and have chronic numbness, maybe the SLK would have been a good choice.
One thing I've learned, just because a saddle has a cut-out doesn't mean it will stop numbness. Some highly touted saddles like the Terry Liberator, Fly and first gen. Specialized did nothing for me. While the Vetta TT and S.I. Flite, both without cut-outs, weren’t perfect, but I could ride them if I changed position often enough. Before I hear it from their supporters, I will admit that I did not try the Koobi or Brooks. The Koobi was on the list. With all of the talk of the Brooks requiring a substantial break-in period, I was leery.
After 155 miles of test rides, I guess I'll go pay for the saddle. Gotta love a good LBS!
As you already know, saddles are a personal issue, what works for me may not work for you...All the standard disclaimers apply, no affiliation with Specialized, your mileage may vary, action figures sold separately, do not induce vomiting, etc.