skycyclepilot

In case anyone is going through what I just went through, I thought I'd post this quick message. Maybe it'll help someone. I bought a Giant Defy 1 about six weeks ago, and have been through quite an ordeal getting it comfortable, despite it being fitted to me when I bought it. The saddle was miserable, and I had too much pressure on my hands. Giving up on KOPS and backing the seat up about an inch pretty much solved that problem. Lowering the handlebar has helped even more. It's now to the point that I think all I need to do is toughen up a little. I can ride for 15 miles without moving my hands as it is, but by then, they are tingling a bit.

But the big issue has been finding a comfortable saddle. The first few I tried were just plain painful, and someone finally thought to put me on a "buttometer" only to discover that my sit bones are much wider than normal. Once I found that out, the next couple of saddles I tried were much better, but still not what I would call comfortable. Turns out the saddles with really thick gel seats are better, but you do sink up in them, and that can put pressure on the perineum.

This weekend, I gave up and spent $100 on a Specialized Romin Evo Comp saddle. Since my sit bones are so far apart, I measured the distance on each saddle between the high points on each side, where the sit bones will be, and decided I needed the 168mm wide saddle. My bones are 135 to 140mm apart, and the high point on the 168mm saddle are exactly that far apart, so when I sit on it, my bones are on the highest points on each side on the saddle. And it is comfortable! It has a gel surface, but it is quite firm. And the design of the saddle causes it to fall away below my perineum, so there is no discomfort there.

Specialized came highly recommended from several sources, and I have to add my recommendation. If you are new at biking, and can't find a comfortable saddle, maybe this one will work for you, too. Hope this helps someone...

jyl

That is interesting. I admit I have never seen a buttometer and would be alarmed if someone approached me while holding one.

Anthony.L

It's just a board with a piece of memory foam where you sit bones will leave an indent allowing them to then measure the distance. At least that was the Specialized one was at my LBS. If you want a seat that fits your butt, then you need to visit the buttometer!

I bought a Specialized Romin Evo Expert Gel last week after being measured for a 168mm, so far extremely happy!

elcruxio

Just switched from a romin evo to a fizik antares versus. I think the fizik is better. The romin is just too curved and big and wide nosed and kinda hurt my inner thighs a bit and also caused some wear on my new expensive bib shorts. That thing is now staying on my mtb for as long as I can find a replacement for it.

skycyclepilot

That just goes to show that not one saddle fits everyone. The Antares Versus is an excellent saddle, but is only 142mm wide. My sit bones would hang off the edges of that saddle, with some pretty uncomfortable results! Your bone structure is undoubtedly narrower than mine, so you fit that saddle. That is also why your inner thighs rubbed the Romin Evo. One saddle isn't necessarily better than the other. One works better for my anatomy, and the other works better for yours.

elcruxio

My sitbones are in the 125-130mm region so the antares is pretty much as thin a saddle I can use. But for a sportier position it works well (sitbones get narrower when you lean forward). In my future tourer I'm going to use a brooks to get more width for a more upright position

jakemorocco

I ride a Specialized hybrid and have always just used the stock saddle that came with it. It's always fit me perfectly on this bike. Helpful points about possibly needing to try a different saddle for a different style of riding... I'll be on the market for a road bike soon, and I'll keep an open mind about the saddle.