martikal

Recently i have been investing in my bike to make it as ready for long distance biking as possible to train on it (and to use it for commuting and utilitarian purposes). Ultimate goal is touring, and for this i would like to find the right saddle.
I bought Terry Liberator X Saddle https://www.terrybicycles.com/saddles...tem_no=2145200 (i is a lady). The brand was recommended from a woman who has been on a tour for quite some time now.
The fit is perfect up front, it almost feels like i am not sitting on anything, it is that comfortable. There is a lot of shock in the rear though. After riding it the first time for maybe 8 miles, not even, my 'butt bones' feel like they are bruised. They hurt so much riding to and from work (which is in total 3 miles) that i want to cry... most of the time i just squeal to make it through. In short i am in a lot of pain.

anyone have any experience with these issues?? what should i try? is this newbie pains? my old saddle was a squishy saddle that made me numb at the end of a longer ride, which is why i picked a hard saddle. i can return the saddle but i want my second try to be closer to perfection than this one. Although i am super comfortable with the front of it that i am reluctant to give it up without hearing more.
help? purrleeze?
thank you in advance.... (i had no idea where to post this so let me know if i should move it to another discussion group?)

Wanderer

Brooks, B-17.

diesel_dad

I have had a couple of Terry saddles and they were not for me either. I have found that if a saddle is not comfortable in the first few rides, it only gets worse from there.

If you really like the saddle, you can try adjusting the saddle position (or get your LBS to help you). Is the saddle height correct? Is the front-to-back position correct? And for a lot of saddles, the tilt from front to back can have a major impact on comfort.

The most comfortable saddle I own is a Brooks Champion Flyer. Most long-distance cyclists use Brooks saddles of one kind or another. Wallbike.com is a good source because they will help you to select the saddle and will accept returns if it's not comfortable.

Hope that helps.

sloar 

get a brooks saddle and take your bike to a good bike shop that has a pro fitter. give the saddle at least 500 miles to break in and trust me you will love it. most people think that the more padding the seat has the more comfortable it will be, its the exact opposite. plus to do long distant touring you want to make sure the bike fits you 100%. good luck.

TommyL

If you get a Brooks, get it from wallbike.com, so that you can return if it doesn't work out. I was glad to have that option after a few luckless months.

ClydesterD

Ditto on the Brooks B-17. It's all I use anymore, and all I ever plan to use. It may not be too comfortable right out of the box, but like a new pair of jeans, over time it'll break in and you'll probably love it. The saddle I use on my touring bike is a 30+ year old Brooks that's WAY broken in, and is the ideal that I hope the rest of my Brooks reach.........someday.

Heckboy

I like the B17 Imperial which is the slotted version of the B17. The Selle An-Anatomica (made in WI) is worth a serious look as well. The Selle is the most comfortable saddle I have ever ridden and it is that way right out of the box.

Later,
HB

xfimpg

+1

And if you can't return the one you have now, there is a saddle swap thread in the classifieds section, i think that's where it is.

https://www.bikeforums.net/sale/

Richard Cranium

I'm not sure what to suggest. You seem to have a good grasp of what and how the a saddle should fit for a women.

But your "symptoms" don't make any sense. You say that all of pressure and pain is produced at the point of contact, but don't mention why this area has no previous conditioning.



This statement suggests that your bicycle fit must be screwed up... Or perhaps you have an abnormal anatomical issue not clearly addressed through standard bicycle fit procedure.

In any case, this is hardly a "long distance issue" -you need to discuss, and demonstrate your bicycle fit is person to other interested, experienced female cyclists and describe in detail how genitalia and butt contact your bicycle in various positions and see if you come to understanding of what's "wrong" with bike fit or your bike saddle. Now go away.

Road Fan

I agree with much of what Richard Cranium said, except for the "now go away" part.

In doing adjustments for myself and for Mrs. Road Fan, I found small tilt adjustments to make critical differences. I suspect all your saddle weight is being borne by your sit bones without even a little weight distribution elsewhere. One thought is you could try to tilt the saddle back one or two hairs, to get a little more even contact. Obviously if this leads promptly (3 to 10 miles) to discomfort elsewhere, it's shown not to be a good idea. But it has helped me and my wife sometimes. If you have a level that indicates small changes in angle so you can compare before and after, that would help with inching your way towards a good position, or in determining that you can't get a good fit with that saddle.

mitchel

There is a women's version of the B-17

smovlov

The B17 Standard S is the womens model.

chewybrian 

Totally agree. I tried several, including the B17, but the Selle Anatomica Titanico was the only one that was comfortable, and there was no break-in time required.

skylla

I won't disagree with the Brooks Horde, since I love my B-17. But when I've had sit bone pain in the past, I've taken it as a good sign. Because yeah, when I've been away from biking for a long time (hopefully not a situation that will arise ever again, knock wood), my sit bones have screamed on the first few rides. Especially like the 2nd through 5th. But after they've had several rides over the course of 2-3 weeks to get conditioned, no more problems.

So feel free to switch to a Brooks or other leather saddle, but you might also try giving the Terry a few weeks to see if it gets better.

Six jours

"Brooks Horde". LOL!

I won't get into the whole Brooks deal here -- suffice it to say that agreement is not universal on the topic -- but I will point out that at least one place has a "try before you buy" program. This strikes me as a great idea and I hope it catches on.

Road Fan

In addition to Bens Cycle, Wallingford Bike in New Orleans (https://www.wallbike.com/) also has a Brooks buy and try program.

CliftonGK1

Another Brooks fan, here; but I disagree with sloar about the 500 miles to break it in.

I'd sooner take my eye out with a tire lever than ride a saddle that's uncomfortable for 500 miles. A B-17 will be more comfortable as you put more miles on it, but it shouldn't be uncomfortable brand new.

Wanderer

My B-17 was torture for the first 500 miles, and then started to get better. By 1000 miles, it became invisible.

Took about a month, but, it was worth every tinge......

Elderberry

My experience exactly. My B17 was firmer when new, but always comfy. My Team Pro was a bit rougher starting out, but once I got it adjusted properly it did exactly the job I needed it to.

scwowgph

I just bought the Champion Flyer. I ride about 100 miles weekly. My handlebars are a litttle below seat level
It has springs
Did I do alright?

zoste

You are the only one who can answer that question. How does it feel?

scwowgph

No rides yet..Just hope it works 4 leanin over. I had back surgery yrs ago, so I try to sit straight alot. Hope the Brooks gives me comfort 4 both/all positions

Cyril 

hi martikal!

do yourself a big favor and get a pro fit with the gear you already have.
a pro fit is costly and takes time (mine took about 3 hrs) but is worth every cent and minute you spend.

then, if you still have problems, change gear.

the saddle you have may be perfect for you IF the fit were tweeked.

just a thought.

Cyril