Jwink3101

Hi,

Based on the information from people on this forum, I decided that I should look for a new saddle when I wasn't happy with the pressure from the Brooks B17. I decided to go with the Selle Italia Max Flite Gel Flow Saddle. I like the cut outs and there is no pressure. However, I do seem to have some chafing. What is confusing me is that the saddle is less wide than the B17. Does this make any sense?

So, I am asking for two things. First, is any ideas to alleviate the chafe besides Chamois Butter and shorts (both of which I do now, though I think I could target the butter better). I really like the lack of pressure and I would love to keep the saddle.

The second question is, do you have other suggestions? Weight doesn't matter much to me.

FWIW, my handlebars are just below the seat. Also, I regularly do 100 mile rides so I spend a lot of time in the saddle.

Thanks!

trickky

Saddles are such a personal choice. Ask 10 cyclists what they ride and you'll get 9 different answers. I recently went through the saddle dilemma and settled with one that fit my shape and was comfortable. Your LBS hopefully has a demo program where you can try a saddle for a week or so. Some are narrower, more padded or flex differently, and after a few rides you'll be able to get a feel for the fit without having to buy it. I tried several, some chaffed, some were too narrow, and some fit well.

To further eliminate the chaffing, good bibs/shorts are a must. Chamois cream helps a lot, but in addition consider a professional bike fit if you haven't already. After my fit, I was much more comfortable. My saddle was too high, too far forward, etc...Hope this helps a little!

ColinL

I have ridden the Selle Italia Max Flite. In fact it's no longer on my bike.

It is ~143mm at the sit bones-- the middle of the saddle-- but farther back, it actually is pretty wide. A wide saddle can easily chafe your inner thigh, especially if your pedal stroke or terrain is not smooth and you're bouncing around. (I ride a narrower MTB saddle than road saddle for this reason.)

Another formula for chafing is given by the Max Flite itself. It's a very flexible saddle. Seriously, push on it with your hands and you will see it bending in the middle and in the sides.

Because it is so flexible, what I found is that I sank into the center of the saddle and made a 'U' shaped spot with my sit bones. This was very uncomfortable because you start carrying a lot of weight on your soft tissue rather than your sit bones.

I now ride a Selle Italia Prolink. It doesn't flex as much and it's a bit narrower in the rear section of the saddle. It still has a good amount of initial give-- more than many other seats I've tried.

ColinL

+1 on this. Actually my local shops DO make you buy the saddle but they give you a 60 day exchange window. It's worth paying MSRP for one saddle rather than getting a 10-25% discount online and needing to buy 3 of them before you find the one you like.

kaimat

I have found that covering my entire bib shorts area with Equate lotion (the generic lotion sold at big box stores) provides an excellent amount of lubrication which reduces the friction between your butt and the chamois -- seriously, I ****ing layer it on from my knees to my belly button, even my ball sack is nice and slippery (got that image in your head?). Don't get the more expensive stuff that sinks in and moisturizes. Equate just kinda sits on your skin and keeps the chamois and saddle from putting too much pressure on your butt.

Plus, when I come home, my bibs smell good (like lotion) and not like they were just surrounding a sweaty man.

It might also help to stand a little more.