Saphod

Hi,

Since the start of the year, I own a 2013 Kona Jake, which I have now ridden for ~400km. I might be one of those beginners who like to change every part they can (see this post), and that's why I am asking the more experienced riders for some help.

I wonder if my 130mm WTB Volt Race saddle (I believe that is the stock one on the Kona Jake) is a bit too narrow. I feel a little bit uncomfortable in my right cheek after a long ride, although I am wearing padded tights. It is not as bad as when I first started - mind you, I haven't ridden a bike in 20 years. ;-)

I attempted to measure my sit bone width, and it came back with ~120mm. Specialized's Sit Bone Chart would suggest a 143mm saddle.

I looked at Wiggle.com.au and found this Selle Italia on special with lots of great customer reviews. It is apparently 150mm wide.

Then again, Wiggle writes in the description:
My longest ride so far was about 40km, but I am planning longer rides as I proceed.

I would really appreciate some experts' opinion on this matter.

Thanks in advance!

Airburst

Sheldon Brown's article on the subject may be helpful.

rhenning

Saddle sizing is impossible to know. I like leather Brooks and other leather saddles because they form fit to your rear. As you ride them and sweat on them they will mold to your shape. Plastic saddles either fit or they do not. They never get better. If you find a plastic one you like go buy 3 more because the maker will change the mold slightly and the next batch will not be comfortable. You need a saddle that your sit bones fit on and it would take a doctor or PT or bike fitter to tell you it the saddle fits you right and you may still not be comfortable on it. It is a question that other people can not answer for you. Roger

HillRider

You really can't tell if a saddle is comfortable until you've ridden it quite a bit. One or two rides won't tell you anything. The Wiggle article's reference to "wider saddles" is talking about "mattress" saddles, or very wide heavily padded saddles and these are indeed unsuited to long rides. A suitably wide but firm saddle like the Sella Italia model in the Wiggle link is wide but properly shaped and padded and may meet your needs.

cny-bikeman

Se if you can find a shop that offers saddle exchange, or one that carries saddles with a comfort or "no strings" guarantee. Our bike co-op offered a guarantee such that if a saddle did not work for you and was returned in undamaged condition you could exchange it for credit toward another saddle. Of course back then we did not have $90 saddles, but it's worth inquiring locally. If you are having problems I don't know that I'd risk $90 on a saddle that you don't know will work.

You never really know until you try what works. After a bike was stolen I put together a new one from two used bikes. The one had a cheap saddle, the other a Women's Avocet. The Avocet worked great for me - and I'm male.

FrenchFit 

I think the best advice is to demo. There's more to it than the width of your stiz bones, and two saddles come to mind that get some rave reviews on this forum, (not Brooks), are simply unrideable for me. Find a way to try before you buy, or shop where you get a liberal exchange/return policy.

fietsbob

Some saddle makers suggest the more you sit up, tall in the saddle, the wider a saddle,
is their recommendations..

NB, many bike shops, have saddle 'take-offs' new but discounted,
because new bike buyers chose a different one, so the original saddle is resold, for less.

Saphod

Thanks for all the answers. I came across the Sheldon Brown article before, but it's still good to get some opinions. A friend of mine has the Selle Italia Max Gel Flow in 146 mm from Chainreaction Cycles instead of 150mm as shown on Wiggle. Do you guys think 4 mm will make a difference? I kind of shy away from getting it too wide.

HillRider

What we "think" is not going to really answer your question because only you will know what saddle feels good to you. Saddles are one of the most subjective items on a bike and, as noted, one riders saddle from heaven is another's saddle from hell.

Don't get too hung up on the published width numbers because saddle shape varies greatly and the overall width is only one factor. Ask your friend to let you try his bike (assuming the size isn't too far off) and see what you conclude.

Saphod

Unfortunately, my friend lives too far away.

From all these posts, I conclude that it's really not possible to objectively judge a saddle, which I find a bit sad, since I now can't blame anyone but myself if I choose the wrong one.

I decided to give the Selle Italia Maxflite Gel Flow from Chainreaction Cycles a go, simply because it's got great overall reviews. Since I can't visit my LBS during the week and since they do not seem to have that brand in their online catalogue, anyway, I hope I made the right choice. We'll see. I also added some nice socks so I get free shipping. ;-)

Thanks a lot for all the answers. Even letting me know you can't help me with my decision is fine. I just thought I'd give it a go. If I don't forget, I'll let you know how I go after my first ride with the Selle Italia.

Saphod

Saddle arrived yesterday and I went for a 40km ride with it. I can only say that the Selle Italia Maxflite Gel Flow is a dream. I could hardly feel any bumps in the road, the cutout feels nice and I no longer have pain in the sciatic nerve after the ride. It will probably need some more rides to break it in properly, but the fitst ride already felt like the difference between night and day compared to the WTB Volt. I highly recommend this Selle Italia saddle.