icemilkcoffee 

I'm generally not super picky about saddles. But recently I got a hold of a Specialized Power Elaston seat, and found that it has a tendency to dig into the back of my upper thigh right where the thigh meets the buttocks. I tried to seat myself more forward , so much so that the rear 20% of the saddle is basically not used. It helps, but it doesn't feel totally right. Should I be considering downsizing to a 130mm width? I am on 143mm width now. Or is this another one of those things that you just get used to?

Riveting

How did you determine which saddle width to go with? As well as determining your own width?

I also have a Spec Power saddle and have put 18,500 miles on it, and I've never felt any digging. In fact, sometimes I feel like it just disappears, like it becomes one with me and my sit bones. During a Pro bike fitting at an LBS, I had my sit bones measured using a memory foam device you sit on and the sit bones make an impression on the foam that they measured the width of to match the saddle width. Two months later I did a 325 mile (in 24 hrs) ride on it, and never had any discomfort at all, at least not down there. There's a saddle for every butt, and maybe the Spec Pro isn't for yours. Or you just have the wrong width saddle, as you've mentioned.

You shouldn't have to "get used to" the pain of a saddle. Would you buy a pair of shoes/sneakers that hurt your feet when trying them on, hoping they'll feel better later? If it feels bad, swap it for another. And find a shop that has a try before you buy option, or possibly has a trainer inside where you can try the saddle first, and hopefully on your own bike that's been fitted properly beforehand (which is what I did during my fitting).

icemilkcoffee 

Just trial and error I guess. I notice something about the newer Specialized saddles. The traditional saddle has the upholstery wrapping around the edge of the seat pan. Like this older Specialized Power:


Whereas the newer style Specialized seats have the upholstery above the seat pan, leaving the hard edge of the seat pan exposed:


This hard edge is what is digging into my thigh. I had older Specialized Romin and Taupe saddles and they were both fine.

Riveting

I got mine in 2016, and once I knew it was great for me, I toyed with the idea of getting one for every bike I had at the time (3 more) and possibly a spare, but I never did buy even a second one. Now with what you're saying about the new ones, I'm wishing I had since the quality and fit may have changed.

George

I had the same problem and I’m trying the SLR boost now.

Road Fan

I would say try sliding your saddle backwards ¼ to ½” to test the concept that the front angled edge is digging in. If this gets rid of the pressure and the digging, great, but allow a few days for your bruise or whatever injury is present to heal a few days. ¼” is probably farther back than you need to be, but for me sometimes a big change is needed to start getting some relief. I would later start moving it forward again about 1/16” at a time in road testing, adjusting and test riding until you just barely feel it.

Badger6

Are you saying you’ve got a hot spot? And you get saddle sores at that location? It could well be the saddle, but it could also be the chamois in your bibs or the chamois lube you use (if you do, or do not). Saddle sores are not just the saddle itself.

ThermionicScott 

My heuristic in this situation is to rotate the saddle slightly to point the nose in the direction of the thigh that's being dug into. All of my Brooks saddles need to be pointed slightly to the left due to some body asymmetry I have. Then they're perfect.

(It's also possible that you yourself aren't asymmetric, and it's just that your saddle wasn't pointed straight...)

cyclezen

so, when I saw your images of the Power Saddle, it immediately struck me how 'unusual' the shape is...
The general width of the saddle is not the issue as much as the progression of slimming which normally happens from the sitz area to the nose.
Some saddle have a distinct quick progression - I do well with those. Some have progression of slimming not as quick.... which does affect me.
The Power saddle has the SLOWEST slimming progression I've ever seen !!!
Here is a comparo of what I consider a 'normal' saddle slimming of the skirt area, compared to the Power saddle

Specialized Lithia to Power saddle shaping

It's obvious... I could never use a Power Saddle, even some other saddles with slower progression of skirt slimming are uncomfortable.
I don;t have heavy thighs, especially in the inner thigh. In fact my thighs tend to the slimmer end by quite a bit.
I think the Power shape would be very problematic for many...
Ride On
Yuri

Sojodave

I have ridden just about every version of the Power saddle and I finally gave up. I ordered a Pro Stealth Curved saddle. It's a short-nose saddle, has a kick up in the back, but the sides angle out further back and relieves the pressure on the back of your legs. I've done a couple of 40 miles rides on it and it's been comfortable. It also has more padding than the original Pro Stealth and I like the curved shape.

oris

I would try the Power Arc saddle instead. The wings (sit bone area) curve down more than the standard Power saddle. The effect is that the Power Arc feels narrower whereas a standard Power saddle tends to feel flat and wide.

Another option is the Pro Stealth saddle. The only caution on this is that the nose of the Pro Stealth is quite a bit wider than other short nosed saddles.

nPn

I know this is a slightly old thread, but I tried a Specialized Power saddle a few years ago and had the same experience of digging into my thighs. I feel it's definitely the shape as show in the pictures by cyclezen . I ended up with a Specialized Romin saddle. I know the Power saddles are hugely popular, but like everything else there is no one perfect saddle that works for everyone.