VegasJen

Just curious if any of you have recommendations for a good, padded women's saddle. I do tend to ride aggressively so no granny seat for me, but I do get quite sore on the sit bones when riding more upright, and when down in a more aero stance (like on my TT bikes), I get a lot of pressure in my pubic area. I actually have a bunch of different saddles, most cheap, and most are uncomfortable for rides of any real length. My riding style tends to be more on the aggressive side (as aggressive as I can be anyway), but this is the one area where I'm willing to give up a little weight and aero to spend time on the bike and still be able to walk at the end of the day.
Last year I bought a Planet Bike saddle that has turned out to be the most comfortable yet, but I'm still considering other options.
I've been shopping Amazon and I'm comparing the Sella S5 Superflow and the Sella SMP TRK. Still a budget purchase so these two are about as much as I want to spend, but any similar recommendations?

t2p

Terry Butterfly Ti

soyabean

Saddles aren't mostly sex specific. They are more individual specific.

As a high volume bike flipper, I've collected every saddle available.

When I obtain bikes, if the previous owner replaced it with a fancy aftermarket saddle, I tear it off and put back the original or a generic saddle.

I have about 50 saddles of all flavors on hand so my clients can try and see which one they like.

I also allow my customers to exchange their saddles. No one gets a saddle they like on first shot. Most merely put up with a wrong saddle.

I admit, this is harder to do when the individual must purchase one at a time.

It may be a good idea to work with a LBS that allows exchanges and returns.

VegasJen

Ya, I called a bike shop in Vegas that does fitting. Quote for $100 seems pretty reasonable to get me comfortable on the bike. From there, I imagine I can roughly duplicate that geometry over to my other bikes. I haven't asked if they have some kind of exchange program for saddles though. I may try and get in there on Friday to see if it's something I can do.

But you are correct about it being individualized. I have a number of saddles I put on and in the first 5-10 miles, I thought they were great, but by mile 20 I was ready to rip them off and walk home.

I did look up some basic fitting stuff online. Near as I can calculate, I need about 145-150mm width, but that's just spitballing really. And honestly, I have no idea how to determine the correct length, so any education on those measurements would be appreciated.

Polaris OBark

Selle Italia, Diva Gel Superflow, MTB and Road Bike Saddle - for Women
Amazon link

soyabean

I'm not going to start measuring people's weight, height, buttsize, body mass index, thigh gap, and record it all in a cloud database to share.

Like I said:

I have about 50 saddles of all flavors on hand so my clients can try and see which one they like.

I allow my customers to exchange their saddles.

My suggestion is to find a LBS that can help similarly.

Polaris OBark

Here are a few more ideas (Bike Radar)

Barry2 

In SF Bay Area, $100 for a bike fit does not seem legit.
A first fit locally is ~$400 with tune-ups at ~$200.

Shop around and compare service/cost.

Barry

VegasJen

I'll consider that. It's a bit higher than I want to spend, plus my experience so far, I'm a little concerned the cut out doesn't extend far enough forward for me.
Thanks. Will consider
SF is obscenely expensive, so that factors into everything. The $100 quote was for a basic fit, which right now is all I'm expecting. This is a reputable shop in Vegas.

Leisesturm

$100 for a basic fit is $100 that could buy a very good saddle. You can fit yourself. I know you can. Selle SMP TRK like you have ought to do you if fit right. $0.00 self fit: center saddle on rails. adjust seat height so as to be able to pedal smooth circles backward in the saddle. Adjust reach to the bars with longer or shorter stems. This is your $100 fit. But it cost you $0.00. A real expert fit costs 3x that and might be worth it if you are pro- or semi- pro. Go for a ride. On your first push off when you are lifting yourself to the saddle it should be right there. You should not have to skootch up higher to make the seat. Nor should you find that you are too high up and need to plop down to the saddle. Adjust things in 1/4" increments to suit. Err on the side of being too low, and not feeling like you are stretching for the bars. A LOT of saddle discomfort comes from skootching forward on the saddle to reach the bars. 145mm saddle becomes 125mm because you are no longer sitting on the widest part of it like you should. Your saddle should have ever so little up tilt at the nose to keep you in place. This will be uncomfortable if the saddle is too high.

tomato coupe

Wow, a saddle that works for everyone.

Barry2 

sorry, my $400 comment referred to an actual “bike fit”.
Think of it as a 3+ hour health and flexibility interview with pedal stroke and riding position video captured in slow motion and computer analyzed.
You can download an app, stick motion capture dots on your limbs, and do it yourself. But the experience of a skilled fitter can’t be replaced.

it did mine at 56yr old and it is still the best cycling purchase I’ve made 3 years later.

Barry

Tomm Willians

My wife went through quite a number of saddles before settling on the Selle Anatomica, she’s been happy ever since. It of course does not have padding but the hammock design is quite comfortable.

VegasJen

I am about as helpless with technology as most women are changing a tire. I wouldn't even know how or where to begin downloading some app to do such a thing.
Thanks. Will investigate.

genejockey 

You ride in triathlons, right? And at least one of your bikes has tri-bars? That will change what style of saddle you need.

rsbob 

I can send you an ISM brand saddle I’m not using that you can have/tri. They are used on tri-bikes but did ‘t work for me. PM me your address and its yours.

GhostRider62

$400 I spent on a fit last year was my worst purchase of the year. Fortunately, it only lasted 45 minutes

Sometimes, one can find used saddle bargains on eBay

A better way is finding a saddle exchange/rental program, something like this program (I have no experience with it)

https://www.bikeseatguru.com/saddle-how-to

Leisesturm

Maybe. You can't all be right. There is disagreement even between ya's. I don't think I'm special but I certainly don't have the anguish nor do I waste the sums of money some of you do on things like bike fit and saddles.

tomato coupe

I think one of the few things that the vast majority of people on this forum will agree on, is that saddles are a personal choice -- what works well for one person may not work for another.

squirtdad

A good point to start is sit bone width, link below talks that (and doing it at home) and a lot of saddle things

this is not a place to cheap out, if needed save longer to get better saddle

more padding is not better, less padding with good fit and then if needed good bike shorts is better approach

find a shop that has trial saddles

good luck

https://hincapie.com/ride-with-us/st...0saddle%20size.

VegasJen

Thanks for the link. I found a different article online last night and tried their method but couldn't really get an accurate width. Will check this out.

Lombard

Have you tried tilting the saddle nose down a bit? That might solve any pubic numbness which should never be ignored.

VegasJen

I have, but I tend to slide forward. I have my seat positioned as far forward as I can get it. On a few of my bikes, I've even reversed the seat post or replaced the original with a zero offset, but I still seem to slide forward.

shelbyfv

I'm another fan of the Terry saddles. They offer economical versions with steel rails plus fancier, lighter ones. Depending on which actual plumbing, the Fly(M) and Butterfly(F) are good choices. Link

Lombard

It may seem counterintuitive, but I have found I am more likely to slide forward if my saddle ia positioned more forward. Have you tried moving it backward.