Saddle for female
#1
Pizzaiolo Americano
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Saddle for female
My wife and I are both new to road cycling and took our first actual ride today. It was awesome except for my wife getting a little sore on her inner thigh. She was wearing padded bike shorts but the seat is still bothering her there. The shop set her up with a pretty well padded seat but it is also a bit thicker at the front. My wife is tall and slender. Any suggestions on saddles or is this something she will get used to?
Last edited by Pizzaiolo Americano; 07-14-21 at 10:22 AM.
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The combination of padded nose of the saddle and padded shorts may be too much padding in the wrong place.
Specialized makes a variety of saddles in 2 or three different widths. Our local shop didn't have loaners but there was a 30 day return period as long as the saddle was in good condition. We tried 6 or 7 saddles over two months until we found style and width that worked well for us.
Saddles are very individual kind of like hiking boots.
Edit: The only irritation/pain you should have to get used to is the pressure on your sit bones. Anything else is an indicator of a problem.
Specialized makes a variety of saddles in 2 or three different widths. Our local shop didn't have loaners but there was a 30 day return period as long as the saddle was in good condition. We tried 6 or 7 saddles over two months until we found style and width that worked well for us.
Saddles are very individual kind of like hiking boots.
Edit: The only irritation/pain you should have to get used to is the pressure on your sit bones. Anything else is an indicator of a problem.
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#3
Non omnino gravis
Went through a similar ordeal with my wife-- there have been at least half a dozen saddles bolted ot her bike over the past two years. I finally just gave up and bought her a Selle Anatomica NSX and called it a day. They're expensive and the looks are not for everyone, but I've yet to find a person that finds them uncomfortable. I've got better than 15,000 miles between the Selles on my bikes.
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My wife has the Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow saddle and likes it: https://www.probikekit.com/bicycle-s.../10774729.html
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My wife and I are both new to cycling and took our first actual ride today. It was awesome except for my wife getting a little sore on her inner thigh. She was wearing padded bike shorts but the seat is still bothering her there. The shop set her up with a pretty well padded seat but it is also a bit thicker at the front. My wife is tall and slender. Any suggestions on saddles or is this something she will get used to?
World's Most Comfortable Bike Saddles & Seats | Terry
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It's going to take some time actually riding to determine what the issue(s) could be. Fit, clothing, and in general just getting used to a new form of exercise, all play a part in comfort while riding. But, should a new saddle be necessary, as a woman I second the Sella Italia Diva (should cost around $110-$120 depending on where you shop).
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I'm a girl kitty, and looking at that saddle I'm already in pain! That much padding would destroy me.
For ladies, something with a bit less stuff in the middle can be helpful (think about it). There are saddles with cutouts (like the Terry and Diva Flow mentioned above), and others that lack cutouts but accomplish the same thing (like the older Fizik models - I'm a fan of the now discontinued Donna, and have one on two of my bikes.)
One other thing to keep in mind is that women's sit bones come in various widths, and it's helpful to have an idea of how wide one's sit bones are in order to fit a saddle. Some companies make women's saddles for different sit bone widths. It sounds like your wife might do well with one designed for narrower ladies, which is also likely to rub less on the thighs.
As others have mentioned, saddles are personal, and it might take a few tries. I encourage you not to go cheap, because the right saddle can make all the difference between a good ride and a painfest.
For ladies, something with a bit less stuff in the middle can be helpful (think about it). There are saddles with cutouts (like the Terry and Diva Flow mentioned above), and others that lack cutouts but accomplish the same thing (like the older Fizik models - I'm a fan of the now discontinued Donna, and have one on two of my bikes.)
One other thing to keep in mind is that women's sit bones come in various widths, and it's helpful to have an idea of how wide one's sit bones are in order to fit a saddle. Some companies make women's saddles for different sit bone widths. It sounds like your wife might do well with one designed for narrower ladies, which is also likely to rub less on the thighs.
As others have mentioned, saddles are personal, and it might take a few tries. I encourage you not to go cheap, because the right saddle can make all the difference between a good ride and a painfest.
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Brooks England Women's Cambium C17 S Saddle
Wiggle | Brooks England Women's Cambium C17 S Saddle | Performance Saddles
Wiggle | Brooks England Women's Cambium C17 S Saddle | Performance Saddles
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General statement that I think applies to men and women.
With the right seat - less padding is better.
The right seat will be different. It varies for men and women. How you tilt also varies.
Here is a cheap trick. To start sit on a concrete floor, legs in front. For most, the sit bones will hit the floor and you can feel where the contact is. You can the sit on a wet wash cloth, then the floor and sometimes (this kinda works) get an imprint you can measure.
The seat should be supporting about there - a little narrower. I think the middle cut-outs are the way to go.
But you have to try seats. Dump the padding in both the seat and shorts for testing. Once the fit is right, nothing wrong with a slightly thicker pad, but not thinking there is much good either.
Edit Add: Fit changes over time. Due to power, having kids, age. Those Brooks folks (like me) may tell you they have used the same saddle for 40 years, but the saddle adapts. I jumped on my 30 year old Brooks and it fits different than my current one. I'm a guy. My wife, changed with kids. My female tandem partner - no kids changed less. All obvious stuff, but I saw it in selection. I have a bucket of used saddles. Just how it goes.
With the right seat - less padding is better.
The right seat will be different. It varies for men and women. How you tilt also varies.
Here is a cheap trick. To start sit on a concrete floor, legs in front. For most, the sit bones will hit the floor and you can feel where the contact is. You can the sit on a wet wash cloth, then the floor and sometimes (this kinda works) get an imprint you can measure.
The seat should be supporting about there - a little narrower. I think the middle cut-outs are the way to go.
But you have to try seats. Dump the padding in both the seat and shorts for testing. Once the fit is right, nothing wrong with a slightly thicker pad, but not thinking there is much good either.
Edit Add: Fit changes over time. Due to power, having kids, age. Those Brooks folks (like me) may tell you they have used the same saddle for 40 years, but the saddle adapts. I jumped on my 30 year old Brooks and it fits different than my current one. I'm a guy. My wife, changed with kids. My female tandem partner - no kids changed less. All obvious stuff, but I saw it in selection. I have a bucket of used saddles. Just how it goes.
Last edited by Doge; 02-10-18 at 04:58 PM.
#11
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That Diva Gel Flow looks to be a version of my C2 Gel Flow that I have but haven't used. Maybe I should give it a try.
#12
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Cycling weekly just did a segment on seat fitting
Can this system pick the best saddle for you? | Cycling Weekly
Not sure what shops might have this available but may be something of interest.
Not sure what shops might have this available but may be something of interest.
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The Shimano Stealth is a great saddle (bike is hanging - sorry for the angle). They do not have a Men's and Women's version - just different width. I bought the wider for me as my butt is so large, but it was too wide as my bone are not - back to the Brooks leather for me.
My wife tried it and loves it. Wife has 30+ years of riding, but was recently complaining more about a saddle she was happy with the last 20 years.
20180210_142845.jpg
My wife tried it and loves it. Wife has 30+ years of riding, but was recently complaining more about a saddle she was happy with the last 20 years.
20180210_142845.jpg
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#16
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As others have said there is no perfect saddle that works for everyone. With that said......... I have fit many many women to their bikes and I have found the Terry Butterfly to be a very popular go to saddle for many of our female riders.
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The Shimano Stealth is a great saddle (bike is hanging - sorry for the angle). They do not have a Men's and Women's version - just different width. I bought the wider for me as my butt is so large, but it was too wide as my bone are not - back to the Brooks leather for me.
My wife tried it and loves it. Wife has 30+ years of riding, but was recently complaining more about a saddle she was happy with the last 20 years.
Attachment 598967
My wife tried it and loves it. Wife has 30+ years of riding, but was recently complaining more about a saddle she was happy with the last 20 years.
Attachment 598967
#20
Pizzaiolo Americano
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#21
Pizzaiolo Americano
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Thanks everyone. Some great information on here. It seems like the stand outs to try are the Brooks, Selle and Specialized seats. I think I will go look on eBay and see if there are any of them out there used. It would seem with all the folks on a quest for the right saddle, there would be some used available. If not, I'll probably try the Selle first. I live close to the factory so maybe a trip there is in order? I bet they could get my wife on the right seat...Looking at the map, it is about an hour away.
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Yarbrough, go to your local bike shop and see what loaner saddles they might have.
Fizik usually has a loaner system for shops. Also, many shops offer 30-day money back guarantees, so you can try a saddle and return it if she doesn't like it. Performance Bike and REI have good return policies.
Fizik usually has a loaner system for shops. Also, many shops offer 30-day money back guarantees, so you can try a saddle and return it if she doesn't like it. Performance Bike and REI have good return policies.
#23
Pizzaiolo Americano
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Yarbrough, go to your local bike shop and see what loaner saddles they might have.
Fizik usually has a loaner system for shops. Also, many shops offer 30-day money back guarantees, so you can try a saddle and return it if she doesn't like it. Performance Bike and REI have good return policies.
Fizik usually has a loaner system for shops. Also, many shops offer 30-day money back guarantees, so you can try a saddle and return it if she doesn't like it. Performance Bike and REI have good return policies.
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The Terry Butterfly is popular with the women in my group.
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My wife also likes her Selle Diva. Best saddle she's ever used and she's been through a number of them. I have their MAN saddle and love it.
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