Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

About choosing saddle width...

Search
Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

About choosing saddle width...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-24-19 | 09:32 AM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 168
Likes: 4

Bikes: Merida x-fit 2010;

About choosing saddle width...

today I went to LBS to measure my sit bone width,the fitter use shimano sit bone tools to measure my sit bone width is 13cm.
I want to buy selleitlia ,ulr below
https://www.selleitalia.com/en/saddl...nio-superflow/
size s3 width is 130mm
size l3 width is 146mm
according to https://www.selleitalia.com/en/idmatch-experience/
idmatch,I go through 7 steps ,the result size is s3 but which only 130 width.
is it all right for me ? s3?
according to youtube or google I should choose my sit bone width plus 20mm which should be 150.
so how can I choose?
7 steps is below
1 male
2 height 179
3 body size medium
4 medium flexible
5 what kind of biker : road
6 which is your target : Medio fondo(sometimes I ride at night for 20km ,so I choose this one) Granfondo (sunday or sartaday I sometimes ride about 60-100km)Endurance(I don't understand this type) Cycle-Touring(I don't understand this type)
7 how long have you ride :I choose >6hours
the result size is s3 ,SP-01 BOOST KIT CARBONIO SUPERFLOW https://www.selleitalia.com/en/saddl...o-superflow-s/

so ,what the best choice for me?
I have called selleitalia about my question,the tech man told me should follow idmatch.......I also told him my sit bone width is 13cm.
my english is not good,can't fully understand he told me ,but his advice is s3 based on idmatch.



https://www.mantel.com/uk/selle-ital...perflow-saddle

seat bone width 115-129 s3 130-144 l3,so how can I choose?


Last edited by cycling2012; 06-24-19 at 09:51 AM.
cycling2012 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-24-19 | 10:02 AM
  #2  
Banzai's Avatar
Jet Jockey
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,941
Likes: 30
From: St. Paul, MN

Bikes: Cannondale CAAD9, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Nashbar X-frame bike, Bike Friday Haul-a-Day, Surly Pugsley.

General rule to start is “sit bones + 2cm” for width.

This, however, will vary by the shape of the saddle, and by your riding posture.
Banzai is offline  
Reply
Old 06-24-19 | 06:36 PM
  #3  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 168
Likes: 4

Bikes: Merida x-fit 2010;

Originally Posted by Banzai
General rule to start is “sit bones + 2cm” for width.

This, however, will vary by the shape of the saddle, and by your riding posture.
so if my sit bones is 13cm,if I choose s3 which width is 130mm ,is it ok?
or choose l3 which is 146mm
my posture is not very aggressive ,just normal.
cycling2012 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-24-19 | 06:48 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 249
Likes: 28
If your sit bones are 13 cm. Add two you get 15cm. Convert that to mm and you'll get 150mm. So I'd go with that measurement for proper saddle width.
Weakbikr is offline  
Reply
Old 06-24-19 | 06:51 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 249
Likes: 28
What did your bike fitter suggest?
Weakbikr is offline  
Reply
Old 06-24-19 | 06:56 PM
  #6  
seau grateau's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 9,948
Likes: 400
From: PHL

Bikes: Litespeed Catalyst, IRO Rob Roy, All City Big Block

Originally Posted by Weakbikr
What did your bike fitter suggest?
+1 It's a special kind of backwards to have your sitbones measured by a bike fitter and then ask the internet what saddle you should buy.
seau grateau is offline  
Reply
Old 06-24-19 | 07:27 PM
  #7  
Nessism's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 553
From: Torrance, CA

Bikes: Homebuilt steel

I'd go 146 since your sit bones are at 130. And carbon rails are a luxury, not a necessity, so let your wallet steer you. Personally, I recently bought a Fabric Race saddle and really like it. About $100 USD w/Ti rails. Plenty light.
Nessism is offline  
Reply
Old 06-24-19 | 09:06 PM
  #8  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 168
Likes: 4

Bikes: Merida x-fit 2010;

Originally Posted by Weakbikr
What did your bike fitter suggest?
He just only told me that because he use shimano sit bone tools ,the measurement chart is only for shimano saddles,it maybe not suitable to other brand saddles.
He gave me to see the chart below ,the 13cm sit bone width should be choosen 142 or 152 based on shimano pro saddle,see pic below.I found the chart on internet same as the fitter told me
https://www.rideshimano.com/global/e...erfect-saddle/
also he told me it depend on the shape of the saddle..........






Last edited by cycling2012; 06-24-19 at 09:13 PM.
cycling2012 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-24-19 | 09:41 PM
  #9  
Sojodave's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 586
Likes: 143
From: Utah

Bikes: The Blurple Specialized Roubaix Pro

I have 13cm sit bones and I have a 145 Selle Italia Slr Superflow and it fits great. I used to ride a Power saddle with a 155. It depends on the saddle. You will be OK with a SelleItalia at 145.
Sojodave is offline  
Reply
Old 06-24-19 | 09:55 PM
  #10  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 168
Likes: 4

Bikes: Merida x-fit 2010;

Originally Posted by Sojodave
I have 13cm sit bones and I have a 145 Selle Italia Slr Superflow and it fits great. I used to ride a Power saddle with a 155. It depends on the saddle. You will be OK with a SelleItalia at 145.
thank you ~~~
cycling2012 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-24-19 | 10:30 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,944
Likes: 853
From: Wilmette, IL
I dont think I have sitbones. In any case, I'm a Unicanitor fan.
big chainring is offline  
Reply
Old 06-25-19 | 02:01 AM
  #12  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 168
Likes: 4

Bikes: Merida x-fit 2010;

Originally Posted by Weakbikr
If your sit bones are 13 cm. Add two you get 15cm. Convert that to mm and you'll get 150mm. So I'd go with that measurement for proper saddle width.
Originally Posted by seau grateau
+1 It's a special kind of backwards to have your sitbones measured by a bike fitter and then ask the internet what saddle you should buy.
Originally Posted by Nessism
I'd go 146 since your sit bones are at 130. And carbon rails are a luxury, not a necessity, so let your wallet steer you. Personally, I recently bought a Fabric Race saddle and really like it. About $100 USD w/Ti rails. Plenty light.
Originally Posted by Sojodave
I have 13cm sit bones and I have a 145 Selle Italia Slr Superflow and it fits great. I used to ride a Power saddle with a 155. It depends on the saddle. You will be OK with a SelleItalia at 145.
Originally Posted by big chainring
I dont think I have sitbones. In any case, I'm a Unicanitor fan.
do you guys know what is difference of these?

Medio fondo
Granfondo
Endurance
Cycle-Touring
ring
cycling2012 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-25-19 | 04:52 AM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 249
Likes: 28
No I'm sorry I don't. Hopefully one of the others will. I feel your pain, choosing the right saddle can be such a pain..... literally. I went through several and never found my goldilocks. I kinda gave up for a while. I've considered trying again this year but I have an old fizik that is working to I'm sticking with it for now. Good luck in the hunt. Sounds like a couple folks with some experience with your brand have offered some good advice.
Weakbikr is offline  
Reply
Old 06-25-19 | 05:09 AM
  #14  
Sy Reene's Avatar
Advocatus Diaboli
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 9,143
Likes: 1,736
From: Wherever I am

Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX

Here's another manufacturers guidance for picking width.. ymmv;

Sy Reene is offline  
Reply
Old 06-25-19 | 07:04 AM
  #15  
bruce19's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,158
Likes: 1,743
From: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT

Bikes: Canyon Aeroad, CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX, Guru steel & Guru Photon

I have done all the things that have been referenced here including computerized saddle mapping. Thee only thing that has ever worked over the past 40 yrs. is trial & error.
bruce19 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-25-19 | 07:27 AM
  #16  
dmanthree's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 298
From: Northeastern MA, USA

Bikes: Garmin/Tacx Bike Smart

Agree on trial and error. I've been down the "scientific" road twice, both times pointing me to a seat that was pure hell. And yes, both times I used the "assometer" to get all the proper measurements. Epic fail, both times. I ended up with a Brooks C17, which I tried via another rider's suggestion. Never would have looked at it otherwise.
dmanthree is offline  
Reply
Old 06-25-19 | 08:56 AM
  #17  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 168
Likes: 4

Bikes: Merida x-fit 2010;

Originally Posted by dmanthree
Agree on trial and error. I've been down the "scientific" road twice, both times pointing me to a seat that was pure hell. And yes, both times I used the "assometer" to get all the proper measurements. Epic fail, both times. I ended up with a Brooks C17, which I tried via another rider's suggestion. Never would have looked at it otherwise.
my english is not good,so Brooks C17 is good or bad to u?
cycling2012 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-25-19 | 09:08 AM
  #18  
dmanthree's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 298
From: Northeastern MA, USA

Bikes: Garmin/Tacx Bike Smart

It's Good

Originally Posted by cycling2012
my english is not good,so Brooks C17 is good or bad to u?
The C17 is the saddle that works for me. It's a very different design from most modern saddles, though. Rubber base with a cotton lined top.
dmanthree is offline  
Reply
Old 06-25-19 | 09:14 AM
  #19  
seau grateau's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 9,948
Likes: 400
From: PHL

Bikes: Litespeed Catalyst, IRO Rob Roy, All City Big Block

Originally Posted by cycling2012
do you guys know what is difference of these?

Medio fondo
Granfondo
Endurance
Cycle-Touring
ring
Medio fondo = not very long distance
Gran fondo = pretty long distance
Endurance = long distance
Cycle-touring = very long distance
seau grateau is offline  
Reply
Old 06-25-19 | 09:42 AM
  #20  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 168
Likes: 4

Bikes: Merida x-fit 2010;

Originally Posted by seau grateau
Medio fondo = not very long distance
Gran fondo = pretty long distance
Endurance = long distance
Cycle-touring = very long distance
so I sometimes ride in the city for about 15-20km at night,sometimes 40-120km at weekend.
so what type fits me ?
cycling2012 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-25-19 | 09:58 AM
  #21  
seau grateau's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 9,948
Likes: 400
From: PHL

Bikes: Litespeed Catalyst, IRO Rob Roy, All City Big Block

Originally Posted by cycling2012
so I sometimes ride in the city for about 15-20km at night,sometimes 40-120km at weekend.
so what type fits me ?
Hard to say. I haven't heard those terms used to refer to saddles before and I wouldn't necessarily use something like ride distance to choose a saddle, except that you want it to be comfortable on your longest rides. Your position on the bike is an important factor here. And as others have said, some trial and error is likely going to happen. If your shop has a saddle demo/test ride program, that might be good to try.
seau grateau is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Banzai
Road Cycling
9
06-14-19 09:03 PM
funbikerchick
Fitting Your Bike
5
11-25-15 01:11 AM
UnfilteredDregs
Fitting Your Bike
19
12-29-13 11:08 PM
ducati hyp
Road Cycling
5
12-24-13 07:43 PM
rangerdavid
Road Cycling
58
07-29-11 09:52 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.