Sit bone position on saddle...
 

Where should your sit bones be on a saddle?

I ask because I've been riding an Arione for a year and have never felt like I've found the right spot on it. My sit bones are most comfortable in the soft part where it flares out - between the nose and the widest part of the wing. Problem is, there's too much pressure on the fleshy parts. If I move back on the saddle, it's not comfortable either. If you put your knuckles together from both hands so that they sit directly on top of each other, that is what it feels like. Is that the right place?

My bike came with a Selle San Marcos, which I switched back to a couple of weeks ago. I find that I like it better - if I tilt the nose down a fair bit, but it does block blood flow under the sit bones noticeably after about 25 miles.

I tried out a Specialized Avatar at an LBS. The guy that measured me said I had the narrowest sit bones he'd ever measured - so he stuck a 130mm saddle on my bike to try out. At first, it was painful on the sit bones, but that diminished after a few minutes. Only problem is that there is exactly ONE position on that saddle.

So, I'm at a loss to determine what to do, other than ask: Where should your sit bones be on a saddle?

Maybe I just didn't ride in the right spot on the Arione, or maybe I should go with the Avatar.

Mine move around a bit, depending on what kind of pedaling I'm doing: sprinting, climbing, resting, etc. Basically, mine are right where the narrow part of the saddle is becoming wider.

No saddle will ever be perfect, so just go with the one that seems most comfy.

Same here. I ride an Arione and I find that when I'm mashing on the flats I sit more towards the front of the saddle. When I'm spinning up a hill I sit on the back of the saddle. I move around a bit and I like that I have that flexibility on this saddle. I've also found that my butt gets used to it after a while. Haven't had any numbing yet with this saddle after over 1000 miles either.

What I learned when I went to my fitting (and got a new saddle) was that your sit bones should be right in the middle of the fat parts of the saddle. Im going to attach a picture to see if this helps...



edit: AHA! I found a good diagram...

http://goodalesbikeshop.com/images/l...r_280_05_p.jpg Now your seat bones will move around depending on the situation. You want to make sure that when your in the drops that your seat bones are supporting the weight and not putting pressure on the region.

I have a new Specialized Avatar 143, after 100 miles on it, turns out it is too narrow, definitely need a 155. Only way to really know is to try, I thought I'd get used to it, or it'd get used to me.

Too late to return/swap it, if anyone has a new 155 and wants a 143 I'm down for a swap ;)

I do like the design of the Avatar, little bit of gel but still stiff enough to support you. I just need the extra width to get my sit bones actually on the seat fully.

-Bill

Over time, your sit bones will get used to being sat on. Your fleshy parts will, too, but that's a whole 'nuther problem.