I just recently got into cycling and have a Giant OCR1. It came with a MTB seat which was ok, but I'd read good things about the Terry Fly saddles and the guy at the LBS that sold me the bike has one on his bike too and he highly recommended them. So I decided to go ahead and get one of the Terry Fly Cromoly Gellisma's that they had in. The package talks about the different styles of the Terry seats and how the different styles are good for different riding styles - with the Fly being more for performance.

So my question... Right now the seat feels pretty firm. What is the break in period on these? I felt the one on the guys bike at the LBS and it was really very soft after it was broken in. How long does it take to get to that though? Also, if I'm more of a recreational bike path rider, is this saddle suited for me? Is there really that much of a difference between them?

Thanks

Having described yourself as a recreational bike path cyclist (Good for you!), I recommend the Terry Cite Y Gel model - no break-in time, very comfortable, and accommodates a more upright riding position.

I recently picked up a Selle San Marco SKN saddle, after using gel saddles for awhile. It took about 100 miles for me to get used to it -- specifically, putting so much weight right on the sit bones. I didn't have any numbness or chafing. (Unless you've got a leather saddle, it's much more "you getting used to the saddle" than the saddle altering to suit you.)

So my informal suggestion is, if it doesn't feel good after 100 miles, OR if you feel numbness, you ought to try something else.

Gel saddles are good for shorter rides and more upright positions. In the short run they may be cushier, but will chafe and cause issues on longer rides. Firmer saddles are better for longer distances (30+ miles) and more horizontal positions.

Terry Fly is just fine, but it is a firm saddle, and will stay like that. It is firm, and designed to be more performance oriented. Break in for a Tery Fly is basically the breaking inthe leather and the surface to smooth out to your body movement. It won't get any softer. For your road bike, it should be just fine.

Coming from a gel saddle, I recently bought a Terry Zero which has even less padding than the Fly. At first I hated this saddle, it felt like my sit bones were perching on the corners of a brick. I tilted the saddle down one notch and this helped. I have ridden it a few hundred kilometers and now the saddle feels great. Very comfortable. Give your saddle some time.

I have a Terry Fly with over 8,000 miles on it and another with under 150 miles on it, and I can tell no difference between the two... other than the older one has a more worn cover.

I love the Terry Fly. I spent the last four years working in a bike shop and switched bikes a lot, which often meant buying a new saddle. I've tried others but I keep going back to the Fly. I'm currently on my third and now oldest one (they never wore out, I just sold them with the bike when I got a new one) and they have all been just as comfortable on day one as day 301. I think they even look better after some miles because the textured leather cover smooths out and doesn't look so funky.

I suppose that is also to say that they aren't any more comfortable on day 301 than on day 1. I just tried riding it around my neighborhood a little tonight, so I haven't really given it much of a chance yet, but hopefully the weather will get a little better and I can get out and try it for real. The LBS's guys seemed nice and broken and in actually pretty soft in comparison. He was thinking that would happen to mine as well.

So just what is it about the saddle that is so comfortable? Maybe I'm missing it. Maybe it is more of my riding position, and if that is the case, than maybe its not the best saddle choice for me.

Yeah the main difference between mine when it was new compared to now (3 months and a few thousand miles later) is that it's smoother, less grippy. Same firmness.

I would say if you don't like it after a couple weeks, take advantage of their guarantee and return it.