Choosing saddle when you know sit bones width
06-30-10, 07:31 AM
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Choosing saddle when you know sit bones width
Hi All,
Happily after years of riding a stock LBS bike, I've decided to build my own with everything I want. I have made most all other decisions, but saddle fit is something I could use some guidance on.
I do know my sit bones width...basically what I did is get a large block of "Floral Foam" and sit on it...then measured the imprints. 70mm inner to inner and 190mm outer to outer...Impressions are 57.5mm ovals that are angled in a little, approximate center to center is 129mm.
What I don't understand is why saddles don't have a fit range...ie the below linked saddle says its width is 146 mm...which really does me no good, because I don't know what sort of sit bone width the saddle was designed for.
https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...6_20000_400033
I know I could always "test out" a few saddles at the LBS that has been helping me with some things on this project, but unless they let me take a saddle for a 50 mile ride, I really don't think I will have a full view of what is going on.
Question:
How do I go about choosing a saddle that is good for 129mm center to center of sit bones?
Thanks!
Happily after years of riding a stock LBS bike, I've decided to build my own with everything I want. I have made most all other decisions, but saddle fit is something I could use some guidance on.
I do know my sit bones width...basically what I did is get a large block of "Floral Foam" and sit on it...then measured the imprints. 70mm inner to inner and 190mm outer to outer...Impressions are 57.5mm ovals that are angled in a little, approximate center to center is 129mm.
What I don't understand is why saddles don't have a fit range...ie the below linked saddle says its width is 146 mm...which really does me no good, because I don't know what sort of sit bone width the saddle was designed for.
https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...6_20000_400033
I know I could always "test out" a few saddles at the LBS that has been helping me with some things on this project, but unless they let me take a saddle for a 50 mile ride, I really don't think I will have a full view of what is going on.
Question:
How do I go about choosing a saddle that is good for 129mm center to center of sit bones?
Thanks!
06-30-10, 07:42 AM
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Specialized recommends a 130mm saddle for bones up to 100mm wide, and 143 for bones between 100 and 130mm i think. Anything more than that and go for a 155. At least i think they were the numbers. Still no garantee it will work for ya tho
06-30-10, 07:52 AM
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I fell for the Specialized "butt meter" gimmick and tried to use my sitz bone width to pick a saddle. Both the Specialized saddles for that width and several other similiar sized saddles failed miserably for me.
Unfortunately, you can't use a ruler to find a good saddle. Trial and error is the only way. If your LBS won't let you do test rides, then Ebay is your friend. I bought and sold about 8-10 used (but like new) saddles before I found the best one for me. I tried most of them for free when I sold them back for virtually the same price.
Unfortunately, you can't use a ruler to find a good saddle. Trial and error is the only way. If your LBS won't let you do test rides, then Ebay is your friend. I bought and sold about 8-10 used (but like new) saddles before I found the best one for me. I tried most of them for free when I sold them back for virtually the same price.
06-30-10, 08:03 AM
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Trial and error really is the only way. A good bike shop will let you return a saddle within 30 days or so assuming it is undamaged. Some manufacturers also have actual test saddles (fizik, specialized, wtb) that you can borrow from shops for free.
The specialized meter is sort of useless IMO. I went to one shop and a guy told me that I definitely need a 155mm saddle. The next day I visited another place and the person said 143. Since no one actually has 155mm saddles in stock, I tried out a 143 mm Toupe and it seemed to work fantastically (aside from my sit bones being sore after about 4 hours unless I got into the drops for a few minutes). I'm now trying out a 143 mm Romin and it seems to be a winner. I do wish that I had access to 155mm saddles but if the Romin holds up on the 80ish mile ride I am planning to take tomorrow then there's no point in seeking one out.
The specialized meter is sort of useless IMO. I went to one shop and a guy told me that I definitely need a 155mm saddle. The next day I visited another place and the person said 143. Since no one actually has 155mm saddles in stock, I tried out a 143 mm Toupe and it seemed to work fantastically (aside from my sit bones being sore after about 4 hours unless I got into the drops for a few minutes). I'm now trying out a 143 mm Romin and it seems to be a winner. I do wish that I had access to 155mm saddles but if the Romin holds up on the 80ish mile ride I am planning to take tomorrow then there's no point in seeking one out.
