The right saddle?
 

About two years ago, I got my ass measured by the specialized ass measure meter. I measure a 142cm so I picked up a 143 toupe.

Now I am on a new build, caad 10. I am really interested in fizik saddles, arione, antares and maybe even the aliante however the aliante seems like there is a lot of padding, I am used to pretty thin saddles like the toupe.

My question is, even though I measured a 142cm how important is it to match saddle and ass size? I know that many people ride saddles that are not specifically their size.

I guess i will just have to try one out...

What's wrong with the toupe? If it works, why change?

True, but I am open to try new saddles. I think im going to give the antares a try, it is 142 as well.

Good luck, I keep trying new saddles too but always wind up back on one of my Brooks B-17s. The latest attempt was with a Fizik Aliante Kium saddle.

When I sat on the Specialized measuring pad, my sit bones measured 115 mm. According to the chart on the backside (pun intended), I should use a 143. So, are your sit bones 142mm apart?

I rode a Toupe for 4-5K miles, and it was fine. But am now back to my 130mm Fizik Arione, which is also fine ... at least once I corrected the reach. It was too much, which my fitter said can cause problems with saddle sores.

Damn I don't know what I measured and i guess there was a chart, I just remember that I am suppose to be on a 142 saddle. I do not get any saddle sores. I will give the antares a try and see how things go.

If you want to give the Arione a try, I can hook you up. PM me.

Why, you got one you want to sell?

Thats not how that thing works, a 14.2 CM will probably require a 155 saddle possibly. there should be a chart on the back that will give you the proper size. just a heads up.

This reads like a craigslist posting for a guy willing to "try some new things" ;)

- personally I like my selle san marco aspide and selle san marco caymano fx. i'm happy because they still have padding (albeit minimal) and are very light weight.

I ended up buying extras on eBay if they are cheap (like below $80 sometimes) so I can put them on new builds if the time arrives.

If you find a good saddle (and it looks like you have with the specialized one that fits perfectly for you rear) might as well buy it in other colors to fit new builds. You might find new saddles to no be "big enough" for you and you end up unsatisfied, or worse: "TOO BIG" and you end up with rear end issues after long and hard sessions on it.

^^ So you're the one causing a shortage of Aspide Arrowheads... :)

OP - those ass-o-meters are not very reliable. I got measured for a 145mm Bonty RXL, and also got a 143mm Toupe after that. After a bunch of riding, I find that I am happiest on 130mm saddles - Selle San Marco Aspide Arrowheads that the runningDoc hoards, as well as the 130mm Toupe.

So dont trust the ass-o-meter and limit yourself.

Yep.

I like Fizik's Arione. Probably going to go back to one.

I hated the Arione My bike came with. Got the Antares and its fits me well.

Selling my Arione if anyone is interested... about to put it up in the Marketplace....

I prefer the toupe in 143mm. I have an aliante that works fine for shorter rides, but it doesn't really let you move around. The aliante is not as padded as it looks, but the shape of the toupe works better for me.

For the love of God stay with the Specialized. Riding a Fiziik is like being rectally impaled.....IMHO. Had both the Arionne and Antares and only suffered on them.

Just moved from an Aliante to an Avatar. Really like it so far......but here is one piece of info. When I got the Aliante a few years ago, I couldn't get it quite right, never really comfortable. A few months later, I got a fitting. Hazah! Saddle disappeared beneath me.

Put on the Avatar....couldn't get it right.....sigh....had a quick refit (same person). Hazah! Saddle disappeared beneath me on today's ride. So keep in mind that setup is key 'cause you could have a good saddle and not even know it.

Back-in-the-day before Specialized perfected (??!!!) the "ass-o-meter", we went by what felt good after at least a few hundred-or-so miles. Kind of like wearing shoes, ya' know?

I ride a Selle SMP. Some would say they're pricey, but they're worth the money IMHO.

That's kind of what I'm beginning to think also.

Had recurring saddle sores. Figured I'd blame the saddle (Arione). Changed the saddle to a Toupe, which was better. But still had occasional sores, but much less. Eventually got a pro fit, and discovered the reach was too great. Changed the reach, went back to the Arione (which feels really comfortable now). I like your phrase: "saddle disappeared beneath me."