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My rear is taking a beating

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Old 09-21-11 | 06:10 PM
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Can't beleive this thread hasn't degenerated into an english schoolboy - 'please sir, may I have another' joke fest looking at the title.
OP, I know specialized make a saddle in 155m wide size, I'd ask around and see if any stores have a bin of saddles that you can try out. I'm six foot and ride a 143, it's designed around the width of your sitbones and at your height it'd be very unlikely a 130mm saddle will fit. Unless you have a 28 - 30 inch waist.

edit: I agree with the poster above that a saddle that kills after 10 miles won't work and no amount of HTFU will help. Do it once do it right and move on.
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Old 09-21-11 | 07:14 PM
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You can measure your sit bones in a number of different ways: 1.if you have thick carpeting on your steps sit on one then measure middle to middle of the divots you leave
2. sit on a step with tin foil stretched across and again measure.
3. have also heard you can do the same by putting down baby powder if you have hardwood steps.
4. lay on your back, bend both legs and pull them into your chest, have your S.O id the sit bones and measure.

If you research your issue on the internet you will find that sit bone width is not necessarily the be all end all according to many fitters. It may help and it may not. In my case I have had problems with both wide seats that are supposed to fit me and more narrow seats. I am still searching for just the right saddle after going through a half dozen and getting a pro fit done. Good luck with your search!
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Old 09-21-11 | 08:16 PM
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Originally Posted by simpso57
Just called a couple LBS and they said they didnt have a way to measure my sit bones. One of them said they would put me in a 146 and see if that worked. I am an average 6'4. What size would you guys recommend for me? 155?
I don't think you can judge by height. Unfortunately even knowing the width of your sit bones won't necessarily mean you find the correct saddle. Every butt is different and it is a bit of trial and error.

I'm just shy of 6'2" by the way and have narrow sit bones. Prior saddle was a 132mm Arione, current saddle is a 143mm Romin, and I have had my sit bones measured with their special little device.

Can't remember what they told me my sit bone width was, but he said the Arione was fine. New bike I guess came with a 143mm Romin (just looked). Feels about the same as the Arione. Arione doesn't match the new bike so it is getting sold. I was planning on getting a new one in black but the romin feels about the same so I'm not going to bother.

Basically it comes down to this. A saddle that is too narrow will certainly be uncomfortable for you. A saddle that is wide enough won't necessarily be comfortable for you.

Last edited by ErichM; 09-21-11 at 08:26 PM.
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Old 09-22-11 | 07:56 AM
  #54  
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Also if you have shorts/bibs that greatly helps. Also you'd be astonished at the difference a chamois can make. I bought two new pairs of bibs and had to change the angle of my saddle slightly as they felt like they were pushing me forward on my hands more than my last pairs.

But as others said, try a fitting but mostly just start and keep riding!
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Old 09-22-11 | 08:29 AM
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Originally Posted by simpso57
Just called a couple LBS and they said they didnt have a way to measure my sit bones. One of them said they would put me in a 146 and see if that worked. I am an average 6'4. What size would you guys recommend for me? 155?
Width recommendation should not be based on height or weight. Get measured and then you'll know. I'm 5'11", 195 lbs, and measured to 130mm on the Specialized ass-o-meter. 130mm was the recommended saddle, sit bones are closer than that.
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Old 09-22-11 | 08:57 AM
  #56  
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Guys, I agree that height/weight can't be anywhere near 100% accurate but in looking at height & weight you can plot where the range of outcomes is likely to be. A bell curve if you will.

There are not many 6'4" dudes sized for a 130mm saddles. They number greater than zero, yes I totally agree. However there are a ton of 6'4" guys around 155mm.
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Old 09-22-11 | 09:18 AM
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Please Read:

No one has mentioned proper time off the bike to heal. Your muscles and your sit bones need to recuperate esp. when first getting into this sport. It will do you wonders and in a month's time you will start to notice improvement with the soreness. Give it proper time and you will see positives by just taking calculated days off.
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Old 09-23-11 | 10:59 AM
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Update:

I went to REI, who not only did not have an Ass-O-Meter but had a pretty poor selection of saddles. I purchased a Selle-Royal-Lookin Saddle this one because it looked bigger:

https://www.amazon.com/Selle-Royal-Lo.../dp/B004KWMAKM

Didn't know until I checked the website that this thing is 159 mm! Only had time for a quick 5 mile ride this morning on it, and it was MUCH better. My butt has "normal" soreness I would expect, but it is fine. I am thinking this saddle is probably too bulky, however, for when I go on longer rides. Luckily I can just return it since I got it at REI. I think I need to try a 143 mm saddle and compare, so I can see if I need a 143 or a 155...
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Old 09-23-11 | 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by simpso57
Update:

I went to REI, who not only did not have an Ass-O-Meter but had a pretty poor selection of saddles. I purchased a Selle-Royal-Lookin Saddle this one because it looked bigger:

https://www.amazon.com/Selle-Royal-Lo.../dp/B004KWMAKM

Didn't know until I checked the website that this thing is 159 mm! Only had time for a quick 5 mile ride this morning on it, and it was MUCH better. My butt has "normal" soreness I would expect, but it is fine. I am thinking this saddle is probably too bulky, however, for when I go on longer rides. Luckily I can just return it since I got it at REI. I think I need to try a 143 mm saddle and compare, so I can see if I need a 143 or a 155...
Yeah, REI isn't that great for saddles. Best place to get measured is a bike shop that carries Specialized.

Psst...I still have that 155mm Alias (in the road bike marketplace)...open to offers.
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Old 09-23-11 | 11:53 AM
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Originally Posted by dtrain
Yeah, REI isn't that great for saddles. Best place to get measured is a bike shop that carries Specialized.

Psst...I still have that 155mm Alias (in the road bike marketplace)...open to offers.
Yep, check out a Specialized shop. A lot of people really love Specialized saddles. I recently got a Specialized bike, so now I'm shopping at the Specialized dealer and I find their products are innovative and useful. Really love Specialized products, despite people calling them a generic big bike company.
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