Saddle fit...amazing new machine
09-09-14, 05:33 PM
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Saddle fit...amazing new machine
Trek/Bontrager has come up with a device that can map your pressure points on the saddle. This was developed by a German company and is absolutely amazing. There are only 3 of these devices in the US at present. Bicycles East in Glastonbury, CT has one and Steve, the owner along with wife Deb, let me be the first "test dummy" for it. I just got back from the shop and all I can say is it's amazing. This thing maps pressure points and gives a computerized graphic display of pressure points and numerical values of the pressure intensity. For me what I discovered was that despite the old "sit on the pad and measure the distance between sitz bones" method, I actually need a narrower seat. I have the readout that Steve sent me but I don't think if I can upload it here. If you would like to see it just email me at bruce19@charter.net.
09-09-14, 06:00 PM
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09-09-14, 06:18 PM
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A good question. But, I can tell you that I started with my existing saddle and went to others and could tell a difference that was consistent with the readout. And besides it's science.
09-09-14, 06:18 PM
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So much win in this thread already.
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09-09-14, 06:21 PM
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Trek/Bontrager has come up with a device that can map your pressure points on the saddle. This was developed by a German company and is absolutely amazing. There are only 3 of these devices in the US at present. Bicycles East in Glastonbury, CT has one and Steve, the owner along with wife Deb, let me be the first "test dummy" for it. I just got back from the shop and all I can say is it's amazing. This thing maps pressure points and gives a computerized graphic display of pressure points and numerical values of the pressure intensity. For me what I discovered was that despite the old "sit on the pad and measure the distance between sitz bones" method, I actually need a narrower seat. I have the readout that Steve sent me but I don't think if I can upload it here. If you would like to see it just email me at bruce19@charter.net.
Shorts with minimal padding like the triathletes use and then regular padding from Assos all the way down to Performance brand.
09-09-14, 06:32 PM
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I think there's been an amazing machine like that out for a while. You sit on it, & it maps out the pressure points.
It's called a Sybian.
It's called a Sybian.
Last edited by woodcraft; 09-09-14 at 06:47 PM.
09-09-14, 07:22 PM
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09-09-14, 07:24 PM
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09-09-14, 07:33 PM
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09-09-14, 08:20 PM
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09-09-14, 08:25 PM
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09-09-14, 08:29 PM
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09-09-14, 10:39 PM
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Also why the **** do some people keep calling them sitz bones? They're not named after some guy whose last name was Sitz or any crap like that, they're sit bones because you sit on them.
If you wanna act like you know something you can call them the ischial tuberosities.
If you wanna act like you know something you can call them the ischial tuberosities.
09-10-14, 04:43 AM
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09-10-14, 05:32 AM
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Maybe try the test again. This time with a narrower saddle. Then let's see what the pressure points say. Another way is what frame engineers use. A strain gauge setup that measures the movement while you are on a ride. Rather than to simulate a ride indoors on fixed position, make it dynamic with real riding conditions, and maybe different shorts while you're at it.
Shorts with minimal padding like the triathletes use and then regular padding from Assos all the way down to Performance brand.
Shorts with minimal padding like the triathletes use and then regular padding from Assos all the way down to Performance brand.
The real test is, of course, in riding. But, I thought it was pretty impressive that this could all be computerized and graphically represented. And, because I was his first one he didn't charge me anything and let me try the saddle that seemed to fit best. Will be doing a couple rides this week to see how the results measure up. FWIW we spent about 2 hours with this just because we were both interested in all the nuances. Previously Steve had fit me to a size 58 Masi I had been riding for several years. This time I came in with my new-to-me 54 Guru and he made sure all the stats were transferred to that bike. Again, at no charge. One of the things that became abundantly clear is different positions on the bike can make a serious difference in saddle comfort. I didn't realize how significant this could be. It was a great experience.
Last edited by bruce19; 09-10-14 at 05:45 AM.