Seat preference?

jjiam said:

Hiya again all, another question about a saddle. I had a sefas seat with a cut out down the middle. But I had asked before what would be a better seat fit? A couple suggestions, so I went out and bought a Fizik Arione. Well I have tried and tried and tried it, but still can't get it right. I have a big ass, no getting over that, but also I'm kinda wondering the pain i get is from the hair on my ass pulling? or cause my ass doesn't fit right? I'm not sure but even if I shave my ass, I'm not sure if any of you do, but I still don't think it will be comfortable. So here again I'm asking for suggestions. I think the Fizik was too hard, not enough padding, maybe because i weigh 250lbs maybe not. But I'm sure there is probably better seats out there for me, so any suggestions will be appreciated, sorry its so long

Look. Seat preference is seat preference. THe whole Idea is that each cyclist has their own idea about what is comfortable and that makes sense because we are all different.

I have a hairy [censored] but I have never heard of a saddle which pulls [censored] hairs (unless Fizik have just released a saddle covered in superglue!). Even so you should be able to tell what the pain is because you are the one experiencing it. No one can tell you how you feel because we don't know.

That aside, you firstly should not be sitting on your [censored]. You should be sitting on the sitbones at your perenium (I'm not a medico but I think that's what its called). If you are putting pressure on a softer tissue area you will get pain after a while (and maybe some nice saddle sores). This is why you should be supported at the sit bones and you need to find a saddle which can do that. Generally a saddle which causes pain is not the right saddle.
If your sit bones are wide then you need a saddle which is wider to support them if they are narrower you need a narrower saddle which will prevent your legs being interfered with.

jjiam said:

Hiya again all, another question about a saddle. I had a sefas seat with a cut out down the middle. But I had asked before what would be a better seat fit? A couple suggestions, so I went out and bought a Fizik Arione. Well I have tried and tried and tried it, but still can't get it right. I have a big ass, no getting over that, but also I'm kinda wondering the pain i get is from the hair on my ass pulling? or cause my ass doesn't fit right? I'm not sure but even if I shave my ass, I'm not sure if any of you do, but I still don't think it will be comfortable. So here again I'm asking for suggestions. I think the Fizik was too hard, not enough padding, maybe because i weigh 250lbs maybe not. But I'm sure there is probably better seats out there for me, so any suggestions will be appreciated, sorry its so long

You might want to check out Specialized new Alias seat which comes in three sizes. Specialized dealers have a device to measure your "sit bones" to get the proper sizing. I bought one last week, and I love it. It is the seat that will come standard on the 2005 high-end models. A bike shop owner I know got a free one at the Specialized yearly dealer show, and tells me it is the most comfortable seat he has used in 25 years of riding.

skydive69 said:

You might want to check out Specialized new Alias seat which comes in three sizes. Specialized dealers have a device to measure your "sit bones" to get the proper sizing. I bought one last week, and I love it. It is the seat that will come standard on the 2005 high-end models. A bike shop owner I know got a free one at the Specialized yearly dealer show, and tells me it is the most comfortable seat he has used in 25 years of riding.

Yes, just read about the Specialized seats and "Assometer" at the dealers which was just shown at Interbike. I've been wondering how long it would take someone to come out with seats which are sized to the width of our sitzbones...like handlebars. The typical 5cm width on italian seats may work fine for 5'6" guys, but for us 6' and over types, it's probably a good cm to narrow to hit the bones correctly.

I'm on a Fizik Arione now. It's OK, but probably could be 1/2 cm wider to fit me just right.

dhk said:

Yes, just read about the Specialized seats and "Assometer" at the dealers which was just shown at Interbike. I've been wondering how long it would take someone to come out with seats which are sized to the width of our sitzbones...like handlebars. The typical 5cm width on italian seats may work fine for 5'6" guys, but for us 6' and over types, it's probably a good cm to narrow to hit the bones correctly.

I'm on a Fizik Arione now. It's OK, but probably could be 1/2 cm wider to fit me just right.

My dealer did not have the "assometer" yet so I started with the small seat (130 mm as I recall), but it did not seem quite right. I swapped it out for the medium seat, and it was just right! I also found measurements on Specialized website that confirmed the size medium for my bone measurements.

For 1, you might need better cycling shorts. The lycra opposite the chamois should (especially after sweating a bit) stick to the seat where the chamois is sliding against it freely, vs. anything sliding against your skin. That way no hair gets pulled. Ahhh. 🙂 For 2, no one, no how, can give you advice on what seat is going to feel good... you have to find a bike shop with a large selection, put a few on a trainer, zero in on what shape/padding feels better, try and try and try, and buy the one that's best. Some luck helps too.

Ugh! The ass hair thing is just grossing me out...but
I have found that some desitin on the chamois (it is cheaper then other butt products made for cycling...and works as well if not better) will cut down on the associated ass-hair torture.
As for the saddle- you spent $100+ on a seat and the dealer didnt even look at your sit bones? Where was that so I avoid it?
My Selle Italia is 6.5 inches and I love it- as well, I love the Terry fly as well (made by Selle). I am 205 lbs and have a 40" waist...also in the big ass club. I don't know if you are bigger then that in the waist...perhaps you are, but these are great seats.
Also, remember that the seat isn't going to break in for a couple hundred at least, and you ass will not develop the proper callus' (I know that isn't the right word...but I'm at a loss) on your sit bones until you ride all the time (3+ a week- at least 60 miles)
Anyway- try the desitin (or Butt'r, or Vasoline...which is a god awfull mess) and ride with it for a while- it may help.
Cheers

That is, even though it would be funny to see someone try and shave their ass (how the hell would you even start that?)

Telegram Sam said:

That is, even though it would be funny to see someone try and shave their ass (how the hell would you even start that?)

Ask someone you really trust to do it for you? 😕
I am NOT speaking from experience!

I wish I could write this in small print.

My parents genetically cursed me with womans ass and hips on a dudes body. I'm guessing I could give birth easier than the wifie. One day I swallowed my pride and switched to the Serfas Curva (Womans MTB saddle). Leather, does not -look- like a womans saddle, wider, not too hard not too soft. REI (main store) used to have a really cool device which looked like a merry-go-round with slots for 6 saddles and a set of stationary cranks.

I just upgraded to a Selle San Marco Arami Gelaround....Absolutely LOVE it. My last seat felt as though it was coming up between my sit bones and causing quite a bit of discomfort, pressure and rubbing which at time felt as though my hair was being pulled. The Arami has a wider back (also has a cut out) and now I sit comfortably on my sit bones. No more numbeness, pressure, etc.... it's all about fitting those sit bones.

Good Luck

You can fine lots of info and mixed opinions about the Brooks B17, but for me there is absolutely no comparison in terms of "comfort" compared to other saddles. That's not true for everyone, but most who have tried one and like it wouldn't ride anything else. A nice wide 170mm to support the sit bones, and after a period of "break-in" (that seems to vary from person to person) it's like having a custom-fit saddle. Some don't like the looks (too Retro) or weight (but unless you're a lightweight racer, who cares).

sfcommuter said:

You can fine lots of info and mixed opinions about the Brooks B17, but for me there is absolutely no comparison in terms of "comfort" compared to other saddles. That's not true for everyone, but most who have tried one and like it wouldn't ride anything else. A nice wide 170mm to support the sit bones, and after a period of "break-in" (that seems to vary from person to person) it's like having a custom-fit saddle. Some don't like the looks (too Retro) or weight (but unless you're a lightweight racer, who cares).

At 170 mm, "nice and wide" is an understatement. The widest that the Alias comes is 155 which should support a hippo's sit bones. 😄