Buying a saddle in Cheshire (Warrington area)

[Dave7]

Having tried 2 saddles I am still struggling with pain in the old sit bones (I'm sure we used to just call it my a*^"e).
Is there a shop/place that...........................
a) has a good selection
b) got measuring facilities
c) will put it on a bike (maybe my bike) to try.......maybe on a trainer?

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Chester specialised shop. any saddle you buy after they have fitted you and you don't get on with, you can return for an exchange of another one if you have your receipt and the packaging within 30 days.
I took my bike, my cycling kit and changed in their toilets last time around - remember padded shorts change the height of the seat very slightly... they were very accommodating and helpful and even went next door to the other bike shop (which I think is part of their network or something) to get some other saddles for me in different sizes.

 

[Dave7]

Chester specialised shop. any saddle you buy after they have fitted you and you don't get on with, you can return for an exchange of another one if you have your receipt and the packaging within 30 days.
I took my bike, my cycling kit and changed in their toilets last time around - remember padded shorts change the height of the seat very slightly... they were very accommodating and helpful and even went next door to the other bike shop (which I think is part of their network or something) to get some other saddles for me in different sizes.

Thanks.........I have thought of them but am trying to avoid a 40 mile round trip. Dont get me wrong-I will gladly do it if there is nothing nearer (anything to protect my poor bum).
Two questions............
why change the seat height ??
Would it be wise to take my own bike ?

 

[Cyclist33]

Thanks.........I have thought of them but am trying to avoid a 40 mile round trip. Dont get me wrong-I will gladly do it if there is nothing nearer (anything to protect my poor bum).
Two questions............
why change the seat height ??
Would it be wise to take my own bike ?

She means: padded shorts change the seat height very slightly. ie the pad adds an effective mm or so to the distance from bumcheek to pedal.

Then so do shoes with different sole thicknesses...

Definitely take own bike as extent of your seatpost and geometry around the bike affects where your bits are positioned on whichever saddle you try.

Have you tried Ron Spencer; D&M Cycles; Cyclehouse in Warrington & or Decathlon, just in case any of them will let you take a saddle for a trial period? (I know Cyclehouse used to with the Fizik saddle range.)

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

sorry, I had only seen Cheshire and well Chester is not far from me (well 15 miles each way but there is little in Northwich and my options are few are far between from where I live). Where in Cheshire are you then?

yes definitely take your bike but also you will find a new saddle will change the height of your seat as well simply because each saddle is a different height from rails to where your backside eventually rests, some are simply thicker than others! Take all your normal bike kit, so if you have a set pair of shorts, set pair of shoes etc, they need to go with you and your bike. These things all make small differences IME and I have been through plenty of saddles trying to find the one that does not hurt my sit bones which is why I mentioned the specialized option with the 30 day return policy. I found it useful and they had a very good selection of saddles (and even a good selection of women's saddles though in the end I settled on a men's one).

 

[Dave7]

She means: padded shorts change the seat height very slightly. ie the pad adds an effective mm or so to the distance from bumcheek to pedal.

Then so do shoes with different sole thicknesses...

Definitely take own bike as extent of your seatpost and geometry around the bike affects where your bits are positioned on whichever saddle you try.

Have you tried Ron Spencer; D&M Cycles; Cyclehouse in Warrington & or Decathlon, just in case any of them will let you take a saddle for a trial period? (I know Cyclehouse used to with the Fizik saddle range.)

Ben looking at Cyclehouse on the webbecause (as you say) they used to specialise in Fizk (no pun intended). Fizik aren't mentioned on thier site now........maybe they have stopped doing them.

 

[si_c]

Ben looking at Cyclehouse on the webbecause (as you say) they used to specialise in Fizk (no pun intended). Fizik aren't mentioned on thier site now........maybe they have stopped doing them.

Was just about to suggest Cyclehouse, used there Ellesmere Port shop a couple of times, been impressed with the service. Not had a look for saddles though, as I wasn't really that interested when I popped in.

 

[Globalti]

There's no point in messing around and spending money and time and angst on different saddles until you've got the setup right.

Height of saddle
Position of saddle on rails.
Angle of saddle - probably what most people get wrong and what causes the most problems.
Height of bars.
Distance of bars from front end.
Angle of bars and hoods.
Shorts pad.

Go to Paul Hewitt in Leyland and pay £50 for a proper bike setup session; he has many years of experience and will tell you straight away what's causing the problem. He will put you on his jig and check your measurements then adjust the bike to fit you, if possible. The last resort ought to be a different shape of saddle.

 

[Dave7]

There's no point in messing around and spending money and time and angst on different saddles until you've got the setup right.

Height of saddle
Position of saddle on rails.
Angle of saddle - probably what most people get wrong and what causes the most problems.
Height of bars.
Distance of bars from front end.
Angle of bars and hoods.
Shorts pad.

Go to Paul Hewitt in Leyland and pay £50 for a proper bike setup session; he has many years of experience and will tell you straight away what's causing the problem. He will put you on his jig and check your measurements then adjust the bike to fit you, if possible. The last resort ought to be a different shape of saddle.

TBH......I am not convinced with these bike fit thingies............BUT.........I have just emailed him with a view to having it done. If it's £50.00 and IF it works...then its £50.00 well spent.
I will let you know what happens.