Men's saddles/ Women's saddles

[MikeG]

There really isn't any difference, it there? My male-specific saddle from 7 or 8 years ago is indistinguishable from women-specific saddles hanging on the wall in the bike shop now. The width, the shape, the cut-out.......everything is completely in keeping with what you find in the women's section.

So, do any men here ride on women's saddles? Do any women ride on men's saddles?

Mike

 

[raindog]

I always thought there was a big difference in shape and width? I'm no expert on saddles, though.

 

[Rob3rt]

There is a difference!

Your comparison is flawed, comparing a modern saddle to something 8 years old.... compare like for like!

 

[vickster]

I wouldn't dream of riding on a men's saddle for more than a hundred yards

 

[MikeG]

There is a difference!

Your comparison is flawed, comparing a modern saddle to something 8 years old.... compare like for like!

Well, yes, but.....

My old saddle suited me. I've done thousands and thousands of miles on it. I can't get on with the saddles I am trying at the moment, so I am starting to look at women's saddles, amongst other things. If what suits my backside was called a men's saddle 8 or 10 years ago, but is called a women's saddle now (and my bum hasn't changed in that time), one has to question the categories. That's all I'm doing.

Mike

 

[MisterStan]

The saddle on MrsStan's bike is like a sofa, compared to the razor blade on my bike.

 

[vickster]

Well, yes, but.....

My old saddle suited me. I've done thousands and thousands of miles on it. I can't get on with the saddles I am trying at the moment, so I am starting to look at women's saddles, amongst other things. If what suits my backside was called a men's saddle 8 or 10 years ago, but is called a women's saddle now (and my bum hasn't changed in that time), one has to question the categories. That's all I'm doing.

Mike

Go to a specialized dealer, get your bum measured and take their advice. They grade based on the type of riding etc. it is trial and error though

 

[MikeG]

That's exactly what I am doing, Vickster. I bought a new bike from a Specialized dealer in January, swapped saddles at the time after being measured, and have tried 3 different ones since. Everyone said that the Avatar is like an armchair, and I gave it a good chance (200+ miles)...... I can just about sit down in the office again now. It was murder. I now have a Specialized Targa, which has the right amount of padding in the right places (which is the hard bit), but is the first saddle I have ever tried which doesn't feel the right shape. It rubs my thighs, and doesn't actually located me very well (it doesn't give me a great clue as to where to actually sit). So, I'm getting a bit fed up with Specialized saddles. My 143mm bum is headed for a MTB saddle next, and after that maybe a women's saddle. Just don't tell anyone.

Mike

 

[Cyclopathic]

Women's saddles tend to have a woman's bottom on them and men's have men's bottoms on them. Anything else would be perverse and unnatural and definitely a naughty sin.

 

[Mr Celine]

Mrs Celine bought a Specialized Dolce last year but couldn't get on with the women's specific saddle it came with. She 'borrowed' the saddle from my Sirrus and never gave it back.

 

[vickster]

Presumably it wasn't the correct width, or shape.

Surprisingly, given the amount of padding on my ample derrière, I appear to have average width sit bones for one of the superior sex, 155mm and this is the size specialized women's bikes come with i believe . However, there will be others who have narrower sit bones, 143cm which may be a more standard width for men.

Get measured as above if struggling with saddles

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Presumably it wasn't the correct width, or shape.

Surprisingly, given the amount of padding on my ample derrière, I appear to have average width sit bones for one of the superior sex, 155cm and this is the size specialized women's bikes come with i believe . However, there will be others who have narrower sit bones, 143cm which may be a more standard width for men.

Get measured as above if struggling with saddles

You mean MM right? Otherwise you really do have ample derrière

 

[vickster]

Ah yes, blame it on the drugs, lack of sleep and unruly typing finger

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I used to ride on a women's specific cut out saddle, but when it wore out all of the other women's specific ones I tried just didn't feel comfortable. Now I can happily ride for hours on the saddle I have, a specialised BG phenom expert which is a man's saddle. Curiously though it is only comfortable for me on my road bike... on my tourer I have yet to find a suitable replacement saddle. And as for my mountain bike, well that is still on the stock (men's) saddle which I find to be very comfortable!

 

[steveindenmark]

I bought a brand new Brooks Imperial saddle for £8 off e bay Germany. It turned out to be a women's Imperial. They are shorter than the men's. the day after I fitted it to the bike I rode my first 100 miler on it. It's a great saddle.

I have lots of saddles in the shed that I have bought, tested and discarded. It just shows you that you never know where the right saddle is going to come from. I would never dreamed of trying a woman's saddle out.

Steve