Went for a saddle test... ended up being recommended a womens perch

[Goobs]

This weekend I gave up trying the roulette wheel of trying new saddles and went to my LBS to have a measure up and sit on turbo session to help find a comfortable perch. I have endured the stock Defy 1 saddle (ok for first hour) and the Charge Spoon (ok for the first 10 minutes) for too long with either sit bone pain or pain when on the drops around the penile region.

Firstly it took 4 attempts to make any kind of impression on the Specialized arse-ometer even then I am doubtful it was accurate at 110mm. I presume either my bones are too rounded or I have a fat backside. As it was a Specialized reseller we tried the Avatar first, then the Romin Expert Gel. Both were painful to the sit bones after just 5 minutes pedaling. Then we tried the Lithia - a womens saddle. It was surprisingly really comfy even after 5 minutes no matter what position I was. Finally we tried the Oura and I'd say slightly comfier still.

The Oura was better looking if more expensive at £90 for Ti or £120 carbon railed.

Has any other bloke tried and ended up buying WSD saddles ?

Just to mention Specialized let you return the saddle in 30 days for credit towards your next one if you are not happy with it when you buy from a shop rather than mailorder.

 

[vickster]

I've got a grey oura , looks lovely on the bike but it just doesn't work for me even though it was £80, it's immensely hard! I'm going to try a bontrager saddle, won't look at good but can't be less comfortable!

After the poor attitude in the specialized concept store yesterday, it's just compounded my dislike of the brand!

Can't see why it matters if it's a wsd saddle if that works for you

 

[Goobs]

I've got a grey oura , looks lovely on the bike but it just doesn't work for me even though it was £80, it's immensely hard! I'm going to try a bontrager saddle, won't look at good but can't be less comfortable!

After the poor attitude in the specialized concept store yesterday, it's just compounded my dislike of the brand!

Can't see why it matters if it's a wsd saddle if that works for you

I think the new Oura is now £90 but you can still get the older one for £80 or less.

Bike staff attitudes obviously may vary but Minster cycles where really helpful and spent over an hour with me. Even sweet talking the traffic warden to not giving me a ticket

Did you try taking your Oura back ?

 

[vickster]

No, I ordered online with a bit of a discount, I couldn't get it in store locally, it got fitted to a bike a few months later and then I couldn't ride the bike properly for another couple of months after being knocked off. The nose of the saddle looks dented now, strange but of course it's out of warranty. It's the right width according to the specialized measurement done at the time, just seemingly not the right shape

 

[Racing roadkill]

I changed my hard as nails Fizik Ardea, for a Selle Italia gel number. Now I can get back from a 7 hour ride, without the old fella looking like an Aardvarks nose, and I no longer need to sit on a cushion the following day.

 

[JMAG]

I have been trying loads of saddles out recently. The last one was a Specialized Riva which my LBS gave me thinking it was a Rival as I previously had a Rival, which was bearable but damaged. After a few long rides it's not going to cut it as a long term saddle, but it's better than everything else I've tried so far. Riva is women's and Rival is men's.

 

[Booyaa]

I have been trying loads of saddles out recently. The last one was a Specialized Riva which my LBS gave me thinking it was a Rival as I previously had a Rival, which was bearable but damaged. After a few long rides it's not going to cut it as a long term saddle, but it's better than everything else I've tried so far. Riva is women's and Rival is men's.

That's an l of a difference.

 

[bpsmith]

Who cares if it's Women Specific? As long as it's not jarring with the colour of your bike, then who cares. That would go for Men Specific too btw.

I have the Fizik Arione. It's way harder than the Selle San Marco that came off from stock, but the size and shape are far more suitable. Way more comfy when you get the right size and shape. How hard it is makes no odds in comparison.

 

[Cuchilo]

After the poor attitude in the specialized concept store yesterday, it's just compounded my dislike of the brand!

What branch ?

 

[vickster]

What branch ?

Three guesses

 

[Cuchilo]

Sigma sport Kingston ?

 

[Dave7]

I've got a grey oura , looks lovely on the bike but it just doesn't work for me even though it was £80, it's immensely hard! I'm going to try a bontrager saddle, won't look at good but can't be less comfortable!

After the poor attitude in the specialized concept store yesterday, it's just compounded my dislike of the brand!

Can't see why it matters if it's a wsd saddle if that works for you

I am about to pick up a Bontrager this afternoon.
I "think" I am now OK on the road bike with my Sella Italia gel-flyte (spelling??) so will try the Bontrager on the hard-tail. If they are as good as the LBS claims then I may be tempted with replacing the road bike saddle..........in which case you will see a used once only Sella in the 'fore-sale' section

 

[Dave7]

I changed my hard as nails Fizik Ardea, for a Selle Italia gel number. Now I can get back from a 7 hour ride, without the old fella looking like an Aardvarks nose, and I no longer need to sit on a cushion the following day.

I did exactly the same and the difference was very noticeable.

 

[Goobs]

I am about to pick up a Bontrager this afternoon.
I "think" I am now OK on the road bike with my Sella Italia gel-flyte (spelling??) so will try the Bontrager on the hard-tail. If they are as good as the LBS claims then I may be tempted with replacing the road bike saddle..........in which case you will see a used once only Sella in the 'fore-sale' section

Which Bontrager are you looking to buy ?
I note they offer a similar 30 day exchange or store credit if not satisfied. Now if you could find a shop selling both Bontrager AND Specialized saddles...

 

[Dave7]

Which Bontrager are you looking to buy ?
I note they offer a similar 30 day exchange or store credit if not satisfied. Now if you could find a shop selling both Bontrager AND Specialized saddles...

I will take my bike in and try 2 models..............the Affinity which they list as a road bike saddle and an Evoke RL which they list as off-road and is apparently slightly more padded.