Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => The Knowledge => Topic started by: gailrob on 15 March, 2019, 10:24:23 am
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Need some recommendations my current saddle is no longer made and is wearing out after years of service. It is a Fizik Vitesse cp technogel saddle https://www.mtbr.com/product/controls/saddle/fizik/vitesse-cp-womens.html I have not got on with super firm saddles i.e. non gel, or ones with cut outs in the past. Any recommendations would be appreciated i don’t race any longer the saddle is used for cycle touring and audax so comfort and support is key. Before this saddle i rode Selle Italia gel saddles but they only make them with a massive cut out now :'(
Any links to possible options welcomed many thanks all. :)
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My wife likes a Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow , which she's had for almost 10 years. Hers has a cutout, but it's not "massive" - don't think it's any larger than the current model:
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/selle-italia-diva-gelflow-racing-saddle/
She uses it on a drop-handlebar touring bike. She's not a fast cyclist, but does cycle long-ish distances (e.g. 60 miles) and she says she still finds it comfortable and it's not in bad shape considering it's almost 10 years old.
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I have the non Diva version of the Selle Italia on my touring/audax bike and I have always found it very comfortable (although my solo audax experience is limited to 200km)
I have worn it out (after around 22,000 miles) and replaced it with a slightly newer version which I had on a very under utilised bike - so it's all good again.
It is this one https://www.evanscycles.com/selle-italia-lady-gel-flow-00120436 - which looks to be an absolute bargain although only in white (assuming it's the leather version not the synthetic one, but from the originl price I think it is).
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Any suggestions for women’s gel saddles without cut out really find these uncomfortable. My current saddle is 310g, 260cm long and 147cm wide.
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Have you had your hips measured? I'd suggest going to a bike shop which does fitting. You sit on a special pad thing and then it indicates the width you need.
I've had:
Selle Italia Gel Flow
Selle Italia woman's SLR x2
Fizik Donna Arione x2
BBB echelon 155mm x2
Specialized Expert 155 x2
The only one I really didn't like was the Gel Flow. I'm much more comfortable on a harder saddle which supports my sit bones. I've gone wider after a bike fit which I did because I was getting lower back pain and needed more support for my pelvis (among other things).
I really want to try the SMP saddles but I've spent quite a lot on bike fit over the past six months and I haven't got the appetite at the moment. If there is a SMP test shop near you I'd be heading there. Also, I now buy these saddles second hand to save cost.
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I would second getting a saddle fitting in preference to necessarily staying with a gel saddle - but that is from a male perspective.
I'm now running Prologo saddles (two with holes, one with a relief channel), bought as a local bike shop supplied them and had their fitting system. Plus the saddles are all on a "try before you buy" - you pay up front but can return them for a full refund after a month if you're unhappy.
ETA, they do do one saddle without cut-outs as well, though foam not get padded.
https://www.prologotouch.com/prologoTouch/products/kappa-evo-dea-t2-0/
But again, if you go for a fit you'll talk about your riding and get one or more recommended to try.
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Any suggestions for women’s gel saddles without cut out really find these uncomfortable. My current saddle is 310g, 260cm long and 147cm wide.
Woah, that's bigger than my bike! :o ;)
IMHO saddles are too personal for recommendations to be much use. E.g. loads of people seem to like the Selle Italia Diva, whereas I hated it.
Personally I'm pretty much settled on Specialized Oura saddles and have them on all my bikes, but they have a cutout. I've heard good things about the new Specialized Power Mimic (https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/stories/power-saddle-mimic), which doesn't have a cutout, but I haven't tried one.
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IMHO saddles are too personal for recommendations to be much use. E.g. loads of people seem to like the Selle Italia Diva, whereas I hated it.
What she said.
I like a Cambium. Excellent resale value if you don't like it. Being rubber it has give like a gel saddle.
On the tandem I have to have a Brooks B17 so we match.
On the Livs (Avail, Invite, Shopper) I've been happy enough with the stock saddles - groove rather than cutout. One of them is a bit worn out and I'll replace like with like.