Mara789

I don't know much of anything about bikes. I just bought a used Jamis Ventura because I want to train for a triathlon. I'm a woman. I did a 30 minute ride and thought the saddle was kind of uncomfortable (maybe too narrow for my sit bones). What are the different considerations for buying an appropriate saddle? Is it just as easy as finding one designed for women (I purchased this bike from a man)?

Iride01 

You might see if a local bike shop has a way to measure where your sit bones are. Supposedly women in general have wider sit bones so if your bike wasn't a specific women's model then the saddle width might be a consideration. You can do a google search for how to determine your sit bone distance. But be sure to be in the position you expect to be on your saddle/bike. The structures that comprise what we call your sit bones narrow up as your hips roll forward.

If you haven't riding much and especially if you haven't ridden at all, then even the perfect fitting saddle for you will become a real pain for several weeks until your body gets use to your new demands on it. I can only describe it as a ache down in the bones. If you are having a sore rubbing in the skin then that's other issues that might be saddle shape and cushioning inappropriate for the type riding you do, but more likely the seams in the clothes you wear or something else. As the saddle on a new bike should be appropriate for the intended use of the bike.

However some of use prefer a saddle with a cutout down the middle and others don't like that. And the variations of cutout width and saddle profiles are vast. Back a long time ago when I was getting use to riding again after a quite a few years of almost no riding, I played the saddle swap game for a few months. When I finished and found the saddle I liked, I noticed it wasn't much different than the original saddle that started me looking for saddles. I used that saddle on another bike later.

oldbobcat

Generally women's saddles are wider at the butt end and shorter, and they work better for most women. By all means visit a bike shop and get measured. Many saddle brands have 30-deay returns on saddles. Some dealers offer demos.

Mara789

I'm not exactly sure which riding position I prefer or will be using most often 😅so I don't know if there is a better one to plan on (like make sure the saddle fits when I am more upright). The bike I purchased has aero bars, and I tested them out and like using them, but I don't know whether I'll *always* use that position?

Finding the correct saddle definitely seems like a complicated endeavor. I just adjusted the saddle height (I knew it was too high, but I didn't have time to adjust it before my first ride), and I do feel something is "off." It's definitely related to my sit bones, not rubbing skin or anything like that. Maybe the seat is too firm for me? I'm about to go on my second ride, so I'll see how it does today.

Mara789

Thank you for the response! I do think it would be helpful to visit a bike shop for some help. Frustrating thing is there are many of them, but they are all about an hour away 😥

Iride01 

For a road bike there 2 basic positions. A relaxed position and a aggressive position for being very aerodynamic. Sometimes called a race fit. And all the positions in between. But for all, there probably isn't a difference in the measurement that is significant.

Essentially I really just meant not to be sitting bolt upright. Unless that is the position you will be using while riding your bike.

mara777

Thank you for the additional explanation! I would say overall I'm in an aggressive position with the aero bars, but sometimes more relaxed. The seat isn't as uncomfortable when I am in the most aggressive position.

I found a website (SQ Lab) that showed photos of where the pain is and an explanation of why. Based on that, I think either I just need to get used to riding or the saddle might be too narrow (the pain is at my sit bones, but sort of towards the inside of them?). I tried to measure my sit bones and I think they are about 120mm (if I did it correctly), and the seat is 150mm at the widest part, but since it slopes down at the sides, 120mm is kind of on the edge of the saddle where it's sloping down? It looks to me that someone with about 100mm sit bone distance would be more comfortable/supported 🤔

oldbobcat

It doesn't sound like you're measuring correctly, unless you are really small.

Riding companions, if you have them, are good for free advice. Sometimes it's just something simple like, "You don't look balanced," or "You look funny on the bike." Something tells me that (a) this is the wrong saddle for you and (b) you're not sitting on it correctly. But I can't really tell without watching you ride.

ofajen

I would think some help from a bike shop is in order. The saddle width doesn’t seem obviously wrong for you. Generally a starting point is a saddle with a nominal width that is about 20 mm wider than your sit bone width.

My sit bone width measures about 115 mm and I comfortably ride a 150 mm saddle on a drop bar bike. Your 120mm width would suggest a 140mm saddle.

Of course, not all saddles of proper width may work for you. I switched a month ago from a basic modern shell and padding saddle (Volt) to a tensioned rubber saddle (Cambium C15), and it’s like the saddle disappeared. Which is a good thing. Hopefully you will find one that isn’t a problem.

I should say that most people who try a tensioned leather saddle and a tensioned rubber saddle pick the leather saddle. Also, tensioned saddles tend to be heavy and probably a bit of a liability in a triathlon.

Otto

Trakhak

Best general advice about saddles---a bit higher than the ideal saddle height is considerably more uncomfortable than a bit lower than the ideal height. I have five bikes that I ride regularly and a few more that I ride occasionally, all with different saddles, almost all with the saddles that were on the bikes when I bought them, all perfectly comfortable for me. I started shrinking in height in my 60s, so I've had to drop the height of the saddles a couple of times since then, but having done so, they're back to being comfortable.

Lombard

I think blaming your saddle might be putting the cart before the horse. I would suggest finding a bike shop that provides a detailed fit. These usually cost around $200 and a good fitter will spend a couple of hours with you and your bike.

The point I am getting to is that a fit that isn't quite right can cause you to blame your saddle. Granted that your saddle may indeed not me right for you. But you won't know this until you get your fit just right.

ofajen

Good advice. Saddle too high is the worst! If you can’t tell if the saddle is too high or too low, you can try raising it 1/4”. When it gets to be too high, you will know. You will feel like you are stretching at the bottom of the pedal stroke and eventually you may be rocking side to side. A good saddle height is 1/4” or more below “too high”.

Otto