The expat cyclist Posted January 28, 2011 Posted January 28, 2011 So, the wife needs a new saddle for her MTB. She has a Spez BG WSD on her Merida but it is now 2 years old and it is starting to show. So first off, I would like to know what saddle does your missus have on her MTB and WHY??? We just came from a LBS here in Somerset West. Nice shop. Friendly people...However, we started talking to the shop owner about saddles for the wife. He asks her 1 question: Is it for a MTB or a roadbike? Then he tunes her that he will have to get the width of her "sitbones" using some gadget and then according to that he can recommend something. He asked me what saddle is on her bike. I told him I dunno. It is a Spez BG but the model I dunno. It feels a bit like a sofa, I said. He tunes me, yes it is because men and woman are made different... I was shocked. That is news to me. Anyway, he shows us some ugly, big, fat, squishy saddles. Jig. The wife was not interested. They are all ugly. And I agree. Fully. Two years ago, When she got her bike, the salesman swopped the saddle that was on there with the one she has now. She was never "tested" or whatever - here is your bike with your saddle. Koebaai. Now all of a sudden, when my wife wants a FIZIK, she is told it is a men's saddle. She can not have it. It is not made for her. My wife wants a racing saddle. Why the hell do they want to sell her a POS sofa like thing??? The salesman tunes us the story about a guy who started bleeding from his ass, when she enquired about another type of saddle. This guy was doing the Whines to Whales race on it etc. 4 vark steaks - my wife don't do stage races. SHE WILL NEVER DO STAGES RACES! She likes short, fast races. The longest race she has done so far has been 50km! She can do Babbas in less than 90min! WHY CAN'T SHE PICK HER OWN DAMN SADDLE MR. SALESPERSON???? Why do you want to sell her something she does not want???? Let her buy what she wants!!! I bought my saddle - Selle Italia SLR XC - because it was cheap to import and a lot of pro riders in Europe had one. I was never measured for it. Flippit man. I bought it because it was pretty! And I love it!
Mats Posted January 28, 2011 Posted January 28, 2011 Sounds like you know what your wife want. Why then ask for help?
Tjokkits Posted January 28, 2011 Posted January 28, 2011 i used to ride on specialised avatar for many years but for some reason started to get saddle sores recently. last weekend bought a Sella italia ladies slr from cyclelab, quite a racy and hard saddle but i like it (its much sleeker than the old selle italia ladies ones). cyclelab charged me almost R2k for it, ive now ordered another for my mtb from CRC for R876. take a look i think she will like it
Danger Dassie Posted January 29, 2011 Posted January 29, 2011 Actually for the most part he is correct, men and women do have different pelvic structures. Hence the reason you get women specific saddles, it ain't all marketing hype you know Still, if she is comfortable on what she had before, stick with that.
Slowbee Posted January 29, 2011 Posted January 29, 2011 I agree with carpet, if you know what you want ... why are you asking for help? I think the salesperson is doing the job, a lady walks in, she wants a saddle, recommend one. HOWEVER, if you said you wanted any saddle, and it does not have to be ladies specific, then that is another story. Sometimes salespeople are hard of hearing ...... just ask me, you want a wide ladies sofa saddle right ?
Tiny K Posted January 29, 2011 Posted January 29, 2011 ummmm, why don't you just ask for a ladies racing saddle? My wife sat on my Fizik Arione this last week and said that she liked it except that it was a bit narrow. We are trying to get her saddle set up just right at the moment - have even tried mens saddles, but to no avail. I would say, go to a store and say 'ladies racing saddle' - use shouldn't be a determining factor.
The expat cyclist Posted January 29, 2011 Author Posted January 29, 2011 I agree with carpet, if you know what you want ... why are you asking for help? That is the thing - we didn't ask for help. We asked for a price on a saddle. Then the salesman said: "You don't want that one..."
covie Posted January 29, 2011 Posted January 29, 2011 (edited) Have to agree the salesman was right, and women's specific saddles are ugly but you wanted a saddle for a women dude. So thats what the salesman will recommend, if he recommended a fizik gobi, and your girl hates it because its too narrow you would rant your ass off at the dumb salesman that gave your girl a mens saddle. That said, a lot of women ride mens saddles and they are perfectly happy with them. So if she wants a fizik then go get her a fizik. If it doesnt fit or is uncomfortable, then it was her choice. And 100% for the sales guy to measure and fit the saddle, 99% of bike shops will just flog you anything because they know youll probably have to buy another one if it doesnt fit or is uncomfy. And MJ all you needed to say was thanks for you help now get me the one i want Edited January 29, 2011 by covie
eyecandy Posted January 29, 2011 Posted January 29, 2011 I've got a Selle Italia Max Flite GF and as yet, have neva had a sore ass! quite pricey but very comfortable.
Fish Eagle Posted January 29, 2011 Posted January 29, 2011 (edited) I ride on a Serfas Carma. Not the most pimping looking, but its comfortable and didnt cost the earth (not that that was a big factor, I wanted comfort more than anything else - and mine doesnt look like a couch) . Specialised do some pretty hot looking womans spec saddles and they are good for the butt (according to my mate). Edited January 29, 2011 by Fish Eagle
Guest eyecandy Posted January 29, 2011 Posted January 29, 2011 Get her the SI Max Flite GF. Ive also got one. Its the best saddle ive eva had, and ive tried a few.
Slowbee Posted January 29, 2011 Posted January 29, 2011 That is the thing - we didn't ask for help. We asked for a price on a saddle. Then the salesman said: "You don't want that one..." and thats when things go pear shape. You should ask - eerrrrmmmm are you deaf?
Slowbee Posted January 29, 2011 Posted January 29, 2011 As an aside, how many of you ladies ride with bib shorts ? do you prefer them over normal shorts?
Fish Eagle Posted January 29, 2011 Posted January 29, 2011 As an aside, how many of you ladies ride with bib shorts ? do you prefer them over normal shorts? I have both, I actually prefer my normal ones as a pee stop in bibs is a mission!
Guest eyecandy Posted January 29, 2011 Posted January 29, 2011 I ride with bibs sometimes but prefer "normal" shorts. These days your assos; giordana; castelli, etc... all make such great shorts that actually stay up, that I find bibs rnt necessary anymore!
Slowbee Posted January 29, 2011 Posted January 29, 2011 ok, the Mrs is going down to sportmans to try the first ascent range. Any opinions on those ? SHe is a part time rider so nothing to serious needing the castelli or giordana range.
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