Better, but by how much?
You may remember my travails earlier this season with trying to find the right saddle for my road bike. While the fi’zi:k I bought to replace the stock unit was an improvement, it still didn’t totally solve the problems of pain and numbness, especially on rides over 40 miles.
A few weeks ago, I scored a deal on this Selle Italia from a friend of mine on Facebook, and it’s a step further in the right direction. The split design seems to alleviate some pressure, while not being overly flexy over bumps or while pedaling. I’ve had the chance to test it on rides up to 46 miles, and it seems more comfortable for me than the fi’zi:k, but not yet perfect. I don’t know if it’s the firmness or the shape, but my sit bones are still begging for mercy after 20 or so miles, causing me to stop for a break. With my endurance racing goals next year, that won’t do.
So the search will continue. Once I find the right saddle, I’m looking forward to being able to steam through 50 miles at a time, weather and hydration permitting, without a stop.