I feel like Goldilocks

[volklgirl]

For several years now I've had the Terry Butterfly on all my bikes. I've been very happy with the fit and feel of them, but I've been getting saddle sores lately. I think the shape of the Butterfly happens to correspond with the short to chamois seam on all my men's shorts causing rubbing right at that seam. Ouch! I also have the Selle Italia Lady Sport on my SS, but it's almost identical to the Butterfly in size and shape.

So, I've been on a quest for the perfect saddle:
SnowHot's Damselfly - decent shape but way to hard.
Hubby's Fly - decent shape but the cut-out is too far back and the nose has a little hump that rubs the soft bits seriously raw (I figured this out at mile 7 of an 11 mile ride ). I loved the length though...it's the first saddle I've tried that is long enough to give me room to move forward enough to turn my freeride beast into a climbing fool.

So, my search continues :(.

 

[geargrrl]

I've got Specialized on all of my bikes. One is wsd, the other are the avatar ones where they measure your sit bones, love them all...

 

[Robyn]

I just got the Specialized WSD Jett and yes they measured my sit bones. Shockingly, I have small sit bones so I'm riding a 143. So far I'm loving it! My shop has a 30 day return policy if I need it and this weekend will be the real test followed in a couple of weeks by riding Vail Pass. If this doesn't work I'll probably go to the Lithia from Specialized which has slightly more padding.

 

[altagirl]

I sat on a butterfly once and it just seems way too big for me. (Don't get me wrong, I have a big butt, but have to be able to move around the saddle...) And then I bought a damselfly, thinking it would be the right size (plus it was pink) and while it seemed like the right size/shape - it was the most uncomfortable saddle I've ever ridden on. One long, painful ride and I sold it.

My team uses Selle San Marco stuff and I've been really happy with it. I have the Phobos on my seatpost with the gravity dropper. The cushioning is really nice, but I don't even know that I need that much. This is in their gravity line (more durable) No wear issues so far this year and it's comfortable and easy enough to maneuver around:

and one of these (Caymano) on the regular seatpost that I use on my trail bike. This one to me feels like the right amount of padding. Pretty minimal, but just enough. The rounded shape has been easy to maneuver around and the fit feels nice to me. I used to think I needed a cutout style saddle, but honestly I don't notice it when it's not there. This just has an indentation and apparently that's enough.

and a third variety on my DH bike, but quite honestly I don't sit on it enough to even know what it feels like. It's white and looks pretty on the bike and hasn't broken... so far so good!

And finally, on my singlespeed I have a pink Fizik Arione:

My husband was 100% convinced that the Arione would be totally unrideable "too hard, too narrow - it's a ROAD saddle!!" And I've loved it. Mind you - I stand a good amount on my singlespeed - but I've never had a sore butt with that saddle. I even bought a second one and had it on my trail bike last year. The one thing I don't like though is that point in the rear - which I have jammed into my leg/crotch once or twice and that's not so sweet. So rounded is probably better - but I do like the feel of this saddle overall.

I do agree that length is helpful when it comes to finding the right climbing position on different terrain. And I think that's one thing I've found that I like in all my saddles - not too big or squishy, but fairly long.

 

[Quiver Queen]

What about the Specialized Ariel SL or Jett? I have the Jett on 3 of my bikes & really like it. The Ruby saddle came on my new Ruby bike, and it's almost as good as the Jett on the road, but to use it on a mountain bike would be a real mistake--the two hard pointy pieces off the back could do some real damage!

 

[Consuela]

I just switched to the Specialized Lithia and looove it! Now I am only sitting on my sit bones. Sweeet!

Also, it has a very pretty design which makes me feel girly and tough at the same time.

 

[Quiver Queen]

The Lithia is the one I bought for my sister, who is now pain-in-the-butt-free. She keep asking where it's been all her life!

(I don't know why I put the carrot there--I guess it was just too goofy to resist!)