Spare saddles

[Robdog]

Hi all,
I'm seriously considering getting a new saddle in conjunction with some new knicks, having experienced quite a good deal of pain on my 125 k's today. Trouble is, I don't have $200 odd to spend without getting it right the first time (maybe the second or third)
So does anyone have any decent saddles lying around that they wouldn't mind me borrowing for a week or two to see what I like (with potential to purchase if I like it and you're amenable)

[Robdog]

No nibbles yet
By decent, I mean just about anything that doesn't come on a K-mart special. I'll even try your old brooks if you're willing for it to be reshaped
ANYTHING

[mrgolf]

I have a fairly soft Velo that was on my roadie when I bought it. I went with a Prologo Nago anatomical. The Velo is not spesh at all, but its padded.

[twizzle]

Bike Superstore in Mitchell has a return policy, basically you can try a saddle out for up to one week.

[Robdog]

Thanks guys - my saddle was torturous for Lake George on Wednesday, but didn't cause an issue (apart from bits still sore from Wednesday) on Friday until about the 80km mark. Possible I panicked since I did very little riding last month and it took me a ride or 2 to get HTFU enough. Will monitor and report

[wombatK]

If the problem is numbness/discomfort in the perineum (your undercarriage), it might be the saddle you have is too narrow and not properly supporting your sit bones. Specialized dealers have an ass-o-meter for checking this, and it helps to get a saddle that fits from this point of view.

You can take a do-it-yourself approach to measuring - see this post in the saddle upgrade thread. I found I could get away with a too-narrow saddle on short trips, but started feeling numbness when riding over 50 km. In my case, the best remedy has been a Brooks B17($72 + shipping at wiggle) - but there are other wider saddles around.

[twizzle]

If the problem is numbness/discomfort in the perineum (your undercarriage), it might be the saddle you have is too narrow and not properly supporting your sit bones. Specialized dealers have an ass-o-meter for checking this, and it helps to get a saddle that fits from this point of view.

Used one of those, saddle was terribly uncomfortable after about 20km.... Tried a second-hand spare saddle from a mate (WTB brand), loved it, bought another one for my race bike. Saddles and what works in VERY dependent on the individual.

[Ross]

I've got a Selle Italia SLR you can borrow (exactly same as pic below). It's new, you can use it for a couple of weeks if you want but I want it back, I bought it as a spare as they don't make it in that colour anymore. They are available from Wiggle for ~$138 in black or blue.

[Robdog]

PM'ed Ross, thankyou