Digest 2001-10

From: Colleen Fishback
Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2001 8:45 AM
Subject: Re: [WCDL] Seat Discomfort


Hi All,

I had a real problem with seat discomfort for two years.

I had a Terry Symetry and tried every saddle, every position of all the bike 
parts that was possible.  And I never got rid of one problem.  I resorted to 
the creams and at the end of 100 miles .. pain killers.  I started with the 
original Terry sport seat, upgradead to the Liberator, and finally the 
Butterfly.  Each time things got a bit better but I had given into the idea 
it was just my body and I would have to live with it or not ride.  I managed 
but always had to be careful how I rode and always had an open sore at the 
end of the day in a place you don't want to think about.

Then I upgraded my bike.  A custom built Serrota TI Legend :) The guy who 
built the new bike suggested I put the saddle and pedals from the old bike 
on the new one for awhile.  So everything wasn't completely new.  Same 
saddle, same guy adjusting both bikes to fit me, different bike... problem 
gone!  I have absolutely no pain, no chafing, ever.

I'm still on my Terry Butterfly and see no reason to change.  I can't 
explain this except that the Terry bike didn't fit me.

I'm glad I didn't give up.

Colleen


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From: Natascha Grief
Sent: Friday, October 05, 2001 12:55 PM
Subject: [WCDL] seat discomfort


I have to second the vote for the lady's Trans Am. They are actually  exactly 
the same shape as the Terry Butterfly (Selle actually produces the Butterfly 
for Terry) but it's just a little firmer, which I find more comfortable. 
The Trans Am also doesn't have a butterfly embroidered on it, which is something 
that turned me away from the Terry. 

But as Jennifer said, everyone is 
shaped differently. Ask yor bike shop whether you can try the saddle out 
for a short ride, and have the option of returning it if it isn't comfortable. 
Ususally they shouldn't have a problem with this, as long as it's in resellable 
condition.

Good luck,

Natascha


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From: Ava Azores
Sent: Friday, October 05, 2001 6:35 PM
Subject: [WCDL] Women's bicycle tours


Hello everyone!

I just received the brochure for WomanTours and am very tempted to try it next year.  
Has anyone have recommendations?  I am faily fit road ridingwise and am game to 
travel in the US.

Thanks!

Ava

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From: Janyne Kizer
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2001 7:23 PM
Subject: Re: [WCDL] seat discomfort


Thanks for posting this info.  I recently replace my el cheapo bike with
an entry level road bike.  What am improvement!  Unfortunately, I have a
whole new set of saddle problems.  Before the sit bones were bruised,
now it's more of a soft tissue thing.  Oh well!  I knew that I'd most
likely I'd need to replace/upgrade the saddle whenever I bit the bullet
and got a decent bike.  It sounds like many of the people on this list
like the Terry Butterfly/Selle Trans Am and the Terry Liberator.  I
guess that's as good a place as any to start :-)

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From: Rita Liotta
Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2001 12:27 PM
Subject: [WCDL] How It All Turned Out


Hi, everyone:

I've posted several messages here regarding the problems I was having with
the fit of my new road bike; upper back pain, numb toes and saddle
discomfort. Well, here's how it all turned out:

I was ready to junk the bike, but decided instead to have a fitting at a
reputable bike shop. I brought my bike with me. They did a fit kit and then
put me on a Serotta jig where they watched me pedal and let me try several
seats and made some fine adjustments and measurements. After coming up with
my ideal fit specs, they turned their attention to my bike. Surprisingly,
they felt it was workable and could be made to fit me correctly. They
recommended exchanging my 42 cm bars for 38 cm; they set the seat height per
my ideal specs; they also set the seat for-and-aft position.

I had already gone to a shorter stem and they felt that the new stem was
just right. All 3 of the women's saddles I tried were horribly
uncomfortable. I had already tried 2 other women's saddles that were equally
uncomfortable, so I decided to put on the Selle Stratos men's/unisex that
came on my bike. I had replaced it with a women's saddle without really
giving it a good try. What a pleasant surprise when it turned out to feel
pretty good.

The results? I feel balanced on stable on the bike. I can pedal nice tight
circles. I am well-balanced pedaling out of the saddle. No more shoulder
pain and the toe numbness is a lot less. I think cycling shoes will solve
the rest. The Selle saddle isn't perfect, but at least it's workable -- by
far the most comfortable of the bunch. I went for my usual one hour ride and
finished in 52 minutes, so I know I'm getting power and efficiency when I
pedal. I'm not exactly one with the bike, but I'm definitely blending in
.  I'm even starting to like my sport-road-touring Raleigh R300 with
it's chunky frame tubes, heavy duty brakes and wider, stable tires.

Thanks, again, everyone.

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