I’m like the princess and the pea when it comes to finding the right saddle. After years of trying every triathlon saddle you could think of - Specialized, Dash, Fabric, Fizik, Cobb - there was always something not quite right. Whether it was the length, width, shape or something else. There was always something else I was yearning for.
I have even tried many in the ISM range, which got me close but not quite there. I tried the ISM Attack, Racing 2, and Time Trial, and each left something to be desired. Finally, the perfect combination of width, length, shape and contour was created. PN3. No pinching, no wriggling around trying to find somewhere comfortable to sit, and no more trying new saddles. This is where it ends. Perfection.
So how do you find the right saddle for you?
As I said, it took me years to find the right saddle to fit my rear end. Whilst there is no easy solution to find the ‘right’ saddle, here are a few tips on what to look out for.
1. Avoid anything with sharp edges as these are often an area that can aggravate the nether regions and cause chafing or saddle sores.
2. Narrower is not always better. Find a saddle that makes you feel like you are sitting on top of it and not hanging over the sides.
3. How do you sit? If you have a more upright position, you will need something that is generally wider towards the rear as you will have more of your behind on the saddle. Likewise, if you are a low position and sit forward, then will likely need something narrower to accommodate your pubic rami (the bones in front of your sit bones).
4. Don’t simply buy what your best friend says works for him. Do some research.
Remember, we are all different and the right saddle is out there waiting for you. You just need to find it. Thankfully, Pushys have a huge range of saddles you can check out to start narrowing down your search.
By Ricky Swindale - Pushys Sponsored Athlete