I’ve just built my better half a bike for when it starts warming up a bit. But i have no idea what saddle to put on it for her! It’s currently got a Charge Spoon fitted, but she says it’s uncomfortable after a spin up the street and back. So looking for a female specific saddle, but that’s where i need help!

What are you currently using, and what do you rate?

Cheers,

Tom

I think you’ll need to pop to a shop and get her to try some. Two girls I know who ride regularly both have different womens specific saddles and think their one is the most comfy thing ever and the other agony. I can’t see any differences between them. If you’re trying to get her in to the sport I’d suggest that this might be a crucial moment.

Pretty much any saddle will feel uncomfortable if she’s not used to riding. My lady also has a Charge Spoon and it seems fine.

You could get her a super heavy halfords gel filled one which will be comfy but i suspect any ‘normal’ xc based saddle will give her the same problem.

Mrs Z1ppy had her botty measured (ok hip bones on a foam pad) at a Specialized shop, and got a suitably sized saddle quite cheaply.
She’s been a lot happier ever since

Thanks for the response so far! I know everyone will suit different saddles, but was just wondering if there was a ‘magic fits all women’ one. You never know, i can dream!

I’ll drag her down to the lbs next week i reckon.

Mrs S has a specialized Ariel on hers.. and very comfy it is to.

I find Charge Spoon’s a bit hard (though I can get used to them after time), but for a lady’s bottom!!! 😕

Put it this way, my GF tried a ride up and down the street on my bike with a Spoon on it, and no way was she going any further…

Went to a Specialized Dealer, got her botty measured on the special measuring device they have. Then bought her a Specialized Windie 143 ladies saddle. Which was a whole lot better.

Since then have bought her another bike, and ironically, the cheapo saddle that came on that is actually more comfortable to her than the Specialized! Which serves only to highlight that saddles are not a one size fits all approach, and are very personalised.

But definitely worth a try of the Specialized ladies saddles probably, also heard several ladies I know ride talk highly of the WTB Speed She.

I went for the Charge Ladle, which is the women’s specific one. It does take a ride to break your arse in, but is usually fine by day 2!

My girlfriend has recently bought a Selle SMP TRK and thinks it’s great compared to her old saddle (WTB I think).

I have a few different brands of Saddles at the moment and have tried loads over the years, I have a charge on my commute bike which I found really uncomfy at 1st I did a bit of research on specific bike fit for women and found that if you tilt the saddles very slightly down to the front it took all the pain away. So try playing around with the saddle position but I would also recommend a Charge because they are affordable(I paid £25) and mine has a really cool distressed floral design on.
About the saddle position I have spoken to guys who do professional bike fit who were adamant that the saddle should be totally level but then they mainly fit bikes to guys I can’t remember where I saw the women specific research but if you word a Google search carefully you may find it…. on the other hand you may end up with something entirely different 😯

Terry Falcon X
Specialised Jett 155mm
Bontrager http://www.bontrager.com/model/08749%5Blist%5D
I like the falcon best. The Jett I hated when I first tried it, but now it’s ok, but more difficult than the other 2 to get off the back of your saddle. Although a size 10, I still need a wide saddle – at least 150mm wide, or I get hip and low back pain, but when I have finished riding, rather than them feeling uncomfortable whilst riding, so would suggest measuring seatbone width or specialised or trek dealers will measure you.

After trying literally dozens my wife swears by a Fizik Nisene saddle. Not cheap at a good £60 odd but it does have Ti rails and a hardwearing cover, her current one is 3 years old.

Thanks all for the input. Got a few to look at! Will try the tilting saddle trick 1st though, free solutions are deffo best!