So, I got some new road wheels for the winter training season. This was mainly because the CX bike didn't fit right. So it is gone, and I don't have a ride for Barry-Roubaix, but that is another story.
So I have spent a good amount of time trying to find a seat that doesn't bruise my sit bones, and yet doesn't make my naughty places all numb and tingly. I bet you are glad this post doesn't have any pictures.
I got a fit at Two Wheel Tango, by master fitter Jess. Although she solved whatever knee issue I had, I still can't can't get my seating dialed.
I will do a brief run through of the saddles I tried.
First: Scor Something-or-Other
This was the stock saddle. It has bee some time since I was on it, so I don't remember the exact issue. I know at one point I ended p with some saddle sores, so it makes sense there was some chafing involved. I forgot this saddle at TWT, and have not yet gone back to retrieve it, so I have not retried it. I probably should give this one another try.
Second, Fourth: Fizik Arione
This seems like the number one saddle people mention when discussing road saddles. I love, love, love my Tundra saddle on the singlespeed. It would only make sense that the Arione would be the easy fix. However, this saddle is a bit more rounded than the Tundra, and that taint no laughing matter. So after som time, things go numb. I have taken this saddle back off, and put back on a couple of times, and I still can't get used to it. It has since been sold.
Third: Specialized Toupe Expert 143
I figured if the Arione placed pressure on the wrong places, a saddle with a cut-out and a sill name would be ideal. The online consensus is if you don't like the Arione, then ride a Toupe. Jess suggested a 143 saddle, from the Specialized Butt-o-meter. I rode this saddle from some time. I could not get it adjusted to be comfortable. Although the numbness was gone, the comfort wasn't there.
Fifth: Tioga Spyder Twin Tail
This saddle has a flatter profile than the Arione, so I figured I would give it a shot. It was cheaper too. I put is on there and rode it. The numbness wasn't an issue, and the comfort wasn't bad. However, I was quite sore after the ride. This just wasn't in the sit bone flesh, but my hips themselves hurt. I just couldn't get adjusted to it.
Sixth: Selle Italia Flight
Selle Italia often worried me. They have something like 47 different models, and I couldn't possibly try them all. They are all pretty narrow saddles. However, I found the SLR at a decent price, and figured it would be worth a shot. I ordered this saddle before heading out of town on business, and it should be waiting at home for me. I will give it a shot next weekend.
Honorable Mention: Charge Knife
I bought this one at the same time as the Twin Rail. I have not put it on yet. After ordering, I read some reviews that the stitching on the saddle can chew up your bibs. This is the most affordable saddle on the list, but I don't wand a saddle to ruin my Bibs that cost more than the seat itself. I still have it, and may give it a shot. I am also considering putting it on the Superfly 100 to check it out. I figured the time on the MTB might be a bit easier on the shorts. Perhaps I am concerned about nothing.
So, I haven't solved the saddle dilemma yet. I would like to get it sorted out soon, so I can begin my training for 2012. Plus I still need to figure out what I am riding at the end of March...
31 January, 2012
05 January, 2012
Where Does the Time Go?
Looking at this pitiful semblance of a "blog" I realize that I have surely chased away the one reader I may have ever had. Sorry Mom!
I had high hopes of potsing a long, play-by-play of my Iceman race. But that was ~2 months ago, 3 holidays, and a bowl game have come to pass since that time. So I will just post some random memories that I can still recollect from that day.
-The Expo was bigger then ever, but I did not come across any items that I "had" to have.
-In the hot tub the night before the race, there was another racer talking about the new trail added to the race, and he proclaimed the sub-2 hour Iceman was no longer possible.
-For the second year in a row, my low tire pressure light came on during my drive to Kalkaska.
-As I was sitting in the truck preparing to face the cold, the first heat came racing by. That meant I had ~21 minutes to get to the start.
-I arrived at the line just as heat 8 (mine) entered the chute.
-Saw my friend Trev-Rev at the start. We were going to work together to break (the now impossible) 2-hour mark.
-Hammering down the road, I was amazed at the veering mass of cyclists weaving around like minnow frightened by the deafening hum of 150+ knobby tires.
-As we hit the first dirt, before passing the school on our left, Trev hit the front, and didn't look back. I jumped on his tail and we parted ways with heat 8.
-A few miles in and a geared rider was hanging behind Trev and I, exclaiming that our pace would surely get us three finished in under 2 hours!
-Shortly thereafter, Trev and I were alone.
-Here is where familiarity with the course came into play. Trev knew when to make a move to hit the singletrack ahead of the slower riders. I did not.
-I am amazed at how many "faster" riders I am coming up an, and how much they are slowing me down.
-Trev has become an orange dot ahead of my. I work to close the gaps when I can.
-Working hard. Not dying. I wonder when the embrocation is going to kick in, my legs are kind of cold.-
Pedaling hard, trying to keep Trev in sight. We hit Anita's climb, we both run up (I lay on my handlebars and use it as a makeshift walker). Trevor is gone...
-Thank goodness I recon'd the finish, I wasn't fooled by the weaving in-and-out of the park.
-I catch up to somebody, but I wasn't going to finishe behind them (her!). I stand and hammer.
-Through the finish chute, I fins a table. Sit, catch my breath, and realized I had a bit in the tank. Definitely not near death like last year.
-Look for my wife, can't find her in the mass of humanity, so I head back to camp. Shortly thereafter, she comes back, somewhat surprised to find me.
-Time for GT pie!
-Oh yeah, 1 hour 56 minutes and change!
So this Iceman left some questions, not answered them. I get 1:56, what if I started 5+ waves earlier. Less traffic, faster time? I broke 2 hours with one gear, how fast with gears? What will I do in 2012?
Sorry this post wasn't worth the 2+ month wait. I will try to be more diligent in 2012.
I had high hopes of potsing a long, play-by-play of my Iceman race. But that was ~2 months ago, 3 holidays, and a bowl game have come to pass since that time. So I will just post some random memories that I can still recollect from that day.
-The Expo was bigger then ever, but I did not come across any items that I "had" to have.
-In the hot tub the night before the race, there was another racer talking about the new trail added to the race, and he proclaimed the sub-2 hour Iceman was no longer possible.
-For the second year in a row, my low tire pressure light came on during my drive to Kalkaska.
-As I was sitting in the truck preparing to face the cold, the first heat came racing by. That meant I had ~21 minutes to get to the start.
-I arrived at the line just as heat 8 (mine) entered the chute.
-Saw my friend Trev-Rev at the start. We were going to work together to break (the now impossible) 2-hour mark.
-Hammering down the road, I was amazed at the veering mass of cyclists weaving around like minnow frightened by the deafening hum of 150+ knobby tires.
-As we hit the first dirt, before passing the school on our left, Trev hit the front, and didn't look back. I jumped on his tail and we parted ways with heat 8.
 |
| Trev in orange, on my back wheel, before dropping the hammer! |
-Shortly thereafter, Trev and I were alone.
-Here is where familiarity with the course came into play. Trev knew when to make a move to hit the singletrack ahead of the slower riders. I did not.
-I am amazed at how many "faster" riders I am coming up an, and how much they are slowing me down.
-Trev has become an orange dot ahead of my. I work to close the gaps when I can.
-Working hard. Not dying. I wonder when the embrocation is going to kick in, my legs are kind of cold.-
Pedaling hard, trying to keep Trev in sight. We hit Anita's climb, we both run up (I lay on my handlebars and use it as a makeshift walker). Trevor is gone...
-Thank goodness I recon'd the finish, I wasn't fooled by the weaving in-and-out of the park.
-I catch up to somebody, but I wasn't going to finishe behind them (her!). I stand and hammer.
-Through the finish chute, I fins a table. Sit, catch my breath, and realized I had a bit in the tank. Definitely not near death like last year.
-Look for my wife, can't find her in the mass of humanity, so I head back to camp. Shortly thereafter, she comes back, somewhat surprised to find me.
-Time for GT pie!
-Oh yeah, 1 hour 56 minutes and change!
So this Iceman left some questions, not answered them. I get 1:56, what if I started 5+ waves earlier. Less traffic, faster time? I broke 2 hours with one gear, how fast with gears? What will I do in 2012?
Sorry this post wasn't worth the 2+ month wait. I will try to be more diligent in 2012.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)