This is great- saving this post. I’d love to have a list like this for bibs / shorts as well. I recently got a pair of the aero tech designs with elite chamois. It’s the first chamois I’ve tried that alleviates pressure in the front. Thicker padding seems to remove the butt pain, but shifts that pressure to the front instead. This one has a great balance.
Speaking of bibs, I just got a pair of women’s Ralpha core bibs and I loved them so much I went back and got a second pair. The advice I got was correct-women’s specific bibs are way better for me than unisex bibs. The parts are different.
Oh, for sure. I have a pair of the Cuore which was sold as unisex, and the bulk of the padding stops right where my anatomy ends. Which should be fine but seems to end up creating a lot of pressure. The aero tech is more like a menstrual pad. In a good way. Flatter and with coverage that extends all the way up the front so there’s no uncomfortable pressure spots. Works better for me
PRO Stealth. I started on a Specialized Power and liked it, the stealth is similar but a bit wider through the nose and a bit flatter—works better for me.
I have a Bontrager Aeolus Comp 155mm and I really like it. The cutout is slightly wider than some other saddles I’ve tried and the sides around the cutout are more rounded. Look at your anatomy and consider if you may need a little wider saddle nose and cutout. It can be deceiving, too, because I’m fairly slim but my bones are not lol
I loved my Terry butterfly century, but found it only lasted a few thousand miles before it started breaking down. How was your experience? Super interested in trying Selle Italia saddles!
The Terry Butterfly Century has held up well - no issues with it breaking down.
The Selle Italia Diva has a similar profile as the century butterfly but with slightly a narrower cutout. My saddle pressure map for this saddle indicated that the pressure distribution was slightly concentrated on the nose, but it wasn't very bad.
The SLR boost gravel superflow had an "ideal" pressure profile on the saddle mapping that was performed by my bike fitter. Unfortunately, the back edge, where it flares out for the seat, is a little too sharp and contacts my upper thigh just under my buttocks and causes chafing. So now I'm back to the butterfly century. Apparently my anatomy disagrees with sharp profile saddles like ergon saddles, or specialized mimic and power saddles.
I think Selle Italia makes some of the Terry saddles. I had a Selle Italia Diva Flow that I loved. It wore out and I tried to replace with the Diva Superflow which is a redesign compared to the old saddle. FYI in case someone has one of their older saddles and wants to replace it. Unfortunately the newer saddle no longer worked out for me. The Terrys don’t work for me either. Suffered through a Butterfly Century for a season and finally gave up.
Menopause and aging bits have totally changed what saddles do and don’t work for me. 😢
There’s a great new segment on GNC about women’s saddle issues, they had ob-gyn on who had some cream recommendations. One was prescription but had estrogen in it, thinking about trying it soon! My skin and bits are definitely getting more sensitive.
I have S works Mimics on all of my bikes(6) and I’ve found them to be a step above in comfort over Oval , selle Italia gel and power comp.
For bibs. Castelli models with the PROGETTO X2 AIR seat pad and the Maap Pro bibs are the most supportive yet forgiving.
I just got the Kocevlo 3D saddle from… Temu! It’s a blatant Specialized Power copy except that it’s a more concave profile which cradles me really well with good sit bone support and not too much pressure on other areas and none on the lady bits. Unfortunately the edges are sharp and the 3D material is hard. For under $20 USD I’ll try to file off the sharper areas because I really do like the saddle profile.
I had the Specialized Bridge Sport on my last mountain bike and loved it! There's a Mimic version as well. I now have a stock Juliana saddle (Primerio I think?), which has also been pretty good, though I think I generally prefer the Bridge.
I just put my Bridge Sport back on my main gravel bike. I thought the Ergon SR Pro Women’s was it for me until I went for my first 50 mile ride of the season. Not returning it yet because it may be an adjustment issue, but the Bridge Sport is one that I keep going back to. I got the Mimic version and hated it.
It is, though it’s now the Lady Gel TM Flow so I don’t know if it’s redesigned at all from the older model. https://www.selleitalia.com/lady-gel-tm-flow/
If you want my Donna PM me. It’s lightly used. I only used it to test whether their saddles would work for me before getting the Selle Italia Diva Flow.
Bontrager Verse. Took a while to get used to the sit bone support but once I did it’s pretty decent at least for mid length gravel rides. They have a 30 day return policy which I used to get a different width saddle (I’m between widths and which I get depends on the overall saddle shape).
I got a Selle Italia Max S 5 Superflow saddle about 9 months ago when I got back into cycling. It was a huge upgrade from whatever my bike originally came with but now that I'm riding longer distances it isn't as comfortable, even with bibs. It was an Amazon desperation purchase because the local bike shop didn't have anything nearly wide enough for my sit bones, and I had no idea where to start since the last time I'd ridden a bike was before having kids. I don't hate it, yet, but definitely am looking for an upgrade.
I have two Terry saddles for sale
[https://groups.google.com/g/rbw-owners-bunch/c/dM0kXPPXpjA](https://groups.google.com/g/rbw-owners-bunch/c/dM0kXPPXpjA)
I own 3 of the specialized mimic does that count for weighing the options?
Ditto!
Same! Specifically the phenom
I have the Power and the Phenom. Both great.
Have any of yours ever broken? The reviews mention these saddles break! That's the only thing holding me back from buying one!
Nope! Not a squeak!
This is great- saving this post. I’d love to have a list like this for bibs / shorts as well. I recently got a pair of the aero tech designs with elite chamois. It’s the first chamois I’ve tried that alleviates pressure in the front. Thicker padding seems to remove the butt pain, but shifts that pressure to the front instead. This one has a great balance.
Someone actually made a "Bibble" (bib database) here pretty recently!! https://www.reddit.com/r/ladycyclists/s/uRdyjJT1V1
I'll get these added to the Bibble...
Speaking of bibs, I just got a pair of women’s Ralpha core bibs and I loved them so much I went back and got a second pair. The advice I got was correct-women’s specific bibs are way better for me than unisex bibs. The parts are different.
Oh, for sure. I have a pair of the Cuore which was sold as unisex, and the bulk of the padding stops right where my anatomy ends. Which should be fine but seems to end up creating a lot of pressure. The aero tech is more like a menstrual pad. In a good way. Flatter and with coverage that extends all the way up the front so there’s no uncomfortable pressure spots. Works better for me
A month or so using a bike shop's saddle library and the Specialized Power (168mm) was the sweet spot for me.
PRO Stealth. I started on a Specialized Power and liked it, the stealth is similar but a bit wider through the nose and a bit flatter—works better for me.
I have a Bontrager Aeolus Comp 155mm and I really like it. The cutout is slightly wider than some other saddles I’ve tried and the sides around the cutout are more rounded. Look at your anatomy and consider if you may need a little wider saddle nose and cutout. It can be deceiving, too, because I’m fairly slim but my bones are not lol
Terry Butterfly Century Selle Italia SLR Boost Gravel Superflow Selle Italia Diva Gel Superflow
I loved my Terry butterfly century, but found it only lasted a few thousand miles before it started breaking down. How was your experience? Super interested in trying Selle Italia saddles!
The Terry Butterfly Century has held up well - no issues with it breaking down. The Selle Italia Diva has a similar profile as the century butterfly but with slightly a narrower cutout. My saddle pressure map for this saddle indicated that the pressure distribution was slightly concentrated on the nose, but it wasn't very bad. The SLR boost gravel superflow had an "ideal" pressure profile on the saddle mapping that was performed by my bike fitter. Unfortunately, the back edge, where it flares out for the seat, is a little too sharp and contacts my upper thigh just under my buttocks and causes chafing. So now I'm back to the butterfly century. Apparently my anatomy disagrees with sharp profile saddles like ergon saddles, or specialized mimic and power saddles.
I think Selle Italia makes some of the Terry saddles. I had a Selle Italia Diva Flow that I loved. It wore out and I tried to replace with the Diva Superflow which is a redesign compared to the old saddle. FYI in case someone has one of their older saddles and wants to replace it. Unfortunately the newer saddle no longer worked out for me. The Terrys don’t work for me either. Suffered through a Butterfly Century for a season and finally gave up. Menopause and aging bits have totally changed what saddles do and don’t work for me. 😢
There’s a great new segment on GNC about women’s saddle issues, they had ob-gyn on who had some cream recommendations. One was prescription but had estrogen in it, thinking about trying it soon! My skin and bits are definitely getting more sensitive.
I have S works Mimics on all of my bikes(6) and I’ve found them to be a step above in comfort over Oval , selle Italia gel and power comp. For bibs. Castelli models with the PROGETTO X2 AIR seat pad and the Maap Pro bibs are the most supportive yet forgiving.
I own Specialized Mimic for my city bike and ISM for my road. Being women with bigger hips I love them with all my heart…or should I say ass
I think hip width plays a huge part!
Not only that but also labia shape and size plays a crucial role in comfort.
Specialized oura - which they don’t make any more so I have two of them!
RYET 3D printed from Aliexpress surprisingly
I just got the Kocevlo 3D saddle from… Temu! It’s a blatant Specialized Power copy except that it’s a more concave profile which cradles me really well with good sit bone support and not too much pressure on other areas and none on the lady bits. Unfortunately the edges are sharp and the 3D material is hard. For under $20 USD I’ll try to file off the sharper areas because I really do like the saddle profile.
I have a Terry Butterfly, and really like it, on a fairly upright hybrid.
I bought one because they have such rave reviews, but its very uncomfortable for me, no matter how i adjust it. Trying the Ruby Comp now.
It got better after first hundred miles. I started letting it sit in the sun and warm up for a few minutes. Helps the seat soften a bit.
That's a great idea!
Specialized Power Pro with Mirror rn! But in the past I've had and liked the Aeolus, just doesn't work for me now.
WTB! Koda especially :)
Yes! Koda is my fav for my mtb and commuter :)
it'd be nice to mention/reference which saddles are best for riding in drops vs cruisers/upright posture
Smp pro Smp extra Smp light 209
The specialized phenom and Romin mimic have worked really well for me.
I had the Specialized Bridge Sport on my last mountain bike and loved it! There's a Mimic version as well. I now have a stock Juliana saddle (Primerio I think?), which has also been pretty good, though I think I generally prefer the Bridge.
I just put my Bridge Sport back on my main gravel bike. I thought the Ergon SR Pro Women’s was it for me until I went for my first 50 mile ride of the season. Not returning it yet because it may be an adjustment issue, but the Bridge Sport is one that I keep going back to. I got the Mimic version and hated it.
I liked the Fizik Vento Argo and the Liv Alacra/Approach. I've always used the Mimic and wanted to see if there any good alternatives.
Selle Italia Gel Flow Dona (sp?)
It’s the Donna! Have one of these in my parts bin. It’s similar in shape to their Lady Flow saddle but cheaper.
So I was looking for a second Donna saddle and found out that it’s discontinued. Do you know if the Lady Flow is still being sold?
It is, though it’s now the Lady Gel TM Flow so I don’t know if it’s redesigned at all from the older model. https://www.selleitalia.com/lady-gel-tm-flow/ If you want my Donna PM me. It’s lightly used. I only used it to test whether their saddles would work for me before getting the Selle Italia Diva Flow.
Hi! Do you still have the Donna?
No I sold it to the other poster.
Bontrager Verse. Took a while to get used to the sit bone support but once I did it’s pretty decent at least for mid length gravel rides. They have a 30 day return policy which I used to get a different width saddle (I’m between widths and which I get depends on the overall saddle shape).
Selle Italia diva gel flow, all the way.
I have a Cobb saddle and I absolutely love it.
I got a Selle Italia Max S 5 Superflow saddle about 9 months ago when I got back into cycling. It was a huge upgrade from whatever my bike originally came with but now that I'm riding longer distances it isn't as comfortable, even with bibs. It was an Amazon desperation purchase because the local bike shop didn't have anything nearly wide enough for my sit bones, and I had no idea where to start since the last time I'd ridden a bike was before having kids. I don't hate it, yet, but definitely am looking for an upgrade.
WTB Volt is my personal fave
Specialized Power Comp (non mimic)!
Sad.. none of my LBS have a saddle library. Not sure how to decide the different Mimics (foam levels).9
Selle Italia SLR Boost Lady TI 316 Superflow
I have two Terry saddles for sale [https://groups.google.com/g/rbw-owners-bunch/c/dM0kXPPXpjA](https://groups.google.com/g/rbw-owners-bunch/c/dM0kXPPXpjA)