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06/01/2009 15:04:18
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viv
Posts 1996
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If theres one thing thats guaranteed to come up on womens bike forums its saddles. I guess that means there isnt an easy answer and everyone is a different shape but has anyone found one they love?
I have had various selle italia ladies ones which are fine for about an hour but get painful after that. I just found out that Eddie McGrath are a selle italia test centre - apparently you can try a saddle for a set amount of days and swap if it doesnt suit you which sounds ace. I've just ordered a Selle San Marco Atola Gelaround saddle so i'll let you know how that goes
I was really excited about the adamo which apparently a lot of the GB womens team use on the track but i just couldnt get used to it.
Also Jerry was talking to the trek rep recently and theyre apparently bringing in lots of womens specific kit but doesnt seem to be in the shops as yet. If anyone finds out where they sell them let me know.
Lastly, I found this page of reviews which might be useful:
http://www.velosportjersey.com/section/113/index.html
Wish me luck!
edited by viv on 25/01/2010
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06/01/2009 15:38:14
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NickW
Posts 1164
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viv wrote:
In HH I had to ask about the specialised sizing seat they have as someone had mentioned it to me and the sales guy didnt have a clie what it was or how to use it.
They also have that in Evans, seen people being offered it use before now.
Think that the try before you buy offered by Selle Italia is a great idea, most noticeable bit of kit if it isn't right and expensive if you find you don't like it. I ended up not trying a Fizik in case I didnt like it for that very reason. As its turned out the Selle Italia Flite Gel-flow I got from Eddie M's in their end of season sale seems to be just the ticket.
Without wanting to even think about the discomfort women must get from racing saddles, from a blokes perspective I think the effect of decent padded shorts and chamois cream can't be underestimated.
I think it was Cycling Plus who did a fairly non-technical (how long 'til it hurts) comfort duration test a few months ago based on no pad, pad only, pad and chamois cream - the tester gave up after a few hours with the pad and cream after starting to suffer not much after an hour on pad only. Must admit I've found it really helps too. Just don't expect the missus to view you quite so highly on the masculinity scale when she finds you stood rubbing what is effectively thick moisturiser into your seat pad before a ride!
A pot of Udderly Smooth is about twice as big as the Assos pot of cream and about half the price (and free P&P from Wiggle if you can't find it locally) so by my reckoning 4 times better value and just as effective
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06/01/2009 15:57:55
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Si
Posts 1123
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Sudocrem nappy rash cream is just as good ( and a damn sight cheaper ) than Assos, I used it for most of last year with no problems to report....
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06/01/2009 15:59:54
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NickW
Posts 1164
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Si wrote:
Sudocrem nappy rash cream is just as good
and antiseptic at the same time!!
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25/01/2010 12:26:26
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viv
Posts 1996
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I thought id resurrect this thread as finally found some shorts and a saddle i wanted to recommend...
I love the assos womens shorts but as they're crazy expensive and i need a few pairs ive been looking for some alternatives. These are the closest ive found in terms of a comfy chamois:
Altura Ladies Synergy Gel Cycling Shorts: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Altura_Ladies_Synergy_Gel_Cycling_Shorts/5360041944/
Also after trying quite a few this is the saddle thats worked best for me, theres a race and normal version but main thing i found helped was the shape of the cutout:
Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Selle_Italia_Diva_Gel_Flow_Ladies_Saddle/5360034122/
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25/01/2010 12:42:12
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Ian
Posts 134
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Prendas have had some santini womens shorts so i would look there
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25/01/2010 13:03:26
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viv
Posts 1996
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Ian wrote:
Prendas have had some santini womens shorts so i would look there
Already got and tested the Altura ones on the 100 miles yesterday but good tip.
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25/01/2010 15:12:02
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gillc
Posts 175
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After trying all sorts I now use Santini mens bib shorts & longs with the gel pad insert which is brilliant. Bought them in majorca last year but you can now get them online in the UK at quite a few places. Half the price of Assos. Steve uses them as well and reckons they're as good as his Assos shorts.
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27/01/2010 10:33:03
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Ben
Posts 593
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gillc wrote:
After trying all sorts I now use Santini mens bib shorts & longs with the gel pad insert which is brilliant. Bought them in majorca last year but you can now get them online in the UK at quite a few places. Half the price of Assos. Steve uses them as well and reckons they're as good as his Assos shorts.
You don't see much Santini stuff here in the UK, but I've always found their clothing excellent, which isn't surprising as there's always a pro team using them. Nalini are the same.
tricky subject this - I presume that the discomfort most people are referring to is the 'chafing' you get from shorts, as opposed to pressure point aching. The former is obviously much harder to recover from.
The problems I've had with shorts are rough edges around the padded inserts and too much padding along the narrowest section of the insert. My experience of Assos is that the edges are the best finished, but too bulky at the narrowest section. I spent 100 Euros on some Campagnolo shorts, only to find that the insert is too far forward, so you're sitting on the rear edge of the padding, which scratches away to the point of bleeding ! I'd have returned them if they'd been UK based (as I did with an Impsport skin-suit because of the same reason).
I agree that sudocrem is as good as anything else, and cheaper (Si, I'd already bought some long before I knew I'd ever be changing nappies !)
I recommend 2 tubes for a long cycling tour - one for applying during the ride, and then an anti-septic cream to apply post-ride after washing. It's as much about prevention as curing.
Viv, check out the Specialized Body Geometry saddles too - very comfy.
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27/01/2010 10:58:58
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NickW
Posts 1164
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Slight diversion I know - Ben I use the Giordana Tenax shorts, well finished with a very comfy pad but not as bulky as an Assos. Seemed to have lasted well. They are slightly longer in the leg than some shorts but not a problem for you. Just don't fall off on the track in them as I can testify that the fabric melts when you slide down the banking.....
I use this Chamois cream for longer rides link twice as much in the tub as the Assos stuff and half the price. 140 miles on Sunday's Audax and no chafing 
Should see more Nalini stuff in LBSs this year as it's being distributed by Chicken Cycles now
I found the Flite saddle with the cutout sorted me out reducing pressure discomfort, but saddles are always such a bl**dy personal thing, what works for one doesnt work for another. For some reason Flites just work for me... however, if someone is the market for a hardly used Charge Knife, let me know!
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27/01/2010 13:20:01
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Crazy Pete
Posts 225
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Don't get ripped skin, don't get ripped off, use this...
http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-Baby-Medicated-Nappy-Cream-300ml_17913/
Rub a fingerful on your skin, then put your shorts on. Mmmm, nice!
Pick it up at any Boots store while you're buying your toothpaste etc. Get points on your card too. Assos - Pah! that stuff is a rip off.
You're welcome. P.
edited by Crazy Pete on 27/01/2010
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27/01/2010 13:38:06
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Crazy Pete
Posts 225
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While we're on the subject of comfort products, has anyone any experience of these..
http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/product_7030.htm
They seem a bit 'all the gear, no idea' to me, but I may be wrong. What do we think?
P.
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27/01/2010 15:31:26
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Ed
Posts 755
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Can't say I ever use sudacrem or anything like that, and can't say I've ever had serious chafing. I use some of the cheapest bib shorts in the universe too and, currently, a saddle from the 1980s.
Guess my arse is just made of steel.
The bib shorts are these by the way. Had to do some stitching round the bottom of the leg but I wear them up to 5 times a week (yes ok I only have one pair, they do get washed occasionally) and they are super comfy
--
Why not visit my Flickr page?
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27/01/2010 15:41:56
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NickW
Posts 1164
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1 pair, 5 times a week and only occasionaly washed 
[Mental note] People will now want to draw straws before sharing a room with Ed in Wales[/mental note]
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27/01/2010 15:42:52
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James
Posts 240
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NickW wrote:
1 pair, 5 times a week and only occasionaly washed [Mental note] People will now want to draw straws before sharing a room with Ed in Wales[/mental note]
Sounds like Will TBH
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27/01/2010 15:43:29
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NickW
Posts 1164
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Sharing arrangements sorted then, they can fester together
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27/01/2010 16:11:03
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Si
Posts 1123
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I feel bad enough when I have to go home in the same pair I wore in the morning!!
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27/01/2010 16:13:15
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Ed
Posts 755
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Its alright, I'm going out tonight to buy another pair.
And Si, its not to commute in so they get hung up in between times, and everyone knows if you hang something up for long enough its clean again right...
(I do wear boxers underneath my shorts - may have something to do with my lack of chafing actually. A bit like wearing 2 pairs of socks with a walking boot)
--
Why not visit my Flickr page?
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27/01/2010 16:35:39
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NickW
Posts 1164
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+1 Si
Ed wrote:
(I do wear boxers underneath my shorts - may have something to do with my lack of chafing actually. A bit like wearing 2 pairs of socks with a walking boot)
 each to their own, but boxers, under your padded shorts, how long have you been in the Wheelers, I may have to check if there's a rule against that, surely there must be....
... I can now see why you don't use cream though, that would be very messy, would probably feel like you'd followed through in your boxers!
edited by NickW on 27/01/2010
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27/01/2010 16:46:03
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Si
Posts 1123
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NickW wrote:
would probably feel like you'd followed through in your boxers!
Thanks Nick, coffee on monitor moment then........
Ed - I'm amazed you are comfy wearing boxers under shorts. The one and only time I did that it had a similar sort of effect that a cheese grater would.... not pleasant
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