SpokEasy

Giddy-Up?

\"giddy-upGiddy-up isn\’t only for horseback riding. Today I went back for a road bike refit. Or perhaps it\’s better to say a re-refit. I thought my saddle might need to be moved forward; I would up with a brand-new one.

I told the fitter about some problems I was having. He had suggested when I was there in June that I might want a slightly wider saddle. This time he put my bicycle in the stand and had me try a new saddle; Power Expert w/Mimic. I\’d never heard of that kind before.

This saddle is a bit wider than the Selle Italia I\’d been using; and the fitter immediately saw that the new saddle fit my sit bones better. From where he placed this saddle, I could sit far enough back that my sit bones were supported; and not be reaching too far to the handlebars. This took the strain off of my arms and the back of my neck. I could pedal without the strain on my hamstrings. That sure felt good!

This saddle doesn\’t have a cut-out. The center, and the area over the nose, is designed to give with pressure and movement, so sensitive-tissue issues are reduced or eliminated.

I still think it will take a while to adjust to the new saddle. After all, my old saddle/pedaling style has many thousands of miles in it! But if the ride home from the bike shop is any indication of things, I\’m going to like the new saddle. So, giddy-up!