I measured the distance between my sit bones at the LBS and S3 was the corresponding size that I apparently need for Selle Italia saddles.
I just checked and it’s indicated with 130mm witdh - allthough my previous saddles were 143cm, e.g. the Prologo Nago.
Maybe that’s a reason, hmmmm…
That description you have put sounds again like sitting too forward, especially on a short saddle.
If it isn’t too much reach it could be too much drop. Just because a fit said X and Y in the past doesn’t mean it is still X and Y now (or even if was right back then).
Moving a saddle forwards to reduce reach is not likely the best course of action for a few reasons. First of all it pushes more weight forwards, weighting arms, with potential to hurt neck and back as they try to support you. Secondly the weight being forwards can lead to the spine curving more (rather than hinging from the hip) through trying to support the weight, which shortens reach further and can lead to sitting on the saddle nose.
Even more so I would try lowering the saddle, get enough setback to let upper body be self supporting and to let hip hinge, then see if the reach doesn’t magically increase. If not it might be that you want to raise bars (you may want to do that anyhow) and reduce reach - but do that from keeping balanced by reducing front reach in line with setback, not just pushing saddle forward.
So,…
Regarding the sit bones then…
3) Get a differen saddle - different shape (like the Selle SLR or Flite) or same shape but wider.
Or is the sit bone issue also likely to be remedied through position?
I’ll be going on another spin tomorrow, I’ll report back then.
Did you do the rudimentary height check with heel and hands balance test? Definitely do those before start moving things if possible.
I will do that tomorrow, but I’d be surprised if the saddle’s too high, to be honest.
What do you recommend I do if it’s at the right height?
If saddle height comes up in the ballpark and you find you cannot lift hands off bars without falling or sliding forwards I would suggest look at increasing setback (with corresponding lowering of saddle) and bringing bars closer and possibly higher. If your reach is already maxed though you will have to sort the front end, if not pushing saddle back may to a point help you reach out further.
Able to get any videos of you riding under load (with bike dead level, camera side on lined up with BB)?
Just tried the position of the saddle, allthough with Birkenstocks and Jeans (will go for a ride later today) - height seems okay now (lowered the saddle by 3-5 mm) and I am able to hover hands over the bar while putting FTP-ish power through the pedals.
Super excited to see how I’ll feel during/after my ride today.
So, reporting back after yesterday’s ride.
I lowered the saddle by about 5mm and pushed it back by about 5mm.
Felt much better in the neck - still not perfect, but better!
Same goes for the butt - better but not perfect.
Since I can still swap out the selle italia saddle, I called my LBS and asked them to order either a flite superflow or slr superflow (both with large cutouts) for me to test.
Do you have any further recommendations, esp. Regarding the neck? I have a feeling the saddle issues are down to the current one just not fitting me.
Great that such small changes have had such a big impact! If much better I would stick with what you have for a few more endurance/temp sort of rides and see if your body needs a little time to adjust, ease into it gently. If does not improve or gets worse it is time to reassess - it might be you need a bit of time to get used to how you sit now, it might be you need a further tweak, it also might be the saddle (tilt, shape or position).
My recommendation on saddles is to warm up then a SS ride on one for 20+ mins without padded shorts. It helps to really feel the position and lets you get proper feedback on tilt.
For the neck it might be your head position, strength or need for future tweaks. If I look up instead of looking through eyebrows it only takes 20 mins or so to start straining my neck. If your position is more relaxed/endurance this is less of an issue of course.
I have read previously about, if you watch TV, laying on the floor and practise watching it through the top of the eyes - move the eyes not the head backwards (of course head tilts back a bit too!). Idea is you use that to train your head position but also build strength in the neck.
Here are some randomly found neck exercises - Neck Strengthening Exercises
No idea if works or suitable for you, but I would say take anything like this very easy to start with and get professional advice if not sure or have any history of injury,
Anyone got any tips or comments on my TT position (videos above)? Cheers
I’m not TT expert but I on pedalling I would say:
Interestingly, I had both problems myself! Saddle tilted down and shifted to the front and also too wide bars. Exactly the same symptoms too. Saddle sores, saddle very uncomfortable, upper back and neck pain. I’ve yet not decided if the saddle is right but putting it center on the rails and level solved all of my upper back pain. I’ll try narrower handlebars soon too. Saddle sores are not healed yet completely hence can’t comment on the saddle except it is much better.
As fore/aft position of the saddle goes, I did the no handed test at ftp power just fine with the saddle 3 mm to the front. However at lower powers during endurance rides that was probably still too much weight on the hands. So I would be stricter on the “no hand at ftp and maximum core engaged” rule and make more like “no hand and some core engaged” test. And yes, all it took when the saddle was already level was to move it back just 3 mm!
This too might be on cards. I’ll see how it goes. I’ve moved the saddle just prior to yesterday’s ride and since it was 3 hours with no pain (if I discount my 2 meter jump into a nettle ditch 
) I was ecstatic. However, I need more saddle time to judge it properly.
THANKS so much for your input, time and thoughts, guys!
I’m riding 42cm bars, though my bike fit indicated that I could even use a 44cm - which I am kind of opposed to, I’m not really a bulky guys at 178cm and 73-75 Kgs.
I’m looking at buying a new handle bar anyway soon, probably an Enve SES Aero which is about 40cm on the top anyways (and 44cm on the drops, it’s quite flared).
My sit bone width is 104mm, if I remember correctly from the measuring at the LBS two weeks ago - I didn’t pay attention to that number close enough, but it indicated that I need 143cm for Specialized saddles and that would somehow translate to S3 with Selle Italia - which I’m sceptical of.
I’m curios to what they’ll offer me now, I’m glad I went for Selle and can now test around with their products until I find a saddle that fits me.
One more question regarding saddle tilt: So you recommend to tip the saddle nose slightly upward? I think right now it’s about level or marginally downwards, I’m never sure how exactly to measure that since the saddle goes a little upwards at the back end.
Took few different photos from videos with foot at lowest point and angle of hip/knee/ankle on all.pics seem to be in range 145- 152 which fits what is suggested on slowtwitch F.I.S.T. guide (says 145 degrees +/- 8 degrees). I used their guide to gauge the fit - do people recommend this guide? Hip angle also seems inline with the guide.
Personally I keep my specialized power saddle level. It can be tricky though as the saddle dips in the middle which threw me off at first.
Edit: glad the changes you are making and others have been working for you.
I’m also working through some kinks and could use some advice. Cat 3 Crit racing is my passion, but have serious saddle pain with any long rides (and most trainer rides). Overall I thought my pelvic tilt (forward) was too much, so I initially got a zero setback post, and moved my saddle forward. Still having pain, I bought a shorter stem, but the stem was so short that getting out of the saddle to climb = knees hitting the bars (so I put the old stem on). I have long legs compared to torso, so I’m trying to figure out if I raise my bars, or work on saddle set back again? I “feel” stretched out on my reach, so maybe it’s a physio thing…also have some peddle bob which is something I didn’t notice before (video is 1/2 rate, my cadence was around 100).
Video here: My Movie - YouTube
I appreciate any thoughts.
Tagging @RobertSims since I finally got to this review.
TT Position 16 May 2020(1)
TT Position 16 May 2020(2)
TT Position 16 May 2020(3)
I think you have a very good position as long as it works for you.
PS love the long hair cat. We have 3 short hairs
Thank you SO much Chad. This is so kind of you. Glad position looks decent, saddle tilt I did move down a little to try and open up hips a bit and help with power. This position is saddle up fair bit from before which I’m hoping will help me get the power out.
Next week I’m going to have a blast on my local 10 mile TT course to check comfort and power. Can reassess from there.
Will also try and do some diy aero testing on the helmets.
Others have suggested trying to get narrower on the elbows BUT find it harder to tuck my head in when elbows are narrower. In both side on videos I had perfect vision and no discomfort looking up the road for most of the video but also tucked down my head for 10 secs or so in middle of each video which I’d do on clear straight bit for 5 second sections, quick glance up, head back down, repeat…BUT only when safe/clear/no traffic etc.
Just very conscious that my ftp is 307 and I can do 290W plus no issues for 20-30 mins sat up on road bike (as I should with my ftp)…but TT for last year or so I average 240-250W for 10 miles… leaving LOT watts behind! This is main reason for change in position (raise in saddle by 3cm).
Tempted to raise bars by one spacer but will.try in current position, then aero test with one spacer higher, simply as front on view a lot of my upper back/shoulders are showing so don’t think slight raise will.change frontal area much, especially if allows me to go little narrower.
P.s. and yes the cat is great. We have 2, brother and sister, both black and white lomg hair!