Specialized Ruby Gel Womens

Price Paid:  $140.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Alpine Loop

Bike Setup:
Orbea Orca, Dura Ace, FP60 wheels

Summary:
Suprisingly comfortable saddle, even for 8+ hour rides. This saddle comes in different widths so you can get the proper width to fit your sit bones. That should really help with the fit. This saddle (even though it's the gel version) is still fairly minimal as far as materials, which is one reason why it can be very comfortable if it fits your anatomy. I had been searching for a somewhat "shaped" saddle with a cutout and this seems to fit the mold.

Strengths:
Lightweight
Not a lot of extra padding to get in the way

Weaknesses:
Pricey
Not sure how durable it's going to be in the long run - I've heard this body type of saddle tends to "sag" or wear out after 1-2 years - seen no problems yet

Similar Products Used:
Various bontrager; Selle Italia Flite, SLR, and SLR gel; fizik aliante

Price Paid:  $130.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Big Cottonwood Canyon

Bike Setup:
Lemond Carbon Min-Max with Sram Force, Bontrager Aeolus 6.5 wheels

Summary:
I have had this saddle just over a year now. I have been on a quest for a great female saddle since, well forever...I have been riding for a longggg time. The Ruby looks hard which it is but the seat bone measurement is the key. I LOVE this saddle, I rode 923 miles on it yesterday. Although I have to admit that after about 70 miles I get a little uncomfortable, maybe I'm just out of shape! Yes you can ride a lot and still have a sex life!

Strengths:
Sit bone measurement is the key. A little gel on the sit bones, cut out where it should be with no extra padding getting in the way. Great road feel. Technology is a beautiful thing!

Weaknesses:
Maybe a little hard for real long rides. Pricey

Similar Products Used:
Terry butterfly, dragonfly, falcon x, Serfas Carma. Selle somebody or other - can't remember the model.

Price Paid:  $140.00 at Bike Tech, Miami, Fl

Favorite Ride:
Barneyville road

Bike Setup:
09 Specialized Roubaix, full ultegra, easton ea90slx.

Summary:
After trying the standard SI's and SSM's without luck I gave in to the Ruby. It looks intimidating and my husbands toupe(same model)he loved scared me. Well, after two long 30 mile hill rides I can tell you this saddle is the best I've tried. It is flat but has just enough padding under the seatbones for comfort. The cutout works exactly the way it should, with no pressure or razor sharp sides.

Strengths:
Nice cutout, flex and perfect sizing selection.

Weaknesses:
Hate the plastic tabs on the nose and corners. A little pricy.

Similar Products Used:
SI SLR, Prolink, Terry zero X, fly, Selle san Marco Aspide Glamour. Specialized jett, lithia.

Price Paid:  $145.00 at Landry's

Favorite Ride:
Bash Bish Falls

Bike Setup:
Road Bike.

Summary:
I thought my Selle Italia (ladies trans-am) was pretty darn good-but I knew it wasn't perfect. However, I didn't expect any saddle could be better until I gave the Ruby a try. And I REALLY gave it a try! Today, I did 120 miles on it! I rode without ANY discomfort! no numbness! no needing to "rearrange" myself! no hot spots! No blisters. It is harder than what I'm used to, but it didn't hurt me, and for long rides, I think that it's REALLY good not to sink into the saddle and put extra pressure on soft tissue. If you examine this saddle, the design is what it should be: very flat across the back, flat from back to nose, and it has a cut-out with gradually sloping edges-rather than the sharp or abrupt edges. It also, doesn't have any seams to add extra friction or hot-spots. Also, there is just enough give in the shell, so that it moves with you. I'd say it's an ergonomically perfect saddle. I would give this saddle 5 stars except for the weaknesses mentioned below.

Strengths:
Nice to have the sit bone measurement provided by the dealer so that you can select an appropriate saddle width. Also, I only bought this saddle from the dealer that promised me I could return it for a full-refund if I didn't like it-I wouldn't have bought it if it weren't for that guaranteed refund.

Weaknesses:
Vinyl cover (it was very difficult for me to give up my beautiful leather saddles). Also, it's hard for me to understand why I'm paying $145 for something made in Taiwan. Also, those metal (or plastic?) tabs that stick out seem incredibly stupid, useless, and distracting from the would-be slick aesthetic. What are they for? Of all the things I've ever wanted in a saddle-I never thought I needed some kind of tab sticking out front and rear. Hmmm...

Similar Products Used:
Selle Italia Ldy Trans-am, Selle-Italia Lady's Gel-Flow.

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Price Paid:  $145.00 at Alameda Bicycle

Favorite Ride:
Any ride

Bike Setup:
Trek 2200, Ultegra components, ultegra pedals.

Summary:
I had been riding my stock saddle for over 2 years when I decided that it was time to go for a womens specific saddle.
I was amazed that only my sit bones make contact with the saddle, so its much more comfortable on long rides.

Strengths:
They come in 3 different sizes, so you can get the best fit possible. It is lightweight and the gel makes it comfortable.

Weaknesses:
There isn't a ton of padding, so it takes a while to get used to if you are riding a padded saddle right now.

Similar Products Used:
Bontrager stock mens saddle