Advice re: puchasing a new women's seat

[Ange_Andrews]

My Selle Italia Gel Flow Lady seat (purchased when I was living in Sydney in the early 2000s) is now well overdue for replacement. I've popped in to a few local bike shops in Melbourne over the holiday break (99 Bikes in Brighton and in Sth Melbs, BikeBug in Prahran), but the range available in-store is extremely limited, and the staff I chatted to were extremely friendly, however, they didn't seem to have much detailed advice or insight to offer... It's been suggested I try Giant Hampton, but according to their website they seem to only stock Liv/Giant seats. Any recommendations about where to go next in Melbs? I really would like to learn more and try a few different seats, before buying.

In addition, I've found it kinda tricky to find meaningful reviews/info online about women's saddles that are available to test-ride/purchase here in Melbs, so any pointers in that direction would also be very much appreciated. The best info I've been able to find is here: https://totalwomenscycling.com/ and here: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/group-tes ... les-163399

[twowheels]

I bought Charge Ladle saddles for a couple of women on recommendation from youtuber 'Path Less Pedaled' . Both very happy with the Charge Ladle. Price is reasonable, (bought online without test ride) comfort via design rather than gel. I've got a Charge Spoon myself I am also very happy with.

[Ange_Andrews]

Thanks TwoWheels.
I’ll definitely check out the YouTube channel. And I’ve never heard of Charge seats, so I’ll check them out too.

Perhaps I should’ve also mentioned that I ride a road bike (on which I do most of my daily commuting), plus I sometimes ride longer distances on weekends, and have also done some bike touring over the years. So, I’m happy to pay a few extra dollars for a quality seat that will last the distance.

If anyone else has any other recommendations for local bike shops (or bike fit specialists) here in Melbs that focus on women’s seats, please lemme know.

Thank you and Happy Riding!

[RobertL]

Are you happy with the Sella Gel Flow? Because a quick google search shows that you could replace it like for like for $80 from Wiggle or c r c.

[MattyK]

Don't know about shops that will have decent options for testing women's saddles...

But a shortlist to try would definitely include:
* Selle SMP Avant or Selle SMP Pro (or also the Plus) - Might not find these on the shelf asily, though they are on Bikebug's website. I got my wife on a 2nd hand Avant at the recommendation of a female relative, and it's been the best so far.
* ISM (not sure about which model for road biking but I did see a few women with them at the road nationals last year) - Bikebug in Prahran have a few on the wall. https://www.bikebug.com/saddles-tttri-s ... 8_355.html
* Specialized Mimic - should find them at any Spesh dealer. New but good claims. Not sure they have test models but we did try a (different) Specialized saddle and were able to return it for a full refund.

[Dizzie]

I think it is worth having a bike fit session at a good bike shop. I had one done at my local Specialized rep - they can tell you your sitbone width which is important for selecting a seat.
After that, you should be able to request to try out a seat for a few days, whether as a loan or as a pay and return option. Make sure you go on a decent ride to see how it feels.
Some bike shops have a seat library I hear, but I've not come across one myself.
Di