Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Stonewall Vrs. Marciante

And the winner is:

Marciante!!


Maybe.


Well ok here is the story, I picked up a Stonewall Endurance saddle and a Marciate Endurance saddle to try out over the weekend. I really liked the looks of the Stonewall and felt like it was the one I wanted, provided it fit.

Fit: Initially both fit. But the Mariante had a more secure fit I felt. Once I saddled up and got on the Stonewall seemed to be pressing down on her withers. The Marciate felt fine the whole time.

Comfort: Here is where I was suprised. The Stonewall was really uncomforitable! The lip on the edge of the seat was highly uncomforitable on my thighs! And the seat its self wasnt' overly nice either. As soon as I sat down in the Marciate I loved it! But When I rode in it I found that after a while the seat gets a bit hard, I would deffinatlly need a seat saver unless I plan on only trotting from now on.

Balance: I didnt' actuallly ride in the Stonewall since my girth was too long, and I didnt' like the fit anyway. But the Mariantes balance was excellent! Very easy to post in.

So yes the Marciante won, but weather I am buying it or not is another matter. I really should decide today since I am taking it back today. Actually, I dont' have to since Loren said that he might be going to Santa Cruz tomorrow. Hmmmmm.....

2 comments:

Mel said...

Glad you found one that fit! Ah yes, the cost part. It's really a bummer that the saddle I love is 2.3K + new....I've managed to find one used, but it's a challenge.

JB said...

It certainly is! I finally decided that one of my problems with fit is that I buy cheep saddles. Whether or not the price of the saddle matters as far as fit I don't know but I think quality in the long run is deffinatly a bonus.

I think I have more or less decided to buy it. I don't know if I mentioned but it looks like it fits Kezi too, which may be very importaint very soon ( I should have a post on this soon!). That and the fact that I finally found one that fits and I like means I should buy it rather then have more weeks of not being able to ride.
Besides, now I get to buy now stuff for it!! Yeah!