Old versus new saddle

[old faithful]

For all the years I've had my saddle, sellers have been reeling me in to get rid of mine and buy the latest model.

I have spent time and money to upgrade my tandem from a 10 speeder to a 18 speeder, from no suspension to front suspension, from pad brakes to hydraulic brakes. I have done this at my pace over 3 years.

Should we all be consumer prone to new saddles or improve those we are familair with?

Old faithful

[zonatandem]

Saddles and butt? Everyone has their own preference and tolerances.
However, once you find a saddle that works, and is comfortable, on short, medium and long rides you better buy 2 of them as models change so quickly nowadays and may not be available next year. No Kidding!
So what kind of tandem are riding/modifying?

[old faithful]

I have been riding as first owner a Motobecane 10 speeded original since 1982. I was first initiated to tandeming in France when still a youngster and fell in love with the dynamic of being two on an all hell loose vehicule (going downhill in narrow roads without stopping at crossroads with captain forgetting the live package behind is all voiced).

In 82, I made friend to a blind who could only cycle the tandem way. We had projects of crossing Canada the following year but he obtained a job and I remained with the brand new tandem.

I stored it away may years until my wife came around. She tried it out but did not like the feeling of being 2nd (she was always 1st for everything else in the couple).

Then my son came around and we have travelled from Montreal to St-John's over the last 4 years and therefore the changes required to the saddle: saddles, front rim, hydraulic brakes, derailleur to name a few.

Many stores see it as a relic in Montreal. Others don't believe it has such age. I don't mind as long as it still gets me there and safely.

I put it apart every year before each expedition (Canada's solo tandem crossing).

[ElRey]

saddles do not improve with age: a new-generation gel-based saddle that is the right size for you (how wide are your sit bones?), should make a big difference in comfort. San Marco, Fizik, make some nice models. You need to figure out qwhat size you are on yoru own. Like a pair of shoes, no one can tell you when they fit but you.

[galen_52657]

If you like the saddle you have now, I say stick with it and maybe buy a backup. After a few years, the foam gets compressed and the saddle will not feel as good. But when you slap the backup on then all is good with the world again!

I have settled on an older model - the Avocet 02 racing - but they are still available. I also like the Sella San Marco Rolls. I am a bit old-school that way...

[mrfish]

Nothing wrong with having a couple of different saddles. The only problem is trying to set up your bike fit correctly. As a luddite I used to prefer the Turbo to the Rolls, while the Regal copper rivetted saddle on my friend's bike always looked nice.

Position is the main problem of having different saddles as you tend to sit forward on a wider saddle and towards the back of a narrower one. Different saddles can have quite different lengths and stiffness, meaning it's impossible to get the same position on two different bikes without lots of fiddling about. It's all a bit academic if one bike is an MTB and the other is a road bike, but IMO better to stick with what you know and like.

Best also not to buy the latest £100 carbon wonder saddle as putting the same on all your bikes isn't cheap. Secondly you will fall off and ruin it.

[zonatandem]

Cut our 'tandem teeth' on a new 1975 Follis tandem; rather a bit similar to your M'cane. Amazingly these tandems hold up quite well; having said that, the new technologies out today have, in most cases, improved tandems. Some of it is sales hype and some is actual improvement, especially in frame materials/tubing sizes and some componentry/wheels. They have made tandems a bit more comfortable and quite a bit lighter. Remember, as we get a bit older, it takes more effort to push that heavier tandem up the hills!
Saddles used to be made out of solid leather (Brooks, Ideale, etc.) but now are mass produced with plastic/foam coverings over a plastic/carbon fiber shell with ti rails . . . and are pricey!
Will dispute the statement that saddles 'do not improve with age'; a real full-leather saddle (no plastic shell here, just cowhide) does improve with age and gets more comforable; some were even adjustable so that you could 'snug up' the leather a bit(Brooks); however, that statement is correct when applied to current memory foam/gel seat perches, as they go kaput/compact/deteriorate after a couple years.
Stoker Kay put 30,000+ miles on a full leather Brooks B-72 saddle on tandems and was happy/comfortable with it, until she broke one of the seat rails on a century ride.
Again, if you want to stay 'traditional' a real leather saddle is still an option for about the same price as a 'new/improved' saddle.
Bon chance a Quebec!
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem