Commuting - Saddle Selection

I have decided that I hate the saddle on my bike for commuting. I was wondering what the best way to go about selecting another saddle is. Is it common that a LBS will let me try a saddle on an extended period (at least one day)? Usually most saddles feel fine at first. Thats how I ended up with my current one. Has anyone had any luck ordering saddles online from performance or nashbar?

Any help would be appriciated!

In my experience, a good bike shop will allow you to use a saddle for a week or so (Provided you've paid for it of-course) to give you time to properly evaluate it, and make a choice on weather or not its right for you. Do a search on Bike Nashbar & Performance! (Recent posts that I've been reading have not been very flattering concerning orders through the internet with Bike Nashbar.

The only saddle you cant take for a test ride is a Brooks leather one. These need a few weeks of gentle riding to break in , then they adopt your shape and give you a comfortable ride for many years.

Brooks, Brooks, Brooks, Brooks, Brooks, Brooks, Brooks, Brooks, Brooks, Brooks, Brooks, Brooks, Brooks, Brooks, Brooks, Brooks, Brooks, and more Brooks.

I have Serfas seats on all my bikes. I use the Men's RX on my two commuting bikes and have been more than pleased.

As for ordeing (if you can test seats), REI (www.rei.com) is carrying more and more bike stuff as the years go on and their customer service is great.

After trying and using many different saddles over the years, I've completely converted to Brooks leather saddles. I will not ride anything else.

Take a look at what Randonneurs ride on 1200km rides. I did BMB and did not see more than a handful of non Brooks saddles.

Dave

I've been looking at the Brooks B.17 lately. I think I'm gonna buy one. For the last several years I've been riding a SanMarco Rolls which is also a pretty good saddle. The shape is very similar to the brooks B.17 but just a little narrower (15cm for the SanMarco compared to 17 for the Brooks).

Consider the Team Pro also-it is a little wider in the "beam" than a b17, but narrower in the nose. If your thighs are muscular or if you keep your knees in toward the frame, a b17 may chafe you a bit. My team pro is the most comfortable saddle I own-even better than my b66 or my b71.

I'll definately have to give Brooks a looksee. Even back when I was reading rec.cycling (or whatever the newsgroup was), brooks were the saddle of choice.

So what is the scoop with the cut out saddles? Just a gimmick, or do they provide any real benefits?

Originally posted by Sailguy
So what is the scoop with the cut out saddles? Just a gimmick, or do they provide any real benefits?

Supposedly the cutout is designed to relieve pressure to that sensitive area... Never tried it myself.

Thanks for the tip Alex. I do ride with my knees close to the frame and chafing has been a problem with most of the saddles I have tried.

i have a Selle Royal gel Lookin saddle on my old bike & i seems to fit me ok , altho a brookes leather would be hard to beat, ihad one on my old Dawes in the late 70s & cant remember ever having any discomfort & i used to ride mega - miles then !!