Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Long distance saddle

Yes, I know saddles are a VERY personal choice, and everyone likely has a different opinion, but (no pun intended), I'll ask anyway. Have used a Terry Fly, which was comfortable on the sit bones, but not on the "junk" for distances over 50mi, switched to Specialized Toupe, 143mm, and am having the opposite experience. Planning on riding RAIN this summer as well as several centuries & El Tour de Tuscon. I'm relatively light, 5' 11", and 153lbs., not a lot of padding under my sit bones. The other question I have is, can you have your sit bones measured for spacing, and would it be beneficial to do so? Would also like to keep weight to a minimum, if possible. Any other input, suggestions, appreciated!

So with the Specialized Toupe, you don't get saddle sores on > 50 milers, but < 50 you do? I too have a Terry Fly saddle, and found my sit bone to be a bit sore after around mile 70 and above. Maybe I'll look ath the Specialized saddle too.

Watch a Settebello clip

http://www.mcmwin.com/cycling%20store.htm#Video_clips

Specialized dealers have an Azz o Meter that measures your sit bones.

http://www.bikeplus.co.uk/cgi-bin/quikstore.pl?store=&search=yes&detail=yes&product=SD81&category=Saddles&keywords=&hits_seen=30&page=search.html&and=1&affiliate_id=

Long distance + comfort = Brooks. Both of mine were perfect out of the box. If you do any bad weather riding, use fenders and a cover. Leather hates getting wet. Good luck.

Tim

Watch a Settebello clip

http://www.mcmwin.com/cycling%20store.htm#Video_clips
Great site. However, the video with the butt ... I've gotta say, that was a bit too much. It was weird. I wonder how long a search they needed to find the model with the right butt.:eek:

Kind of funny, maybe I should get "long time" saddle.........

More isn't better, less isn't best.... I guess fit matters........

So with the Specialized Toupe, you don't get saddle sores on > 50 milers, but < 50 you do? I too have a Terry Fly saddle, and found my sit bone to be a bit sore after around mile 70 and above. Maybe I'll look ath the Specialized saddle too.
On 50+ mi I get sore sit bones, but no nubness, with the Terry, no sore sit bones but numbness. Hope that clarifies.

I'm going to try out the Alias. We'll see how that goes.

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Saddle/product_22663.shtml

Another vote for Brooks here, I have three on different bikes and the Titanium Swift is the most comfortable

I have the Brooks B-17, and it's getting very comfortable. Not bad right out of the box, but much better with 1000 miles on it. And getting better every day.

I also have a Fly and love it. Longest ride on it so far 200 miles, but will do more this season. Try tilting it down very slightly, that is, try the nose part of it level or only tilted up a tiny bit, so that the back part is above level. Then, from time to time push back onto the rear of the saddle. That will elevate your perineum. Also stand at every reasonable opportunity. Climbing, stand for one minute in every ten. I think this is true of every saddle, at least it is for me. I have to let the blood flow across my sit bones as well as into my stuff. It's the only saddle that hasn't made me numb after 100 miles, but even it will if I don't stand periodically.

If I could replace all the chairs in my house with Brooks saddles, I would.

Great site. However, the video with the butt ... I've gotta say, that was a bit too much. It was weird. I wonder how long a search they needed to find the model with the right butt.:eek:


I thought the same thing about the video, but I bought the saddle (Selle Anatomica Titanico)and it's great. I've tried many saddles, cheap & expensive but this is the most comfortable.

Can someone tell me why they prefer the brooks saddle? I know it is leather, but what else makes it comfortable? Not sold yet on swithching. Terri race fly

Can someone tell me why they prefer the brooks saddle? I know it is leather, but what else makes it comfortable? Not sold yet on swithching. Terri race fly


I ride a similar saddle to a Brooks and the difference seems to be in the fact that the leather on a Brooks saddle is not resting on a hard plastic platform like those found on the more typical road bike saddle. This allows the leather to give a little with your weight and provides a more comfortable ride. Eventually, you will break in the saddle and depressions will form where your sit bones rest and basically provide a customized seat. On the Brooks I'm told this takes a while.

I ride a similar saddle to a Brooks and the difference seems to be in the fact that the leather on a Brooks saddle is not resting on a hard plastic platform like those found on the more typical road bike saddle. This allows the leather to give a little with your weight and provides a more comfortable ride. Eventually, you will break in the saddle and depressions will form where your sit bones rest and basically provide a customized seat. On the Brooks I'm told this takes a while.

Thanks! What saddle do you use?

Thanks! What saddle do you use?


I've just started riding a selle an-atomica. It's a leather saddle much like the Brooks (actually, it was developed using a Brooks saddle) but has a cutout down the center to help protect sensitive areas. Check out their website: http://www.selleanatomica.com/

Got the An-atomica today...going on the bike tonight...report bacK.

Got the An-atomica today...going on the bike tonight...report bacK.
Please do. I'm quite interested.

I've had the Specialized Alias for a week now, and so far my butt has not complained. Took it out for an 80 miler, and now real complaints yet. Lot better than that Terry Fly saddle, that's for sure.

I've tried several of the Brooks saddles. I rode a B-17 for around 3,000 miles, a Team pro for a couple of thousand, and a B-67 for a thousand or so. The leather is extremely comfortable, unbeatable for long distance sit bone comfort. The leather saddles are the only saddles I've ever tried that I want to sit back down on, after a pit stop at mile 80. The leather just conforms perfectly to your backside, you can't get that with any synthetic, or man-made material.

But, they are hard on the perineum, and the prostate. So, if you are one of the many people who can't tolerate the pressure in the center, then the Brooks saddles are not for you. Am I am one of those people. Years ago, when leather saddles were the only type of saddles available, a lot of us simply wouldn't be riding bicycles at all, because we wouldn't be able to tolerate the saddle pressure. And, unfortunately, if you are one of the lucky people who have no problem with the center pressure, and can tolerate the Brooks saddles, then you probably don't understand what I'm talking about. I've found that Brooks devotees just assume that everyone is built like them, and don't see why some people can't ride the leather saddles.

I don't personally understand the Anatomica saddles. I don't understand how the leather could hold the tension of a person sitting on it, when the center part has been cut out. That's the tensioned part of the saddle, isn't it? It just seems to me like it would sag and loose it's shape. Or you'd end up chaffing on the edges on the edges of the leather where it's been cut. But, I haven't tried one, so I guess I don't have an opinion that's worth much.

I've found that the Specialized Body Geometry saddles are almost perfect for me. I ride an Avatar on my everyday road bike (Bianchi Vigorelli, with the bars a couple of inches below the saddle), and a Dolce Gel (yes, I know that it's supposed to be a girls saddle) on my touring bike (Trek 520, with the bars slightly higher than the saddle). Neither of them are as comfortable on the sit bones as a leather saddle, but they both virtually eliminate perineum pressure, which is what I want in a long distance saddle.

Geez, I better slow down on the coffee this morning....

Great review Thulsadoom ... btw, since you ride with specialized saddles, do you find that it squeeks when you sit and pedal? Not sure if it's an adjustment, or the nature of the saddle.

I'm in the initial stages of riding a Selle Anatomica saddle. So far, the first thing I noticed is that my butt and sit bones feel great on this saddle. I've tried the Selle SMP, Specialized Alias & Milano and this one is more comfortable on the bones. The perineal area felt good but I only rode about 1.5 hours. I'll delay comment on that until I've had a chance to get out for a 3+ hour ride. There are some questions that can't be answered now as the saddle is new and time will tell how it holds up. But there's no pinching in the sensitive areas. There is a potential for chafing of the inner thighs along the saddle horn ( I experienced this on my very first ride). I tweaked the setup, slight tilt down and slight shift rearward and it seems to have eliminated the problem. I'm really hoping this one works out. But my 2nd best saddle is the Specialized Alias. Although the seat area is harder then the Anatomica, the split down the middle alleviates any perineal pain.

I have a Specialize Avatar 143 Gel... lots of people report that the saddle is uncomfortable however I have nothing but good things to say about it. The only drawback is the heavy 350gr weight.

Those with experience, how does the Avatar compare with the higher end offerings (a la Alias and the Toupe)?

Great review Thulsadoom ... btw, since you ride with specialized saddles, do you find that it squeeks when you sit and pedal? Not sure if it's an adjustment, or the nature of the saddle.

Actually, now that you say that, I think that my Avatar does squeak a little. I wonder why that is?

I was a Brooks rider for years- and no complaints. Then, for some reason, went to a variety of high end saddles- most of them fairly conventional. Never gave any of it much thought until I was sidelined twice with severe prostatitis. Not sure if it was saddle related but it seemed like it exacerbated it. After the second bout of prostatitis I ordered a Selle SMP Evolution and a Strike Pro. The Strike Pro is on my commuter, which gets about 100-120 miles per week. The Evolution is on my road bike. I've had no incidents of prostatitis since I started using these saddles. The Strike Pro seems to be a little easier on the sit bones. The Evolution- longest one day rides on it thus far are 140 mile days (about 9 hours of riding). I definitely feel some pressure on the sit bones and am concerned about that aspect though I did an 85 miler this weekend and didn't get much pain in that area so maybe I'm getting used to it.

I ride various Brooks saddles (B17, Champion Flyer, B67) and I just love them. I do plan on a Selle An Atomica soon after talking with a rider who had one. I can ride up to about 40-50 miles on my Brooks saddles without any damage but at mile 35 or so, I start getting tender. After I purchased cycling shorts, I could go maybe another ten miles before the same tenderness started. If I am going to ride any further I choose my recumbent, a Rans Velocity Squared. I have never had a sore backside on the recumbent nor have my hands or neck gone numb, plus my speed is usually the same or faster depending on the amount of climbing involved. For real relief try a quality performance recumbent, you may never ride a upright again.....unless you are like me and enjoy all types of bicycles.;)

My bike page: http://www.myspace.com/eccentriccyclistcharlie

Actually, now that you say that, I think that my Avatar does squeak a little. I wonder why that is?
The guy in the bike shop says it's the seatpost. Tightened it a little bit, and it's a little better now.

Brooks B17 whilst still new i sent it to Selle Anatomica and had a LD slot cut into it, it rides fantastic. I own a few Brooks in which i am very happy with but the added slot provides a tramopline effect, very comfortable. I also own a Selle Anatomica but found the leather far to soft, i prefer the Brooks for it far firmer leather.

There is a potential for chafing of the inner thighs along the saddle horn ( I experienced this on my very first ride). I tweaked the setup, slight tilt down and slight shift rearward and it seems to have eliminated the problem.
Sanulaw,
Two 25mi rides on the An-atomica and have noticed the same inner thigh issue you mentioned. Setup instructions indicated slight upward tilt on initial setup. Did you go to down from "neutral" or are you "neutral" now. Fore /aft adjustment, are you now set further back from your previous saddle? Had a re-fit on my bike this spring and I have optimized measurement for saddle setback from middle of bars, that's were I set the An-atomica, wondering if I need to put it back as well.

Please do keep us all updated on the An-Atomicas. I've been seriously considering one.

I have not been one of the "Brooks is heaven from the first pedal stroke" types. Couldn't get the Pro to stop putting mini-me to sleep. Tried the B-17 but it presses on parts of my glutes that have never sat on a saddle before, which caused cramps. Soaked the pro in neat's foot for half an hour (yeah, yeah, I know, "I've ruined my saddle" -- if it really does fail I'll write it up here.) and put it on a twin clamp post which allows me to control angle down to a fraction of a degree. Spent a couple of rides hopping off the bike every 5 minutes to tinker with the angle and believe I have reached a good spot. Now we just need to see how much improvement breaking in achieves.

My thoughts on soaking: I know some folks swear by it and others say it will destroy the saddle. Certainly it has not destroyed mine yet, but then I only have 50 miles on it since soaking. I do notice that the leather on the pro is much, much thicker than on the B-17. I'd believe that soaking the B-17 would render it useless in short order. The pro, OTOH, is still taut and still sounds like a drum when tapped. I'll be surprised if it starts to sag.

One other note on the Brooks: it seems to me that they all come from the factory with a bit of a "hammock" deal. If you adjust it so that the nose is not pressing into your nads then the tail is forcing you to slide forward onto... your nads. If you set it up so that the tail is not forcing you onto your nads, the nose of the saddle is pressing into your, well, you get the picture.

I notice that leather saddle designs from companies long gone feature relatively flat top portions, much like most modern plastic designs. I wish someone would reintroduce those saddles.

I just got done with a 75 mile ride, which is my longest ever. (I'm still in my first year of cycling). I had about two miles left when I realized I wasn't saddle sore, which used to happen after 50 miles or so. In Febuary, after following a thread on this board about saddles, I decided to plunk down the money for a Selle Anatomica.

Up until now, my butt hasn't been able to believe what my mind can conceive. I think that problem has been solved.

I've never tried Brooks. With all the people swearing by them, they have to be a good product, yet from what I've heard they aren't for everyone. But, to answer the following question...:


I don't personally understand the Anatomica saddles. I don't understand how the leather could hold the tension of a person sitting on it, when the center part has been cut out. That's the tensioned part of the saddle, isn't it? It just seems to me like it would sag and loose it's shape. Or you'd end up chaffing on the edges on the edges of the leather where it's been cut.

...I think the idea is to cradle that sensitive area, rather than fully support it. I didn't understand it either. It seemed like it would pinch rather than relieve. (Yikes!) I just went on some blind faith and a determination to spend money rather than time to solve this roadblock to long distances.

This is just one reason why I believe the saddle is the most important part of a bike. If Brooks won't work for you, I'd recommend you try a Selle. You have 30 days to send it back. I've heard of a few people who had really bad experiences with Brooks. I haven't heard a single complaint about Selle (other than the price. But why waste good money on a saddle that makes you miserable?)

FWIW, my previous saddle was a gel-type saddle. It was cushiony for awhile, but on a long ride, the cushion was long gone. I'll be attempting my first century in about ten days, and it's a big relief to know that my saddle won't be a problem.

My only suggestion for improvement is to put some music to their little video. Suggestions anyone?

Thong song?

Baby got back?

I can't get my mind off you?

LOL. All I could come up with was "The wheels on the bus go round and round."

I'm new to these forums. Actually found them searching for saddle information and recently got a Brooks swift. For the last several years I was riding a Sella Italia Max Flite. It usually turned my butt to minced meat after the 80 mi. mark (one of the reasons I've never done any longer rides than centuries). It was also pretty painful the 1st few days of the riding season as I conditioned my butt for the pain. I also thought it was a little too wide for me, but I just got used to things over the season. The last month, as I was recuperating from a concussion (not bike related), I kind of felt sorry for my bike and bought it a new saddle.

So here's what I've noticed. I've only got about 100 miles on the Brooks over the last 3 days, but it already feels great. After 3 or 4 weeks of not riding, on day 2 it would have felt like I had cuts on my butt where the saddle contacted if I was still using the Max Flite. The brooks is quite a bit harder, but that's good for me. Harder means less contact area. The leather on the Brooks is slipperier (is that a word), which, for me means less chaffing. It's also narrower and interferes with peddling less. The unknown is how it's going to feel after the 80 mile mark...and after the 100 mile mark. It's also an unknown if I'll miss the anatomical cutout that the Max Flite has. That can be added, if I do. So far, great saddle and a happy butt is well worth the high price.

Just got a new Pre-Aged B17. Love it. I was skeptical about a Brooks because of the break in issues. This was a pleasure to ride right out of the box. Have used Terry Fly- great for first 70-80 miles but got uncomfortable after that. Also used Selle Anatomica. Comfortable but I thought it was cheaply made. The underside is already tearing up after only a month.

The pre aged is ugly as sin. It doesn't look that great on my new Seven Axiom Sg but the comfort is worth it. I wonder if I could die it black.

Post 60 mi ride report. No sit bone pain, nor perineum and prostate pain. Still notice a bit of pain in the inner thigh, most especially on the right side. It's not crippling, but is noticeable. Must be that the seat doesn't narrow as quickly as some others. Will continue to report, seems so far to be much more comfortable generally over previous saddle choices.

I don't want to beat a dead horse, but I am about to pony up for the Selle An-Atomica. Just wondering if any of you users have updates for us.

Thanks

I guess I've got around 5000 miles on mine. It seems to be holding up just fine. I had to fool around with the tension quite a bit before getting it right; I think that's a "personal odyssey" that most users should expect.

You'll likely want to remove the little metal cup-shaped nosepiece and grease it, as they pretty much all seem to start squeaking after a few miles. I had to put a stop-nut onto the threaded portion of the adjuster to keep it from slacking off by itself.

You'll still want to use the best chamois you can find. In my experience thin or low quality chamois can lead to a bit of pinching with this saddle.

The rails are too thin and many people have bent them, so unless you're a real lightweight it's probably safest to keep the saddle in about the middle of the adjustment range. If you're over maybe 200 pounds, I wouldn't buy this saddle.

Overall, the quality is a bit dissapointing, considering the price. Poorly trimmed leather, undersized rails, squeaking, etc... It's a lot of trouble to get the thing to work right, which might be okay on a $50 saddle, but not a $150 saddle. All told, though, it is the most comfortable saddle I have ever used.

I've been riding a Selle An-atomica for the second half of the summer. As I would hope with a leather saddle, it keeps getting better. I've done several 40-50 mile rides on it without the saddle pain and foot numbness I was experiencing.

I'm a big guy, so I ordered the Clydesdale model with the ED cutout. It's a smaller cutout so there is more leather to support you. Because I push down more on the leather I actually found that a slight downward tilt works best, or otherwise the tension bolt hits in a rather unfortunate spot.

If I could afford it I would buy these for my tandem and my commuter, but I can't see spending that much $$$ on saddles.

Not a personal experience here, but my friends bought these for their tandem and proceeded to do a 115 mile group ride in the cold and rain (same one I did a write up about a couple weeks ago) without any test miles on them. They both ended the day smiling and enjoying the saddles so there must definitely be something to them. I'm still enjoying my Fizik Aliante carbon with titanium rails.

Rick

So this year, about 3500mi so far this season and these observations:
Very comfortable,but yes, you will have to play with the tensioning bolt to both get the tension "right" for you and to keep it from making noise as the leather stretches.
I took a Dremel emery wheel and took off the small leather "points" where the tensioning bolt is accessible at the front nose of the saddle. and chamfered the rough edges along the sides.
I ride it very slightly "nose up", maybe 2deg. which for me was most comfortable.
The real test was riding it in the 2007 RAIN (Ride Across INdiana) this year. "One Day, One Way, 160 Miles", and absolutely NO saddle issues! Got in the car after I was finished and drove 150mi. No complaints from my bum and no numbness.
My biggest complaint is that the saddle is a "brick" when it comes to weight. I've not noticed any bending of the rails, but I weigh 155lbs., so not exactly crushing it.

I don't want to beat a dead horse, but I am about to pony up for the Selle An-Atomica. Just wondering if any of you users have updates for us.
Thanks


nice.

By the way, I'm looking at a brooks, and the B17 is really the only one that will work on my budget, BUT I have some pretty significant saddle-handlebar drop. From what I've read, a saddle like the B17 + handlebar drop = killer on sensitive areas. My question is, will getting a narrower saddle (such as the b17 narrow) help?

nice.

By the way, I'm looking at a brooks, and the B17 is really the only one that will work on my budget, BUT I have some pretty significant saddle-handlebar drop. From what I've read, a saddle like the B17 + handlebar drop = killer on sensitive areas. My question is, will getting a narrower saddle (such as the b17 narrow) help?

I'm working with a new B17 on my fixie which has a fair amount of handlebar drop. It's been difficult to get the tilt correct with this saddle. It's most comfortable on the sit bones with a slight tilt up, but very hard on the nether regions. Tilt down results in too much forward slide and the sit bones suffer as well as increased hand pressure. A level+ "touring style" handlebar drop, I think would be best with this saddle.

Brooks!

In case it doesn't show up in the picture, from front to back is British Racing Green; center is black, and back is honey. They are all B-17';s. The center one is a sprung saddle, though, a B-17 Champion Flyer, and the other two are B-17 Champion Specials. I really like copper rivets. :-D

It's been difficult to get the tilt correct with this saddle. It's most comfortable on the sit bones with a slight tilt up, but very hard on the nether regions. Tilt down results in too much forward slide and the sit bones suffer as well as increased hand pressure.

This has been exactly my experience and is the primary reason I gave up on Brooks.

Jan Heine of Bicycle Quarterly claims that Brooks' leather quality has slipped as well. He says that he's had trouble with a number of their more recent saddles, and has a picture of a Swallow (I think it was) that had completely worn out at 3000 miles. It was replaced under warranty, but I think there are some definite questions about the state of Brooks these days.

This has been exactly my experience and is the primary reason I gave up on Brooks.

Jan Heine of Bicycle Quarterly claims that Brooks' leather quality has slipped as well. He says that he's had trouble with a number of their more recent saddles, and has a picture of a Swallow (I think it was) that had completely worn out at 3000 miles. It was replaced under warranty, but I think there are some definite questions about the state of Brooks these days.

Just as another data point I have three B17 Champion Flyers and the quality on these saddles is excellent.