Southern California - Saddle Choices

Hi all,

Don't feel like dealing with all the flame wars at the Road forum so a question.

I'm riding a Spec Avatar. It's only a year old but I think it's breaking down and I'm a bit sore after today's ride. I'm considering an Alias as the replacement...don't really want to spend the coin on a Toupe plus I want some comfort!

Suggestions?

Sheldon

Hi all,

Don't feel like dealing with all the flame wars at the Road forum so a question.

I'm riding a Spec Avatar. It's only a year old but I think it's breaking down and I'm a bit sore after today's ride. I'm considering an Alias as the replacement...don't really want to spend the coin on a Toupe plus I want some comfort!

Suggestions?

Sheldon

I can't speak for the Avatar or Toupe...I had an Alias...hated it...felt like i was sitting on cement...
Got a Fizik Arione...awesome saddle....but now I may be a Brooks convert...have done a 60 and 80 on my brooks...no real soreness...
Its heavy, its fugly, its hard, but I dont get sore from it..
just my 2 cents...

It's a highly personal thing. My butt seems rather insensitive. I've bought three bikes so far, with three different saddles. (Not sure offhand what Specialized saddle was on my Roubaix. Something semi-squishy. A Specialized Avatar on my Allez. A Selle Italia SLR XP on my R3.) I don't seem to have complaints about any of them, and I've done a century+ ride on all three bikes. Your rear may care more.

I can't speak for the Avatar or Toupe...I had an Alias...hated it...felt like i was sitting on cement...
Got a Fizik Arione...awesome saddle....but now I may be a Brooks convert...have done a 60 and 80 on my brooks...no real soreness...
Its heavy, its fugly, its hard, but I dont get sore from it..
just my 2 cents...

Brooks convert here. Just disappears under your a$$ after 10 miles. I don't think they're ugly though. To the contrary, I think they're little works of art. I got the B-17 Champion Special about 400 miles ago and the bike and I love it.

Brooks convert here. Just disappears under your a$$ after 10 miles. I don't think they're ugly though. To the contrary, I think they're little works of art. I got the B-17 Champion Special about 400 miles ago and the bike and I love it.


Maybe fugly was to strong...but my Arione does look way cooler...butt, the bottom line is I agree it just disappears...(great description)

think of your butt as a new baseball glove, and your saddle as the ball you're using to shape it. of course you have to find the right ball/glove combo, but once you do, you've got to give it some time, massage the glove a little with oil, beat it up a little, stick it under your mattress, and soon enough the ball will practically seat itself perfectly in the pocket of the glove.

I would rather think my butt as the baseball. :D

I would rather think my butt as the baseball. :D

But are you a pitcher or a catcher? Oh, this is not going to end well... so to speak.

and do you bat on this side or that side? or are you a switch-hitter?

and while we're at it, what team do you play for?

I pitched for the Yankees in 1967.

I pitched for the Yankees in 1967.

The year of YAZ!

Like what Jason said, different saddles for different butts. I heard people swear by Fizik Aliante but its expensive. The bikeshop that I bought my bike from raved about arione but I liked my SLR. Its a minimalist saddle but its very comfortable to me. I tried on helmets yesterday and only thing that fits my head well is a Bell, but I wanted a Specialized. You gotta just try 'em.

You gotta just try 'em.


^yeah that^

I think I'm on my 7th or so saddle. :rolleyes: Currently trying out James' Selle Italia Flite which seems to be ok - two rides in to it so far. Can't wait to try the Brooks... which reminds me, I need to contact Mo about that!!

[QOTE=Tiffanie]^yeah that^

I think I'm on my 7th or so saddle. :rolleyes: Currently trying out James' Selle Italia Flite which seems to be ok - two rides in to it so far. Can't wait to try the Brooks... which reminds me, I need to contact Mo about that!![/QUOTE]

Its amazing to me how those Brooks saddles can be comfortable the way it looks. I am not doubting its comfort, its just doesnt look comfortable.

little league, obviously

My butt is not very picky; I've just used whatever came on my bike. Currently I have a Fizik Aliante Sport and I like it better than whatever came on my old Specialized. I've considered off an on getting an Arione but I'm too lazy and don't want to spend the money. My wife just got a Fizik Vitesse and seems happy with it but has only done one ride with it so far.

Thanks. I did the Brooks B-17 for three years. It was comfy enough but I still had some issues with it, despite much adjustment. It now resides on our permanent trainer.

I considered the Arione but like the cutouts of the Specialized products. I've not had any problems with numbness just feel like the Avatar is getting harder as the gel flattens. Definately feel it after 40 miles today.

So was thinking of the Alias as an upgrade to the Avatar.

Sheldon

Did your LBS test your butt with the ass-o-meter? Kind of like a fit kit for saddle. I haven't tried it yet, but I saw someone being fitted for one at a LBS.

i found the avatar(143) to be pretty comfy on shorter rides, but ride for too long and it starts bringin the pain. also, hopefully you'll be getting one of the newer ones, because the first version with the stitching on the butt padding part tends to tear up shorts in my experience.

I found the Terry saddle, although it may feel cumfy on shorter distances, can really start feel irritating after about mile 80 .. and I did a double with this. In particular, it affects my sit bone. I'm shopping for a saddle before my next one, that's for sure.

I found the Terry saddle, although it may feel cumfy on shorter distances, can really start feel irritating after about mile 80 .. and I did a double with this. In particular, it affects my sit bone. I'm shopping for a saddle before my next one, that's for sure.

I also looked at the Fly and came to the same conclusion....it's a bit too soft for longer rides.

Saddle selection sucks! This is like buying a car!

Sheldon

I considered the Arione but like the cutouts of the Specialized products.

My Specialized saddle had a cutout, and I was a little worried when I moved to the Aliante, but after a few minutes on it I realized it didn't make any difference to me.

I also looked at the Fly and came to the same conclusion....it's a bit too soft for longer rides.

Saddle selection sucks! This is like buying a car!

Sheldon

+2

My Terry was awesome for rides up to 5 hours or, then it went from fine to pure agony. I've now got a Toupe and a Brooks Swift that I'm testing.

Aha, maybe I can blame my saddle for my century and double century times???

Aha, maybe I can blame my saddle for my century and double century times???

In the approach to Los Alamos on the Solvang double I was going faster because my ass wanted off! I even I dropped a few people off the train when it was my pull.

Brooks here also, team pros on road bikes and B17 on MTB's.. Another good choice is to go old school and look for a nice Selle San Marco Rolls saddle or Selle Italia Super Turbo.. These are very comfortable saddles.

Brooks Swift, Brooks Swallow. Fantastic saddles on Fixie

Selle Italia SLR on my climbing bike, and Ultras

I heard people swear by Fizik Aliante but its expensive.
I have a used (in new condition) Aliante if you'd like to try it. Hit me up!
I an using the Arione, and love it!!

I have a used (in new condition) Aliante if you'd like to try it. Hit me up!
I an using the Arione, and love it!!

Here is my thinking at the moment, flawed though it may be.

Even on the B-17 I still had some numbness, etc. Very rare on the Specialized one. Mostly what I'm getting now is just butt soreness. Made minor adjustments to tilt.

If you believe the research and several articles, it appears that the cutout models are a good thing. I've read where even though the Arione is comfy, the tests show that blood flow is still being restricted though no symptions may show up.

Honestly, I don't know. It's such a tough call. Seems to me that any saddle that's properly broken in should mold somewhat to your shape and support the tubers correctly. That's the reason the Brooks or any leather saddle does well.

In any event, I thought a step up to the Alias might do the job as I was generally happy with the Avatar and the Spec. design. The Toupe seems too minimal for me. However I've still got that Arione in mind as it just seems so popular in general and the majority of reviews are positive.

We are going on a family vacation today to Palm Springs and taking the bikes. While I'm there, I'm going to drop in to the LBS and see if I can come up with something.

To repeat, getting a saddle is a PIA! (literally)

Sheldon

In any event,

However I've still got that Arione in mind as it just seems so popular in general and the majority of reviews are positive.I've got an almost new Arione on its way to me. I don't plan on trying it until June so if you want to try it for a few weeks, let me know. I'll be in Calabassas next Friday or I can just change the address labels on the box when I get it.

Just went to the Fizik web site, and saw the Arione K1 ... that doesn't look cumfy at all. Looks like it would be pretty painful. Maybe it's just the profile view they took the picture with. Anyhow, which Arione are you referring to?

I didn't know there was more than one Arione! (great....more stuff to consider!)

Sheldon

I've got an almost new Arione on its way to me. I don't plan on trying it until June so if you want to try it for a few weeks, let me know. I'll be in Calabassas next Friday or I can just change the address labels on the box when I get it.

Thanks. I'll let you know if I want to do that! I appreciate the offer.

Sheldon

brooks swift works for all kinds of rides... for me at least

I have a Arione Wing Flex on one bike that I use for shorter distances:

http://www.fizik.it/images/catalog/road_saddles/7014SXS_Arione_white_lateral.jpg

and and Arione TRI2 Wing Flex on the other bike that I use for longer distances:

http://www.fizik.it/images/catalog/tri_saddles/7023SXS_Arione_TRI2_wingflex_lateral.jpg

The TRI2 has a bit more padding.

I've been riding Specialized bikes since '98 and to be quite honest I have never found any of their saddles to be comfortable. The first Specialized saddle that I got came on my Stumpjumper M2 which I ended up removing after the first long ride. It was sleek and light and had Kevlar in it but killed my butt!!! I don't remember the name of that sadle and I don't want to either. At one point I had a Specialized Telluride that came on my first Roubaix. That saddle was okay for about 40 miles or so, but it was so soft that after a while you could actually feel the hard plastic shell that was underneath the cushion. A couple of years ago I bought on sale a Specialized saddle but I don't remember the name of that one either. All I remember was that it was black and red and said something like BG on he sides of it. Once again my butt hated it and I sold it to a friend for 20 bucks. Last week I bought an S-WORKS bike that came with a white Toupe 143 saddle and I immediately removed it. Not only because it was white and my bike is red and black but it looks like it's a killer too. However, my lady saw it and she had me put it one her Dolce Comp because she says that she can't stand the Dolce saddle that her bike came with. I'm still waiting to hear what she thinks about the Toupe. The saddle that I have been using lately for road is the Selle Italia Flite Genuine Gel saddle. When I first got it I thought to myself that there was no way that it could be comfortable and for the few first rides it was not. But after that it seems to be okay, the longest that I have been on it is about 6 hours and when I was done riding I only had mild soarness. The saddle is at the point now where it is starting to wear out and I am in the process of looking for a replacement.

Toupe Gel maybe? I like my Toupe personally....I believe the comfort is all in my Bibs....

brooks swift works for all kinds of rides... for me at least
Hey, wait a minute ... what are you doing posting at 10 am on a Sunday ... get back on the bike, and on the road! :rolleyes:

Just went for some bagels ... short 4 mile spin, just to at least get the legs rolling.

Toupe Gel maybe? I like my Toupe personally....I believe the comfort is all in my Bibs....

One thing about the Toupe is that is sure looks sleek and it is super light. I noticed last nite on their site that it is offered in a gel model. Maybe I'll check it out.

If you believe the research and several articles, it appears that the cutout models are a good thing. I've read where even though the Arione is comfy, the tests show that blood flow is still being restricted though no symptions may show up.
Fizik is on it, and has this to offer ;)

http://www.fizik.com/catalog.aspx?subid=arione_carbon_twin_flex_wing_flex_tubular_ti

Check out the cut out :beer:

http://www.fizik.com/catalog.aspx?subid=arione_carbon_twin_flex_wing_flex_down

I'm using the Selle Italia SLR that came on my Soloist. Had some problems initially, however once I got the saddle height tweeked properly (initial fit was too high), the problems went away.

I read someplace that many of the saddle problems people experience is not because of the saddle shape, but rather that their saddle is simply too high, which places extra pressure in the tender areas.

I rode my Toupe 104 miles on April 1st. I was very impressed and like the saddle...If it were me I would get it again. I do realize that it might not be for everone....

Hey, wait a minute ... what are you doing posting at 10 am on a Sunday ... get back on the bike, and on the road! :rolleyes:

Just went for some bagels ... short 4 mile spin, just to at least get the legs rolling.


every now and then i take a day off......especially when i rode 110 miles yesterday!!

Have a B-17 and the first ride I took it on was the Sierra Fall Century last September. I know that one is not supposed to change saddles the day of a 100 mile ride, but I figured I was going to be in pain no matter what , seeing how I had not been on my bike one time in the previous 10 weeks. The ride went well, and it kicked my butt, but the saddle was the most comfortable one I had ever been on. My butt had hurt more after rides of 25 miles than it did after doing the ride up above Mammoth. No matter what is good for you, though, is not going to be good for everyone else. Saddles are a hit and miss type of gear. Keep looking till you find the one that fits you.

every now and then i take a day off......especially when i rode 110 miles yesterday!!
Yea, I know what you mean.

I actually wanted to ride the day after the double, but since I still had 5 hours to drive, I figure I should give it a rest.

true, very true....i waited till monday....

Just went to the Fizik web site, and saw the Arione K1 ... that doesn't look cumfy at all. Looks like it would be pretty painful. Maybe it's just the profile view they took the picture with. Anyhow, which Arione are you referring to?


The K1 version is 100% carbon fiber... Hard as a ... well... rock... But weighs close to nothing.

Does anyone know of a shop in the Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena area that will allow you to try a seat before investing? Brooks seats are great for me comfort wise, but on the heavy side. I rode an Arion Flex Wing for 2500 miles, and recently switched to a Sella Italia SLR which has a slightly flatter cross section at the wides part. There is a definite difference in where the weight is distributed, but I'm not sure it will result in any better comfort level on longer rides. I'd just like to be able to try out a variety of seats without having to pay for all the trial runs.

Toupe Gel maybe? I like my Toupe personally....I believe the comfort is all in my Bibs....


I've heard the Toupe is actually more comfortable than the Gel as it is more flexy, which is what the comfort comes from. I had swapped the stock saddle for a Toupe on my Allez Sport a few months ago, and loved it so much that when it came time to choose one for the new build I opted to go the Toupe route again. I'm sure it's not for everyone, but don't let the minimalist appearance deter you from at least considering it/trying it out - it's quite flexy and comfortable.

I have a Fizik Aliante (not the Ti or CF, just plain) that came with my bike. It took awhile before i got it adjusted so it's comfortable. It was also the saddle that essentially got my @$$ broken in since i had never done any long distance riding until i started last year. :) I put a neoprene cover on it and it's nice.

Also, i have a Performance/Forte Fusion saddle on my commuter which actually is pretty nice. I'm only on it for 30-40 minutes at a time but it's been good so far. It's also got Ti rails too. (got it for cheap too when it was on sale/clearance on performancebike.com)

The worst so far has been the Performance/Forte Classic but that could be only because i only rode it once and didn't bother to try adjusting it much before putting on the Fusion. :lol:

Trial and error is the only way to go with saddles really. I say start with the cheap saddles before working your way up to the more expensive ones.