Commuting - Good Seat Recommendation

I'd love a B-17, but the fundage isn't there. I have wider sit bones, commute on a road bike (i.e. bars lower than the seat) and want a good seat that doesn't cost much. I'm riding an old, old WTB right now with ti rails, and it works great, but the plastic cracked.

Whaddaya think?

I would say go with the b17. It really is worth it. My sit bones are extra wide, and all other seats are either too narrow or expensive. Only complaint I have about the B17 is that I had to fiddle around with the angle and position for a bit until it felt right, but this is common with most if not all saddles. Unfortunately b17s go for around $69 because of inflation. But looking at how long these last and the comfort they provide, I'd say around $70 is a great deal. If you can, go to your LBS and see if they can let you test ride saddles for a decent amount of miles/time. Saddles are *****in' expensive these days.

Saddles are such a personal thing that I'd hate to make a recommendation.

A good shop will have a bin of saddles that you can test with.

Shocking. Someone recommended a B-17 even after he said it was too expensive.

Go to the LBS and see if they'll let you try a couple (they will, just go when they are slow). Look for a wide-ish saddle with firm-ish padding and a split middle. Or just try what the dudes at the shop recommend. You'll find something you like.

brooks are nice and beautiful, but also heavy and wayyy-over-rated (yes I've tried them, I own two, and they are overpriced somewhat comfy eyecandy)

I used to think that Brooks saddles were expensive until I priced the techno-plastic ones... YOW!

Got my B-17 on Ebay for $65 and it came with a Brooks saddle cover. I didn't see any decent plastic saddles for that price.

Yeah, compared to other saddles, b17 are priced fair. The main idea behind brooks saddles especially the b17 for wider sit bones, is that you break it in and it is "molded" in your shape, basically custom fit for you. Plastic you can't really break in. If you find plastic comfortable, go for it, but if you're looking for comfort, I really suggest Brooks, especially since you have wider sit bones, since the b17 is wider compared to most other saddles. Well, maybe not the ones for breach cruisers.

If you're really that tight on a budget, seriously, go to the LBS and ask to try out their saddles.

[QUOTE=Jeffbeerman2;
brooks are nice and beautiful, but also heavy and wayyy-over-rated (yes I've tried them, I own two, and they are overpriced somewhat comfy eyecandy)[/QUOTE]


Wayyy-over-rated?? :eek:

I dont think so.

Considering the quality of workmanship and the grade of leather they use, compared to plastic based saddles with a little dense foam covered with a thin glove leather, I'd say they were a bargain.

I've been on my saddle for 330 of the last 365 days. It's the only comfortable saddle I've ever owned. Guess what it is?

A B-17.

Save up.

I've been on the old WTB for long enough now, and guess what? It's fine. I'm not complaining saying my saddle is uncomfy and I can't find one that works...I'm not that guy ;)

I'm just asking if there's a cheap one that fits wider sit bones. Hell, there are tons of $30 and under saddles at performance, but I don't know how wide any of 'em are. Thought someone like me might know.

B-17 seems pretty overrated for my intended use...for randonneuring I'm sure it's nice.

Also, saving up is fine, but when I need it Monday that's not really an option. So, I either ride on a broken saddle or find one that works. Any suggestions?

Don't worry about the saddle-to-bar drop thing on your road bike. I have a B17 Champion on a bike which I guarantee you has a more ******** saddle-to-bar drop than your road bike. :)

I'm sorry to harp on the B17 thing when you say it's not what you're looking for, but keep in mind that the saddle is one of the most important parts of your bike, as it's what your ass is almost always resting on.

Pickup one of these for a temp fix:
http://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Adult-Ergonomic-Bicycle-Saddle/dp/B000DZD3DI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1197183736&sr=8-1

Saddle is made by Velo and it's priced low enough. Can look for or save up for something else later on.

Just put some duct tape on your old saddle :)

In rebuilding and upgrading an old Cannondale for my then gf I was recommended an mtb 'ladies' saddle. The sales guy said his gf used it and liked it. It's grey and black w/red and silver accents...don't recall the model but it's a Bontrager...around 40.00. Anyway, I liked it so much I use it veryday on my #1 commuter. It's a tad wider than most men's saddles and very comfortable. Just went and looked at it closely and it says 'Bontrager' on both sides of the nose and on the visible part of the rail it said 'Hollow' w/several numbers after that. I'd pull it to look at the underside, but it was a b***h to mount and I'd rather no go through THAT experience again. I got it at my lbs...I'll do a search online and see if I can find the model.

Here it is: http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=14388

b-17

saves money in the long run

I'd love a B-17, but the fundage isn't there. I have wider sit bones, commute on a road bike (i.e. bars lower than the seat) and want a good seat that doesn't cost much. I'm riding an old, old WTB right now with ti rails, and it works great, but the plastic cracked.

Whaddaya think?

What is your price range? I use Speclialized Alias on my roadbike, and it's very comfy. It also comes in three different sizes for different ass bones.

What is your price range? I use Speclialized Alias on my roadbike, and it's very comfy. It also comes in three different sizes for different ass bones.


Not $100, that's for sure. I'd get a Brooks before I got a Specialized Alias.

Probably $40 is my upper, upper limit. I have a WTB with ti rails (10 years old) on my MTB that I'm probably going to throw on there for Monday. I've done this before, and it's not the best saddle, but it'll get the job done.


Maybe I'll just work that angle until Feb. when my bonus pays out and then buy a Brooks.

Thanks nashcommguy, though...that saddle looks pretty nice for the money.

Woot! Brooks FTW!

You know my answer, it is the one you don't want to hear but has been said by most everyone else....

what's the wider Brooks? I HAVE a B-17 but it feels like it's still not wide enough.

Performance Forte Fusion? Works for me (and relatively cheap), but the ladies say i've got a small @$$ to begin with...

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/500/50-3155-BLK-ANGLE.jpg

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=21933&subcategory_ID=5210

Save up another $15 and you can have your cake and eat it, too: B17 at IRO (http://www.irofixedgear.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=12).

Brooks B17.

If you aren't going long distances or long ride times, any saddle should work. On my commuter and road bikes I have B17s, but on my mountain bike I have a $14 Bell Wally world saddle. The Bell is too squishy for long rides for me, but it has the anatomical hole so its doesn't put the junk to sleep. Its been fine on my mountain bike I guess because I don't usually ride for hours without stopping, I come out of the saddle more often during rides, and I get off and push the bike up and down steep areas.

Brooks B-17, and make sure they are protected by ADT! LOL! :-D Honestly, when I took the picture a year or so ago, I didn't realize that I had the bikes in front of our ADT sign. Now, it just cracks me up. Maybe, I'm easily amused! ;-D

Oh, and there's one B-17 missing in that pic! I'm obviously sold!

Planet Bike Men's A.R.S. (http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Anatomic-Relief-Bicycle/dp/B000U7NU1Y/ref=pd_ts_sg_8?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods)At $22, it's the best frugal saddle I know of. If you want a wider one, Amazon has the women's verion (http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Womens-Anatomic-Bicycle/dp/B000C17N9I/ref=pd_sim_sg_1) on sale right now for even less.

Planet Bike Men's A.R.S. (http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Anatomic-Relief-Bicycle/dp/B000U7NU1Y/ref=pd_ts_sg_8?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods)At $22, it's the best frugal saddle I know of. If you want a wider one, Amazon has the women's verion (http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Womens-Anatomic-Bicycle/dp/B000C17N9I/ref=pd_sim_sg_1) on sale right now for even less.

Don't know why, but PB lists the Womens at 155 and mens at 165.

Just found this on EBay....the cheapest price I've seen in a long time for a new B-17!

http://cgi.ebay.com/BROOKS-B-17-STANDARD-Black-Bike-Seat-Bicycle-Saddle_W0QQitemZ230201769819QQihZ013QQcategoryZ106952QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p 1638.m118

Also, try googling "wallbike," for a great bike shop in New Orleans. I've gotten some of my Brooks there. They have a six month "try it, if you don't like it, return it," policy, and sometimes, they have used Brooks saddles, too.

Good Luck!

what's the wider Brooks? I HAVE a B-17 but it feels like it's still not wide enough.

Google "wallbike," for a bike shop in New Orleans that carries Brooks. They have info. on most of their saddles, including what is for what style of riding, etc. They are extremely helpful if you call them to ask any questions you may have. I've purchased three or four of my Brooks from them. They are great!

If you are really cheap, beg or even borrow an old used saddle from the junk parts box of your local bike shop. Or you can scrounge around at the goodwill and buy an entire bike for $10. Maybe a takeoff from a new bike when a customer upgrades. Dumpster diving, junk yards and garbage dumps are a good source too. Really when you get right down to it, if your budget is $40, borrow the extra $30 till you can pay it back or sell something you don't use. Maybe even offer to work a second or part time job for a weekend or something. Theres lots of ways to get an extra bit of money.
A good solid leather saddle is worth the extra money and if you can't buy one right now get one of the others in a womens width model, they will be closer to a B-17 in width. I've got three or four junk saddles I would give you if you lived in my area just to get rid of them. :eek:

Oh yea.....a $15 Brooks saddle cover will fix your present cracked saddle just fine
and you can use it later when you can afford the Brooks. Or you could make a cover out of scrap canvas, leather or any suitable material for now.

Another less expensive B-17 on EBay

http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-Brooks-B17-Standard-Saddle_W0QQitemZ130183249661QQihZ003QQcategoryZ22693QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Another less expensive B-17 on EBay

http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-Brooks-B17-Standard-Saddle_W0QQitemZ130183249661QQihZ003QQcategoryZ22693QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I bought one from that seller about a week ago. Came quickly, as described. Good stuff for 65 shipped.