Road Cycling - Most Comfortable Saddle?

Is there a consensus these days on a particular brand/model of seat being the most comfortable? Years ago I remember people liked the Flite saddle, which as I recall nobody understood why, except they simply found it more comfortable than most. I have noticed these days there are alot more anatomical saddle designs. What are some of the better ones?

While I know for a fact that most people who have ever ridden my bike hate it, I do love my Fizik Pave saddle. Not one for those who favor a softer seat.

Is there a consensus these days on a particular brand/model of seat being the most comfortable? Years ago I remember people liked the Flite saddle, which as I recall nobody understood why, except they simply found it more comfortable than most. I have noticed these days there are alot more anatomical saddle designs. What are some of the better ones?

I think that there are a variety of butt shapes and thus you'll see a variety of opinions on which saddles or saddlemakers are the most comfortable. I still find my Flite saddles to be comfortable. Will another brand/model work as well or better... possibly. But as yet, I haven't found a reason to replace mine. Replacing a saddle is a big investment... more so in time than in money although cost is not negligable either. You really have to put at least a hundred miles on a saddle to determine if it truly fits well. At some point, I'll get brave enough to try a new saddle. As for anatomical saddles with the cut-outs go, I have yet to find one that works for me. I tried a Specialized Body Geometry saddle once and it felt like I was sitting on top of two hockey skates. :(

Fizik Arione.

Hands down no competition. Besides it's shape the extra two cm of length make it versatile for multiple riding positions.
No competition.
I've ridden bikes with Selle San Marco, Selle Italia, Serfas....the Arione is the best.

Saeco's saddle of choice, as well.

if we're going by consensus then the Flite is still up there... now theres also the Selle Italia SLR , Fizik Aliante, Terry Fly, Koobi Silver

i find my cheap Fizik Pave fine... sometimes it feels as if the center of the seat is raised a bit.. but ive never really had a discomfort issue. my literal ass is not picky on seats... not as much as others, at least.

Consensus? In this group? :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

Is there a consensus these days on a particular brand/model of seat being the most comfortable? Years ago I remember people liked the Flite saddle, which as I recall nobody understood why, except they simply found it more comfortable than most. I have noticed these days there are alot more anatomical saddle designs. What are some of the better ones?

This is one topic that no one will ever agree on.

I've tried a number of saddles over the last few years and have decided that for me, the Selle Italia Turbomatic is the best thing going. It's not light or very expensive compared to the latest and greatest but it fits my rear and after 4 hours I'm not cursing it.

B-17, hands down the most comfortable seat I've ridden, also the heaviest

Terry Fly.. the first saddle my hind quarters have been able to handle!! :)

Another vote for the fizik pave here, though i do like my flite transam, too...

The Selle Italia SLR looks as if it could not possibly be comfortable on inspection. Howerever the design allows the seat to flex and the hollow ti rails also absorb road shock. I have found this to be an absolutely pain free saddle. The fact that it is super light and not too expensive is just a bonus.

The Selle Italia SLR looks as if it could not possibly be comfortable on inspection. Howerever the design allows the seat to flex and the hollow ti rails also absorb road shock. I have found this to be an absolutely pain free saddle. The fact that it is super light and not too expensive is just a bonus.

How does it compare in profile to the Flite? I've been contemplating switching over to either the SLR or the ProLink when my Flite Genuine Gel Ti wears out.

I've ridden several hundred miles, including my first century this past weekend, on the Selle Oktavia Genuine Gel that came with my bike. It is orders of magnitude more comfortable than the old Specialized Body Geometry I had. Now that I've given it a fair try, I've decided not to get the Koobi Enduro that I've read nothing but great things about - no point changing something that works well.

This is one topic that no one will ever agree on.

I've tried a number of saddles over the last few years and have decided that for me, the Selle Italia Turbomatic is the best thing going. It's not light or very expensive compared to the latest and greatest but it fits my rear and after 4 hours I'm not cursing it.
The best saddle that I have ever used also at least for me.

well after about 80 miles on my Brooks Pro Saddle... I must say, that it is infinitely more comfortable than my Flite Ti saddle... heavier yes, but after a 60 mile hard ride, the only thing that hurt were my legs... but butt felt great

jeff

How does it compare in profile to the Flite? I've been contemplating switching over to either the SLR or the ProLink when my Flite Genuine Gel Ti wears out.
The Prolink Trans-Am is more anatomically shaped than the SLR Trans-Am. I have both, the SLR is flat on top and has a narrower sit region, the Prolink is more cupped from front to back with the back rising slightly and has a wider sit region. I just got the SLR and have very limited experience with it, but initially I couldn't ride it for more than 40 miles, I can ride the Prolink all day. For me they both are superior to the Flight simply because of the cut out.

The Selle Italia SLR looks as if it could not possibly be comfortable on inspection. Howerever the design allows the seat to flex and the hollow ti rails also absorb road shock. I have found this to be an absolutely pain free saddle. The fact that it is super light and not too expensive is just a bonus.

Ditto the recommendation for the SLR. It's totally minimalist, and does not look at all like a "comfort" saddle, but after trying 3 other brands (stock Bontrager, Avocet O2, and Specialized Body Geometry Comp) it was the most comfortable one I've found. I've put nearly 9,000 miles on SLR's, including a yearly weeklong trip in the Rockies and 4 or 5 centuries per year, and still find them comfortable.

My only complaint has been with durability. I had to replace my first SLR after about 7,000 miles due to the leather splitting at the corners. My current saddle only has 2,000 miles on it, and seems to be just fine so far.

Of course, saddle comfort is highly individualized, and one man's Barca-Lounger can be another's Bed o' Nails. So, YMMV (which is why most of us have several saddles in a box in the garage).

For me they both are superior to the Flight simply because of the cut out.

Well, personally speaking cut-outs don't work for me. It sounds like the ProLink has a wider area for the sitbones than my Flite so I'm wondering if it might be too wide. The SLR sounds like it has the same sitbone spacing but with a flatter profile? If so, then that might suit me better.

I think if you did a nationwide poll of cyclists you'd find that the B17 is probably the most
widely (no pun intended) used saddle. After that a scattering of Flite variations,
Brooks Pro, Fi;Z':;i.@K (physic) and don't forget San Marco Rolls, and Regals both
very nice saddles.
me? Brooks pro and b17, after that how bout an Avocet RacingII or TouringI, and
Ideale 88 Rebour.

Marty

I've been thinking about trying a Turbomatic Quattro or the SLR but just did four hours this last Sunday on my Giant's "Double Density" saddle and nothing hurts. No point in changing I guess.

B-17, hands down the most comfortable seat I've ridden, also the heaviest


You got that right... !

I think if you did a nationwide poll of cyclists you'd find that the B17 is probably the most
widely (no pun intended) used saddle. After that a scattering of Flite variations,
Brooks Pro, Fi;Z':;i.@K (physic) and don't forget San Marco Rolls, and Regals both
very nice saddles.
me? Brooks pro and b17, after that how bout an Avocet RacingII or TouringI, and
Ideale 88 Rebour.

Marty

The B17 is the most widely used saddle??? Where do you see this?

I hardly ever see a Brooks saddle. In the last 2 weeks, I've done two centuries. The Chico Wildflower had nearly 4000 cyclists, and the the Shasta Jamboree had about 300 cyclists. I don't recall seeing a single Brooks on either century, and none of the folks I normally ride with (in 3 different clubs) ride one.

Of course, I wasn't specifically looking for a Brooks either. But, with their larger profile and copper rivets, it's hard not to notice them in a paceline or on bikes at rest stops. So, at least out here in northern California, I would have to conclude that they are not very popular at all.

I really like my B17. I have 125 miles on it now and I think it is nearly broken in. It is comfortable enough that I don't need to put on the padded shorts. I can wear clothes that I can walk around in, so I don't stick out like a sore thumb. It is more convenient to get on the bike while wearing anything.

The B-17 is tops for me also, I have 4 on different bikes. The Avocet touring I & Selle Italia Turbo are pretty comfortable also. A couple years ago, Nashbar was selling off some Selle Royale padded leather saddles for $10.99, I ordered one & put it on one of my commuters. It was surprisingly comfortable, almost as good as a Brooks, so I tried to order a few more but they were sold out so probably no longer available anywhere. Don

Put 3,800 miles on an SLR, very comfortable 'til about the 40 mile mark. Will try out the Flite TT next. SLR @135 grams has 5 grams of padding. The cabon fiber shell does give it a bit of comfort. Flite TT is 30 grams heavier and again a carbon fiber shell.
Did have good luck with the original Flites.
Several older heavy real leather saddles: Ideale, Brooks did great service for me back in the 70s.
Butts are an individual thing and sometimes we have to hunt around a bit to find something comfortable to perch on!
For me a hard saddle feels better than gel; and @ 135 lbs weight I don't have much fat on the derriere!

My B17 statement is purely conjecture and wag (wild a$$ed guess) based on
the time the B17 has been available and post on boards magazines etc. about
saddle preferences.
I'm guessing that there are more B17s out there being ridden than any other
saddle. Hard Science? hardly. Be an interesting study tho.
I'd venture that the Flite variations would be right up there too.

Marty

in fact, marty, i suspect that the brooks b17 is the most mentioned/recommended saddle because brooks owners are a particularly passionate bunch of retrogrouches. they are the evangenists of saddle-dom, the true believers. for the rest of us, a saddle is a saddle, fror brooksians, a saddle is a way-of-life.

for comparison, think of how many times waterford or rivendell bicycle frames are mentioned. now... how many have you actually ever seen on the road?

nope, brooksians are retrogrouch true believers willing to suffer for the good old days... ;)

After my first ride on a B-17 narrow yesterday, I can see why it is one of the most popular saddles. 40 miles on new leather makes you forget what you were riding before (Era Luxe).