Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Race saddles

Okay, so I'm fairly new to really being interested in bikes. I just got through converting a Schwinn Traveler and since that cost more money than I bargained for, I'm doing the rest gradually. For instance my crank is a double crank and I'm using the inside ring and it looks kind of awkward, but it rides fine. So after a while I'm going to update the crank. Possibly an Orgin-8 but it might be a while. Anyways, another upgrade I'm looking into is a new saddles. Currently I am sitting on a POS roadmaster that was $1at a thrift store. Now I see everyone in here with their fancy race saddles that are thinner than air. Now I agree that these look really cool, however, I'm concerned with how comfortable they can actually be. I would like to have something in white to go with the white bar tape I'll be riding soon. But I don't want to spend $100 on a saddle because I'm poor. Any suggestions and insight on race saddles? I don't like the way brooks saddles look either so there is that.

since cost seems to be an issue you should look into getting one of these saddles here: http://www.53x11bike.com/servlet/the-112/Saddle-Vader-VD666-Flow/Detail

They are just re-makes of the selle italia saddle and they did a nice job on them. I was 3 months into my bike before it got stolen and had over 1500 miles on the saddle with no issues and great comfort. And for the price one can't argue.

Go to a few local (higher end is better) bike shops, and ask them what they have in the way of take-off road saddles.
I picked up a ~$100 specialized body geometry saddle for $15 this way. Sometimes new bike buyers want something "better" than what comes on the bike, so they buy something squishy.

go to a few local (higher end is better) bike shops, and ask them what they have in the way of take-off road saddles.
I picked up a ~$100 specialized body geometry saddle for $15 this way. Sometimes new bike buyers want something "better" than what comes on the bike, so they buy something squishy.

+1

Well, we only have one LBS. Well, two but it's the same shop in two locations. But, I will give it a try. Just ask them about take-off road saddles? And I really like those knock off saddles. However, I'm still iffy about how comfy these race saddles are. I've never ridden one and I just don't see how a tiny little thing can be comfortable, maybe aerodynamic, but are they really comfortable?

Thinly padded saddles allow you to position yourself so that the pressure is where you want it, squishy ones put pressure everywhere without discretion, and cause hotspots.
That said, if you're used to a soft one, your ass will need some time to adjust. Bike shorts help. A lot.

Well,comfort is somewhat relative...i find my selle italia slr gel very comfortable compared to my kashimax 5 gold(plastic,leather,no padding whatsoever).On the other hand,my sisters springloaded '74 schwinn typhoon saddle...that s*** is comfortable!

Well, the saddle I have now isn't squishy at all. But it is extremely uncomfortable even after a few miles. Plus it looks like crap, so I don't really know why I haven't looked into this until now considering I've been riding it for six months.

Fizik arione has gota be one of the comfiest saddles i've owned. It comes stock on a lot of bikes these days so they pop up on ebay and the like's for decent prices. I recommend it :)

Fizik arione has gota be one of the comfiest saddles i've owned. It comes stock on a lot of bikes these days so they pop up on ebay and the like's for decent prices. I recommend it :)

i got a decent deal on mine. brand new with tags. 80 bucks.

charge spoon = about $40 & comes in white.

Fizik arione has gota be one of the comfiest saddles i've owned. It comes stock on a lot of bikes these days so they pop up on ebay and the like's for decent prices. I recommend it :)

An Arione clone, the Forte PRO RS1, on sale for $25:
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1032448_-1_20005_20000_21000
I put one on my carbon road bike, because I wouldn't pay the Fizik price. As it turns out, I liked it better than the Arione. It's a very comfortable saddle. Superlight, nicely padded, lots of flex.

Having said that, I went to a B17 because I was so curious about all the Brooks worship, here and at the touring and commuting forums. The B17 is the best saddle I've ever had (I bought two more!), but it doesn't work on all my bikes. Depends on how the bike fits.

don't be decieved by low padding. i ride a specialized toupe (http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/controls/saddles/specialized/PRD_366407_2509crx.aspx) wich is virtually padless and it is far and away the most comfortable saddle i've had. the key is that hte damn thing actually is designed to fit the human ass and the peeps at your lbs will 'measure' your sitbone width with a squishy gel pad and sell you the saddle that's the right width. makes a huge difference!