Folding Bikes - What saddle is on your folder or

which saddle is your favorite.

I have a multitude of saddles on my many bikes but this one is far and above the most comfortable one I have. I can ride on this thing for hours on end with no discomfort and I also have a Thudbuster under it which may account for some or much of it's comfort.

http://www.dahon.com/us/accessories/performance/airflo.htm

John

Selle An-Atomica's Titanico. I haven't found any other saddle that works as well for me; I've got one on my Brompton, and another on my fixed-gear.

ECB

I have stock saddles on both my Dahon and my NWT - they appear to be identical and fit me very well. All three of our folders have Thudbuster LT seatposts. They're great.

I've got an aged brooks flyer on my flyby, stock seatpost.

i have a selle italia on my boardwalk and i like it a lot. i also put a forte SR1 on my dahon curve and it is also a comfortable saddle for me. i am not using the standard dahon saddle as it's not comfortable. first mile is ok but after that i's not good....

Try this one:

http://mantasaddle.biz/index.php/frontpage.html

I like this one very much
http://www.flickr.com/photos/plooifiets/2035772620/

and this one ( the new one) is even better
http://www.flickr.com/photos/plooifiets/3439477760/

Brooks...model varies depending on the bike, most are the B66/67 model though.

Aaron:)

I'd put a brooks on my folder, except the limited rail length and relatively short setback on a non standard sized seatpost forces me to use what I have, which is a specialized avatar.

also holds up better in rain.

I tried this one few months ago and was very disapointed

http://hobsonseats.stores.yahoo.net/prohubx2.html

Currently I am using Brooks B17 (not fully broken in yet). It works betters than other saddles I have had but it still hurts after 30-40miles.

Kam

Brooks saddle adorn most of my folders.

On my racing bikes, I use a smaller lighter saddles.

I have a girly electra saddle, but it matches the green!!

http://bestbikezone.com/images/library/features/electra_598564_Back_09_f.jpg

Stock saddle on my Tikit and a Brooks B-17 on my NWT.

Brooks B17S on my Mobiky:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3348/3645511398_267541c166.jpg

And a much older, well broken in B17 on my PBW.

I've got the stock SDG Bel Aire RL on my Dahon Jack, it's not too bad. I don't have it in my hands yet, but I'll have a Serfas Acuna 2 on my Speed D7 soon enough. The stock saddle just doesn't feel right.

I've got a Brooks B17 on the 2004 Dahon Speed P8 that I purchased used. The seller forgot to remove the nearly-new Brooks before he shipped the bike to me. He also shipped the original as-new Dahon Biologic AirFlo saddle. He decided to just let me keep both saddles. Sometimes you get lucky.

My saddle looks a lot like yours, John. It's a bell MTB saddle. I have it on almost all my bikes. I've never paid more than $20 for it and it's available at most xmart stores. I tried a brooks once for a couple hundred miles and could never get it to mold to my seat.

http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_080W066979110001P?vName=Fitness%20&%20Sports&cName=Bikes&Accessories&sName=Seats&psid=FROOGLE&sid=KDx20070926x00003a

The saddle choice depends a lot on riding position and the strength you put into pedals. I like to have 45° body angle, the handlepost a little lower than the saddle. Then, thinner saddles with little padding are preferable over wide and soft saddles (like the Biologic Airflow). My favorite is the I-Beam SDG Belair FX with the flex zone. This take out the bumps, and is much better than its SL counterpart.
BTW, I think Brooks saddles are just too heavy (the B17 weight 525,0 g).
Also thudbusters are not what I like. Better put wider tires on your bike. I ride 60mm Big Apples.

We have Brooks B-67s on the Dahons and the R20.

On the suspended Moulton I have a B-72. But had it been available when I was building up the bike I'd have bought a B-68.

brooks b-17 on my tikit. brooks flyer on my GF's NWT

which saddle is your favorite.

I have a multitude of saddles on my many bikes but this one is far and above the most comfortable one I have. I can ride on this thing for hours on end with no discomfort and I also have a Thudbuster under it which may account for some or much of it's comfort.

http://www.dahon.com/us/accessories/performance/airflo.htm

John

I wouldn’t be seen dead riding about with that saddle.....
It is the sort that an overweight person with no real interest in cycling would use.

I wouldn’t be seen dead riding about with that saddle.....
It is the sort that an overweight person with no real interest in cycling would use.

How sad.

I wouldn’t be seen dead riding about with that saddle.....
It is the sort that an overweight person with no real interest in cycling would use.

Better than a stick up the backside like you seem to have.

http://www.ismseat.com/images/products/ADAMO-RACING-BLK-TOP-VIEW.jpg

I wouldn’t be seen dead riding about with that saddle.....
It is the sort that an overweight person with no real interest in cycling would use.

I'm overweight, and I commute on my bike every day, get groceries with a bike and a trailer, and I tour regularly. I own and use three bikes. One of which has a wide fat-boy saddle.

Brooks team pro...

My folder has a Rido on it. I've considered getting a Brooks B-17, but I can't justify one for a bike I use mostly for short rides. (I have a B-17 on my touring bike and love it!)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3211/2763688167_536bcd2460.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/2763688167/)

Is it not a well known fact that a good fitting firm sports saddle is more efficient and comfortable than a large, squishy, soft and ugly saddle?

A good folding bike can be a work of art, great engineering, sporty and beautiful to look at.... so why spoil it with an ugly saddle?

Sad? Well if going for sporty looks over comfort is sad, then yes I’m sad :thumb:

Is it not a well known fact that a good fitting firm sports saddle is more efficient and comfortable than a large, squishy, soft and ugly saddle?

Ugly is in the eye of the beholder, and what works for one cyclist won't necessarily work for another.

For upright cyling, such as on my trek Pure, I find a soft squishy saddle to be far superior to a hard saddle. I use a hard saddle on my folder, and a leather saddle (somewhere in the middle) on the touring bike.

Ugly is in the eye of the beholder, and what works for one cyclist won't necessarily work for another.


Agreed!



For upright cyling, such as on my trek Pure, I find a soft squishy saddle to be far superior to a hard saddle. I use a hard saddle on my folder, and a leather saddle (somewhere in the middle) on the touring bike.

After sitting on my Mk.1 Rido blue & yellow saddle for several hundred miles, I decided gel isn't essential on a saddle, & that saddle is now on my Strida.

I now have a Mk.2 Rido, but strangely that feels different on every bike to which I attach it, so I'll try it on a Brompton shortly.

John

I have an old Brooks Pro on my Mini; it's still as hard as plywood after 25 years.

My spare folder has a plastic BMX saddle on it. I found it at the local bike shop and was curious because it's exactly the same shape and proportions as the Brooks Pro. It has a suede leather cover. The label says "made specially for Zeus." Oddly, it's just as comfortable as the Brooks.

Is it not a well known fact that a good fitting firm sports saddle is more efficient and comfortable than a large, squishy, soft and ugly saddle?

A good folding bike can be a work of art, great engineering, sporty and beautiful to look at.... so why spoil it with an ugly saddle?

Sad? Well if going for sporty looks over comfort is sad, then yes I’m sad :thumb:

well lets not fall out. Me, I'm overweight, too, but keen. I have really enjoyed the pics you have posted of your swift PDR :thumb: and it is truly a work of art. But it is in the eye of the beholder; remember to some who haven't joined the fold, our own bikes are themselves freakydeaky....

More pictures, everyone, please!

well lets not fall out. Me, I'm overweight, too, but keen. I have really enjoyed the pics you have posted of your swift PDR :thumb: and it is truly a work of art. But it is in the eye of the beholder; remember to some who haven't joined the fold, our own bikes are themselves freakydeaky....

Falling out with anyone here is absolutely the last thing I’d want to do. This is a very friendly, informative place and I really enjoy being here.

I might be a little bit opinionated at times and if I ever upset anyone, I'm really sorry.:o

My Brompton currently has the new 2009 standard saddle which is reasonably comfortable and looks fairly good (the grip underneath is useful) though I’ll probably be fitting a Brooks sometime soon.:)

I might be a little bit opinionated at times and if I ever upset anyone, I'm really sorry.:o)

No problem! AFAIK, all is well.

I've upgraded my Dahon several times

change from the original ibeam saddle to the

Selle Italia slr carbonio flow
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/selle-italia-cflow-med.jpg

then
WTB V Competition
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/wtb%20speed%20v%20comp%20saddle%2006.jpg

and now
Selle Italia prolink gel flow
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/selle-italia-prolink-gel-flow.jpg

it's working better than i expected, it has less cushion than the WTB V Comp.
but the prolink with its build in suspension (much different from the England Brooks) is proving to be worthwhile and a decent trade off.

it would have been nice to have the same padding cushion as the WTB + the build in suspension from the Prolink.

I'm using a Thudbuster for seat post, and fat tires. (suspension +suspension +suspension = super comfy ride ) :thumb:



which saddle is your favorite.

I have a multitude of saddles on my many bikes but this one is far and above the most comfortable one I have. I can ride on this thing for hours on end with no discomfort and I also have a Thudbuster under it which may account for some or much of it's comfort.

http://www.dahon.com/us/accessories/performance/airflo.htm

John

I am switching all my saddles to Selle Royal Respiro (Athletic). I tested for about 3 months and I love it . Took about a 1/2 dozen rides to break in and is now very comfortable. Just mounted the Respiro on 2 more bikes.

I use the stock Abio saddle (made by Active) with integrated rear lights powered 2x AAA batteries.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss73/AbioBikes/IMG_9845.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss73/AbioBikes/IMG_9847_cln.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss73/AbioBikes/IMG_9840.jpg

I might be a little bit opinionated at times and if I ever upset anyone, I'm really sorry.:o

Come off it, you were trolling :p

I notice a lot of saddles are caved down in the middle of the saddle. However, for my bike, the middle of the saddle actually pushes up:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3555/3286826672_83f8f67c18_o.jpg

Is there a reason for why some saddles are caved down and some pushed up?

since we're in the topic of saddles. this is quite an interesting article:

http://www.nature.com/ijir/journal/v14/n6/full/3900929a.html

thanks,
vic

since we're in the topic of saddles. this is quite an interesting article:

http://www.nature.com/ijir/journal/v14/n6/full/3900929a.html

thanks,
vic

LOL! Had no idea any someone (or team I should say) would actually do such an extensive research on this. Good find!!

I think I need to check my saddle. :D

LOL! Had no idea any someone (or team I should say) would actually do such an extensive research on this. Good find!!

I think I need to check my saddle. :D

There is actually a moderately large body of medical literature on the subject and, although I hate to say it, I personally think it's foolish to just ride whatever you think is comfortable in light of these known health hazards.

That's why I use the ism adamo line of saddles, because you get even more blood flow with it than sitting on a park bench:
http://ismseat.com/medical.htm
Warning: Like most noseless saddles, the nonadamo line of ism seats (sport and touring) are practically unrideable, but I've found the adamo line codesigned by John Cobb to basically ride like a regular saddle except without the health risks.

There is actually a moderately large body of medical literature on the subject and, although I hate to say it, I personally think it's foolish to just ride whatever you think is comfortable in light of these known health hazards.

That's why I use the ism adamo line of saddles, because you get even more blood flow with it than sitting on a park bench:
http://ismseat.com/medical.htm
Warning: Like most noseless saddles, the nonadamo line of ism seats (sport and touring) are practically unrideable, but I've found the adamo line codesigned by John Cobb to basically ride like a regular saddle except without the health risks.

Never really thought about really but when I was reading the article, I remembering feeling uncomfortable and had to stand up & grab a cup of joe! :lol: :D

Totally make sense but kinda makes you wonder why saddle shapes haven't evolve?

That's why I use the ism adamo line of saddles, because you get even more blood flow with it than sitting on a park bench.

itsajustme, what model do you use and do you feel the difference compared to traditional saddles?

I am using Brooks B17 but the medical article that was mentioned in this thread made me to think twice.

I tried this ergonomic saddle in the past http://hobsonseats.stores.yahoo.net/prohubx2.html but it was unrideable.

Anybody else using the Adamo saddle or similar ergonomic saddles?

Kam

itsajustme, what model do you use and do you feel the difference compared to traditional saddles?

I use the Adamo Race (the hardest one), but that's just because I wanted something light. So far I haven't tried any of the other Adamo models, but I plan on ordering an Adamo Typhoon for my beater which is supposed to be built the same as the others except for padding and materials. I do not like the non-Adamo Sport or Touring models for reasons described below.

That being said, the saddle I have feels different than a traditional saddle in that there is more pressure on the sit bones, but zero contact with the vital organs, veins, etc. Until you become acclimated this results in some soreness because your weight is distributed on a smaller area, but I don't think it's any worse than a first time rider of a traditional saddle because the weight is only in the areas which can safely handle it.

However, I find it still rides like a regular saddle because it goes far enough "in" that I can squeeze it with the thighs and buttocks and yet it's also narrow enough to not interfere when the legs are pedaling. I also find it essential that the width does not taper much (or more than a traditional saddle) so I can slide back to enhance control with a more secure grip of my thighs (as one would do on a traditional saddle) without removing the support from my sit bones or creating leg interference. This is not possible on the ISM Sport or Touring models from the non-Adamo line due to their extreme taper and as a result I found them unrideable. While I suppose sliding back too much is detrimental to blood flow, I imagine it can't be worse than those cutout saddles and since I only ride like this for a split second here and there I believe it's a good compromise.

In any case it works for me and seems to have become quite popular among triathletes (which I am not) and since ISM claims that there is very little difference in sit bone width among individuals I suppose it's possible it might be more universal than a traditional style saddle which supports the more variable soft tissue. Highly recommended :thumb:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/selle-italia-prolink-gel-flow.jpg

i wanted to get a white saddle. there's one on sale for $29 (specialized or selle san marco racing) but has reservations about how long i can keep it all white. color of my pants might stick to the saddle especially when wearing denim pants. is this true ??? and how's your saddle now ? are there any dirt spots all over ? how do you keep it clean or all white ?

unfortunately that is true about the WHITE saddle :crash:

mine is just a week old, and it's already covered in all kind of colours, bluish, redish, dirty oily blackish mostly.

but i'm quite sure if i spend some time to polish them off it will be white again, yet it's a waisted effort, because the moment you ride on them again, it's going to get dirty again..... :innocent:


http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/selle-italia-prolink-gel-flow.jpg

i wanted to get a white saddle. there's one on sale for $29 (specialized or selle san marco racing) but has reservations about how long i can keep it all white. color of my pants might stick to the saddle especially when wearing denim pants. is this true ??? and how's your saddle now ? are there any dirt spots all over ? how do you keep it clean or all white ?

there is one thing they don't really point out on those articles.

most any saddle will work properly if people actually SITs with their buttocks on the thick part of the saddle and ride.

you will not be sitting over any ball nerves/blood stream etc.

what i do notice, is that most people ride in a racing style with the balls right close by the tip of the saddle.

heck anyone can get a problem after prolonged exposure :rolleyes:


itsajustme, what model do you use and do you feel the difference compared to traditional saddles?

I am using Brooks B17 but the medical article that was mentioned in this thread made me to think twice.

I tried this ergonomic saddle in the past http://hobsonseats.stores.yahoo.net/prohubx2.html but it was unrideable.

Anybody else using the Adamo saddle or similar ergonomic saddles?

Kam

Anybody has any experience with the Brooks B17 with cut away center?

http://www.biketiresdirect.com/pbs17i/brooks_b17_imperial_saddle/pp.htm

Kam