Commuting - Seatpost/saddle recommendations

Hello,

I was looking to eventually get a decent saddle for my all around commuter bike. It is an old rigid Trek MTB that has the stock post on it (and a unfun PB seat). It only has one bolt, and angle is not adjustable. The seat starts giving me issues even on a short ride(5mi).I think the full length nose may be at fault, but I'm not sure.

If I spend good money on a nice saddle, would it make sense to have an adjustable angle post?Recs?

Saddle recs for usually short rides(but want to be able to ride longer-10-20mi)?

Thanks.

Ben

I think the angle adjustment feature is there, the seatpost might just be frozen. try the seatpost off the bike, removing the seat, putting a bit of penetrating oil on the seat post clamp, right where the post flares out and grabs the seat. If that fails, hit it (gently) with a hammer.

I had this happen to one of my 'spare' bikes recently

This (http://www.wallbike.com/brooks/standardsaddles.html#b17stand) is the the best thing I've ever sat on. If you get it from Wallingford you have 6 months to send it back if you don't like it.

http://www.therandonneeshop.com/media/28/B17_Standard_S-Black.png

This (http://www.wallbike.com/brooks/standardsaddles.html#b17stand) is the the best thing I've ever sat on. If you get it from Wallingford you have 6 months to send it back if you don't like it.

http://www.therandonneeshop.com/media/28/B17_Standard_S-Black.png

You're going to get a lot of responses praising this saddle, and for good reason. I wish I'd bought mine sooner.

Wow. Made it a whole two posts before the Brooks fanboys got it :P

WTB Rocket V on one commuter, and WTB Vigo on my cross bike. I don't like the Brooks torture devices.

Brooks B-17 saddle and Thompson Elite seat post. Unfortunatly that will probably be more then the value of the bike.

As has already been said, your seatpost almost certainly has adjustable angle but it is frozen in place. If you can't get it freed-up just get a new one. Your seatpost is basically just a tube that holds your saddle up. There are some really nice ones out there that cost a lot of dough; but you can probably find a perfectly functional one on eBay for $10 or less. Saddle preference is highly subjective but I am another cyclist for whom there is no more comfortable saddle than a Brooks B17.

Get your sit bones measured for a starting point. Get at least a 10mm wider saddle then what your measurement is, otherwise you'll have a saddle wedgie. Seats with a cutout are great, a little padding is great if you're not using shorts with a chamios, but too much will cause numbness. I've found saddles that taper slowly from the part you sit on to the nose can cause rubbing or pain from hitting the inside/back if your leg on the down stroke, but that might only be an issue for me.

Personally I use a Specialized Sonoma Gel. Saddle, angle, and padding are all a personal thing though. Saddles with less padding feel bad at first, but on long rides they really increase comfort, compared to saddles with lots of it.

I wouldn't put a Brooks saddle on a commuter unless I could keep it indoors. Its too easy to steal and get damaged by rain. Of course, removing the saddle is one additional anti-theft technique.

pubb

You can't go wrong with a nice Nitto seatpost.
http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/saddles_and_seat_posts#product=11-053
or
http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/saddles_and_seat_posts#product=11-031

and ditto on the brooks saddle. B17 or the Champion Flyer are good places to start. I currently ride the latter.

I ride a Brooks Swift now.. (changed from a B17) love it to death. My post is the stock one that came with my Aurora.

Yes, I would be slightly concerned of theft of a nice saddle. I was going to get some pitlock skewers for the wheels and post but doesn't help saddle bolt.If only they made one for it...ughhh. I can take it into work, but if I am running(heh) errands or cruising to the pub its another story. Not exactly a bike friendly town here, but not the worst bike theft issues either. And yes, a saddle like the Brooks would be more than the cost of my bike alone, but I like quality products and know I would get it.Hmmm...

I will try to free the stock post tonight. I just figured it might not adjust that way. After all, its near 20 years old.

I will go get measured before I buy a new nice saddle.Thanks.

Ben