Touring - Touring saddle...

What's the best saddle for touring? I am currently using a Serfas Cosmos which I landed on after alot of trial and error with various different brands and styles (thanks to my LBS!). I didn't like the new seats with the hole in the middle, though the one I have is rather scooped in the critical area.

What do you use and why do you like it?

Everybody's different, of course, and every butt is different as well. I really like the Selle Italia Max Flite Trans Am, and have one on each of my bikes. It's a trifle wider than the regular Flite (which is too narrow to match up with my "sit bones"), it has a slot down the middle (which really makes a difference for me), and while its not padded much, the rails are mounted into elastomers that give the saddle just a little bit of suspension, just enough to start to matter after 50 or 60 miles.

RichC

I’ve only had my $ 56 Lookin trekking saddle from Selle a single day, so I won’t evaluate it now. But the gel thing is definitely a must for the tour. Selle calls it Royalgel. It keeps the saddle in shape even after hours on it, and it protects your prostrate. No trade-off in those areas!

If your current saddle is comfortable, that is the one to use for touring. MY everyday saddle is also my touring saddle because it supports me best.
It's an Avocet O2.

What about changing saddles? Like, using the expensive one for ”serious” biking, but using the old, cheap one when leaving the bike downtown and not wanting to carry the saddle around. (People steal saddles here.) Has anyone tried that? I will, but I suspect my butt won’t like the constant change.

The saddle which works for me, probably wont be right for you. Everyone has a different rear end configuration.
Brooks leather saddles are good and popular with many long distance riders.. They mould into your shape after a couple of weeks, and can last for years. They are a bit heavier than modern ultra-light saddles, but so what. You can get models with Ti metalwork.

Originally posted by swekarl
What about changing saddles? Like, using the expensive one for ”serious” biking, but using the old, cheap one when leaving the bike downtown and not wanting to carry the saddle around. (People steal saddles here.)

I'd just get a quick-release seatpost collar, in that case, and pull the post and saddle out and take it in with me. Riding on an uncomfortable saddle is too high a price to pay for theft protection, IMO.

RichC

Ahh yes...Brooks is one I'd like to try. I guess it takes more than a 50-60 mi ride to really know if they're right for you though, which was my criteria for my previous tests. You really just have to take the plunge and commit yourself to that seat till it's broke in. Unless you can find a good used one broken in by someone with a similar butt groove. :D

Used a Brooks for a while I really liked it Also used a Terry mens liberator quite comfortable too 6-8-10 hrs a day many days in a row no problems
catfsih:beer:

I got my first Brooks last spring, I love it.

If you're a "weight weenie", it's a bit heavy, but it pays it's way in comfort.
For me, that break-in scare that everyone seems to dread is a bit of hype. Mine felt comfortable right out of the box.

Brooks Pro saddle is the only one for me... Rather make that 3. I now have 3 Brooks Pros and have even worn two others out over the years. I love them!

Wells

I own a Brooks Pro, as well as several other Brooks saddles. the Pro is a nice saddle for a road bike, but a B72 is better for touring. It's wide, but isn't too heavy. It does have 4 rails, so you will need the 'seat sandwich' to screw it into most bike seatposts.

Selle Italia Flite:

Titanium rails for shock absorption; Just right padding; Long, narrow profile to suit my anatomy.

Granted, long distance over the road tourists don't need ultra-lightweight saddles, but I like the way the Flite fits me, and the pros sit on them all day. Other saddles have caused me chafing and that ever-so-personal numbness--not the Flite.