Road Cycling - What makes a saddle comfortable?

Hi all, I'm in the market for a new saddle and was just wondering what makes a seat comfortable. I've seen a lot about titanium vs steel rails, leather vs lycra cover, special cut out relief portion or gel, lots of cushion vs little etc... What exactly makes a seat comfortable? Thanks in advance for any help!

Most important is the shape of the top. It should support you at your "sit bones" and not between them.
Second is the padding. many riders prefer a really hard padding, so they dont sink in. This will prevent pressure in the wrong places. If you need lots of padding, then something is usually wrong with the saddle or your position.
Since everyone has a different "rear end configuration", its hard to recomend any particular make to another person.

Hi all, I'm in the market for a new saddle and was just wondering what makes a seat comfortable. I've seen a lot about titanium vs steel rails, leather vs lycra cover, special cut out relief portion or gel, lots of cushion vs little etc... What exactly makes a seat comfortable? Thanks in advance for any help!

I hate to sound like a flippant @$$hole, but what makes a saddle comfortable is how it feels when you sit on it. Your butt, thankfully, is unique to you and each saddle fits each person differently.

Speaking of comfortable saddles, you always hear about Brooks and Fizik but what about these new Specialized Body Geometry saddles? For 05 they have 2 saddles that come in 3 sizes and they size you at your LBS. Anyone done this? Also my father has a saddle he got at Nashbar (I forget the brand) that is adjustable for width called the Split Rail or something like that. He rode it cross country and still uses it so it can't be too terrible for him, the adjustability seems like the best solution.

I know the short of it is how it feels on your butt and shapes with it ;)
But I want to know where technology plays and technically why it feels good. Such as I heard titanium or carbon rails give more flex for more comfort. I want to know if there is any truth to these marketing ideas.

I know the short of it is how it feels on your butt and shapes with it ;)
But I want to know where technology plays and technically why it feels good. Such as I heard titanium or carbon rails give more flex for more comfort. I want to know if there is any truth to these marketing ideas.

I think the Ti and Carbon are absorbing vibration rather than flexing. That and they are lighter than steel.

Hi all, I'm in the market for a new saddle and was just wondering what makes a seat comfortable. I've seen a lot about titanium vs steel rails, leather vs lycra cover, special cut out relief portion or gel, lots of cushion vs little etc... What exactly makes a seat comfortable? Thanks in advance for any help!
-Drayko

For me the most important factor is if I can move around on the saddle. I'm usually in three places on the saddle and need a seat that is comfortable in all three spots. Nose, center and rear.

As for rail material I've used both alloy and Ti, and honestly I couldn't tell the difference. Maybe someone with a more discerning rear could. :D

Like the porridge, a saddle must be just right.

I know the short of it is how it feels on your butt and shapes with it ;)
But I want to know where technology plays and technically why it feels good. Such as I heard titanium or carbon rails give more flex for more comfort. I want to know if there is any truth to these marketing ideas.
Air pressure in your tires will make a much larger difference than whether your saddle has Ti or carbon rails. Like other posters have said, saddle choice is very individual. To me, the Brooks saddles are perfect. I can ride, literally, all day and not have the saddle determine when I have to quit. It took me three years to find that Brooks was the right choice for me. Others have found other saddles that suit them fine, so you can't necessarily rely on someone's recommendation.

You should find a shop that has a saddle exchange program, where you can buy a saddle, try it and exchange it for another if the orginal is not suitable to you.

when it says "brook B 17" on the side leather. seriously I think a major missing step to saddle fit is measuring your set bone center to center (CTC) measurement. I believe the reason some cyclist rave about narrow racing saddles and others can never find one that works is the set bone CTC differences in people. Being 6'3" and 215 lbs I have wide hips. When I put a race saddle against my broken in Brooks I see the set bone indentions line up with the outside of the saddle. This allows my set bones, butt, to hang over the edges instead of being supported. Allows Big Jim and the Twins to settle into the saddle too far causing pain.

Hi all, I'm in the market for a new saddle and was just wondering what makes a seat comfortable. I've seen a lot about titanium vs steel rails, leather vs lycra cover, special cut out relief portion or gel, lots of cushion vs little etc... What exactly makes a seat comfortable? Thanks in advance for any help!

Here we go...not trying to be a turd, but I'm trying to make a point.

What makes your choice in underwear comfortable? What makes your choice in gloves comfortable? What makes the way you tuck your package in your drawers for riding comfotrable? Personal preference, that's what.

It's all about how the countours work for your butt, and your package.

titanium vs steel vs copper is mostly about weight and strength...little more. material used is just a comfort variable, shape is a comfort variable, etc. What works for my lower region may not work for your lower region. Basically finding a good saddle is hte most annoying thing ever.

....especially for me, I found a saddle I like, and cant even find the model number on it...some generic OEM grade Velo from a 2001 motobecane...so it's prolly a 2000 model or earlier saddle. It may be $5 crap, but that $5 crap fits me like a glove...so in my eyes it's perfect.

I hate to sound like a flippant @$$hole, but what makes a saddle comfortable is how it feels when you sit on it. Your butt, thankfully, is unique to you and each saddle fits each person differently.

Is it a problem at all with the LBS to try out a number of different seats? If not, can one easily determine the comfort of a saddle after only sitting on it a short while, or do you think one should put in 30 miles or so?

Is it a problem at all with the LBS to try out a number of different seats? If not, can one easily determine the comfort of a saddle after only sitting on it a short while, or do you think one should put in 30 miles or so?
It depends on the LBS. Some have policies regarding the finality of the sale, others will try their best to accomodate the rider. All you can do is ask.

Just sitting on a saddle will give hardly any indication at all how it's going to feel after an hour, two hours, three hours and the rest of the ride. I would say at least an hour in the saddle, with tweaks to saddle height, nose up/down angle and left/right angle. All those factors are important in how a saddle will feel.

Every LBS has a box in the back full of old saddles. try to befriend a sales person and borrow a saddle at the time until you find something that fit and you like, and then you'll know what to buy. I went through 6 saddles until I find what works for me.
To answer your original question: a good saddle fit well. It will support your weight at the right places, at your riding position, and allow your thighs to move freely without cutting the blood flow.. Saddles come in many shapes and sizes, just like people.. Buying an expensive saddle doesn't guaranty a good fit and comfort..

I've been wondering the same thing - which saddle will be best for me? I posted this question earlier and got quite a few responses with some good suggestions. I also did a search of the topics and found a thread that related to saddles for guys over 200 lbs. - that was pretty informative. But it all seems to boil down to trial and error - you've got to find what works for you. From the thread that I started and from the "200 lb." thread, I've decided to start with a Koobi au Enduro or a Brooks Pro. If one of those works, I'll be set - if they don't work, I'll be back asking for more advice. From what I've read, so far, finding the right saddle is a matter of trial and error.

Good luck!

Dean

Most important is the shape of the top. It should support you at your "sit bones" and not between them.
Second is the padding. many riders prefer a really hard padding, so they dont sink in. This will prevent pressure in the wrong places. If you need lots of padding, then something is usually wrong with the saddle or your position.
Since everyone has a different "rear end configuration", its hard to recomend any particular make to another person.

The above is what you need to know. If you want more, read it again! I went through 5 saddles over 10 years to learn this.
Tom

Hi all, I'm in the market for a new saddle and was just wondering what makes a seat comfortable.

...when you don't have to think about it (your butt) during a long ride....

Big Jim and the Twins....that's great.