Hybrid Bicycles - Saddle Help Please

I have a Trek 7.3 from 2009 and absolutely love it but I've always had concerns about the stock saddle that I am still using. Sometimes my groin area becomes numb.

Any recommendations on a good replacement seat for my 7.3?

I am a fan of the Bontrager nebula plus. It is specifically for Hybrids and comes in a bunch of diffent widths.

I am a fan of the Bontrager nebula plus. It is specifically for Hybrids and comes in a bunch of diffent widths.

Thanks! How do you know what size is correct?

Search for ways to measure your sit bones. Some bike dealers can do this for you too, I think specialized has some sort of tool. Since my dealer said it was no problem for me to try it out and bring it back I just took the one that was the closest in size to the saddle I have had on my road bike for years and it works great. I ended up with the small men's version.

There expensive, but I'm a convert to a couple of the leather saddles on the market. The well known Brooks B17 and the newer Selle Anatomica.

What is the advantage to the leather saddle?

Over time, leather conforms to you. For me, I also like the craftsmanship of Brooks, they pretty much make saddles the same way they did 100 years ago. It seems strange as it looks so hard and uncomfortable, but on a long ride it's great. My wife has a B17 on her 7.3 and loves it. Didnt work out on her road bike, there we found the Selle Lady Gel Flow works best so far (4th saddle we tried.)

I am also interested in replacing out my saddle. I did look at the Nebula Plus and it looks interesting. Wondered how to determine what size is best. The other saddle that looks very interesting is the Terry Liberator Y.

I switched my stock saddle on my 7.3 to this...

http://www.serfas.com/product_details.asp?ID=5

My LBS had it for $45 rather than the $55 MSRP. Overall am satisfied with it but as others have suggested make sure you get a saddle that is going to give your sit bones support, each of us is different.

Also you may want to look at some padded shorts as well to help with the issue. They do help quite a bit.

I switched the stock saddle on my Trek Valencia to a Bontrager nebula plus. My LBS has a measuring device you sit on. They also said to ride it for 90 days and if it didn't feel right bring it back.
I love it - it works for me.
I have a WTB Speed V on my Trek Soho S that I ride in the winter and it's also very comfortable.

Personally, I old school: Brooks B17 Narrow.

http://images.nikonians.org/galleries/data/3759/DSCN7254a.jpg

here are some thoughts on the Brooks saddles :)

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/755096-Brooks-Saddle

As you ride you get more accustomed to the saddle. You need to put in at least a few hours a week to maintain your 'riding butt'. Obviously as you pile on the miles and duration, you'll get even better.

That said--
Width is by far the most critical factor for the seat itself. Too wide or too narrow and you'll have serious pain in your tender fleshy spots.

Padding is the second most important, but counter-intuitively super padded seats aren't the most comfortable as time goes on. They ARE the most comfortable for a very short ride, then after 10-20 minutes you are sinking in too much and putting weight on your squishy bits instead of your sit bones. You want enough padding to not be miserable, but don't jump straight to the 3/4" thick gel foam models.

Third most important is your posture. Sitting upright is great at first, then after a time all that weight only on your saddle becomes painful. As you lean forward, support yourself with your core instead of your hands and wrists.

Finally is the seat angle. This is should be minute adjustments-- totally flat, one notch forward, or one notch back covers most riders. No one has extreme seat angles, but if you're feeling some pain and have addressed everything above, a little adjustment might help. The seat height should be based on your leg length, not comfort preferences.