Bicycle Mechanics - saddle survey

i am looking to get new saddle for my cannondale silk path. i have used it for 3 years for my daily commute of 15 miles. it is a fat seat with springs that works great for my daily commute,but i have taken it on longer rides of 50 to 80 miles and my butt is really sore. the last good seat i had was an english racer type leather seat that took about a month to break in. that was 15 years ago any advise on todays equipment. i know saddles are very person specific but any advise would be helpful. also i do wear bike shorts on all my rides.

Brooks B17.

I second the Brooks recommendation. If you like wider saddles and love the old English style and feel then go with the B17; if you want something a bit narrower and lighter try the Swift, but I think the B17 is the best choice for you.

Terry liberator race model rocks.

I agree: Brooks B17. I switched late last season. No pain at all. I feel like I can ride as long as the rest of my body holds out.

Brooks makes saddles with springs:

http://www.brookssaddles.com/welcome.htm

I have a B017N, but I ride a road bike. Love it.

i am looking to get new saddle for my cannondale silk path. i have used it for 3 years for my daily commute of 15 miles. it is a fat seat with springs that works great for my daily commute,but i have taken it on longer rides of 50 to 80 miles and my butt is really sore. the last good seat i had was an english racer type leather seat that took about a month to break in. that was 15 years ago any advise on todays equipment. i know saddles are very person specific but any advise would be helpful. also i do wear bike shorts on all my rides.


If you get a chance, try the new Specialized Alias model which comes in three different sizes to specifically fit your sit bones. I love mine.

Fizik Arione. I like mine, but with all the brooks recommendations I'm gonna have to try one some day:D

Brooks saddles, particularly the B-17, have made a reputation over the last 80 years or so for being very comfortable, extremely durable (some have said their Brooks are over 20 years old) and being the definitive remedy for a *sore a$$*.

I have Brooks on all my bikes, and the saddle is no longer a factor in how long I can ride.

The Brooks Professional is by far my personal favorite saddle. I have almost 50K miles / 80K km and counting on my 1972 model.

Brooks B17 Champion Special. Honey with copper rivets and rails. The penalty you pay for in weight is more than made up in comfort. Plus, you've gotta love copper on a bike.

I recently came back to the Brooks with the purchase of their stupidly expensive titanium B17. Honey brown with the obligatory copper rivets. Took about 200 miles to break in and now I'd sleep on it if it was big enough. My other bikes sport the older WTB Classic SST. Another great saddle but not in the same league as the Brooks.

I cast my vote for the Brooks B17 as well.

Brooks B-17. I own two.

Selle Italia Flite or SLR.

I just saw the weblink to the Brooks (?) saddles. I figure I need one of those with the 4" springs underneath! :p

Pleeeeze....

I've ridden the B15, B17, Professional, and Swift models over many years, and I would recommend any of them without hesitation.

There seems to be a persistent underlying message in this thread ...

Sheldon Brown would be proud of us.

I just saw the weblink to the Brooks (?) saddles. I figure I need one of those with the 4" springs underneath! :p

Pleeeeze....

I made similar comments many, many years ago when I didn't know any better....

I made similar comments many, many years ago when I didn't know any better....

Echo Park Mr Fixer? is that where you live now? How long have you lived there? I use to live on Carroll Ave back in the mid 80s for a short while. Interesting area back then when they use to have to dredge the lake ever so often looking for "things"; but the area has been improved somewhat according to movies I've seen filmed in the park over the last 10 years (I've never been back so that's the only reference I have).

Interesting area back then when they use to have to dredge the lake ever so often looking for "things"; but the area has been improved somewhat according to movies I've seen filmed in the park over the last 10 years (I've never been back so that's the only reference I have).

I've been here for 15 years now. True, used to be a ghetto back then but area has improved significantly over the years. Tiny two bedroom homes now sell for over $600K on my street, just adjacent to Dodger Stadium.

I just saw the weblink to the Brooks (?) saddles. I figure I need one of those with the 4" springs underneath! :p

Pleeeeze....

I have a Conquest (the one with springs) and a B17. The Conquest is great for cobblestone roads, tram tracks and really potholed roads. Have you ever ridden on a cobblestone road for more than an hour?

I have a Conquest (the one with springs) and a B17. The Conquest is great for cobblestone roads, tram tracks and really potholed roads. Have you ever ridden on a cobblestone road for more than an hour?

When I encounter a cobblestone road in Sweden, I ride on the curbs (if available) or carry the bike. :D

I have to believe that the Brooks seat is really a good choice. They're just too many good things being said for it not to be true. But, that doesn't mean that there's only one good choice. My experience with a Selle Italia MaxFlite TransAm is approximately 10,000 miles with the longest ride in the 110 mile range. It has always been comfortable. I would'nt say that about all Selle Italia seats. I've had two other models and they don't come close to the comfort of the MaxFlite TransAm. On the Selle Italia web site they don't list the MaxFlite TransAm any more but the do list the MaxFlite. It is constructed the same and the seat profile and contour appear to be the same as the earlier "TransAm".

When I encounter a cobblestone road in Sweden, I ride on the curbs (if available) or carry the bike. :D

Geez, I want to ride to work, not walk! :D

Geez, I want to ride to work, not walk! :D

Guess that means that you have no curbs you can ride on ;)