Fifty Plus (50+) - I need a new saddle

I'm 61 and have been riding again about three times a week 5mi. each. It's very easy riding, streets and flat trails. My problem is I find myself standing up a lot to relieve my rear end. My saddle is a Planet Bike ARS that I bought years ago and was ok then but not now. Any Ideas? I weigh 215 and have a skinny arse. Thanks for any info.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/815044-Saddle-sitbone-questions?p=14188349#post14188349

Maybe you need a new arse? :)

Seems a bit odd to be getting a sore butt in just 5 miles, and just 215 pounds. I'm thinking you have some nails or thick wallet in back pocket.

I'm 61 and have been riding again about three times a week 5mi. each. It's very easy riding, streets and flat trails. My problem is I find myself standing up a lot to relieve my rear end. My saddle is a Planet Bike ARS that I bought years ago and was ok then but not now. Any Ideas? I weigh 215 and have a skinny arse. Thanks for any info.

Selle Anatomica

Nothing is more personal than a saddle. These are a purely try before you buy item. If you had a Perforamce Bike close drop in and take a look at what they have. They have a satisfaction garentee if you don't like it take it back and try another. What kind of bike are we talking about?

Start with proper set up on the bike then search saddles. There is no way for anyone to tell you what saddle will work for you.

Get the saddle set up again. Correct height and fore and aft and get it up parallel to ground. Sit on it and adjust the tilt so you cannot feel it other than on the sitbones. If you can feel it under neath then tilt downwards a bit. Then ride. May take a few adjustments to get right and will take more than 5 miles at a time to attune the butt and saddle. If it still hurts after a 20 mile ride then decide how much. If just towards the end- then ride more. If still 5 miles into a ride- Think new saddle.

I'ts an older Gary Fisher Tassajara thats been converted to a single speed.

I'll suggest a Brooks Professional. Love mine. The only time recently that I had an aching butt, I realized I'd put my riding shorts on backwards.

If you find out that you can return a Selle Anatomica I'd suggest it as a very possibly great saddle, but I'm unsure about their return policy. Short of that I'd suggest that you don't listen to anyone because everyone's recommendations are meaningless. I'd find a decent lbs and try a saddle for a day, try another saddle for a day, then another. Some shops have bikes setup for trying saddles but it's hard to do it unless you get a few miles on it. Know too, that as you get in better shape your need in saddles will change. The plush, thick comfy saddle that might be great for 5 miles would be torture on a 50mi ride and my current saddle is one I could never have ridden a year ago. Go out and test various saddles. That's the only way you can find what you need.

I'll suggest a Brooks Professional. Love mine.

The Brooks Pro is a great saddle for bikes with drop handlebars. If the OP has a more upright riding style, I'd suggest a Brooks B-66:

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRB4YiTV9f1HNqgbz0vDoC6y3_RqBf0sNCqvOwLhlUZRjZhE_oM&t=1

It may seem counter-intuitive, but a soft, padded saddle like the Planet Bike ARS is not going to be comfortable for more than a few minutes at a time.

You can tell if a saddle is going to be right by going into the LBS-Closing your eyes and say "I'll have that one" Probably will work better than any one else's suggestion for a saddle that work for their butt.

But certain saddles do seem to be popular. Selle Italia- Brooks-Fizic-Specialised. It's just that none of them are perfect for everyone.

I'll suggest a Brooks Professional. Love mine. The only time recently that I had an aching butt, I realized I'd put my riding shorts on backwards.

+1

The answer to every saddle question is Brooks.

I agree with Stapfam. If you take a suggestion from someone not wearing your bottom about what saddle will work for you then, you might as well take a dart board and place different saddles on it and pick that way.

In my case a brooks doesn't work. But it is also over 500 grams, twice as much as any saddle on my bikes or in my parts box. Even if I freely admit I haven't tried an imperial. Adimo didn't work, Terry didn't work and I haven't tried a Cobb. That being said after more than 30,000 miles more saddles work for me today than did back when I only had 2000 miles on a bike. And I also am not going to buy a saddle you have to break in. With todays choices that simply isn't necessary. I don't remember the web site but there is a company that will send you a saddle testing kit and give you a month to try them out. Might be worth looking up.

Before you go off spending money on a saddle, do more riding. The butt pain is common for just about everyone that starts riding again. I had problems with my saddle on my Defy when I first got it. The more I rode it, the less the problem until I had no problem at all. Got a new bike with a different saddle, and the butt pain came back for a week before my butt got used to it. If you really need to get a new saddle, see if your LBS will let you try some out before you buy. Everyone's rear end is different and what works well for one doesn't mean it will work well for someone else.

I gave the Defy saddle I had 10 days of riding with several adjustments before I went to a test saddle, the Specialized Avatar Gel. The Avatar made quite a difference to me.

If you find out that you can return a Selle Anatomica I'd suggest it as a very possibly great saddle, but I'm unsure about their return policy.

According to the site:

If you’re not happy with your saddle you’re welcome to return it within 30 days of your purchase in new condition.

OP says he does 5 mile rides.
I just looked up Wallingford Bikes website. A Brooks Team Pro is $185.00. A B.66 is $153.00.

I like Brooks saddles, but I don't think that Brooks is the answer to every saddle question.

According to the site:

If you’re not happy with your saddle you’re welcome to return it within 30 days of your purchase in new condition.



Don't you have put proof ride on a leather saddle? If so will it be like new?

Don't you have put proof ride on a leather saddle? If so will it be like new?

Selle Anatomica is a watershed leather, so there are no care issues (at least initially).

I have a Selle Anatomica on my T1. It's a good saddle and is advertised as not needing any maintenance. It came with my bike. I'm not sure that I would pony up the extra cash to buy a new one though. I also have a B17N on my SS road bike. I like it a lot. Riding, biking shorts and time help with either adapting to the saddle or find you looking for another. If you are willing to take care of the saddle, leather can be a good choice because there is always the potential for the saddle to get better ( or worse, I suppose) over time. The same can't be said for synthetics. Good luck. Al

OP says he does 5 mile rides.
I just looked up Wallingford Bikes website. A Brooks Team Pro is $185.00. A B.66 is $153.00.

I like Brooks saddles, but I don't think that Brooks is the answer to every saddle question.

Point taken, but perhaps the reason the OP only does 5 mile rides is that his bum hurts too much to ride longer?

Selle Anatomica

+1

+1

The answer to every saddle question is Brooks.

Incorrect, some of us hate them.

If you've just started back riding it may take a while to toughen the arse a bit. Also, are you using riding shorts?

Incorrect, some of us hate them.

If you've just started back riding it may take a while to toughen the arse a bit. Also, are you using riding shorts?
hi big john, I have never used riding shorts. maybe that is the route to go before investing in a new saddle. any suggestions?

Thanks for your info.

If the OP is only riding 5 miles, he needs one of those big-ass, cushion saddles. They have a purpose. When he gets more fit, he should invest the money that most of you are suggesting he spend on a saddle on a bike that fits. It will come with a saddle.

hi big john, I have never used riding shorts. maybe that is the route to go before investing in a new saddle. any suggestions?

Thanks for your info.

I get them on-line from Nashbar or Performance and they have a wide range of pricing, starting around $20, I think. If you don't want the skin-tight lycra look, you can get baggy (mountain bike) style shorts with a pad in them.
Some people don't use riding shorts but I can't ride any distance without them. I like Pearl Izumi Elite, lots of room for my fatness.

btw I've tried lots of different saddles over the years before I figured out what I like.

I have tried Tri-suits that have minimal padding and find that after 15 mi. I am miserable. A good pair of road shorts from PI or some other reputable maker has me comfortable all day.

I am a big fan of ISM saddles.

+1

Another +1 for the Selle Anotomica

Well I ended up with a Brooks B67. I tried a few different gel types and didn't like them. My Brooks is surprisingly comfy already probably due to the springs. I can't wait to really get it broke in. Thanks to all for your views and experience.

I have an assortment of different saddles .
On the bike I ride most, commuting, I have a Thudbuster seat post and atop it
I have a Fizik CP3 Vitesse, Which I think was a close out,
since I got it thru sierratradingpost.com, and that is what they do ..
since then I got a couple Vitesse saddles made for the Brompton company.

a variety of synthetics, they work well in this damp climate, but I still put a plastic bag over it, since I leave the Bike locked up when I seek pints, food:beer:
and talking with friends , there.

but saddles are really between the posterior of the poster and the saddle itself.
my opinion comes out of the opposite end of my body.

The solution to ass pain is ride lots. As evidenced by all the posters recommendations, saddle choice is highly subjective. BTW, a Brooks saddle is the only saddle I ever used that removed skin.