Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Which retro saddle?

I'd like to find a colored saddle that is durable, light and wider than 135mm for my 1978 Trek.

Here are a few items;

Nashbar Bedford Vintage Saddle: http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_512811_-1___202449

Selle San Marco Concor Supercorsa Saddle: http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1127002_-1___400033

Soma Ensho Saddle: http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=22643&category=3466

CINELLI UNICANITOR SADDLE: http://www.ebay.com/itm/CINELLI-UNICANITOR-SADDLE-BLUE-/220975013423?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3373231e2f

WTB Silverado: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-WTB-Silverado-Road-MTB-Bike-Saddle-Seats-Deep-Blue-/370657147381?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item564ce339f5


Are any of these much better than all the others?

Are any of these useless and a total waste of money?

I'll be using the bike for longer rides in the 3 to 5 hour range, so it needs to be comfortable.

Of those saddles listed, the Concor is by far superior.

One of my favorites.

Of those saddles listed, the Concor is by far superior.

One of my favorites.

Any other saddles you like, that are not listed?

I really, really like the Selle Italia Turbo too.

Have you considered brooks? They offer some pretty funky colors.

I think my turbo is the most comfortable saddle to me, and the nicest looking

The saddle in the last ebay link you listed is the same as the performance ones which go for much less.

I happen to love the concor as well. I also like brook's road saddles.

Get the Unicator, or just have someone wail on your taint with a baseball bat.

Anyone try this?

Selle Royal Seta: http://www.ebay.com/itm/350614655327?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619

Get the Unicator, or just have someone wail on your taint with a baseball bat.

You like that too? We should hang out.

You like that too? We should hang out.

As a matter of fact I love my Kashimax.

In my experience, cheap saddles are not suited to your needs - 5 hours on the bike.

I like plastic saddles for an hour. But even then I prefer a mm of padding. Saddles that try to be comfortable by being overly soft are going to hurt also.

No one can tell you which saddle you should get. Your criteria appear to be color and price. Terrible place to start.

my favorite by far is the Selle Italia Flite 1990 saddle I sold my Brooks and went back to this



http://cache0.bigcartel.com/product_images/45863647/flite-4-wm.jpg

I really, really like the Selle Italia Turbo too.

Or its twin, the Avocet "Racing" mod. 2 (or mod. 3 -- with aluminum rails).

Have you considered brooks? They offer some pretty funky colors.

OP did specify "light" as one of his preferences, which pretty much rules out Brooks. Otherwise, I'd agree with you 100%.

But... its so nice...

http://wallbike.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/b17blue.jpg

Your criteria appear to be color and price. Terrible place to start.

I never stated price was a factor. Please reread and get back in touch (with reality).

I never stated price was a factor. Please reread and get back in touch (with reality).

Sorry, since your examples included the cheapest-ass saddles available I assumed you had a preference in that regard.

Sorry, since your examples included the cheapest-ass saddles available I assumed you had a preference in that regard.

Do you always make such assumptions about people you know nothing about?

I could always use the saddle from this bike;

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/20115fullviewparamount.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/2011Paramountseatview.jpg

But I'm looking to widen the search.

Do you always make such assumptions about people you know nothing about?

It was less of an assumption and more of an educated guess based on observation.

It was less of an assumption and more of an educated guess based on observation.

You're educated? Where?

Do you want to compare educations?

Stop acting like a hard on. You want a colored saddle. You can't see it when you are sitting on it.

Do you always make such assumptions about people you know nothing about


No.

And I did not make an assumption about YOU. Although I am beginning to as the evidence continues to mount.

I made an assumption about what you are looking for. And I made it based on the info you provided. If you want a better answer ask a better question. Or ask the question better.

Oh. And you want it to be retro. That crap you linked to is not retro.

Do you want to compare educations?

Stop acting like a hard on. You want a colored saddle. You can't see it when you are sitting on it.

Sometimes the right colors are important;

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/2010bikepictures016.jpg

seems to me you really want a brooks :)

Yay!!!

seems to me you really want a brooks :)

Yay!!!

It could happen, the B17 is very comfortable. I just want opinions on what else is out there.

You're educated? Where?

The guess was educated. Glad you can read.

Educated, meaning that it was based on the fact you listed about 8 saddles, and most of them were ebay budget worthy.

It could happen, the B17 is very comfortable. I just want opinions on what else is out there.

But is not light, which is in your listed criteria.

Selle Anatomica?

You could really ball out and get a Gilles Berthoud saddle: 277270
I know they aren't colored but the cork one is pretty sexy.

the Nashbar Bedford is good if you want to feel violated after the end of every ride. i know from experience

personally I would go with a selle an atomica... even though I like wider saddles in general

the Nashbar Bedford is good if you want to feel violated after the end of every ride. i know from experience

personally I would go with a selle an atomica... even though I like wider saddles in general

I also like wider saddles. What are you using?

There is absolutely no way to tell someone what saddle their ass will find comfortable. People have recommended saddles to me that I have hated and vice versa.

I like a wider saddle, B17 is my favorite, Titanium version saves a couple ounces. I've tried recently: Brooks Pro (OK), Concor SuperCorsa (OK), Suede Turbo (not so good for me), Cinelli Unicanitor Barry McGee (slight padding, what the others say is true, haven't been on in weeks and I can still feel it, Ouch) and finally my suggestion: San Marco Regal, have not tried Rolls, but Regal is a little wider, and has a reputation for being comfortable - so far so good. I've seen cheap knock offs (Soma comes to mind), but like everything else, you get what you pay for.

Most of the links you provided were blue. Are you looking for a blue one, specifically ?

I like
San Marco Concor
Italia Turbo
Vetta Carrera
Specialized Lambda

All mine are actually the old ones, tho. Not repros.

There is absolutely no way to tell someone what saddle their ass will find comfortable. People have recommended saddles to me that I have hated and vice versa.

well, you could measure sitbones...
also when op says "i prefer wider saddles" then thats a huge indicator...

diff saddles fit diff people differently...but knowing your sitbone measurement or at least being aware if you are more narrow or wide is going to be paramount to comfort.

i bought a arione used a long while back. it was painful, realized it was a 130 wide saddle. then i tried a fizik antares, which is 140ish...that was way better. then i tried a 155 specialized toupe that was amazing. so i learned i am a wideload fata$$ lol

some of these options mentioned might be too narrow for op.
brooks have been mentioned, they can be fairly wide. a bit heavy but whatevs.

so op, whatever saddle you look at, find out what it's width is. if you say you like wide saddles, i would look for something more than 140 in width (or more)

so op, whatever saddle you look at, find out what it's width is. if you say you like wide saddles, i would look for something more than 140 in width (or more)

Yes, I agree.

I've had century-ride comfort two saddles: The Brooks B17 and the Performance Forte Pro SL. The Forte Pro is 143mm wide.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/IMG_08881.jpg

The Performance Forte Pro looks ok on a modern bike, but would be out-of-place on an older steel bike. The Brooks also is better suited for a touring or sports model steel bike. I'm liking some of the suggestions so far.

Fizik Antares

Yes, I agree.

I've had century ride comfort two saddles: The Brooks B17 and the Performance Forte Pro SL. The Forte Pro is 143mm wide.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/IMG_08881.jpg

The Performance Forte Pro looks ok on a modern bike, but would be out-of-place on an older steel bike. The Brooks also is better suited for a touring or sports model steel bike. I'm liking some of the suggestions so far.

Looks like you might be in need of a setback seatpost...

Fizik Antares
I have one of these on my capo and I love it. Its more comfy on long rides than the selle italia turbo reissue that I have on my other whip.

Anyone know how the Soma knock-off saddles compare with the real thing? I.e. Turbo vs. Ta-bo?

Anyone know how the Soma knock-off saddles compare with the real thing? I.e. Turbo vs. Ta-bo?

Tried that and the Charge Bucket (also a Turbo knock-off). Comfort was alright but the synthetic leather was too slippery. Ended up with a Turbo (and a plastic bag for the Seattle rain which has finally shown up).

It could happen, the B17 is very comfortable. I just want opinions on what else is out there.I have a Selle Anatomica Titanico X...I am a clyde. This saddle is more comfy out of the box than my b17 ever was. YMMV. http://www.selleanatomica.com/store/

I have a new Selle San Marco Regal which is a total hatchet. I have an 80s Regal (some kind of limited ed.) in perforated leather. The shapes look nearly identical, but the older one feels great. SADDLES ARE SO MYSTERIOUS!

San Marco Rolls is my favorite. Comes in White, Black, or Brown with gold colored bling and is often easy to find on ebay.

Concor America