Notices
Classic & Vintage This forum is to discuss the many aspects of classic and vintage bicycles, including musclebikes, lightweights, middleweights, hi-wheelers, bone-shakers, safety bikes and much more.

saddle hype

Old 01-30-10, 11:14 PM
  #1  
aka Tom Reingold
Thread Starter
 
noglider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,639

Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem

Mentioned: 507 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7251 Post(s)
Liked 2,322 Times in 1,357 Posts
saddle hype

I often assert that a lot of bike products are overhyped and overpriced. So now I'll talk about saddles.

Brooks saddles are really, really nice. Really, they are. I love my Brooks Pro, and I had a B17 I loved, too. If you love Brooks saddles, buy them.

But I also love some cheap saddles. My favorite saddle is an Italian style Serfas saddle. (By Italian style, I mean nylon shell, a small bit of padding, then a cloth covering. Is there a better term for that?) It's cheap, and it feels great.

Maybe my tush is just not that sensitive. I have never gotten saddle sores, and the only time I get muscle soreness in that area is if I've been off the bike for months. And I even have hemorrhoids.

I guess my middle name is TMI, but I figure it's appropriate here.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author

Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
noglider is offline  
Old 01-30-10, 11:31 PM
  #2  
sultan of schwinn
 
EjustE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Lehigh Valley, PA
Posts: 3,581
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times in 9 Posts
A lot of it has to do with the mileage you put on your rides, in addition to specific sensitivities. For short rides (up to 20 miles or so) I can do pretty much anything with some kind of a cushion even with non-padded shorts. Long rides are a different story. If I sit on a bike for 4 to 5 hours in a row in addition to padding on my shorts, I want something that is comfortable for me. And this is Regal (mostly) and Rolls. I also found that modern racing Blue bicycles logo'd saddles (unsure of the maker) are pretty nice for a very small profile lightweight saddle in longer rides (but I would not do a century or a tour on one of those). I just do not have the patience of getting shore just in order to brake in a Brooks. Maybe one of these days I will get one and put it on a bike to ride recreationally but it will probably take a year to brake in based on the frequency of my recreational riding... I have not tried any fizik saddles and someone would really have to give me a good argument to abandon Regals (oh well, Selle San Marco may have just done that this year... they changed the saddle and calling it Regale...)
EjustE is offline  
Old 01-30-10, 11:41 PM
  #3  
Galveston County Texas
 
10 Wheels's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,218

Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum

Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1346 Post(s)
Liked 1,234 Times in 615 Posts
There might be a perfect saddle for each bike rider.

I get sores only on the left side of my rear.

My problems come after 50 miles and with hot temps.

OP you are Blessed.
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"

10 Wheels is offline  
Old 01-30-10, 11:44 PM
  #4  
aka Tom Reingold
Thread Starter
 
noglider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,639

Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem

Mentioned: 507 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7251 Post(s)
Liked 2,322 Times in 1,357 Posts
True, miles on a ride are key. But crotch soreness is never my biggest complaint on a long ride. I guess, as I said, I'm not that sensitive in that area.

Right now, I'm dealing with a pinched nerve in my back, and if I ride more than 20 miles, I get painful numbness in my feet. I have to solve that before I take a longer ride. I plan to see a back-specialist orthopedist.

On a slightly related topic, I have some Italian style saddles with badly damaged covers, and I'm considering recovering them. I need a few saddles to complete the bikes I'm fixing up for sale, and this should be cheaper than replacement. I figure I can get vinyl at a fabric store. Can I get foam rubber there, too? More importantly, I may need a special stapler. Or can I use glue to attach the cover?
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author

Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
noglider is offline  
Old 01-30-10, 11:47 PM
  #5  
Galveston County Texas
 
10 Wheels's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,218

Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum

Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1346 Post(s)
Liked 1,234 Times in 615 Posts
[QUOTE=noglider;10341643]True, miles on a ride are key. But crotch soreness is never my biggest complaint on a long ride. I guess, as I said, I'm not that sensitive in that area.

Right now, I'm dealing with a pinched nerve in my back, and if I ride more than 20 miles, I get painful numbness in my feet. I have to solve that before I take a longer ride. I plan to see a back-specialist orthopedist.

I see a MRI in your future.
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"

10 Wheels is offline  
Old 01-30-10, 11:51 PM
  #6  
aka Tom Reingold
Thread Starter
 
noglider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,639

Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem

Mentioned: 507 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7251 Post(s)
Liked 2,322 Times in 1,357 Posts
Originally Posted by 10 Wheels
I see a MRI in your future.
No doubt. This nerve was pinched in the very same place (L5-S1) 21 years ago. It was so bad that I was virtually crippled, so I had surgery. This was a month before my older daughter was born. Scary times, but I came out in great shape. The problem is not nearly as severe as it was then, but it's not surprising that my new problem has an old cause. Last time, the pain was in my sciatic notch (the place where the leg meets the buttock).

Anyway, I may have a bad back, but I do have a blessed butt.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author

Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
noglider is offline  
Old 01-30-10, 11:51 PM
  #7  
RFC
Senior Member
 
RFC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 4,466

Bikes: many

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times in 13 Posts
Originally Posted by noglider
I often assert that a lot of bike products are overhyped and overpriced. So now I'll talk about saddles.

Brooks saddles are really, really nice. Really, they are. I love my Brooks Pro, and I had a B17 I loved, too. If you love Brooks saddles, buy them.

But I also love some cheap saddles. My favorite saddle is an Italian style Serfas saddle. (By Italian style, I mean nylon shell, a small bit of padding, then a cloth covering. Is there a better term for that?) It's cheap, and it feels great.

Maybe my tush is just not that sensitive. I have never gotten saddle sores, and the only time I get muscle soreness in that area is if I've been off the bike for months. And I even have hemorrhoids.

I guess my middle name is TMI, but I figure it's appropriate here.
Tom, once again, too much information.
RFC is offline  
Old 01-30-10, 11:52 PM
  #8  
aka Tom Reingold
Thread Starter
 
noglider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,639

Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem

Mentioned: 507 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7251 Post(s)
Liked 2,322 Times in 1,357 Posts
Divert your eyes!
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author

Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
noglider is offline  
Old 01-30-10, 11:52 PM
  #9  
No lugs? No hugs.
 
Exit.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 1,115

Bikes: '85 Miyata 310, '06 GT Performer

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Brooks boat-anchors are overhyped basura. If you need a saddle that big, you're not riding your bike enough.
Exit. is offline  
Old 01-30-10, 11:54 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
divineAndbright's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: ontario
Posts: 2,234
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I don't care for the looks of any brooks saddle so I have no interest in using one no matter how good anyone claims they are, plus they are just so popular it kinda ruins it for me, its just like how I can't really use any campagnolo cause of all the "elite" snob appeal, its just the way I am!

My fave vintage saddle for looks has to be a cinelli unicanitor with black padding, can't comment on how good they are cause ive never tried one out, they are just too expensive, even in beat to crap condition, so I guess they've gotta be pretty good.

I havent used too much different stuff, im using cheap 30$ san marco ponza saddles right now, ive run em up to 6 hours in the saddle and absolutely no complaints, plus they are light, they wouldnt look too good on a vintage ride though, they look ok on my 90s trek though.

saddles I dont like.. most 80s saddles like the concor or selle italia turbo, anything with that general shape, the turbo matic 2 I hated with a passion.
divineAndbright is offline  
Old 01-30-10, 11:57 PM
  #11  
Galveston County Texas
 
10 Wheels's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,218

Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum

Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1346 Post(s)
Liked 1,234 Times in 615 Posts
Originally Posted by noglider
No doubt. This nerve was pinched in the very same place (L5-S1) 21 years ago. It was so bad that I was virtually crippled, so I had surgery. This was a month before my older daughter was born. Scary times, but I came out in great shape. The problem is not nearly as severe as it was then, but it's not surprising that my new problem has an old cause. Last time, the pain was in my sciatic notch (the place where the leg meets the buttock).

Anyway, I may have a bad back, but I do have a blessed butt.
My wife is suffering with your same problem.

I have a collapsed disc L4-L5.

226 rides last year, Averaged 70.45 miles each
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"

10 Wheels is offline  
Old 01-31-10, 12:03 AM
  #12  
Elitest Murray Owner
 
Mos6502's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,660

Bikes: 1972 Columbia Tourist Expert III, Columbia Roadster

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by noglider
But I also love some cheap saddles. My favorite saddle is an Italian style Serfas saddle. (By Italian style, I mean nylon shell, a small bit of padding, then a cloth covering. Is there a better term for that?) It's cheap, and it feels great.
The nylon/leather saddles are pretty much the best of both worlds.

For upright riding a good mattress saddle feels like sitting on a bed.


Pedaling efficiency be damned, it's comfortable.
Mos6502 is offline  
Old 01-31-10, 12:05 AM
  #13  
RFC
Senior Member
 
RFC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 4,466

Bikes: many

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times in 13 Posts
Originally Posted by noglider
Divert your eyes!
Just promise me that you will not provide a visual.
RFC is offline  
Old 01-31-10, 12:12 AM
  #14  
aka Tom Reingold
Thread Starter
 
noglider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,639

Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem

Mentioned: 507 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7251 Post(s)
Liked 2,322 Times in 1,357 Posts
I promise. That would embarrass both of us.

And let me also say that there's another detail about my tush that I once shared on my hometown message board that had the whole town laughing. I still wonder if I should have posted it.

Speaking of saddle hype, how about those Cinelli saddles? Give me a break.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author

Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
noglider is offline  
Old 01-31-10, 01:29 AM
  #15  
No lugs? No hugs.
 
Exit.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 1,115

Bikes: '85 Miyata 310, '06 GT Performer

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by noglider
Speaking of saddle hype, how about those Cinelli saddles? Give me a break.
Unicantors? They're great for what they're designed for, which is track racing. They're also only about $70, so they're far from expensive, as far as saddles go.
Exit. is offline  
Old 01-31-10, 07:48 AM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
Road Fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 16,851

Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8

Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1851 Post(s)
Liked 654 Times in 498 Posts
Originally Posted by noglider
True, miles on a ride are key. But crotch soreness is never my biggest complaint on a long ride. I guess, as I said, I'm not that sensitive in that area.

Right now, I'm dealing with a pinched nerve in my back, and if I ride more than 20 miles, I get painful numbness in my feet. I have to solve that before I take a longer ride. I plan to see a back-specialist orthopedist.


On a slightly related topic, I have some Italian style saddles with badly damaged covers, and I'm considering recovering them. I need a few saddles to complete the bikes I'm fixing up for sale, and this should be cheaper than replacement. I figure I can get vinyl at a fabric store. Can I get foam rubber there, too? More importantly, I may need a special stapler. Or can I use glue to attach the cover?
Mayo clinic website has some exercises that I find help. There's one set of stretches for back protection ("Back exercises in 15 minutes a day", sounds like the cover of "Bicycling"), and a set of core exercises for strengthening.
Road Fan is offline  
Old 01-31-10, 07:52 AM
  #17  
Senior Member
 
Road Fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 16,851

Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8

Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1851 Post(s)
Liked 654 Times in 498 Posts
Originally Posted by divineAndbright
I don't care for the looks of any brooks saddle so I have no interest in using one no matter how good anyone claims they are, plus they are just so popular it kinda ruins it for me, its just like how I can't really use any campagnolo cause of all the "elite" snob appeal, its just the way I am!

My fave vintage saddle for looks has to be a cinelli unicanitor with black padding, can't comment on how good they are cause ive never tried one out, they are just too expensive, even in beat to crap condition, so I guess they've gotta be pretty good.

I havent used too much different stuff, im using cheap 30$ san marco ponza saddles right now, ive run em up to 6 hours in the saddle and absolutely no complaints, plus they are light, they wouldnt look too good on a vintage ride though, they look ok on my 90s trek though.

saddles I dont like.. most 80s saddles like the concor or selle italia turbo, anything with that general shape, the turbo matic 2 I hated with a passion.
Campagnolo is elitist, while Cinelli and Selle Italia are not? Brooks has a small part of the saddle market globally, but it's too popular? Far less sales than Selle Italia brand.
Road Fan is offline  
Old 01-31-10, 09:20 AM
  #18  
aka Tom Reingold
Thread Starter
 
noglider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,639

Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem

Mentioned: 507 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7251 Post(s)
Liked 2,322 Times in 1,357 Posts
Originally Posted by Exit.
Unicantors? They're great for what they're designed for, which is track racing. They're also only about $70, so they're far from expensive, as far as saddles go.
A track saddle doesn't need to be comfortable, so what's wrong with a $20 saddle? I've been buying $10 and $20 from the LBS's bargain bin. I submit there's little difference between the $20 saddle and a $70 saddle of similar design.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author

Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
noglider is offline  
Old 01-31-10, 09:38 AM
  #19  
Banned.
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,297
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,407 Times in 908 Posts
Interesting posts, all, but saddles are what your butt seems to like. I'm just so happy to have padded shorts, the saddle is't quite as relevant.

I think riding style has a lot to do with it. A drop bar rider has a different "approach" to the saddle from a hood rider (no pun intended).

For some, the purpose of the saddle is to center your weight over the frame and keep you from getting intimate with the frame and seat post.
For some, the purpose of the saddle is to have something to sit on that doesn't hurt.
For some, with back, neck, other problems, the saddle is absolutely essential to successful riding.

I'm in the initial group, so I can use anything narrow, properly fit. For metrics centuries, I prefer a little more width and padding, which translates to more of a track saddle, like a Sunshine or a pista saddle. For a 100-miler, I tend to want a little more comfort, because in the last 30-40, I'm simply tired, and my legs are not the support they were at 20-30. For that, I like the women's Fizik Vitesse, hands down.

Otherwise, it really isn't an issue. I have a SSM Ponza that is rock hard, little different from a Next that came on a cheapo road bike. They're both OK for my workouts.

I've only come across two saddles where people I know simply won't ride anything else if they have a choice: Specialized Body Geometry, and Brooks. I know of no other saddles with that type of loyalty, though the ss/fixie guys seem to like those Toupe's.

As far as difference for the price, I do think there's a difference, and it starts at around $70. Under that, I don't see much difference, but every expensive saddle I come across seems to be a cut above the cheaper ones.
RobbieTunes is offline  
Old 01-31-10, 09:45 AM
  #20  
Senior Member
 
Monkey Face's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: The Cotswolds, England
Posts: 619

Bikes: Giant Revolt 2. Velo Orange Pass Hunter flat bar

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22 Post(s)
Liked 35 Times in 16 Posts
An old boy at the local club once told me, you only get a sore bum (fanny means something totally different over here!) when your legs are shot.

For someone new to cycling it's not your rear that gets used to the saddle, but your legs to riding - and thus, with time, the rear suffers less from 'collateral damage'.

Last edited by Monkey Face; 01-31-10 at 09:51 AM.
Monkey Face is offline  
Old 01-31-10, 09:59 AM
  #21  
i'll probably break it
 
91MF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,669
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
saddles i love:

san marco lazer/concor[the suede covering on these is the best and the black one i have has faded to a beautiful brown]
selle italia turbo[real leather, not the new vinyl covered one - currently looking for a red leather one BTW, IM me if you have ]
vetta gel[most comfortable ever but quite heavy. great for the commuter]

i have never had saddle sores or even really a sore 'area'. i think this has a lot more to do with the riders physical shape than with the saddle. i'd imagine 240lb+ guys have more issues than me, even at 6'2" i only weigh 177lbs. saddles that dont agree with me tend to just give me lower back aches and end up for sale with the quickness. i figure thats why i've never dealt with a brooks - i dont have the patience for a break-in period.
91MF is offline  
Old 01-31-10, 10:22 AM
  #22  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: STP
Posts: 15,223
Mentioned: 74 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 821 Post(s)
Liked 253 Times in 141 Posts
Robbie is on the right track with Specialized saddles. I still use a Body Geometry on one of my bikes, and I think I am switching it to my SS for today's ride in the mush. Don't care much, if any, what happens to it and it really fits. Toupes fit great as well.

Other than that, two other saddles/brands for me are no-brainers. A San Marco Regal, and a Brooks Swift. In fact, I have four different Brooks saddles at this time, and only one was purchased new. The other three were CL finds, at rock bottom prices. Usually from people that try them and don't like them for one reason or another. I just picked up a honey Swallow for $75 and a torn/ratty white Turbo. The Swallow has a little scrape on the side where the original owner leaned his bike against a stucco wall. He said he sold it due to an incredible pain in his back. When I looked at his fit, the bike was 4cm too small. He had the nose tilt all wrong. I offered to adjust it for him, and he said he would rather have the money for the bar that night. I said ok and handed him the cash.

The non-titanium Regals work well for me then, and can be had well south of $100 if you know where to look, and when they happen to have inventory. I have one titanium railed Regal that I got a great price on, but I am waiting to use that on my Casati Gold Line S when I finish it someday. I just scored a perfect Regal Girardi with the white perfed cover for $40. Gorgeous, so nice I'm almost afraid to use it. But I certainly will this summer.

As for the Brooks hype, I ride with a few guys that give me c.... all the time about how heavy they are. I always make a point to ask them how their saddle/rear feels when we hit 50-60 miles. I know their answer, and I am quite comfortable with mine.
gomango is offline  
Old 01-31-10, 10:51 AM
  #23  
Disraeli Gears
 
Charles Wahl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 4,162
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 504 Post(s)
Liked 364 Times in 213 Posts
I never understand when people complain about the “break-in” required for a Brooks. All of them I've ridden were just as comfortable as any other saddle, out of the box. I have a hunch that the real reason the “break-in” people don't want one is that they're secretly weight weenies, and can't abide the thought of having a saddle that weighs 50-150% more than a plastic/foam type.

As for refurbishing old plastic/foam saddles, while it may be laudable from a “green” perspective, I don't think it's really worth the time, as a business strategem. There are a lot of pretty cheap saddles that will suit flip bikes.

As far as back trouble, noglider, maybe you should take your bike and a set of rollers to your first consultation with the orthopedist. I've been struggling with bursitis in my hips (“iliotibial band”) for more than a year. The strange thing is that I'm not in any pain while cycling (that's good!), sitting or lying on my back, but only while walking (esp. after riding) and when sleeping. I do stretching exercise, but it hasn't seemed to make any difference. The trouble with doctors is that they live in an office, and don't see you active in the world, and how you do things.
Charles Wahl is offline  
Old 01-31-10, 06:52 PM
  #24  
Senior Member
 
fender1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Berwyn PA
Posts: 6,425

Bikes: I hate bikes!

Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 429 Post(s)
Liked 709 Times in 233 Posts
I am with Charles above regarding Brooks and the "break-in" period. Mine have always been good right out of the box. I have used: Pro, B-17, B-15, Champion Flyer, Champion Standard(B-17), B-17 Imperial (My favorite) and the one with the funky, non-coil springs (B-72?)

For all of the guys above complaining about "back issues" might I suggest trying yoga? I cracked 3 lower vertebrae in a sledding accident a couple of years ago and had gotten pretty stiff in the lower back region. I also had some old nagging knee & shoulder injuries. I have been doing a hot yoga (105 degrees & 40% humidity in the room) class for a couple of weeks now and the pain has lessened quite a bit. My flexibility has increased dramatically. Something to try if you have not already......
fender1 is offline  
Old 01-31-10, 08:46 PM
  #25  
Senior Member
 
auchencrow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Detroit
Posts: 10,327
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 39 Times in 31 Posts
Best = Brooks B-17

Other decent saddles (IMO)...
- Fizik Chronos
- Avocet Racing 1
- Avocet Touring 1
- Selle Italia Anatomic.
auchencrow is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.