jonathanb715

Saddles that work for me may or may not work for you - simple as that. All that other stuff is a symptom of folks trying to advise you to do what worked for them.

Having said that...I use the Aliante and like it. It's a different shape than other Fizik saddles, so don't be afraid to try one of their flatter saddles if the Aliante doesn't work out. The Aliante is pretty sensitive to being set up correctly - and I know in a couple of miles if my saddle's been knocked out of position. According to Fizik it's designed for those of us who like to sit up a bit more than the all out racers. It has a sweet spot, and will tend to lock you into that sweet spot. You can move around on it, but there's a definite "best" way to ride on it. So if you like to move around a lot, this may not be the saddle for you. It works for me, and on really long rides, too (I like to do double centuries), so it might work for you. Just take the time with the best fitting guy in the shop and try to find a position that works best for you. And if it doesn't work...well, it doesn't seem to work for lots of riders.

Another thing to keep in mind - the Aliante in principle works a lot like the old leather saddles - it's designed to have a bit of a hammock effect - the plastic or carbon shell under the padding is designed to flex (lots of saddles are designed to flex with the pedaling motion) in a way that provides some give and support like a hammock when you lay down on it (that's the part that is unusual). It won't break in like the leather saddles do, but the hammock effect is a big part of what makes this saddle unusual. If you aren't putting your weight on the sit bones, that hammock effect is probably counterproductive and uncomfortable.

JB

longbeachgary

I didn't read all of the responses but how about an old standby - Regal?




2010 Selle San Marco Regal Racing Team

• <LI class=info>Item: SSM112 Actual Weight:"Actual Weight" means we weighed this item ourselves. 297.0g
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The Selle San Marco Regal saddle has been around since the beginning of time and it's timelessly gorgeous, it's durable as a tank, and it's our go-to antidote for folks who just can't seem to get comfy on any other saddle. It's the near-perfect bike component, but if we had to be nit-picky the one complaint we'd bring up is its weight: 345g for a saddle is hefty. It's for the nit-pickers that Selle San Marco created this variation, the Regal Racing Team.
What's most important here is what stays the same as the original: Lots of support and comfort, and nicely flat across the top which feels rather good if you're experimenting with raising your saddle -- there's no pronounced ridge at the top of the saddle that'll eat into your crotch. And it's not in the Regal family unless it has rivets, and in this case you get 6 black rivets holding it all together.
What's different, of course, is the splashy Italiano graphics, as well as the weight at 220g, over a quarter-pound lighter than the original. The diet is due primarily to the shell -- in this case it's a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic. Other contributors to its lightness include its Xsilite rails -- lighter than Ti, but with greater strength -- as well as its BioFoam padding and the breathable Microfeel cover. 278mm x 148mm.






2010 Selle San Marco Regal Saddle

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A timeless, very PRO, very Euro option for the hard-to-please tush. The Regal is an all-but-automatic choice for the classic hard man of Belgium type of rider. Boonen? Yep, he rides a Regal. Musseuw? Rumor is he rode the same Regal throughout his whole career and got it re-covered by Selle San Marco every year. More padding than any iteration of the Flite saddle, and wider at the rear. Lots of support and comfort, and nicely flat across the top which feels rather good if you're experimenting with raising your saddle -- there's no pronounced ridge at the top of the saddle that'll eat into your crotch. And those rivets on the rear, is that timeless style, or what? 340g of Heaven. Available in two colors: Black and White. Both versions have plated hollow steel rails and silver rivets.

meanwhile

I've heard very good things about the Aliante. But I've heard the Rido 2 is the same sort of idea, but "more so and even better". And it is much, much cheaper. I was about to order one myself, but then I remembered I had a WTB Rocket tucked away (a great saddle) and found that suited my riding position on my new bike. Anyway:

https://www.rido-cyclesaddles.com

User reviews, pro and anti:

https://www.bikeradar.com/gear/catego...addle-09-34727

bianchi10

thank you all for your helpfull suggestions. I really do appreciate your understanding especially since I am VERY aware that there are probably 1 to 2 new saddle threads started every week.

BlazingPedals

Technically, at 212 I'm a clyde; although I have never posted here because I don't normally identify with clydes. But I find the attitude incredible, that the OP would give up bikes before getting a recumbent (not "recumbant") or a CF. Incredible, but unfortunately, entirely believable. I might expect the attitude from a twenty-something or someone with delusions of racing, but I don't think either case applies here. Considering the wide range of positions available on various 'bents, even someone who couldn't get comfortable on one would have lots of other options available. Unless you're speaking of psychological discomfort. And recumbent trainers are so far removed from the real thing that comparing them is irrelevant. Heck, my wife has a high-end recumbent trainer, and it's terrible compared to any of the 4 recumbents I own. I'll ride in the snow before I use her trainer!

Admittedly, I haven't read all of the responses yet, but over in the 50+ forum, one perennial favorite saddle is the Brooks B-17. I wish the OP luck in his search, and hope he doesn't have to give up cycling due to preventable saddle-soreness.

bianchi10

thank you, much appreciated. I wont give it up. I will continue to search for that right saddle. I just find it frustrating to have to go through all this to find the right one...if I ever do.

Dchiefransom

Selle SMP? If I wasn't on a bent, this is the one I'd try next.
My sit bones never adapted, so I'm on a Rans. The most comfy saddle I had on an upright was an old leather one on a hybrid, kind of like a Brooks, but there was the numbness issue.

Neil_B

I see the 'bents cure everything' people are out already. "A hundred dollars of fitting changes or 1500 dollars on a recumbent? Go for the 'bent!"

bianchi10

so I ended up with the new Fizik Aliante VS. Notice it has the center "love channel". Went on a little 20 mile test ride and SO FAR it feels better. Still needs some adjustments but I am getting a refit at my LBS tomorrow a.m. anyway so I'm sure they will help get it close to the right position and I can tweak it from there. .

Saddle feels soft yet firm. material is nice as it is a little "slippery?" which allows my body to pivot nicely on it. Didn't feel any sort of groin problems or sit bone issues. But then again it was just a small ride. We will see if she is the one.

BigPolishJimmy

Hey now, that's not exactly fair. I only paid around 3 hundred for my 2nd-hand Sun EZ-1 recumbent and for a long ride it does cure what was hurting me. I still like to ride my diamond frame bikes for anything under 1.5 hours, but for an all day ride I'll chose my low-dough bent and ride in comfort and try not to get too much food in my beard. Savvy shopping can bring a good 2nd hand recumbent in for under $600, and I'm not talking an entry-level cheap one like mine, but a good one. *edit* I will admit though, the recumbent is not 'the answer' for everyone.


bianchi10 That Fizik saddle looks pretty nice, let us know how it is. I'm thinking I need to upgrade my Fuji saddle for the local club rides.

ClarkinHawaii

I tried the Selle SMP and it was very strange and uncomfortable at first. I probably have 200-300 miles on it now, and Selle SMP is gonna be my saddle for life.\

I mention this because one of the previous posters said that he wouldn't be happy with any saddle that gave the slightest discomfort when brand new (to him). While I can understand his point, I don't think the Selle SMP is going to feel right to any new user, initially. just looking at it, you can see that all the body weight is carried right at the sit bones. Nobody is used to sitting on anything else that distributes his weight just like this, so of course it's going to take a bit of getting used to.

I think Selle SMP is the biggest sponsor of these "try before buy" programs. That says a lot. Also you can never find them used.

bianchi10

damnit, just found out this saddle doesn't come in white!! oh well, I guess you dont see it when your sitting on it

doghouse

Have not seen an questions or suggestions about your seat post and the available angles of the saddle.

I had a lot of problems with every saddle I tried because of the "notched" seat post connection. When I changed it out to a Thomson Elite, that changed the whole thing. Front and rear screws allow you to "micro manage" the saddle position to better balance the weight on your sit bones.

Might be worth a look.

ClarkinHawaii

Oh yeah, this is very true. I use a Thomson elite and also an Easton EA-something that was dirt cheap from Jenson. They are both the 2-bolt type and you will be amazed at the comfort differences that come about with just a tiny bit of tweaking. Doesn't even seem like the same saddle. So don't discount this factor!

ramjet1953

Bicycle seats and the different types available seems to be a very emotive issue.
For myself, I was having problems with numbness, not pain, when on a ride in excess of 30 Km.
I did a bit of looking on the Internet and decided to try The Seat (https://www.thecomfortseat.com/).
It took a while to get used to and to get the right tilt angle, I had to rotate my seat post 180 degrees.
However, now I am used to it, I can easily do a 60Km ride with no numbness at all.
One thing that I did notice, is that hornless saddles seem to be harder to get adjusted 'just right'.
It took me nearly a week to find the sweet spot.

Regards,
Roger

seenoweevil

I bought a sack full of saddles off ebay and couldn't find anything at first. Three that work for me on my bikes: a cheap BG seat by Specialized, probably a pull off, a Kuips women's seat with very little padding, and the last one I bought, a Specialized Avatar. I had a Toupe before and couldn't stand it, got the rash bad, but the other 2 Specialized seats are fine. Go figure. It really is completely individual.