sillygolem

I just got my first road bike, and it's very comfortable except the stock saddle. I've ridden it a few times trying to get used to what's on there, but it just isn't working. However, I'm not quite sure what to get.

How do I measure for seat size on a road bike? I know my hips are tilted forward so I need less width than a cruiser and I probably shouldn't just go buy the widest saddle on the market.*

What have you had good experiences on?

Would a small cruiser seat cause problems with the width of the nose?

Before you ask, my LBS's have a very limited selection, so there's not much try-before-you-buy. I'd like something relatively inexpensive, preferably with springs as I have to ride 1/2 mile on gravel from my house before I reach pavement.

*Which is exactly what I did for my 3-speed, and it worked out perfectly.

Barrettscv 

Try doing a search of the forums under saddle size. It will take substantial research, but saddle fit is a challenging topic.

I like Brooks saddles, but everyone is different and what works for me may not work for you.

late

B17 Special, Clydes should avoid the standard. Another option is the Champion Flyer Special, which is a B17 with springs.


https://www.wallbike.com/brooks/unspr...ampion-special

Jamesw2

Look into Selle SMP https://www.sellesmp.com/smp4bike/en/products/saddles

I just got the Avant ( actually the TRK but iis was a 07 issue)

Now i will be happy enough while riding to get bugs in my teeth

CliftonGK1

The B-17 is really wide, and I've been on Champ Std. and Imperial saddles for about 6 years without problems.
I thought about switching, and looked at the SMP line of stuff but don't like how sharply their models drop off at the edges. Yes, their wide saddles might be 157mm at the rear, but the effective platform is under 140mm because of that dropoff angle.
Selle Italia makes the Max Flite (155mm) which has a fairly flat rear profile. If that's not enough, take a look at their Diva gel-flow, which is 160 or 165mm. Yeah, it's a women's model, but the only design difference is the wider rear section.

sillygolem

I searched under various terms, but I haven't found anything other than BUY A BROOKS BECAUSE THEY WERE MADE BY ENGLISH ACCENT SPACE JESUS AND ALL OTHER SADDLES ARE MADE BY HITLOR!

...or something to that effect.


Also, I should've mentioned I'm looking for something affordable. This is going on an old 10-speed and I don't have the cash for a Brooks, nor am I worried about weight on such a bike to pay for carbon. However, these suggestions are still appreciated because it's giving me some idea of shape and size.

cbrown9064

Try to find a Specialized shop that has an "Ass-o-Meter" (real thing). It measures your sit bones. Or find one of those pieces of foam that hold their shape and sit on it. Either way, you want to measure the distance between your sit bones. Clydes don't necessarily have wide sit bones. Once you know the width you need, finding a saddle will be much easier.
CB

Seattle Forrest

I really like my Fizik Alliente vs for road riding. They're very expensive at the local bike shop, but can be had online for more reasonable prices.

sstorkel

I love my Selle SMP Lite 209 saddle, but it cost as much as some bikes! Various WTB saddles (e.g. Rocket V) also work for me and are much cheaper. Super-wide saddles are generally a mistake on anything other than a cruiser bike. Of course, none of the road bike saddles I've used have been comfortable without padded cycling shorts...

sillygolem

Nearest shop that does fitting is 100+ miles away. I think I may try the foam idea.

I am definitely in the "wide" category. I'm 6'3" and my ideal weight is around 230-240lbs.


It's a given that the seat will cost more than the bike b/c the bike was only $20. I've already spent $70 in parts to fix it up.

irclean

I have two aftermarket saddles that I like. The first one, a Terry Liberator Y was a replacement for the web-sprung saddle that came with my "comfort" hybrid. The second, a Serfas Rx-921L Men's replaced the torture device that came stock with my "performance" hybrid. I hope to eventually try a Brooks saddle, but I'm not going to shell out that kind of coin without knowing whether or not I'll like it.

Barrettscv 

LOL, I found both my Brooks Pro and Brooks B17 on ebay for less than $100. These were new in the box. The secret is buying at a good price is buying during winter.

I like the Pro on a bike where the handlebars are well below the seat and the B17 when the handlebars are nearly level with the seat. I have one Brooks Pro that has been with me for 37 years and is sooo comfortable, even today. The seat was OE on my Schwinn Paramount that was purchased in 1973.

A Brooks is for life.

sillygolem

OK, using the foam method my seat bones are about 190mm apart vs. my current seat's 180mm width, putting me in touring saddle range instead of any road saddle I've found.

Tom Stormcrowe

Actually, the Marquise de Sade designed the bicycle saddle.

You might look at this: It's a bit wider, but not so wide as to risk sciatic damage.

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...7_10000_200413

sillygolem

I think that's pretty close to what I need, and the price is even reasonable. Thanks!

Tom Stormcrowe

I make no guarantees as to the comfort. Given you have wide sit bones, another thing you might look at5, and don't draw any conclusions from this.....is a woman specific design saddle, like the Terry line, because women have wider sit bones than men.

Wogster

For most clydes, the typical riding style is fairly upright, most Brooks saddles are designed to be comfortable with a fairly upright riding style, which was common in the 1870's when Mr. Brooks designed his first leather saddle. The fact that a B17 made today bares more then a passing resemblance to a B17 made in 1910, should not be lost on us. Of course there are a few who like the saddle half a metre above the bars, where the only appropriate saddle is an ass hatchet, but they are usually racers on plastic wonderbikes anyway.

Yes Brooks saddles are expensive, but if your ride is comfortable, your going to ride more, and riding is the point.

gunner65

No matter what saddle you decide on remember the cost is not a waist as the more comfortable the ride the more riding you will do. Also keep in mind that when you find that perfect saddle for yourself it is easily transfered from bike to bike making the initial investment well worth it.

tpelle

Another vote for the Brooks B17. I have 'em on both of my bikes, and will probably buy one for the old 10-speed beater that I'm fixing up. Break-in was hell on the first one - about 250 miles of tinkering and adjusting and sore butt - but after that it's been great. When I bought my second one I thought "Oh no! Here we go again!", but the second one felt fine right away (leaving me to believe it's not the saddle but the butt that's getting broken in).

exile

Sometimes you have to be patient with deals. I bought my Brooks Flyer pre-aged for around $65. If memory serves me correctly I bought it around January from an on-line store.

sillygolem

Actually, I've found a very affordable solution.

This'll make it more comfortable, right?

spare change

If you're still on your TRK give me some feedback...I have one on the way to me.
thanks

donalson

as others have mentioned saddle fit is very personal.

you can do a sit bone measurement at home
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7j9LUVJrjA

on my road bike I'm loving my brooks b17, I ended up going with a brooks flyer (more or less a sprung b17) for my touring bike... they seem to work for me but they aren't for everyone

HunkerDown

I recently had a professional fitting where I had the opportunity to learn the real width of my sit bones via their ass-o-meter. The fitter put me in a Specialized Romin Evo Pro at 168mm (cost $200) and I waved goodbye to my Fizik saddle and never looked back. Knowing the width of your sit bones is key to a properly fitted saddle and happier long-distance riding.

HD

ChargerDawg

I have been using a terry liberator gel for about 3 years and find it to be comfortable, the planet bike gel saddles are pretty inexpensive and comfortable as well.

I laughed at the thought of riding the saddle that came with my bike...