Easy Peasy

I have a Trek 7300 upright hybrid with a suspension seat post and a Bontrager Boulevard gel saddle. The stock saddle is pretty large and padded and is comfortable for a short distance, but after a while I find myself getting occasionally pinched and chafed, requiring adjustments in my sitting position as I'm riding. Recommendations for a saddle replacement for an upright hybrid would be very much appreciated.

Leisesturm

Nearly impossible. I loved the Bontrager CRZ Sport saddles we bought when we ditched the OEM saddles on our Raleigh Coupe flatbar road tandem. I've put a couple on my commute folders, essentially upright hybrid riding position. Sadly they don't make them anymore. You might ask for the saddle that replaced the CRZ Sport but they might try to sell you a Bontrager Commuter. Budget?! These saddles are all $35+ but under $40. My LBS says you can't get anything worth sitting on for under $90. That would be the Bontrager Evola. I haven't tried one but my LBS says if I do I will be hooked. Two tandems, two folders, a Schwinn... I don't want to go there. All the saddles I mentioned would be what are called anatomic. I have been riding a Selle something anatomic saddle and its alright. $40. I think the LBS is right. Its a shame but if you are on a budget just get a good pair of shorts and call it good. Some people swear by their Brooks B17's. An LBS with a saddle return policy is a lot better idea than posting here. You'll get a ton of recommendations from well meant posters and your LBS won't carry half of them or they will be out of reach price wise, etc. Honestly, I think time in the saddle will be the trick for you. That and a good pair of shorts, maybe some chamois cream.

H

Deathly Hallows

I tried a few different saddles of all sizes on my Trek 8.5 DS from large, well padded saddles to tiny ones with little padding. In the end, I have found the Brooks B67 to be the best for long rides. It is expensive, especially if it turns out not to be the one for you, and takes a while to break in, but it's the only saddle I've ridden that didn't pinch and chafe on longer rides. I have it coupled with a Thudbuster ST, which seems to be good combination. (Note: I previously had this saddle on a crank forward cruiser, which according to Brooks it was suited for, and found it to be absolutely torturous on that bike. It does work very well on my 8.5, though.)

But yea, the best thing to do is to find an LBS that will let you try a few different saddles (or one that will measure your butt). Talk to LBS owners or managers; one allowed me to try the saddles I mentioned before buying, and then I wound up not even buying a new saddle.

lostarchitect 

I'd ditch the suspension seatpost and get a normal one, then get a Brooks--maybe a B-72 if you want a little spring, but not too much. Otherwise maybe a B66 if you want more spring, or a B17 if you don't want any. Once a leather saddle breaks in, I think it's the most comfortable.

Malachi292

I use a B-17 on my commuter. Wouldn't have anything else on it.

If you got a B-17 and decided you didn't like it, I imagine its resale value would be relatively decent. Keep the original packaging.

Easy Peasy

Thank you all. I did go to my LBS and tried a Selle saddle that was recommended. It felt good testing it around the shop - the smaller footprint did away with the pinching and chafing immediately. However, after taking it home and going on a family ride of about 5 miles, I found it much too hard, and there was too much pressure in the perineum. Next I took off my MTB's saddle, an old Trek gel saddle with an anatomic cut out section that always felt good on my MTB, and put it on my hybrid. (Don't know why I didn't think of that before). It made a huge improvement in riding comfort. The smaller footprint knocked out the pinching and chafing, and the gel padding provided enough cushioning for the upright position. So back to the LBS where I found a comparable gel saddle by Planet Bike and returned the Selle(which had a 120 day comfort guarantee). The new saddle feels even better than my MTB saddle, and I'm very pleased. Just amazing what a difference a saddle can make. I also understand now how difficult it is to recommend a saddle, because there are just so many individual variables to take into account. But I very much appreciate your inputs, especially the recommendation to just try out some saddles. It is nice to have a friendly LBS and a good return policy.

Btw, my new saddle is the Planet Bike A.R.S standard anatomic relief 5020. I just looked it up on Amazon, and it's got a lot of excellent reviews.

alan s 

Give the WTB Rocket V a try. Very popular for a reason . . . comfortable for a more upright riding position. Not too expensive of you shop around.