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Any opinions on this super-cheap saddle with great reviews on amazon?

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Any opinions on this super-cheap saddle with great reviews on amazon?

Old 03-05-15, 01:26 PM
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Any opinions on this super-cheap saddle with great reviews on amazon?

In particular the top review resonates with me because I'm having a hard time finding a saddle that actually rests on my sitbones.

https://www.amazon.com/Bicycle-Cyclin...5P589CZZBM3Y2J
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Old 03-05-15, 01:36 PM
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Saddles are personal choices and what works for you may be a torture test for someone else. Still I'd give this a pass as I'm a little skeptical of the build quality. I could be wrong but it is a no name saddle.

Try one of the wilderness trail bicycle saddles. There are plenty of different models to choose from and you can pick out one that you think you'd like. Just don't be surprised that after an honest period of trying it out, you don't like it and need to move on. The advantage of a wtb saddle is that they aren't crazy expensive so you don't lose a lot if you hate it. Plus if you like it, they make higher end models if you decide your tush needs something expensive to keep it happy.

I like this saddle, Amazon.com : WTB Speed V Comp Bicycle Saddle (Black) : Bike Saddles And Seats : Sports & Outdoors

YMMV. Just keep it inexpensive because whatever you buy, you may hate it.
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Old 03-05-15, 01:48 PM
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I have no direct advice, but my philosophy on saddles is that others' opinions aren't really worth much because they're so personal. For that price, you should just buy it and try it.

FWIW: I've had good luck with inexpensive saddles. Performance used to sell a saddle called the E3 Form (in two versions) for very cheap. The saddle is good quality, intelligently designed, and pretty lightweight. It turned out to be my favorite saddle, by far, of about 15 that I've tried over the years. I always mention this for saddle discussions, but never "recommend" it except as something to consider. My preference has absolutely no bearing on someone else's.

I bought it to try it just because it was cheap and Performance has a good return policy. I like it so much, it's on every bike I have and I even have a spare. I played Ebay for a while to amass my stash after they quit making them.

Not to be a shill, but the saddle has been resurected (same design and quality, different graphics) as the Kontact in the ~$100 price range. Still an excellent value at that price and if my E3 stockpile runs out, I'll gladly pay the price, unless I happen onto something I like more. In that regard, every time I rent a bike (2-3 times per year), I always spend the first day riding on whatever saddle comes on the bike, but also bring my own saddle to use in case the rental's saddle isn't comfortable. I've found saddles I seem to like about the same, but none that seem to be better.

Nothing more important than saddles, and nothing that is more personal to judge.

Last edited by Camilo; 03-05-15 at 01:52 PM.
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Old 03-05-15, 01:56 PM
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Originally Posted by bikemig
Saddles are personal choices and what works for you may be a torture test for someone else. Still I'd give this a pass as I'm a little skeptical of the build quality. I could be wrong but it is a no name saddle.

Try one of the wilderness trail bicycle saddles. There are plenty of different models to choose from and you can pick out one that you think you'd like. Just don't be surprised that after an honest period of trying it out, you don't like it and need to move on. The advantage of a wtb saddle is that they aren't crazy expensive so you don't lose a lot if you hate it. Plus if you like it, they make higher end models if you decide your tush needs something expensive to keep it happy.

I like this saddle, Amazon.com : WTB Speed V Comp Bicycle Saddle (Black) : Bike Saddles And Seats : Sports & Outdoors

YMMV. Just keep it inexpensive because whatever you buy, you may hate it.
I picked up a WTB speed V for my trek hybrid, and it just hasn't fit me well. If I'm back on the saddle far enough to put pressure on my sit bones, it puts pressure on my inner thigh that actually starts to make my legs numb on longer rides.
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Old 03-05-15, 11:51 PM
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Try and find a local shop with a saddle test library/program. Then you can try out a bunch of test saddles at minimal cost. Another tactic is too but cheap used saddles on eBay. You can often sell them for what you paid.

I agree that saddle preference is highly individual; what I love, you may hate.

To directly address the original question, I have no experience with the Vader, but a friend of mine says it's the most comfortable saddle he's ever had.
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Old 03-06-15, 12:10 AM
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All the above being true, that looks like a very good saddle to me. It seems to have every thing, shape-wise, that I look for in a saddle. It doesn't come in a variety of widths, so that may be an issue for anyone. The price is unbeatable, but it doesn't sound very durable. Might work fine, though. And for the price, who cares?
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Old 03-06-15, 10:56 AM
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you picture seems to show a down on the drop bar race bike type saddle .. that your riding posture?

If you go to a Bike Shop You can Test sit on the saddles before you Buy them .. and there are Take-offs that are New ,

but removed at point of Purchase when new bike it was on was sold. they're cheaper that way..
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Old 03-06-15, 10:07 PM
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Originally Posted by fietsbob
you picture seems to show a down on the drop bar race bike type saddle .. that your riding posture?

If you go to a Bike Shop You can Test sit on the saddles before you Buy them .. and there are Take-offs that are New ,

but removed at point of Purchase when new bike it was on was sold. they're cheaper that way..
Last time I asked for saddle recommendations online someone told me that I would be able to test-sit saddles at the local bike shops. All of the shops looked at me like I was crazy when I asked about it.
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Old 03-07-15, 10:06 AM
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Too Upscale ?

They have a stairway to the office.. at the LBS .. you can take a saddle off the wall, hangtag still in place, and set it on a step or a chair & do a Test squat.
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