djgonzo007

I need to upgrade the saddle on my D7. I'm used to road saddles and currently have a Specialized Toupe on my road bike.

My commute to work is around 7-9miles depending upon the route I choose. While the stock saddle is comfy cruising around the neighborhood, it doesn't cut it on longer rides.

What are you guys using?

bicycleflyer

Saddles are a highly personal choice... as personal as the underwear you choose.

Try the saddle that you like already on the road bike. That is what I did, my road bike, fixie, and Bike-Friday all have the same kind of saddle.

djgonzo007

I agree however my road saddle isn't comfortable unless I'm wearing my bibs. I think I'll need something with a bit more padding.

kamtsa

Brooks saddles such has B17 have very good reviews in general.

https://www.wallbike.com gives a 6 month trial period.

You may want to research more about it.

Kam

yangmusa

I don't think padded saddles aren't generally much good for longer distances, though as someone else said - saddles are a very personal choice.

Could it be that you are seated more upright on your folder? If so, you probably want a slightly wider saddle than on your road bike, as more of your weight will be on your sit bones.

(I also happen to like the Brooks B17 a lot. Currently my folder has a Charge Spoon on, which lives up to all the good reviews so far and was good value... They have it at Wiggle, and more awards listed there too)

badmother

Let us see a picture of your bike with seat and bars in the right height for you. Makes it easyer.

Padding is seldom the solution. I`we got different Brooks for different bikes, but the "allrounder" is B17.

A lot of peopel say they do not need bibs when using a Brooks (this is why us Fred`s can ride in any type of trousers).

chagzuki

I've been using an SDG Bel-Air SL for a while and like it. It's I-Beam, though they do make railed saddles also. It's thin and light but with a wide back area that has a fair amount of flex to take the sting out of the ride. If I could afford it I'd switch to the Formula FX version.

makingmark

If you commute in regular clothes, I cannot recommend any Brooks saddles. My personal experience is that they will get dye on your clothes if you sweat. I have posted about this elsewhere and some claim that they've never had this problem. All I can say is that a) I have and b) recent email correspondence with a Brooks England employee confirm that it can happen, it's not the result of "defective" saddles, and that the undyed "Aged" saddles can actually be worse in this regard.

I recently put a Specialized Expedition Plus, $40, on my Strida. I don't particularly care for the padding, but it is more comfortable for what I believe to be two reasons: 1. wider - Strida has a very upright riding position and 2. sprung seat.

Your Dahon may not have as upright a position - for that you might wish to try the regular Expedition at about $35.

Sammyboy

I've got a Brooks and don't have this problem, but I believe those who say they have. For comfort, Brooks wins for me.

kamtsa

What is the color of your Brooks, black or honey?

This is why Sheldon recommended using black shorts in this article https://www.sheldonbrown.com/leather.html

The article does not make it clear though if honey colored Brooks saddles also have this problem. My LBS carries black B17 but I decided to place an Internet order for a honey color, just for this reason.

Kam

folder fanatic

Not only I agree to the above, but I wish to add that one should not pay much attention to what others choose on their bikes. I only suggest that you should treat a saddle (or anything else that needs to be fitted) like choosing a pair of shoes. Look for width, shape, and even style over anything else frivolous like padding or color.

My saddles were selected for a little more width in the rear, rear springs and very thinly padded. I find that most females (and even some males) require this. The brands I favor are the Electra and the Nirve cruiser saddles which are rather inexpensive and durable. See more photos on my original Flickr site listed below:

NormanF

Brooks B-66 on a Raleigh Twenty.

FantasyFreddy

Just got a Cloud 9 w/ rubber "springs" w/ gel seat which is very cushy. The horn is a little wider than i'd like, though. might return it. might not. Very comfortable besides wide "horn", which might not bother you at all. There are a few "hornless" seats out there too, which I have not tried, but might. We shall see.

badmother

Too much gel is not good. Feels nice and soft on short rides but then turns against you.

You are supposed to sit on your sitbones, That is what they are for. If you sit on a firm saddle with springs you get suspension and comfort.

If you sit on a gel saddle w or wo springs your sitbones sinks into the gel. The soft area (on your body) around and in front of the sitbones therefor get preassure from the gel pushing upwards (since the sitbones are sinking in). After a short time this starts giving you pain since this area is not ment for such preassure.

A lot of peopel think the pain is becouse the saddle is not soft enogh and they buy a softer gel seat, or a gel seat cover.

itsmoot

If you like their Toupe, you may like a Milano for more upright positions. Not expensive and not cheaply built either. Available from Specialized or sometimes found on eBay.

brommie

It's so personal...

This is my wife's choise
https://www.flickr.com/photos/plooifiets/3665883547/

and this was mine
https://www.flickr.com/photos/plooifiets/3064519098/

and I find this one the best for me, until now
https://www.flickr.com/photos/plooifiets/3439477760/

It's the second version of my first one.

Jos

KitN

My saddle of choice is a Brooks B17. My backside approves!

kamtsa

300 miles ago I switched from Brooks B17 (very good saddle) to Adamo Typhoon. It really helps with the blood flow in that area.

Kam

Joako

Try a charge spoon saddle. Pretty good reviews and inexpensive. The issue is being able to get one in the US, as they fly off the shelves and it takes weeks to get them back in stock.