what is the best (comfortable) saddle for 20 to 30 mile rides?
 

i am trying to see what the best seat is. any ideas? i just got the bianchi veloce and i am thinking about getting a good seat that wont hurt.

Well... for me it's a B17.

Don't even need padded spandex when my butt is planted on broken in leather.

Saddles are a very personal thing and what one person finds comfortable may be uncomfortable to another. Having said that, I would recommend you take a look at Brooks saddles. Wallbike.com has a great 6 month return policy on their Brooks so if you don't like it, etc., you can get a full refund within the 6 months.

I'm giving it a lot of thought, here and there. What do you think of the sprung models?

Can't say much about them as I have never tried the sprung models, though when I get a second bike I am planning on putting one on my mountain bike. I've tried the B17 (comfy, but too wide for me), the narrow version of the B17 (too narrow), and this week my Team Professional should arrive.

Oh. Thanks for reply, and not recommending something you haven't tried.

I not too long ago joined the cult of rabid Brooks worshipers. I'm of the opinion that my B17 is quite possibly the finest saddle ever created. Period.

It's the best for 1 mile rides, 20-30 mile rides, or 100 mile rides. Only one of my bikes has one, and I think I'll need to get one for my other bike...since it doesn't have a Brooks B17 on it I don't ride it much anymore.

All tails are different so no generalization is possible but the main thing is to get a seat that is the correct width for your seat bones. I am happy with my Terry Liberator seat.

Brooks are way over rated. I had one and sent it back. Look on ebay and try a few out. Its a cheap way to see what you like.

Brooks aren't for everyone, but they are not over rated. They have remained popular since the 1800's. What saddle do you have?

In my opinion, any saddle that's hard, smooth and has a central cut-out is a good saddle for any distance. If it's cheap, durable and stylish as well, that's a bonus.

If they make a Brooks with a cut-out, I might try one. Until then, no way.

I'm still trying to determine how a brooks replaces shorts with chamois. The chamois is not there for padding but to act as a second skin to eliminate\reduce friction related issues.
How does a brooks reduce or eliminate those issues? Especially when you put on a pair of cargo shorts with underwear?
I'm not knocking brooks. Just a simple question.

I think they are great for any distance ride. My experience is up to 160 km/day. On lots of my own bikes.
Brooks B66, Brooks B72, Brooks B73, Wrights W66

I also ride a Brooks. I agree that saddles are very personal. You need to try a few and decide exactly what you want it for (some bike shops have trial/loner programs) as if it is for short Crits, weight may be more of a priority than comfort (although I don't see how that could ever be). Although I don't hesitate to recommend a Brooks, if you are a racer, they can be added unnecessary weight. I am a clyde so it doesn't matter to me, what matters is what is comfortable as I am not getting paid to ride. I have tried others such as the Terry Fly and Selle Italias, Specialized Body Geometry models and none compare to my 33 year old Brooks Swallow. If/when I have to buy another saddle it will be a Brooks without hesitation. They are like a Magic trick (you can't beleive your eyes in that something so hard and flat can be so comfortable). I beleive it is because the leather breathes thatmakes them so comfortable and they only seem to get better as the time goes on and during hot long rides, become more complian throughtout the ride. I feel that the best saddle for 20-30 miles should also be the saddle that fits for 1 mile or a century. If it fits it fits for whatever distance you can handle.

They won't ever make a Brooks with a cut-out, because they don't need one. The design is as close to perfect as you can get. I used to ride a cut-out saddle and the Brooks puts 0 pressure on those parts when set properly. Even the cut out, had some pressure.

Brooks saddles are very smooth and there is virtually no friction. After getting used to my B17, I got a new Fuji and rode it with the stock saddle. It felt like I was riding velcro. I could hardly move around. There was tons of friction that just doesn't exist on the Brooks which was WAY more comfortable. My brooks is now on my new Fuji. My old MTB is now just sitting there with a naked seat post.

That makes sense. However, what about the friction created from the clothing?
I'm going off the original concept that having a brooks eliminates needing cycling shorts. In my mind the replacement for the cycling shorts could very well negate the benefit of a brooks.
Anyhow, I plan on picking one up the next time I replace my saddle. I still intend to use cycling shorts as well. I'm sure the distance I ride in regular shorts will increase with a brooks.

I doubt that riding in denim with tons of seams for 100 miles will ever be comfortable regardless of the saddle. In my experience, the brooks is best with minimal padding. It defeats the purpose of a firm saddle to put on really thick gel shorts. I do wear lycra cycling shorts with a very thin chamois and also cheapie X-mart tight cotton shorts. I have ridden for short periods with regular baggie shorts, but just don't like how they occasionally catch on the horn of the saddle.

Everyone is different, but most males would be happy with a Specialized Body Geometry saddle, or a clone of the Body Geometry sold by WTB, and other makers. Although soft cushy saddles feel good for a ride around the block, on a two hard ride, a firm saddle is more comfortable. A firm saddle puts your weight on the sitbones, and not on the soft stuff between the sitbones.

Most guys buy saddles that are too narrow, because they want the same saddle used by a 140 pound pro rider. A 200 pound "Joe Average" rider puts a wider, heavier burden on the saddle, and needs a saddle wide enough to support that burden.

Most new saddles feel uncomfortable for the first ten or twenty hours of riding. After that, you are more used to how the saddle feels, and the saddle is becoming a bit more used to you. Don't judge a saddle by the first day or two or riding it.

I was waiting for this very response. But I'll have to tell you it's nonsense. I've had a good look at a Brooks saddle (in a shop) and it was plainly obvious to me that it was very high up in the very section I need to have cut out. This isn't a matter of opinion - it's pure geometry. If there's ANYTHING there, I go numb. Simple as that.

Saddle without cut-out: Numb after 15 km.
Saddle with cut-out: No numbness even after 200 km.

I'm rather partial to my Selle Italia PROlink trans am. I didn't buy it for the cutout, but if that's the secret then it really works for me.

I also use a Brooks B-17. Best money I've ever spent. I had a saddle with a cutout, but the overall comfort I get from the Brooks doesn't come close to the other saddles I've tried. And I use padded shorts. As far as Brooks being overrated. Than statement can only come from someone who either didn't try it out, or perhaps didn't let it break in. Luckily right from the box mine has been fantastic.

Koobi
 

I love my Koobi PRS. It has the cutout and it is a little wider than the standard Selle Italia "racer" seat. It has been comfortable for me from the start with no break in. I like vibration dampening that it provides as well. I used to like the Selle Italia Trans Am Max, but they stopped making them so I switched to Koobi.

Call me a heretic but I think my gel cell is just fine for anything from 10-60 miles. Sixty miles is the furthest I have done. I just don't get the whole "sit bone" thing. The saddle is not as comfortable as advertised but it stays reasonably comfy for almost any length of ride.