scale

So im in the market for a new saddle. IM sure i want one with the channel because last season my tail bone really complained after 10+ mile rides.

where can you test ride a decent range of saddles to pick one you like? Most shops around here carry one or 2 brands and that is it. id like to try Fizik, Koobi, WTB which is pretty common and maybe Terry Fly?

I know they really dont break in for a few hundred miles so a purchase is almost a must id imagine. It is too bad some of these companies dont have loaners like bowling shoes hell they cant cost more than a few bucks to made and most are mass made. id be nice to contact the manufacture and just get loaner for 30 days but im sure that is wishfull thinking....

It could be the netflix of the bike seat world. Heck....it sure would allow people to find a perfect fit and buy the correct thing the first time around. I have no problem spending 100 bucks but it damn well better fit and last for that money. If i could find the perfect saddle....id buy one for all my bikes and call it done.

TheBugGuy

What's your LBS selection like? (Not just saddles, but shops.) Any good shop should carry quite a selection, and in any good market, there's more than one shop.

At least one LBS here has a "saddle sizer" -- you sit on it and it measures the distance between your sitbones to find out what size saddle would fit you best. You can work from there to find a specific model. Also, any good LBS ought to have staff that can help you find the right saddle.

Considering the materials alone with higher-end saddles, I have a hard time believing that statement.

gascostalot

A chunk of plastic and titanium? Yeah probably only costs them 20-30 bucks to make.

srmach05

You could try ordering them through REI.com (or get them at a local REI if there's one in your area). They have a 100% satisfaction guaranteed policy, if you don't like the seat, just return it and order a different one. Only downside is that they have a somewhat limited selection.

Wordbiker

Selle Italia and WTB both offer a saddle loaner program to shops.

They sell a discounted and basic selection of all their shapes that the shop can loan to you until you decide which shape works best, then you can buy any quality level you like, add ti rails, leather or vinyl, etc.

Call around to see if any of your local shops offer the program and what their policies are. Some shops offer an exchange for saddles whether they use these programs or not.

Thulsadoom

You're thinking of leather saddles.(Brooks and the like) The saddles you mentioned don't need any break-in time. It might take a few rides to decide if it's for you, but the saddle itself doesn't need to break in.

I don't believe that there is any perfect saddle. There is always a trade-off.

Performance bike has a 100% guarantee, and a relatively large number of saddles. I've never tested it out though.

Exit.

I got the Nashbar Race saddle, and I can't say there's anything I'd change about it. It fits my butt comfortably, has Ti rails, a snappy looking cover, and is pretty damn light.