man8502

Can you please recommend saddle for cyclocross (commuting)?

my current stock saddle gives me numbness on my critical area
So I have to stop often and relax to let the blood flow...

I heard Selle SMP is pretty good, light weight would be nice as well
Thanks!

prooftheory

Everybody's butt is different so the ideal saddle is different for different people. Find an LBS that will lend you demo seats.

chaadster

Yes, there's no telling which saddle will work for anyone until they use it, but I will say that I love my SMP Dynamic, and it completely resolved my numbness problem. Build quality is very good, and my white one is a synthetic leather that's durable but nonetheless feels and looks like leather. I have the steel rail version, which is fairly heavy and pretty expensive; carbon railed ones are reasonably light and very expensive!

2nd best thing about SMP 4Bike saddles-- the best being the lack of numbing-- is that they keep the crotch nice and cool in hot weather! The first time I rode it in the winter I almost literally froze my nuts off, which is a weird sensation, believe me!

LansingWes

You could just be having a fit issue, even a couple millimeters off can cause numbness. Try lowering your seatpost by 5mm and see if that makes a difference. If nothing else, making an adjustment costs nothing.

johnny99

I agree that saddle position (height and tilt) are more important problems than brand of saddle, unless your saddle is way too wide or way too narrow for your pedalling style.

Tim_Iowa

I hear lots of good things about Selle Anatomica. They have a huge "keystone" cutout to relieve perineal pressure.

Selle Anatomica - We make the world's most comfortable leather bicycle saddle. Period.
available around $110 online

I use Brooks B17's, but I don't have perineal pressure problems.

fietsbob

Noseless , go commando , and wear a Kilt.

prooftheory

Not entirely relevant but this gif has to go somewhere:

chaadster

Hmm, I don't really think I agree with that, and would generally say it makes more sense to find a seat that suits your fit, rather than fit yourself around the saddle...and for a lot of seasoned riders, doing the latter is a non-starter anyway.

J.C. Koto

If the stock saddle is soft and padded, that can cause a problem. Saddle padding, while comfy for shorter rides, poses real problems when riding longer since the padding pushes into the soft tissue of the perineum, which puts pressure on the nerves to the genitals.

Padding on sit-bone region is OK. Padding on the perineal region is not so good.

chaadster

Are you suggesting I could justify the purchase of one of these on "genital health" grounds?!!

Retro Grouch 

For me the solution to that problem was the "B" word. Brooks. YMMV.

Bandera

Although saddle preference is an intensely personal issue the most important aspect of both comfort & efficiency is to have a proper fit. Have that checked by an experienced coach or fitter before making random changes or hardware purchases.

A fit for racing cyclo-cross is not the same as for road riding, even if commuting, you'll need either/both positions checked out.

PS: Leave the word "Pen*s" out of future posts, WTF were you thinking?

-Bandera

gforeman 

Adamo Typhoon | Innovative SaddleMaker

Farmer Dave

I don't usually use a saddle, I just rock the seatpost.


(no but seriously try a brooks B17)

JanMM

I was pretty happy with WTB Rocket V Race saddles until I discovered recumbent bikes.

JanMM

'Less Pen*s Numbing Saddle Recommendation'

The actual medical terminology for this is NPS (Numb Pecker Syndrome).

a77impala

My solution is Brooks B17N, 2cm. narrower the B17.

cyclebee

I use both a moonsaddle and a spiderflex I like the moonsaddle a bit more both put zero pressure down there

erig007

Everybody is different. But i noticed some common ground among saddles that are usually rated comfy even though it depends on many factors: (Brooks, Terry, Specialized, SQ lab, noseless...)

-flat surface on tail and nose (leather on brooks saddles conform to the body so act pretty much like a flat area and spread pressure on a bigger surface)
-wider nose or noseless (depending on the riding position, sitbones width etc...)
-release pressure area (higher platform at the rear or hollow area)
-minimum padding
-materials that conduct heat and breath well (leather on brooks vs human skin)

my favorite saddle is sqlab 604 airflow for the moment, i'm waiting for a racier version that was on sale for a bargain to see where it goes

fietsbob

Actually the center slot punched in the Selle Anatomica, is more about having the 2 sections move with your leg , individually,
the slot closes up some when you sit on it. .

delcrossv

Good place for this:

fietsbob

standing up or just getting off the bike occasionally does wonders ..

nymtber

I like specialized BG saddles. They WORK well for me.

My exercise bike and its HUGE seat cause numbness.... but my tiny flat hard saddle does not! Most non-cyclists don't understand that!

skycomag

first make sure the saddle is wide enough to fit to your butt.
go to your lbs an have them measure your back end. some use a assometer, yes that's the name,
look for one that has a center cut out with a slight up turned nose. reliefs pressure in the perineal area.
I bought a zefal saddle, this one(Zefal Journey Bike Saddle Seat - Walmart.com )
from Wal-Mart for about $25.00.
no more numbness and no more pita problems.
I rode 40miles on it with 3 5-10 breaks and was comfortable.

best of luck to your backend and your man regions