hmai18

There are a lot of saddle options out there, and I know that saddles preferences vary from one person to the next, but is there any consensus on the need for a cutout in the perinal region to relieve numbness or to prevent long-term damage to the boys? I'm 20 and plan to be riding for a long time into the future. Is the cutout necessary, or just hype? I mean, riders have been using "regular" saddles for decades. I ride using proper bike shorts with a pretty plush chamois; will that be enough?

I've been looking at the Selle Italia SLR series and am trying to decide whether to get a regular SLR, an SLR XP or the SLR Gel Flow. I've also been thinking about the Fizik saddles, and while they have the split at the back and some other technology in the saddle, none of them offer the cutout. I've thought about the Specialized Avatar/Alias saddles, but think they may be too heavy for my tastes. The worst thing about saddle shopping is that I doubt many shops will let you try a saddle for a period of time before committing to the purchase, and with saddles going for $100 a pop, experimentation can get pretty expensive.

DXchulo

I've had both kinds. With my cutout saddle, to be quite honest, I couldn't even feel a difference. It didn't really feel any better to me than a nice saddle without a cutout.

I would say pay more attention to things like stiffness, width, overall shape, and things like that. You don't need a cutout to be comfortable. Just find a saddle that fits you perfectly and trust me, you won't care if it's there or not.

Steelrider

Saddles are a crapshoot. Try searching the forum and you'll find lots on this subject. I've been riding a Selle San Marco Rolls (definitely no cut-out) for 15+ years and it's been great. Got a new bike and the Rolls looks a little "old school" for it, but comfort is king. You just have to do your own research and figure out what the best odds are, maybe factoring in the "they can't all be wrong" theory regarding the most popular saddles, and take the leap. I did that with the Rolls and haven't regretted it. Some pro stage racers still insist on using that saddle. Will likely try the Fizik Arione (no cut-out) as the next experiment on the newest bike. I work with a shop that will let me buy one and exchange if it doesn't work for me. About as far from an exact science as you can get when it comes to putting up the bucks without knowing things are going to work out. Good luck.

Dchiefransom

It will definitely make a difference. You can start riding a saddle without a cutout now, but you should figure out how much sex you're going to have in your entire life, and get it all out of the way in the next year or so.

Seriously, it all depends on how the saddle fits you, and the position it's in. I'm on my sixth saddle design now, and I think this is the one. I plan on stocking up on quite a few before next year's models change.

AEsco48

im also 20, rode MTB when i was 10ish....stopped and just started ridding again, father has a 17 year old bike with a nice san Marco saddle....but on rides over 15 miles i would get pain in the area btwn the anus and the base....went out and got a specialized body geometry saddle on ebay for like $30....no more pain...and this past week end i road 75 miles on sat and another 75 on sunday...defenitly go out and get a modern saddle...i would imagine that the saddles that dont have the cut out have less dense padding in the area in question.....b\c it is a fact damage can occure...

Rob944

The cut out made a difference for me. No cut out=numbness. Cut out= no numbness and comfort. I too have had very good luck with the Specialized Body Geometry saddles. I have them on both road bikes and the mtn.

hmai18

Thanks, keep that input coming, guys. I'm leaning towards the Selle Italia SLR gel flow right now. I may be vain, but it just looks sleeker than the Specialized BG saddles. I just need to find out if I can find a shop that will let me try it and exchange it if it doesn't work for me.

BigBrooklynLou

Saddles are a crapshoot. Some feel great, some feel like a** hachets.

Check out www.Koobi.com. Swear by them. I swap a Koobi between my Beater and my MTB. Just ordered their PRS for the road bike I'm piecing together (pics will follow). And yes, they have a nice wide cut-out.

Sigurdd50

Saddles
the harder the better

Buy a Brooks

gpelpel

I am on my 6th saddle (Specialized Alias 143) with a number 7 on back-order (Selle Italia Prolink Light). I first had a San Marco Rolls, then in order of use a Koobi Silver, a Fizik Arione, a Fizik Aliante. The Koobi was OK but I wanted to try the Arione that turned out to be very good on short distances but it was too narrow for me. The Aliante was also too narrow thus my purchase of the Specialized Alias 143. That one is so far very good, it seems hard at first but I like the width and the central opening. I have a 2005 Selle Italia Prolink Light on back-order at Performance that is also wide, has an opening, is made of leather, and is a bit lighter than the Alias. My final choice will be between the Alias and the Prolink.
Of all these saddles my favorites had the central opening, so I think it really makes a difference. Last month I rode a Century with the Aliante, after about 65 miles my bottom was hurting between the seatbones. The reason might only be the fact that the saddle was too narrow for me, but I also think a central cut-out might have prevented it.

KevRC4130

The Fizik Arione seems to be the saddle of choice right now, but it doesn't really have a cut out. Is this an exception, or could this lead to problems too?

Hanzo

The groove might be hype but I'm not taking any chances.

gcasillo

I have a Sella San Marco Aspide Arrowhead, and I like it so much, I got another for my commuter/tourer. Very hard (good thing) and no pain whatsoever in the perineal area. Good luck.

rhenriksen

I'd never done a training ride longer than 50 miles (one time), usually 20-30 on my '04 Trek 5000 w. stock saddle. It has a mild cutout. Didn't really have problems.

Then I rode the MS150 last weekend, and WOW - problems. I'm shopping for a new saddle.

skydive69

Here is my experience: I've been riding on a Specialized Alias, and it is totally comfortable. I just got my new bike, and had a Fizik Arione installed. At the end of my first ride, for the first time ever I had pain in the perenial area. During the fitting, that was an issue (pressure in the perenial area) when I got down on the aero bars. In fairness, the new bike is set up a bit more aggressively for racing, so it might be apples and oranges. I have riden long distances and raced the Alias, and it is a wonderful saddle. I hope that I am able to keep the Arione. I will get more perspective today - I am going to do an interval workout with it.

smoke

the cutout makes a big difference to me. about 6-8 years ago, for no reason i could figure, i started getting shooting pains up from my sit area. i mean, bad enough to lift me off the car seat. nothing helped, and i was about a week away from giving up cycling. then i put on a saddle with a cutout and, badda-bing, no more pain. at all. i now have koobi saddles on both my bikes. you want a trial period? you can only order it online at koobi.com, but they let you ride it for 30 days and will still take it as a return. you should have a really good idea by then if you like the saddle or not. it doesn't simply have a center cutout; it's split from near the back all the way to the front of the nose. and if you're worried about it coming apart, it's made for koobi by selle italia. my older one is over 4 years old, and going fine. if you don't have pain in the nether regions, i think the saddle is a matter of personal preference. pros ride saddles with no cutout, and they have lots of kids. but i need the pressure relief. no, i don't work for koobi, but they sure cured the stabbing pains i was getting

Trogon

Not for me.

I currently ride Ariones, Paves, Aliantes an SLR and a Flite. They all work just fine for me now that I've spent hours playing with fore-aft position, tilt and height.

In my experience, it's possible to make a saddle work via some time, thought and judicious engineering. A cut-out might be a shortcut to a faster solution, but I don't think they're a requirement. I sincerely doubt I could bring myself to ride one.

pstrauss

I changed my Fizik Arione because of numb groin Changing seat angle did not help. I just put on the San Marco composite aspide. Despite being just a carbon shell and "looking" uncomfortable I really like the saddle. It has a groove and it makes a world of difference

lotek 

I've had both. I bought a trans am when I was testing various saddles.
I felt the trans am was comfortable but I felt alot of pressure just
around the cutout. After considerable thought I bought a Brooks
B17, comfortable right out of the box.
I then bought a Brooks Team pro. Took some breaking in but also
comfortable.
Do I think cutout/channeled saddles work? yes
But I think that if the saddle doesn't give under the sit bones
(excessively?) a cutout/channel isn't needed.

YMMV
Marty

rule

LOL! I have tried some cutout saddles that were worse than sitting on a slab of marble. About the only thing that I have learned otherwise is that for me, no cutout doesn't work well either on longer rides, even the Arione which comes as close as any non-cutout saddle that I have tried.

FOR ME...the Specialized Body Geometry saddles work really well. I have an Avatar on my plush bike and an Alias on my racer. It is night and day riding those saddles for me compared to any other. Go figure.

Boogs

A cutout definitely made a difference for me.

hmai18

What are some of the lighter weight options out there? I know of the various Selle Italia Flow models, the San Marco Aspide, was taking a look at the Koobi Xenon, and of course the BG Alias. Any other recommendations?

jazzy_cyclist

This season I've been using a Specialized BG Avatar 143; I really like it so far...

puregsr

I'm also looking for a saddle. Keep the comments coming.

hmai18

Holy thread resurrection, Batman!

I ended up with an Arione. The most important thing is getting a saddle that's wide enough to support your sitbones. If it isn't, your soft tissue will end up supporting all of your body weight and that's a no-no. I had an SLR Gel Flow with cutout before the Arione, but didn't find it that comfortable.