Originally Posted by
printgoon
Are most of the larger riders, over 275, using stock saddles or have you found the need for upgrades? I am uncomfortable on my current saddle. 100lbs ago the seat worked fine now not so much. I am looking for something that doesn't make me numb after 1/2 hour or to sore to ride without a week long break. I still have the memory of soreness from when I rode 200 miles a week(20 years ago) and just thought "tough it out you wimp." I do not want to tough it out but I also want to avoid a cruiser seat with springs hanging below. Any ideas?
I started cycling weighing somewhere around 280 (higher, but I'm never sure just how much higher, I think 290-something) and just used the stock saddle. Now I'm about 250 (although a lot of weight has shifted from my middle to my leg muscles) and still use the stock saddle.
Have you tried adjusting the saddle? I assume "100lbs ago" means you used to be 100lbs heavier than you currently are, and losing that much weight will change your body shape in ways that might warrant a saddle readjustment. If you're getting numb then depending on just what parts are getting numb it may be you've shifted riding position so your weight is supported differently. That might mean you need a new saddle, it might mean you just need to reposition your existing one.
Sometimes a saddle position can work for a short ride but not for a longer ride. I recently fiddled with my saddle position, took it for a 25 mile ride, and everything seemed fine. Then when I did a 200k brevet I got about 30 miles in before it felt like almost my entire body weight was pressing on my testicles. A quick tweak to drop the nose of the saddle about 1/4" and everything was fine again.