Saddle preference
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 638
Likes: 22
From: Hawaii
Bikes: 2012 Switch Performance BlackSkin LE Urban, 2013 Leader 725, 1975 Fuji America, 1990 Giant Cadex 980c, 1986 Peugeot PH10LE, 1995 Trek 2120 Carbon ZX
I use a Fizik Volta R3 on my Cadex (is late 80's early 90's Vintage?). It's a modern saddle with elements of older classic saddles.
My other favorite saddle is the Selle San Marco Regale Carbon FX. Basically an updated San Marco Regal.
My other favorite saddle is the Selle San Marco Regale Carbon FX. Basically an updated San Marco Regal.
#3
The only saddles I have found, other than my Brooks, that I like are Selle Italia saddles. I have a Flight Gel Flow and a C2. Both are very comfortable.
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My bikes: 1970`s Roberts - 1981 Miyata 912 - 1980`s Ocshner (Chrome) - 1987 Schwinn Circuit - 1987 Schwinn Prologue - 1992 Schwinn Crosspoint - 1999 Schwinn Circuit - 2014 Cannondale Super Six EVO
My bikes: 1970`s Roberts - 1981 Miyata 912 - 1980`s Ocshner (Chrome) - 1987 Schwinn Circuit - 1987 Schwinn Prologue - 1992 Schwinn Crosspoint - 1999 Schwinn Circuit - 2014 Cannondale Super Six EVO
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 272
Likes: 2
6 Brooks - for the bikes that will never see the rain.
1 Fizik Antares Vs - for the century rides and those possible rain days
1 Selle Italia SL - just because I needed a white saddle to match a build
1 Tioga web saddle - for the bike on the trainer
1 cheap Forte' - for the grocery getter
1 Fizik Antares Vs - for the century rides and those possible rain days
1 Selle Italia SL - just because I needed a white saddle to match a build
1 Tioga web saddle - for the bike on the trainer
1 cheap Forte' - for the grocery getter
#6
Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 518
From: New Zealand
Bikes: Gunnar, Concorde, Peugeot 753, Marin, Pete Tansley, Rocky Mtn, Worldrider, Francis Quinlan, Bob Jackson, Winora, Avanti, Klein, Quintana Roo, Shogun, Carlton, Emmelle, Specialized
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 1
From: Northern San Diego
Bikes: mid 1980s De Rosa SL, 1985 Tommasini Super Prestige all Campy SR, 1992 Paramount PDG Series 7, 1997 Lemond Zurich, 1998 Trek Y-foil, 2006 Schwinn Super Sport GS, 2006 Specialized Hardrock Sport
My 4 main rides have on them:
1) a Brooks Swift Ti - this is my best saddle, but it's not light, and it's also my most expensive
2) an Ideale 80 - I've had this for 36 years, on 3 different bikes over that time, and it is perfectly molded to my butt.
3) a Selle Italia Turbo - Good, but not as comfortable as the two tensioned leather saddles above.
4) a Fizik Antares - manganese. This is my lightest saddle. I just got it, so I can't speak to how I like it for more than a short ride thus far.
1) a Brooks Swift Ti - this is my best saddle, but it's not light, and it's also my most expensive
2) an Ideale 80 - I've had this for 36 years, on 3 different bikes over that time, and it is perfectly molded to my butt.
3) a Selle Italia Turbo - Good, but not as comfortable as the two tensioned leather saddles above.
4) a Fizik Antares - manganese. This is my lightest saddle. I just got it, so I can't speak to how I like it for more than a short ride thus far.
#11
I AM AI
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,285
Likes: 1,160
From: Tucson, AZ
Bikes: 2008 S-Works Roubaix SL, 1979 Raleigh Comp GS, 1978 Schwinn Volare
San Marco Regal here. Great look, very comfortable.
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
#12
Senior Member


Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,951
Likes: 688
From: Port Angeles, WA
Bikes: A green one, "Ragleigh," or something.
Brooks (Professional x4), Brooks (B17 x2). Brooks (B67) Unicanitor (x2) and a whole bunch of saddles that are copies of either Brooks' or Unicanitors.
I've got a pretty good stock of Selle Anatomicas, Flites, and other padded saddles, but I never ride them anymore. I should put them all up in the FS subforum.
I've got a pretty good stock of Selle Anatomicas, Flites, and other padded saddles, but I never ride them anymore. I should put them all up in the FS subforum.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
#13
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 671
Likes: 252
From: Burnaby,B.C., Canada
Bikes: 1970 Gitane TDF; 1985 Norco Magnum GT ; 2013 Rawland Stag ; 1981 Fuji 650b; 2004 Kona Caldera; 1976 Apollo MK V
I have three bikes fitted with Brooks saddles - two B17S and a Professional as well as an Ideale 80 on the '52 Urago, I have to admit that after being spoiled by wide 650b tires the 21mm tubular tires on the Urago are not very comfortable for the short ride I took recently so I might eventually try some Challenge Eroicas in 32mm. As a very occasional rider it may not be worth the expense - anyone know where the best deals for these are or something at least 25mm that is decent?
Last edited by VintageRide; 04-26-15 at 08:54 PM.
#15
Banned.
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 29
From: on the beach
Bikes: '73 falcon sr, '76 grand record, '84 davidson
this is my new favorite, the 'nidd' from spa cycles in the uk.

it's hard and stays hard for my pleasure.
seriously, my brooks b17 saddles (and i have three reatively new ones) aren't hard enough after only a few months use. i need to learn how to lace their skirts. maybe i'll take them to a cobbler.

it's hard and stays hard for my pleasure.
seriously, my brooks b17 saddles (and i have three reatively new ones) aren't hard enough after only a few months use. i need to learn how to lace their skirts. maybe i'll take them to a cobbler.
#18
Still learning

Joined: May 2012
Posts: 11,529
Likes: 87
From: North of Canada, Adirondacks
Bikes: Still a garage full
My large derrière seems to be brand agnostic, as long as it is not a cheaply made vinyl covered saddle.
If I have to buy a new saddle, it is usually a Brooks B-17. I like the Avocet Touring a great deal too. My bikes also are fitted with Concor, Vetta, Selle, and Flite as well.
If I have to buy a new saddle, it is usually a Brooks B-17. I like the Avocet Touring a great deal too. My bikes also are fitted with Concor, Vetta, Selle, and Flite as well.
Last edited by oddjob2; 04-25-15 at 08:52 AM.
#19
Senior Member


Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,399
Likes: 1,572
From: Near Pottstown, PA: 30 miles NW of Philadelphia
Bikes: 2 Trek Mtn, Cannondale R600 road, 6 vintage road bikes
My 95 Trek ZX7000 came to me with a Vetta TT Tri-shock. I replaced the vinyl cover with leather and found it very comfortable (5'11", 155 #). After I got my Cannondale CAAD3 R600 I got another Tri-shock (for free due to some damage) and recovered that. Very comfortable for me. I now have 4 of them and just found a 5th. They seem to be discards and end up in bone piles. I find them easy to recover in leather and they look great. They just suit me.
My '80 Nishiki International came with a Vetta Anatomic (yellow!!) and it's also very comfortable so will stay on that bike. Did 53 miles on that yesterday with no complaints. I now have a very nice late '60s Wrights W3N which has been on the trainer mounted Moto all winter. Its comfortable but not more so than the Vetta's so I've not moved it. I should put it on the open road but the Tri-shocks are just right and lighter so I drag my feet.
I have found that even the Tri-shocks varied a bit in stiffness and long haul comfort. But for the price ($0 to $5) I can experiment and use the best ones the most.
My '80 Nishiki International came with a Vetta Anatomic (yellow!!) and it's also very comfortable so will stay on that bike. Did 53 miles on that yesterday with no complaints. I now have a very nice late '60s Wrights W3N which has been on the trainer mounted Moto all winter. Its comfortable but not more so than the Vetta's so I've not moved it. I should put it on the open road but the Tri-shocks are just right and lighter so I drag my feet.
I have found that even the Tri-shocks varied a bit in stiffness and long haul comfort. But for the price ($0 to $5) I can experiment and use the best ones the most.
#20
I have a Fizik Aliante VS on my 650c bike that original had a repop Regal but just didn't fly with my behind.
Then two SSM Rolls on my Paramount and my Cannondale.
A cinelli unicanitor buffalo hide that's padded on my Guerciotti which surprisingly is working pretty good for how slim it is.
Then a Vetta TT Trishock on my Schwinn walmart klunker bike.
Then two SSM Rolls on my Paramount and my Cannondale.
A cinelli unicanitor buffalo hide that's padded on my Guerciotti which surprisingly is working pretty good for how slim it is.
Then a Vetta TT Trishock on my Schwinn walmart klunker bike.
#21
Extraordinary Magnitude


Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 14,080
Likes: 2,134
From: Waukesha WI
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
It's kind of nutty how Brooks are THE saddle.
I dragged my feet on getting a Brooks for a long time. Prior to getting a Brooks, my favorite was a San Marco Touring saddle. They seem to have only been specced on a couple of bikes in 1985- otherwise... nowhere else. It's a comfortable saddle, and the big drawback to it is that it's got no bag loops.

Otherwise I also REALLY like the ubiquitous Avocet Touring II saddle. They're comfortable, relatively lightweight, they have bag loops, look "classic" probably because they were specced on SO many bikes in the 70s and 80s.


However, my favorite saddles are now my Brooks. My favorite is the Cambium, and I also have a B17. After dragging my feet for years, for not wanting to follow the "hype" about the B17 and whatever- it's just so universal about how people rave about these saddles, but they haven't been specced on a bike in 30 years. Last summer I got a B17. After a really short period of trying not to like it I REALLY liked it. More than my favorite saddles. Within a couple of months (probably weeks) based in great part due to [MENTION=201510]AZORCH[/MENTION] 's blog, I got a Cambium- and it's even better than the B17. It doesn't have the classic look- but it's... well... badass.


I dragged my feet on getting a Brooks for a long time. Prior to getting a Brooks, my favorite was a San Marco Touring saddle. They seem to have only been specced on a couple of bikes in 1985- otherwise... nowhere else. It's a comfortable saddle, and the big drawback to it is that it's got no bag loops.

Otherwise I also REALLY like the ubiquitous Avocet Touring II saddle. They're comfortable, relatively lightweight, they have bag loops, look "classic" probably because they were specced on SO many bikes in the 70s and 80s.


However, my favorite saddles are now my Brooks. My favorite is the Cambium, and I also have a B17. After dragging my feet for years, for not wanting to follow the "hype" about the B17 and whatever- it's just so universal about how people rave about these saddles, but they haven't been specced on a bike in 30 years. Last summer I got a B17. After a really short period of trying not to like it I REALLY liked it. More than my favorite saddles. Within a couple of months (probably weeks) based in great part due to [MENTION=201510]AZORCH[/MENTION] 's blog, I got a Cambium- and it's even better than the B17. It doesn't have the classic look- but it's... well... badass.


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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
#22
Senior Member



Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 434
From: Niagara Region, Canada
Bikes: 1970s Alex Singer, 1960s Peugeot PX 10, 1960s Bertin C37, 1973 Carre Bertin C 37, 1972 Carlton Kermesse, 1981 Peugeot PX 14 Super Competition
RAMJ84-
B 17 Select on my 1960s Bertin C 37 and a 1970 Brooks Pro on my 1970s Bertin C 37.
B 17 Select on my 1960s Bertin C 37 and a 1970 Brooks Pro on my 1970s Bertin C 37.
#23
I like the looks of the old Turbos, and they are period correct for most of my rides, but I find them to be a$$ hatchets for more than short rides. My sit bones love Specialized Rivas in 143mm, so that's what I prefer now. I'd like to try a Brooks someday.
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2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
#24
Senior Member


Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,136
Likes: 875
Bikes: too many sparkly Italians, some sweet Americans and a couple interesting Japanese
I find Brooks B-17 too wide but the Swallow perfect, now also am running a C-15 not C-17 with great success on a non-C&V. Other C&V I am very happy with are San Marco Concor and Regal, Selle Italia Turbo and a vintage Flight on a borderline C&V. If I considered ever doing a century again it would be on the Concor.
#25
Old fart



Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,324
Likes: 5,235
From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
At present, I have 3 Brooks Professionals, a Brooks B-66, an Ideale mod. 90, an Ideale mod. 92, a Selle Italia Turbo, and an Avocet Racing III mounted on bikes.




