Need help finding the correct original saddle
 

Hello all , I'm having no luck finding the exact original saddle for my old late 90's Specialized MTN bike . been a real pain communicating w ebay sellers for measurement confirmations. As seen in this pic the original is pretty battered. I'm finding some which look identical physically, in photos, but the couple sellers who have agreed to measure are not the same. .Getting kinda tired looking. My original saddle measures approximately 7" wide (190MM) x appox. 11" long. So I guess this means it's considered a 190MM saddle? Also trying to figure at what end of the hierarchy/cost spectrum this saddle was and what something comparable would be today? I'm bent on finding something relatively identical. BC it has been such a comfortable saddle. Edit; the algorithm wont allow me to post a photo until 10 posts. UGHH The original saddle is a Specialized Body Geometry gel. with long tapered V cutout /w beefy light gray plastic trim.and orange under side shell. EDIT#2; I'm finding lots of 150-168mm saddles. But none @190MM?

You'll need to link a photo of the saddle or at least the original bike.

Pic help:

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...90bf9d5c6d.jpg


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fa4a539e04.jpg


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...01f9fd7b3b.jpg

WHAT IN THE WORLD? Thanks so much Aubergine!

​​​​​​https://www.ebay.com/itm/38769432391...kaAvq4EALw_wcB

Those particular models were Specialized aftermarket saddles, not supplied on new bikes.
The newer-looking one could have been OEM from the late 1990's or so.

I thought I was seeing the aftermarket Specialized saddle on my Cannondale beater, a bike I've sold and bought back three times:

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f781d247e6.jpg

The newer saddle in the pic was one I purchased off the BAY, only going by the sellers provided pic.( no actual measurement) when I finally received the item was no where close in size to the original. ( no returns on 25.00 + shipping, Oh well.) 158mm vs. approximately 190mm. Seems these saddles were available in differing sizes/widths? Just purchased a Serfas deep grove design ,Reactive Gel saddle, turns out to be close in size, the same dimensions,( 11" long x 185mm wide .) Got it home, turns out to be a women's saddle.?? Not really what I was looking for . Not as slim or large V grove cut out as the original. Has a more conventional/standard look about it. Tried posting a pic. again won't post. Aubergine Please HELP! LOL

Some avid riders/pros seem to prefer considerably small slimmer saddles? Just got used to my old saddle. Nice thing I discovered , this SERFAAS saddle comes with a 90 day comfort guarantee. If not satisfied after using it, just return it. Not bad.. EDIT: Hard to believe some saddles go for 300.00 and above?

7" is actually just under 178mm.

what model Specialized MTB do you have?

90's HARDROCK. , Went back yesterday ,measured with a metric tape, came up with 190mm. Measured from the top

In the end the OEM or stock saddle never matters unless doing a non-riding display bike that needs to be period correct. In the end get a saddle that is comfortable for your rear end and your comfort. I find those heavily padded gel saddles to be quite the opposite of comfort because they offer soft padding which gives no support so you sink in and create pressure points and those pressure points equal pain. Also a super wide saddle will make it harder to pedal on a non-super upright bike and can cause chafing issues as well. A good saddle will support YOUR sit bones well and can have some padding but you want good firm padding and you might have to adjust it fore and aft, a few degrees of tilt or not and the height and then ride it for a while to get a real sense of things. A lot of people did like the old Spesh Body Geometry saddles but some of their new stuff is quite nice and my rear end happens to like Ergon quite a bit (also my hands prefer it) and the Brooks Cambium line has been my main saddle of comfort as it has flex instead of padding and is now fully waterproof and can look nice on some vintage bikes as well. However you might find something different.

craft If you get involved in the many currently active threads going on you will be able to post pictures (yourself) after another 5 posts. Plus you will get involved with a very awesome community of cyclists and bike enthusiasts from all over.

Your pics show up in the Gallery. Link is at the left hand top of the page, under the Bike Forums logo. Even if you can't post to the page, they show up there and one of the other members can copy them into a post. Unfortunately I can't find your most recent pic, but just hang on and get ten posts. This forum is worth it.

As for the women's saddle thing, don't sweat the label. What matters is whether it fits you well for the type of riding you do. A woman's saddle might be a bit wider than a man's saddle, and it may have a shorter nose. That's because in the old days a saddle with a long nose would snag on women's skirts . . . Which of course all self respecting females wore while riding bikes. Ahem.

In my case (old sagging female) I typically ride leaned forward on drop bar bikes, so I fit better on narrower saddles. I use both a modern "woman's" saddle on some bikes and "men's" leather saddles on others. They all are comfortable for my build and riding style. The label matters little.