munkeyfish 

Let me start by saying, I'm still very new!! And I'm a big guy at 6'6" and over 300lbs. And just back to riding.

I have a 2016 Specialized Crosstrail Disc. The stock saddle is very uncomfortable, a friend at work recommended one of those big cushy Cloud 9 cruiser sets, and I got the biggest one with a vent in the middle. It does feel much better than the stock one, but I'm wondering if this it the correct route to go?

I've been reading that these saddles are butkas when it comes to any serious long rides. I'm not up to serious long rides yet, but I'm planning on doing way more. I'm only up to about 4,5 miles a stretch so far. But I'm working on able to do 20+ mile trips to the store on weekends and 5-10 fun/fitness or more on weekdays. (I know I'll do more once I get in better shape)

I've done a lot of reading on saddles, but I'm not seeing anything Clyde specific. Any tips/direction to help get it right would be much appreciated. I see the prices are all over from low as $20 to over $1k, and I really don't have the resources to buy and try a ton of saddles.

Bikedud

A few things that might be helpful; The more body tissue that comes in contact with the surface of the saddle, the more chance there is for friction/irritation from the saddle coming in connect with that body tissue. Larger is not always better. The way the saddle fits your bottom, and how you sit on the bike (how much weight you have on your bottom) are extremely important factors. One problem with the larger Cloud 9 saddles is the nose is very large which increases the chance of irritation on the inside of your thighs as you pedal. My experience is that you are correct, the large saddles are comfortable for shorter trips, but can be problematic for anything more than a few minutes on the saddle. Something like the Planet bike ARS Classic ($30-$40) is often a good compromise. As far as your weight being an issue, I can only speculate that the saddle may not last quite as long as it would with someone who is lighter.

IAMAMRA

I recommend going to your LBS(Local bike shop) and having your seat bones measured. Any decent LBS will let you try out some saddles as well(bring your bike) and will find you one that works for you!

MRT2

Saddles are personal. I like the Brooks B17. YMMV

StephenH

My Saddle Talk:
I got a $100 mountain bike, and the saddle on it was little and felt like sitting on a 2x4. So I bought the $20 cruiser saddle and all was well.
Then I got my Worksman Cruiser, which came with the cruiser saddle, and all was well.
Then I got my Raleigh Sojourn, which came with a Brooks pre-aged leather saddle. And by golly, that thing was comfortable from the getgo and it's not anything like a cruiser saddle. So deduction: That first saddle was uncomfortable because it was a piece of crap, not because it was little.
Newest revelation: My Specialized Venge came with a hard plasticky saddle that didn't feel too comfortable after 30 miles or so. Until I rode it 150 miles, that is, and discovered it was actually comfortable all day.
Anyway, if you've got a cruiser saddle and it works, no reason to change, but that doesn't mean it's the only thing you'll be comfortable on, either.

McBTC

Everyone probably has stories of a magic saddle. I've owned two and too many others to count. I had a nutty saddle on a tour once that was perfect but only for the first 20 miles and then agony-- every day for about 10 days and hundreds of miles the same thing: great but only for the first 20. Overall, I've become a fan of either having the split or riding a hard saddle that has you up on ischial tuberosities (sit bones)-- my current saddle has both: a split and comparatively hard.

Flatbroke

Hot damn I'm tired of numb nuts after 15 minutes on the seat

Just ordered the planet bike ARS seat for my hybrid when I ride with the wife tooling around the hood

And a selle pro
And a selle trk
Would have ordered an evolution too but they are sold out.
Didn't want to spend that much but i want to end the search
Probably going to buy a brooks if these don't pass muster

GerryinHouston

No wonder about the Flatbroke moniker...

Anyway, I can imagine a Brooks Saddles along the lines of the old Fram filters commercial...


"You can pay me now, or you can pay me later"

Flatbroke

I know right! Sure wish I got the lite 209 as well

sdmc530

yep, go to the shop and get measured! Great advice. I like cut out saddles because they "feel" like the have less pressure in the sensitive areas. I have a Specialized Taupe saddle and really like it. Paid $100 for it and was my 3rd saddle I gave a try too. Some shops have a ride and try program too. Find that if you have it in your area could save you lots of cash.

FrkYrPrk

My 2 cents: Check out ISM Adamo saddles - ugly but comfortable for me. I started with one on my TT bike, got another for the road bike.

StephenH

I've only occasionally had any personal numbness issues. But tilting the nose of the saddle down slightly can help with that, too.

Flatbroke

dropped it an RCH last night. Will find out today if it helped.

zappmann

+1 - I've got an ARS classic seat on my Marlin and it's fantastic.

dagray

Before you go buying a saddle get ye a good bike fit. Doing this will position you on the bike properly and will relieve pressure in some areas and maybe increase pressure in other areas.

Ride what you have after having a bike fit for a month, and then go saddle hunting. some bike stores have loaner saddles so you can find what works best for you.

I ride a Selle Italia "Flite" saddle (ass hatchet with cutout for the perenium), and am 6'3" and 354 pounds.

neilfein

Saddles are a very personal thing; you may have to try a bunch. I'm very happy with my Brooks B-17's, have them on two of my bikes. I'd get one for the mountain bike too if I ever rode it more than a few miles at a time. But they take some time to break in.

Just checking - you're using padded bike shorts, I hope? If not, Aerotech has amazing bib shorts and they're great for heavier riders.

jdw777

"Saddles are a very personal thing"

Agreed.

My used new bike had a Selle Italia Flite titanium on it. It was okay. Because I bought used (2000) and saved a ton of money, I've gone a little upgrade/change crazy and I'm trying out a Fizik Antares Versus X.

I found the seat choice guide fascinating at the Fizik site (can't post links yet) ended up choosing a Chameleon.

Peace o/

munkeyfish 

Nope, just regular workout shorts (knee length, draw string) with boxers. Got a lot to learn/get as time goes on.

zappmann

Those look really cool, but seem really thin

ClydeTim

4.5 miles ??? You need more saddle time to break in your butt!

Anything will be uncomfortable if you have not done the time on a bike. The more you ride, the better the saddle will feel as you develop the hiney for it.

Honestly, at this point, even a great saddle would probably hurt you some.

GET SOME BIKE SHORTS Even if they are mountain type bike shorts (with the baggy cargo shorts over the spandex for the casual look.

Also try some lube. Chamois cream or even a simple cold cream from Wally World helps on shorter rides to help avoid friction. Not a must but does help.

jdw777

^^^ +1 gsbs (get some bike shorts!)
$22 amazon to start with something on your bum

jdw777

bike seats are interesting accessories. imho you just need a seat that your butt bones like to sit occasionally.

way back when I mtb'd way too much I had a similar seat, my butt just seem to need a place to put the bones. I guess I could say I'm grateful I have a low maintenance butt haha

munkeyfish 

Well, I'm doing 7 to 8 working to 10 now. ( I'm the guy who had triple by-bass surgery almost 8 months ago, so any miles are good miles!)

My big issue is for sure, I have the wrong saddle. It is ok until about mile 5, then I find myself shifting around every 1/4 to 1/2 mile.

Plus now I think I messed up getting an adjustable stem to make it more upright so I would have less hand numbness, I don't think that was the correct cure. Sure, I have less numbness, but I don't feel I can ride as far more upright and I find it harder to keep my pace up. It seemed to me that I was going farther and farther before the numbness set in.

I think I'm going to put the original stem back on for now, and look for one that gives me just a bit more upward than stock. And maybe some Jones H Bars.

ClydeTim

I'm not condemning your mileage in no way. I don't know your situation.

My point is that even with a great saddle, your butt will hurt until you condition your butt as well.

munkeyfish 

I gotcha. And thanks for the pointers.

I see diagrams about sit bones and where they go on a saddle.... How does one figure out there own sit bones, for getting the correct saddle size?