LocoCycle

I am sure everyone would have an opnion on this. But I am looking to possibly upgrade to a new saddle over my stock seat. I was leaning towards a Gel seat. Any suggestions?

jaxgtr

type of bike???

Be aware softer is not better, also, make sure the saddle works for your sit bones. I found out I was riding a saddle that was too wide for my road bike, but worked perfect for my hybrid. I ride a WTB on my hybrid, but an Specialized Avatar on my road bike. The Avatar is a 143 and the WTB is 155. The avatar has probably seen it's better days, a little over 5 years old, and I will be getting something new at the end of the week or early next week. Looking at the Romin or the Toupe.

Butt, see what I did there, , but, each persons butt is different, so it may take a little trial and error.

bassjones

Don't do gel. They're horribly uncomfortable over more than 5-10 miles. The standard Clyde seat is a Brooks B17 or Selle Anatomica. The Selle is more expensive, but waterproof. What kind of bike? If a drop bar road bike, the B17 doesn't lend itself real well to the riding position, but there are narrower Brooks saddles for that, and the Selle is made for that.

jethro56 

I see you're not really a newbie with 4600 mile in so far. I will have 3 Brooks B17's when the third arrives (backordered). I'll venture to guess it's the most popular Clyde saddle. Gel = sales gimmick.

Yo Spiff

I ride a Brooks Team Pro on my road bike. Also have a Brooks Colt, which is similarly shaped. My utility bike (an old Trek MTB) has an artificial Terry™ saddle on it. It's actually a womens saddle, but out of everything in my junk box of saddles, it was the most comfortable. I'm not going to put a nice Brooks (that costs more than the bike) on my beater.

The nicely padded saddles on the spin bikes at the YMCA make my butt ache. So do the tractor seats on the recumbent excerycles. It's most definitely a matter of fit, NOT padding.

I used to have a B17 on my first Trek road bike, but I never cared for it. I think I may be a fat guy with a skinny butt.

jaxgtr

I see a trend in the answers here... and it's funny how many non-cycling people look at my bikes and think I am riding on a piece of wood and wonder why I don't have a "big comfortable seat". I tell them I am not riding a recliner, but riding a bike.

sstorkel

I think the B17 is the second worst saddle I've ever ridden. I think it only works if your bike allows for a very upright riding position. The Specialized Toupe, which many people love, was the worst saddle for me: it gave me saddle sores after only 15-20 miles of riding!

I'm currently enjoying my new ISM Road saddle, but it's probably not appropriate for the OP. Also a big fan of Selle SMPs saddles, but aside from the Selle SMP Extra (available @ Performance Bike) they're pretty expensive. On the cheap side, I've always found WTB saddles to work well for me. There are enough models that you might have to try a couple before you find one with the right width and padding.

TrojanHorse

Go to a bike store and sit on one of those butt measuring things and then go from there, as long as "there" doesn't include gel.

socalrider

while you my think softer is better. The worst saddle I've ever owned were gel saddles.. You want a saddle with minimal paddle - firm and especially important is that it is wide enough to support your sitbones.. I would look at 155mm specialized or Brooks B17 / Team Pro saddle..

The team pro is still wider than most at 160mm but is made more for road bikes while the b17 is made more for upright positions.

iBooth

Im not into long distance racing but have found that the gel saddle cover is great. It has two separate gel satchels and does not compress like foam so spreads your pressure points out. Tip- Try an inexpensive saddle cover before going to the expense of replacing your whole saddle. try online at www.bike-seat-covers.com they seem to have a good range.