Looking for something with some kind of suspension such as springs, but not sure I want to spend the money (or weight) on a Brooks. I have Brooks saddles on my vintage English 3-speeds, but I want something lighter weight and less expensive. I tend to have low back pain, so I want something to take up some of the road shock. My commuter project bike is a vintage 80s Bridgestone MTB with North Road bars roughly at the same level of my saddle. I was thinking of something along these lines..


SelleRoyal Classic 8261 saddle "Relaxed"


I honestly don't know much of anything about modern bike saddles other than people saying to avoid gel. How does one go about finding the perfect saddle without trying 10+ models?

The problem is everybody's sit bones are different as well as their prefered riding/sitting angle that applies +/- weight pressure in that area.

There are many low cost yet comfortable saddles, even at entry level price levels. Won't last as long, but yearly replacement isn't a big deal if you ride a lot and/or ride for long time periods/distances.

That being said, while I do like my Brooks B67 on my roadster, the cheap Schwinn pillow top (actually stiff memory foam) was my go to saddle for years. All day rides were no problem when compared to my current Brooks. Sunite Cloud 9 is another alternative, a bit wider and cooler to sit on (beware: there are several different models with the same name, so the dimensions and spring system are very different). Note: these low cost saddles applies only to my roadster bikes and my body.

We've got that saddle on a couple of our bikes and are quite happy with them. Not sure that's the saddle you'd want with handlebars the same level as your seat. On a typical city bike that would use that saddle the handlebars would be a bit higher.

This is about as low as I'd think you'd want to go:

Given your issue with low back pain and desire for suspension and springs, I recommend you forget about the "weight bugaboo" and spend the money required to get a suitable saddle like a Brooks B66/67 of B73. I will swear by both and they are worth every penny and I have had back surgery 3 times over the last 40 years.

That SelleRoyal Classic is pretty similar to the generic comfort saddle on my hybrid. It's a little wide for my narrow butt, but I've managed with it for a year. It was more comfortable when I had the handlebar elevated. After lowering and flipping the bars to reduce my wind profile the saddle began to get a bit uncomfortable on longer rides this summer, but that's also due to swampbutt. For shorter rides -- around 10 miles or less -- and cooler weather it's been fine.

If you want spring a, you're either going to spend the money on a Brooks or a decent suspension seat post. The good ones are $. Anything that is cheaper is going to be heavier than a Brooks and not made as well.

I don't even understand how the Brooks is "so heavy." It adds what 1/2 or 3/4 a pound? Half a bottle of water's weight?