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A saddle that doesn't devour my jeans.

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Old 08-19-18 | 10:32 AM
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A saddle that doesn't devour my jeans.

Could anyone help me with recommendations for a saddle that is comfortable and doesn't shred my jeans? I take pride in riding my bike everyday through all sorts of east-coast weather. Hot summers, bitter cold winters. I like to wear jeans because I live in a city and usually I am riding my bike just to get somewhere. Whether it be work or going out to a bar. That being said, I don't like the idea of changing every time I get on and off my bike.

But recently, I've noticed a pattern in a tear developing in the seat of all of my jeans in the same exact spot. Just to the left of the right back pocket. I plan to improvise an inside patch to mend these weathered jeans, but in the long run, I want to swap out my saddle to prevent these things from happening again. Because my wallet is also experiencing some premature wear due to the short lifespan of my pants.

I ride a perforated leather saddle, and I think that the material of it is to blame. It is possible the profile can make contributions to the wear in my jeans too. Therefore, I am looking for a replacement saddle that doesn't share the same material as my current one and that is just as comfortable, as well as fitting my commuter needs.

Thanks!
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Old 08-19-18 | 10:56 AM
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Originally Posted by schonnk
Could anyone help me with recommendations for a saddle that is comfortable and doesn't shred my jeans? I take pride in riding my bike everyday through all sorts of east-coast weather. Hot summers, bitter cold winters. I like to wear jeans because I live in a city and usually I am riding my bike just to get somewhere. Whether it be work or going out to a bar. That being said, I don't like the idea of changing every time I get on and off my bike.

But recently, I've noticed a pattern in a tear developing in the seat of all of my jeans in the same exact spot. Just to the left of the right back pocket. I plan to improvise an inside patch to mend these weathered jeans, but in the long run, I want to swap out my saddle to prevent these things from happening again. Because my wallet is also experiencing some premature wear due to the short lifespan of my pants.

I ride a perforated leather saddle, and I think that the material of it is to blame. It is possible the profile can make contributions to the wear in my jeans too. Therefore, I am looking for a replacement saddle that doesn't share the same material as my current one and that is just as comfortable, as well as fitting my commuter needs.

Thanks!
Maybe not perforated? I rode a Brook's Flyer (a B-17 with springs) for years with jeans and never observed undue wear on them. Straight slick leather.
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Old 08-19-18 | 11:38 AM
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I ride in jeans a lot, but of course, several pairs of jeans. Knees generally wear out long before seats.

Don't get a seat that is too wide (chafing of legs?).

I love the feel of Leather, but am going more towards synthetics for winter riding.

You do need a saddle that is moderately slick, rather than sticky.
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Old 08-19-18 | 01:05 PM
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Slippery saddles are what you need. My Brooks B67 is perfect for riding in a suit. I expect it would do well with jeans.
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Old 08-19-18 | 01:14 PM
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Even if the saddle doesn’t tear up the material, it will still damage the seat of your pants with a saddle shaped faded worn spot. Cotton just won’t hold up (long term) to the effects of cycling. Tech fabrics like nylon, poly, etc will hold up much better but with constant use eventually wear out too. I can appreciate your desire to simply hop on and ride, but if it’s more than an occasional thing you gotta know your pants will take the toll.

In my younger days I rode all the time in regular street clothes but it’s expensive to constantly have to buy new pants when the butt’s worn out. Slick saddles only help by delaying the inevitable, not ending it.


-Kedosto
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Old 08-19-18 | 09:06 PM
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What brand of jeans? Here's my jeans rant. I rode in jeans for years. Usually the knees wore out first, but it never occurred to me that cycling might be the culprit. Over the years, the same kind of jeans that I always wore have deteriorated in quality. It seems like they don't fit as well, and my shape hasn't changed. And the fabric doesn't last. Now there's always a chance that I got some counterfeit jeans, since I bought them online.

So I decided to try the cheap Wrangler jeans at Target. They fit better, are more comfortable, and seem more durable. Nothing is going to look fashionable on me at my age, so I don't care about that.

But a couple years ago I bought some quick drying synthetic hiking pants for a trip. I've found that they're even more comfortable than jeans, and more durable. A super plus is that some black goo from a filthy bike chain washed right out of them, whereas the cotton jeans would be stained forever. And also, I can now plausibly deny that I'm wearing jeans at my workplace, which has a largely un-enforced "business casual" dress code.

So I'm darn close to giving up on jeans. I can adopt the "rugged hiker" look instead.
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Old 08-20-18 | 08:30 AM
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Originally Posted by schonnk
I ride a perforated leather saddle, and I think that the material of it is to blame. It is possible the profile can make contributions to the wear in my jeans too. Therefore, I am looking for a replacement saddle that doesn't share the same material as my current one and that is just as comfortable, as well as fitting my commuter needs.

Thanks!
If by a "perforated leather saddle" you mean a plastic shell with foam padding and a perforated leather covering over the top, then that's probably the problem. Any kind of a hard saddle (no padding) and a fairly slippery surface should be much better. A hard leather saddle such as what Brooks makes is like that.

Your pants will still wear out, but not nearly as fast.
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Old 08-20-18 | 11:14 AM
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Polyester blends are more durable than pure cotton...
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Old 08-20-18 | 01:14 PM
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Originally Posted by schonnk
Could anyone help me with recommendations for a saddle that is comfortable and doesn't shred my jeans? I take pride in riding my bike everyday through all sorts of east-coast weather. Hot summers, bitter cold winters. I like to wear jeans because I live in a city and usually I am riding my bike just to get somewhere. Whether it be work or going out to a bar. That being said, I don't like the idea of changing every time I get on and off my bike.

But recently, I've noticed a pattern in a tear developing in the seat of all of my jeans in the same exact spot. Just to the left of the right back pocket. I plan to improvise an inside patch to mend these weathered jeans, but in the long run, I want to swap out my saddle to prevent these things from happening again. Because my wallet is also experiencing some premature wear due to the short lifespan of my pants.

I ride a perforated leather saddle, and I think that the material of it is to blame. It is possible the profile can make contributions to the wear in my jeans too. Therefore, I am looking for a replacement saddle that doesn't share the same material as my current one and that is just as comfortable, as well as fitting my commuter needs.

Thanks!

i can't give you any long-term advice but i just switched to a Bontrager Montrose saddle that doesn't seem to "grip" my jeans.

Mostly, the saddle seems to have much less of a grip on my jeans than my old Selle Italia gel flow saddle did.

the saddle seems pretty tough so far with some very light padding. it's comfortable for me.

i hope that helps.
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Old 08-21-18 | 12:53 PM
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Stop wearing jeans? Look into poly blends, carharts, prana or the like.
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Old 08-22-18 | 02:14 PM
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I just wore through three pairs of Ted Baker trousers ...

https://www.tedbaker.com/uk/Mens/Clo...age=0&show=ALL

One got destroyed (knee skuffed, holes in thigh and ripped side seam) when I was run over by a van (also taco'd my wheels). I got the money for bike repairs but not the £110 for the trousers (the wheels were only £150).
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Old 08-25-18 | 08:53 PM
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Commuter jeans and a smooth leather saddle.
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Old 08-26-18 | 07:01 PM
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Just another thought... your wallet is killing your pants. I wore holes in my pants in the same place due to my wallet, even when I wasn't cycling frequently.
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Old 08-28-18 | 12:38 PM
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Maybe you need better jeans not a different saddle?
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Old 08-28-18 | 05:24 PM
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ditch clothes? https://www.miamiherald.com/news/loc...217297510.html
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