What a pain in the ass...
 

The saddle that came with my '08 Cross Check (I believe it's a Velo saddle) is unbearably uncomfortable for any mileage exceeding 15 (this is only really an issue when I'm going on recreational rides).

I already know that the saddle is a little too small for my butt-bones, but I think it's also that the saddle itself sucks too.

I need the saddle to be:

1. Not too fancy; I don't need to make my saddle look worth taking off the bike (or make my bike look worth taking)

2. Low maintenance; I live in Florida, and I often put off bike maintenance due to being taken up by school.

Please help me bring peace and comfort to my butt!

I was under the impression that Brooks saddles require maintenance to keep in good condition.

I'd much prefer a synthetic leather since they're pretty much use-n-toss.

On a Brooks just Proofide and ride. Minium amount of maintenance really. Why by a use-n-toss which will cost you more in the longrun than a good saddle even a quality non Brooks saddle will cost a few more bucks than some cheapo thing that will give the same results as your present butt hatchet.

I don't mind buying a good quality saddle, I just need one that won't put up a "steal me" sign and won't fall apart due to Florida weather (wet/humid/hot).

Also, I read the Brooks site, and they recommend against riding wet saddles, which pretty much disqualifies them for me.

Only about once a year. They are surprisingly low maintenance. I ride mine in the rain all the time, and have been doing so for years. Just cover it with a plastic bag if you park it outside so it doesn't get soaked and you'll be just fine.

All of my upright bikes have a Brooks saddle, I ride year round- so my saddles get rained on, snowed on- anything that falls from the sky or slops up from the ground gets on them. I do is park my bikes in a covered shed at night. True we don't have the Fl humidity. Probably twice a year I bring each bike inside, let it dry over night - apply a light layer of proofhide and then dry a day. That is my only actual maintenance. Been doing this for years, the Brooks still work and look great.
That said, a Brooks doesn't take to everyone's needs. A couple other seats that seem to work well are Terry Liberator and Serfas Rx. The Rx has a completely synthetic cover. I've ridden on both they are comfortable. My late teenage son interchanges them on a crosscheck [his college bike], however right now he has a spare Brooks on it. The saddle choice also depends upon your seat/handle bar and riding position.

Google "Orange Cycles" or "David's world". Both are in College Park 300 yds from each other. They have measuring pads and nice selection of saddles on site in wide price range. If you are a girl, ask for Angel in Orange cycles.

Good Luck

SF

+1 on the Velo pain. My Fuji Cross Pro came with one, had a saddle sore the first day, it had a seam that caught just right. Swapped to a WTB Rocket V Pro and all was good.

Saddles are such a personal thing. I have a Brooks and a Body Geometry. The Brooks is defenitely more comfortable, and once I save up a little more cash i'm probably going to change that BG for a Brooks.

I don't know how big theft is in your area, but I never heard of Brooks before joining this forum. A plastic shopping bag over the saddle when you ride it should be fine. Also, how often have you seen people taking off a plastic bag to see what kind of saddle you are riding?

Yeah, mine takes 3 minutes about every 4 months to rub on a little proofide, then wipe it off an hour later with a paper towel. Of course, it's possible it'd be fine without it too, I don't know. And I've only had the saddle for about 2 years. I'll let you know how well it holds up in 20 years or so; right now it looks exactly how it did after about a month.

However, in really rainy areas, or areas where there's a possibility of theft or vanalism, I'd probably be with you on that and go with a cheapo. The gel saddle my bike came with actually wasn't bad, I rode it for 3 years and it's still fine, the outer fabric is worn off. I just replaced it because I wanted to see what this Brooks stuff was all about.

Find a bike shop or on-line merchant that will let you test ride saddles, exchange them or return them if they don't fit. Everyone is different with regard to saddles. What is comfortable for one person may be torture for someone else. The only way to find the perfect saddle for you is trial and error. I probably tried 10 different saddles before I found the one that fit my just right. I have since bought 4 of them to put on all of my bikes.

I gotta share with you that I have had the same Brooks saddle on different bikes for well over 20 years... I have finally bought a replacement... but have been reluctant to replace my well broken in saddle. :D

BTW I never used proofhide as I didn't know about it back then.

I expect my new saddle will last at least another 20 years, once I actually change it.

I am running WTB Race V saddles on all my bikes and am very happy with them.

Just go find a shop that has some loaners you can try.

You'll never hear anything over the brooks advocates in here.

exactly, this is like asking for recomendations for shoes.