saddle suggestions
 

I have the stock saddle on my CX bike. After commuting on it for 100 miles I find that I don't really care for it.

I have heard about brooks saddles, but I am no sure I want to invest in one of those just yet.

Any other good quality comfortable saddle recommendations under $200?

Dozens. Find a good bike store that will let you demo some different brands. If you aren't attracted to Brooks you might try a SMP for something a little different.

Most of the Brookses are under $150 unless you're out for a Titanium Swift. Furthermore Brookes are liftime saddles. You take one bike to bike (unless you're like the rest of us that follow N+1 then you'll be buying a Brooks for every bike you own.)

If you're not into leather, I think saddle width is one of the more critical factors. I'd suggest finding an LBS that has a device to measure your sit bone width, then try a saddle in the recommended width. I'm happy with Specialized Toupe and Phenom on a couple of my bkes. For my commuter I'm less picky and a Forte Classic works for me.

Quit being a saddle racist and get a brooks.

... and prepare for pain! But remember: you can't say anything bad about it, you have to endure the pain in silence until the saddle in broken in, in some unspecified time in the distant future ;)

I don't know if their newer saddles are softer or if I was just lucky, but I put one on my CX bike about a month ago and experienced zero pain even from day one! It's not broken in yet either (200 miles or so on it, and I don't weigh that much).

It's probably worth getting measured for a saddle... but I just followed BF's lead and got the B17 blindly. No regrets.

Even a brooks could give you a sore butt for a few hundred miles during the break in.

The Nashbar GR2 is my favorite, and at $29 is essentially free on your budget.

Suggestions are useless, what is comfy for one is a meat grinder for someone else. Fannys are unique.

Hasn't been my case at all. I have three Brooks B17s and all were comfortable out of the box.

+1 to the thought that you should break down and get a Brooks. They are kind of hard to begin with, but softness is not everything.

There are two main things that make Brooks' special: 1) that they allow your nether regions to get air. Leather just breathes better than vinyl or plastic. 2) When Brooks' are broken-in, they act like a little hammock for your perineal area.

A good amount of the discomfort is avoidable too, if you get one of the sprung models. Actually, they're just as hard, but the bumps don't hit you as hard, because the springs dampen the shock. Most folks here are not open-minded enough to try a sprung Brooks, but I highly recommend them. Is the added weight of the springs REALLY going to make or break you?

I have a B67 on my TriCross. I'm thinking of buying another one for my new Schwinn.

If you're really against spending the money on a Brooks, I think you need to consider the two main causes of saddle discomfort: a) Perineal pressure, which can be alleviated with saddle cut-outs, and b) breathability, which you could probably alleviate with a sheepskin cover. Yep, it sounds weird and doesn't look sporty, but it has been working for motorcyclists for decades. My local shop has some.

I have heard raves about

http://www.selleanatomica.com/

I own one Brooks saddle, the B17 Imperial with cutout and it worked well from the beginning. The regular B17 was a torture device. But I honestly can't say that my current Brooks is that much more comfortable than my WTB saddles. I have a top of the line WTB saddle on my mtb, nice shape, leather top, cutout, some suspension. Yeah, it was more expensive that the B17 Imperial, but I used it for touring a couple of years ago and it worked fine for 50-70 miles per day for two weeks. I think Brooks saddles are overrated. They will certainly outlast any other saddle though.

Sorry, but mine have been pain free.

I had my LBS measure my sit bones and I have a range of 145-150, which according to the gentlemen I was dealing with for a lady is pretty average (not sure if anyone was under the impression I was a male :) ) I am not opposed to investing in a brooks saddle, I was just curious what other options I might have I'm sure if I purchased a Brooks and I love it I would probably end up putting one on every bike I own (once I start my collection :thumb:)

my LBS, only has a limited selection of Bontrager, Avenir, Fizik, and Specialized.....I'm sure they could get a hold of other brands, but unfortunately I have had very poor luck when ordering anything

........b............r..............o...........................o..................k..............s. .....................: )

I just placed an order for the B17...never even sat on one!

I never experienced any pain. Maybe my backside is a bit more padded or something, but I love Brooks saddles - I have four of them.

I've been looking at that saddle for my new Transport. Good to hear a positive review.

Specialized Avatar gel

http://www.specialized.com/ja/en/bc/...jsp?spid=26001

Another vote for the B17! I have the narrow on my Fargo and love it. Order up a Randi Jo Fab weatherproof cover at the same time and youll be set.

Toupe works great for me on my road bike with a few inches of saddle to bar drop, and WTB Rocket V on my MTB with no drop.

It's identical to the famous B17, but sprung. Exact same seat shape. The angle of the saddle is a bit different, since the springs compress just a tad when sat upon.

I had a Bontrager on my old Gary Fisher Simple City; it was garbage, though it did look resplendent in "pleather."

My TriCross came with a Specialized saddle; also garbage, although it looks racy. The only reason I still have it is in case I want to sell the bike, I'll take the Brooks off and put the stocker back on for the sale. ;)

This is not to say all Bontrager and Specialized saddles are bad. Just the ones I had.