I'm been planning to upgrade parts of my bike for some time now - have been hemming and hawing since I was trying to save up money to get a road bike. Well, I tried a couple of expensive road bikes and decided that I will stick to my cheap hybrid Sirrus - I didn't like dropbars much though I really wanted to. I don't want to analyse that bit more, since it saves me money - however, I will therefore spend on the upgrades that my Sirrus actually needs. To that effect, I asked a question about trekking handlebars in the General forum, but I think my saddle question may be better asked here.

The question has often been asked - which saddle? Couple of points to note: I mostly cycle in regular clothes, even on 20+ mile rides. However, sweat is a problem - my pants have a damp patch on the ass and it is really awkward walking into shops that way From what I read, Brooks/Velo/Person's leather saddles will solve, or at least help, with that - since the saddle breathes. I'm not too keen on getting a leather saddle though - are there any alternatives that use different materials?

Also, if I have to go the Brooks way, how do I decide between a Brooks B17 standard, narrow etc? The few LBSes that I visited either didn't keep Brooks or didn't take returns on the saddle in case I didn't like it.

I'm still hoping that someone will come up with a non-leather option!

A Brooks standard B17 is an excellent investment. You get more years per mile than with other saddles, since it lasts a lifetime or so.

Agree - Brooks B17.

I rode a few Brooks saddles for a while, and while I think they were somewhat helpful in that respect on longer/more strenuous rides I can't see it making the difference on a commute. Really if you sweat that much where butt meets saddle you should reconsider what you're wearing in my opinion.

Tioga makes a few "Spyder" saddles with an open design. Certainly a long way from a Brooks B17.

I ride while wearing street clothes, usually jeans, sometimes slacks and as far as I know I've never had the wet butt problem with any of my leather saddles.

Brooks are now a theft target, so bear that in mind,

they are expensive even at wholesale to have a small shop stock them

but there are posh shops that will, you have the Googleaire employees, very well paid, to cater to.
and several in the city of SF may have inventory of a couple..
[all can order on demand]

and, being Leather, you have to take care of it so it does not get wet or too dry.

there are probably 1000+ different saddles made..

I am coming around to the Brooks philosophy. My next saddle purchase will likely be a standard B-17. As I understand it, the B-17 Imperial speaks to the sweat issue. So also would a decent pair of biking shorts worn under whatever you wanted to wear over them, if anything. FWIW and on the off chance that this is not information that is widely known. I have it on good authority that if, for whatever reason one is unable to purchase a Brooks saddle then one should try a Selle San Marco Rolls or a Selle San Marco Regale. These are plastic saddles with firm padding and leather covers and are reputed to be VERY comfortable. And cheaper too, but not cheap. A Rolls will run around $75. There are Brooks knock-offs that are cheaper than that. I don't know anything about Brooks knock-offs. Their longevity is likely their achilles heel.

H

Edit: o.p. please... for the love of all that is Holy. Do not do the Trekker bars thing to your Sirrus... ...

Specialized's "Toupe" series of saddles are very comfortable ...

Specialized's "Toupe" series of saddles are very comfortable ...

Thanks for the saddle suggestions, I will look into those. REI does stock Brooks at about $20 more than internet prices - I don't mind paying that at all - but for returns I need to be a member so that pushes it to $40 above internet prices. Maybe I'll still do that - once I look at the other suggestions in this thread.

Heh, I think trekking bars look interesting I'm still on the fence about being forced to sit more upright - but I definitely need another hand position (or more) - after 20 miles my hands are not comfortable on the flat bar. Maybe bar ends - but a trekking bar seems to give much more bang for almost the same buck. I wouldn't mind Ergon GP5s but I don't have a torque wrench, nor do I know how to use one. Read too many tales of threads stripping for my comfort.

My 2008 Roubaix came with a Toupe Gel. For the first two seasons it was pretty comfortable for me for the first 30 miles of a ride, then I would start to hurt. The third season it wasn't really comfortable at all - don't know if I changed or the seat wore out. I put a B17 Imperial on the bike and haven't looked back.

I recently went to the Ride Out Technologies carbon comfort saddle after trying out several including the brooks. It was by far the most comfortable I have ever tried. Enjoying it very much so far. I looks different but is really miniature in size and hard to believe how comfy it is. The company spent about 7 years developing it with much trial and error until they arrived upon the current design. https://www.rideouttech.com/