Selecting a saddle - what are realistic expectations?
 

I'm in the market for a new saddle (since the one that came with my bike is just atrocious), and I'm wondering what type of expectations in terms of comfort are realistic.

So, for example, I've been riding a KHS urban express to/from work for the last few years (and just in general around town stuff) and have never had any noticeable soreness or pain. Maybe after several hours on the bike, but otherwise nothing noticeable, and even then it's extremely mild. No idea what saddle it has, some padded something or other that KHS makes.

The saddle that came with my new bike, though, is at the other end of the spectrum. I cannot help but notice my sit-bones when I'm riding with it, and there doesn't seem to be any particular spot that I find comfortable.

Currently I'm demo'ing a Fizik Antares VS and while it's much better than the saddle that came with my bike I still am conscious of the fact that I'm sitting on something that's pretty stiff (like if you sit on a wood bench for too long). I don't have any soreness or anything after riding (went out for a few hours today just wandering around town) though. I have found that there seems to be a sweet spot on the saddle where it's verging on what I would define as comfortable, but then I'll move a little bit and I'll lose it.

So, the question I basically have is what is a realistic expectation for a bike saddle? Is it one of these things that one day you just find the perfect one (which I would define as not really noticing you're sitting on a small piece of stiff leather / fiber whatever) or can you always expect to be less comfortable than if you're sitting in your favorite recliner?

Are you wearing riding shorts/bibs on this uncomfortable saddle?

no, but i'd rather comfort not be contingent upon wearing a specific article of clothing since this will be not only my commuter bike but also my just general leisurely "wander around the city" bike, which I generally would be wearing shorts or jeans or something along those lines

which maybe means i need to change my search criteria, I don't know

I find my brooks to be consistently comfortable even after the two days of Seattle to Portland.

Yeah brooks keeps coming up, my concern is partly the weight and partly that some people have reported issues with them when they're in the drops (which obviously for town-wandering isn't an issue but for my commute would be).

I have two bikes, two Brooks saddles. I've yet to get the original B17 because I just feel it would take to long to break in but I do own a B67 and a B68. They are both partially aged seats so the break in period is shorter if any.

I just picked up my new commuter from my LBS today and had the B68 on it and never felt a thing as I rode the six miles home.

I know many swears by Brooks 17, but my buns isn't made for it. I sold all my Brooks 17.

I find the Selle SMP to be the most comfortable, followed by Terry Liberator.

Surprisingly, this one made it on my list too.
http://www.amazon.com/Velo-Bio-Logic...Bicycle+saddle
I find it similar to Selle SMP in comfort, for not so much money.

realistic expectations???

*You probably wont find your perfect saddle on the first try or 3.

*No saddle feels like a sofa after a long ride unless maybe you get a 10 pound beach cruiser, spring loaded, gel insert, monstrosity.

* the fizik antares fits my sit bones well but not everyones butt is the same width.

*I think brooks are over-rated but the other 10,000 people who use them cant all be crazy.

*Bicycle shorts or padded undergarments work well, even though they look funny. Its not about the actual padding. Its all about 2 separate pieces of material sliding back and forth with a foam buffer between them to reduce friction.

* you probably wont find a cut and dry answer on BF. only opinions and personal preferences. Your best bet is a local shop that will let you try multiple saddles before purchasing one or a great return/exchange policy.

GOOD LUCK

In my experience over the last 40+ years, I have changed my saddle many many times and improved the comfort each time. I would have a certain one to recommend as my lastest one which has been the very best all around saddle I have ever seen but its hard to mention brands here on the forum because others will disagree. It all depends on what will make you comfortable and unfortunately that will take experimenting. Just remember that no saddle will be good for all. The Brooks is mentioned alot but they tend to be overrated. There are some extremely high tech saddles available that have gone through rigorous research and development that would make a good place to start. It also depends alot on your riding position. If you are more upright you will need a saddle that supports your sit bones better. If you are racing a racing saddle will be needed etc.

The issue is that you're comparing a saddle that was designed for no riding shorts to a saddle that is designed for shorts. So yeah, you're gonna feel your sit bones on the harder saddle.

If cycling shorts put you off, you could wear padded liner shorts underneath your garment of choice. I ride a Brooks b17 on my commuting bike and have a turbo and a unicantor on the others. All of them feel ok to me, though long rides will always make you think about switching. I have found that saddle position and tilt are probably more important than the saddle.

If you are truly unsure, order from wallbike.com, they have a six month unconditional guarantee on Brooks and Berthoud.

By the way, I have a B17 and a B72. I love them both. The B72 is on an old Ross mountain bike with a tall quill for an upright position. My B17 is on my LHT. I love them both. The B72 was comfortable immediately. The B17 was immediately comfortable too, but not incredible for all day rides. It too about 800 miles it became incredibly comfortable. I absolutely love the B17 now. Saddle adjustment is extremely important to get right no matter what saddle you get. I found I had my saddle too high which caused perineum pain. I sorted all that out on a trainer over one Winter. Once I lowered the seat to where it belonged, the pain went away.

I did begin a tour with the B17 with only about 150 miles on the seat. My first day was 70 miles and I still felt good.

Realistically? I expect you will need to try a number of different saddles.
You may not like the 1st one you buy, get it through a shop that will let you do trade-ins.

Leather Brooks need continuing care. and protection from wet weather.. [under plastic bags]

A synthetic base, foam , thin leather or pleather covered ones need less..

that is a road Race bike saddle, racing the weight is off your bumm, put into the pedals,
to keep up with the pace..

the B17 is a tourist's choice, you are turning the pedals more comfortable effort,
and sitting, more weight on your butt.

So riding posture: low vs upright has influence on how much weight % you have on your saddle.

Brooks my friend. Brooks. One and done ... :)

+1. Also, many new riders might find a Brooks somewhat uncomfortable. And I've known seasoned riders who like slightly spongy saddles.

It's something you really need to discover for yourself (although I do ride a leather saddle myself... )

You don't know if a saddle is right for you until you've ridden it about five to ten times in a two week period. So you have to buy them to try them, and then you may have to pass them on.

And sometimes it's not pain around the bones that will trouble you. I had a saddle that felt great when I rode. I'd never feel sore in the muscles around my bones. But the next day, I would get achy testicles. And I didn't put the two together for a very long time. I think the saddle was too soft. I put it on one of the bikes I sold, and I've been riding hard saddles since. I'm happy now.

Small adjustments in the angle of the saddle can make a big difference too.

I'm cheap, so I'd buy used saddles off eBay, Craigslist, bike coop for 30 cents on the dollar until I found one that worked, then buy a new one of that.

Anyone has experience with the Planet Bike Men's A.R.S.?
Seems to do reasonably well on the Amazon reviews, and the price is very attractive.

I guess the spot that's actually sore from this saddle is not so much my sit bones but the tissue just medial to my sit bones (kinda around where one's glutes meet one's upper hamstring)

Next saddle up for testing is a Brooks, so we'll see how that goes

I'll echo the sentiments of those here who say "Your mileage may vary", considering you're just going to have to find what works for you. Getting a measurement of your sit bones is obviously the best starting point, as some saddles' width might not accommodate your needs properly on that front. Many adjustments/test rides will be made before finding the "sweet spot".

As far as my two cents, I am by no means a long-distance rider (Ride to work is roughly 7 miles; laughable to some of the more seasoned commuters here), but here is what I use:

◘ Charge Bucket Saddle (not very well-padded, but for shorter rides, not bad...the roads here are bumpy, so almost no saddle is going to completely alleviate it besides "gel monstrosities")
◘ Champion Compression Shorts (they chafe less over longer periods than cotton underwear, they're long lasting, and they can be worn in place of regular underwear without anyone noticing)

Honorable mention goes to a few other saddles I've tried, such as the PlanetBike Men's ARS Competition (lots of seams that wear out over time, though) as well as the Origin8 Classic Lite Saddle (which will really be annoying if you're new to riding and on bumpy roads...little-to-no padding).

As a previous post stated, the millions of people riding Brooks saddles can't all be crazy. As I live in the Southeastern US and things get sweaty down here, I didn't want to sweat buckets all over an expensive Brooks and have one more part to provide extra care for...but I've heard good things. :)

Somehow I missed this question earlier. I have wider-than-normal sitbones when compared to average riders (I'm more in the "Clydesdale" weight class at 6'1"/230lb, to boot), and I ended up using the ARS 5022 (road bike) and the 5020 (mtb). I still use the 5020 for singletrack, and love it. My only complaint with the 5022 is that after months of riding, you might notice some seams popping loose. One never flat-out failed or "broke" on me (no loss in the "padding" dept, either), and I still have the 5022...I just realized that the Charge Bucket worked fine for me at a lesser price point once I got used to riding the bumpy roads of SC. Honestly, if you're looking to save money and ride one for a year, I'd say the 5022 is worth it.

I have. Sometimes I have to use many different saddles on different pedicabs that I have ridden.
They used to make two different Planet Bike ARS saddles, one of them was a lot better than the other.
Stay away from the lycra covered gel version. Crap.
The harder pleather covered foam saddle is actually ok for a lower cost saddle, comfortable even. They just don't last that long under heavy duty, all the time use. Like maybe 1-2 years, where my more expensive saddles have had a longer life but not necessarily more comfortable. I think rail position, tilt, and amount of padding have the most effect on the overall feel of the saddles. Once these factors are handled, I am able to ride on many different makes/manufactures of saddles.

I think this saddle is very comfy and VERY durable for the money. I have one in black on my beater commuter and have used one on my pedicab as well. That being said, I prefer a sleek saddle that fits my sit bones, w/ minimal padding.

Best news is that it is discontinued but easy to find for $19.99 for a Selle saddle.

http://www.amazon.com/SELLE-ROYAL-Sa...l+viper+saddle

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=300639

I also like the Origin8 knockoff of the Brooks B17 and their road saddle. Both great value saddles for those not wanting to drop the $ or the upkeep on a Brooks.

"realistic expectations???"

For a short haul saddle I expect it to disappear under me, dont notice it at all. And, I can ride for 20 miles or so without a chamois. And, it is a match to the riding style for that bike, like upright or rotated/flat back.


For a long haul saddle, it's all about how it feels beginning with mile 60 and whether I have any soreness afterwards, and where located.

If I had to go with one saddle for all my rides and bikes I'd probably pick one out of the Selle SMP line, but not the low end rec models. Unfortuneately, that means spending $200+; you need to demo before you buy.