In the long run I have found firm seats are better for the long haul for maintained comfort. I now use a seat that is'nt so cushy but utilize springs relieving much the shock on my frequent city riding.

Do not underestimate the importance of handlebar height - plus or minus 5 or 10mm can make a surprising amount of difference to how your weight is distributed, and hence how your butt feels about life.

I try to change my seating position but very seldom use the drops. Always either on the bards or hood. But I am still not sitting upright. I think the frame is a tad big for me. So many variables to play with.. it is overwhelming!!

This makes me think of shoes and how women will wear shoes that hurt their feet because they like how they look. Pretty much, guys will never do this because if shoes hurt our feet we just won't put up with them or wear them. But for guys, bicycle seats are an entirely different matter where for some bizarre reason we are willing to put up with a pain in the butt regardless of the alternatives. Because there are shoes that don't hurt...butt, butt, butt.

I did two things that cured my pain from my saddle. First, I bought a Specialized Power Saddle, short nose, huge cut out. Secondly, I changed my form by bending my pelvis instead of my waist and I got a fit which stretched me out. Most saddle pain is caused by sitting too up right and putting too much pressure on your sit bones.

That's a good point. I'm not gonna do any shaving, but the one place I occasionally experience a little saddle discomfort is hair pulling around the perineum. Usually I wear skin tight Champion boxer/briefs under my tight fitting padded shorts because the mesh pouch keeps Johnson and the twins in place better, with less hair pulling.

I like the AeroTech Pro shorts with tan and black pad. Only $39, occasionally cheaper on sale. They fit right so I'm not tugging at them. The waistband is comfortable. The leg hem grippers hold but don't irritate my skin.

Only nit I'd pick is I'd like 'em about an inch longer, but my thighs are a bit longer out of proportion to the rest of my legs.

I'm reading between the lines here and thinking a lot more off than on? If that's the case, you may just need to get saddle time. Or at least you won't know if that saddle will work for you until you do.

*****Newsflash - Everyone's butt hurts when they first start riding after being out of the saddle for a while.*****

The saddle you posted looks OK to me, although it may not fit you. I'm sure the leather Brooks saddles are wonderful, but other saddles are super comfortable as well, as long as they fit. My Specialized Phenom never, ever causes me pain on 50+ mile rides.

I've never shaved my butt or used butter or cream, but everyone is different I suppose.
Saddle time + a saddle that fits = comfortable ride

Mine doesn't.

Do yourself a big favor and find a bike shop that has a saddle loaner deal/program and try all the saddles you can until you find The One. Then buy it from them. Otherwise you too will end up with many, many lightly used saddles (and a still sore butt).


Mike

@ bike shops there is a box with 'take-off' saddles , left , new , from people wanting a different saddle than what came stock out of the carton

with new bikes .. those are cheaper to buy than same saddle with the display tag.

The Giant TCX stock saddle is somewhat modeled after that Fizik style, which really works for some people, and not at all for many people.

Agree with others on bike shorts (plus Chamois butter) may be a big help.

Mine, either.

Yep, my Propel came with the Arione version and I hated it.

I always wear bike shorts when riding the bike, but I never tried the Chamois butter. It is a good point that the TCX saddle is similar to the Fizik, so that I can exclude them. So, I guess I probably need a wider seat. I read a lot about Brooks but I don't think I am up for the long duration of the break in.

You'll ride an terribly uncomfortable saddle for 3 years, but not up for a few weeks of breaking in a Brooks? :foo:

No, I would definitely like to switch my saddle but was just wondering whether I should get one that can be comfortable from the get go. I would also probably need to get proper bike fitting as well.

Or---------------that pain can be eliminated by a modern bicycle called a recumbent.

Just received mine in the mail yesterday, put it on last night, have a few minor adjustments to make, but I think I am good to go. Plus it looks COOL!

I agree with Hogg too. Getting a Selle SMP was great. I bought 3 (Evolution, Hybrid and Dynamic) and also a similarly shaped carbon saddle from China. The latter, though unpadded, works best for me. There is no pressure on my perineum/prostate.

Pulled the trigger-good day to buy B17 Brooks
 

I figure one more seat in the science experiment cannot hurt. Pulled the trigger this AM on Brooks B17 Imperial at Na***ar...30% off one item today. I thought the price was right.

Chamois Butter mentioned ^^above^^. This is a good product, some use it, some don't but I believe it is geared toward chafing, some are more prone to chafing than others but I believe that would be more a result of shorts worn, not saddles.

The OP complained of a sore butt & the conversation has centered around saddles and fit.

No amount of Chamois Butter is going to keep your butt from getting sore from a poor fitting saddle.

For what it is worth a Fizik Aliante VSX and Specialized Avatar Expert work for me.

I was getting butt sore after 5 miles, but apparently I've toughened up over the summer. My longest group ride has been 34.5 miles, no problem.

I also now use Chamois Butt'r and wear the near top of the line Performance Bike padded bike shorts.

No manscaping though. :D

And make sure your saddle isn't bottoming out on anything.

On my ancient Univega mountain bike the Fizik Aliante VSX was bottoming out on the seat post bolt! No wonder it was uncomfortable. I got a new seat post that fixed the problem.

How often do you ride? I do about 40-60 miles a week.

Over the summer magically my butt seems to be fairly impervious to soreness.

Hills have gotten easier too! :D

I was going to shave myself, but my W pointed out that I'd need to keep shaving; otherwise, hard, pointy little hairs might be worse than the chafing caused by the hair I have now.