The Weak Link

I sorry to start this thread, as I will probably be reported to the Department of Redundancy Department and the Natural Guard. I don't really think the Internet needs another thread about saddle preferences.

But I gotta admit the sorest place on my anatomy after my ride today are the delicate tissues where I only use delicate tissues, if you are catching what I'm drifting. I don't think I'm going to get too attached to the Bontager saddle that came with the Buenos Aires.

So I'm asking about saddles. Not the lardbutt hybrid bike types, or the ones little springs in the back. Those are cool enough, but I'm looking for a road saddle on which to do my LSD. It has to have a "Love Channel" (I love that term), not so much for Da Boyz as for allowing me to finish a ride with a PSA under 100.

Since I'm selling out to the Dark Side of the OCP Force in a Way I Would Never Have Imagined before a week ago, the saddle has to be light and affordable (less than $100).

Are the Sella Italicas pretty decent? Any other thoughts?

I'm getting ready to drop an Ambien, so if my replies get a bit disjointed then it wil la be gooving to the tuen of thel; soee what is sayinnnnnnn?

Tom Bombadil

Check out these threads:

https://www.bikeforums.net/fifty-plus-50/274921-what-brand-saddle-do-you-use-ii.html

https://www.bikeforums.net/fifty-plus-50/255190-need-some-saddle-advice.html

Digital Gee

The last thing the internet needs is another thread about saddle preferences.

Digital Gee

Oh what the heck. I like my Specialized Avatar. Got one used from a Very Special 50+ member that I use on the Cypress, and one came with the Roobay. Get one of those if your bum is just like mine. Otherwise, you're on your own.

The Weak Link

I dunno. I can't see getting a Brooks B17, which seemed to be the odd-on favorite of the golden boys.

After many intensive minutes of research on RoadBikeReviews, I ordered a Terry Fly Ti off of Cambria. I have a Terry Liberator on the tandem and I like it ok. The saddle also seems to have an attitude. I like that.

I'll give a report on it in a few weeks.

Tom Bombadil

I have a Terry Fly Ti that is not on any of my bikes at the moment. It was attached to the Trek 820 I picked up last year for $50. It isn't suited for an upright riding position, so I'm keeping it around in case I modify my setup.

Digital Gee

Oh I see. You're not going to comment on my wit.

I get it now. I see how it works around here.

Hmmph.

spry

Geez Gary,its midnight here in the real world,and were talking about your Bum?
Specialized Indie,cheap,cool looking,split rear pads,relief canal,done deal.

maddmaxx 

There could be an unannounced contest. Or not!

The Weak Link

This time of night, wit is wasted upon me. I can't speak for the others. They're on their own.

BluesDawg

I have a Terry Fly that I bought as a (very) rainy day substitute for my Brooks B17. I found it to to be pretty good for rides up to around 30 miles, but nowhere near as comfortable as the Brooks. I now use it on my MTB where it is serving me pretty well. The one time I did a ride longer than 2 hours on that bike on dirt roads, it started getting a little painful toward the end of the ride.

Hask12

The overwhelming response to your question is the Brooks 17. If you buy from Walbike(?), you get a 6 month moneyback guarantee. So how could you possibly go wrong. Give it a try, it just might be the answer to your question, you have nothing to lose except a sore butt. I've never been sorry about buying one.

Big Paulie

My guess is 155mm .

stapfam

There are some of us that are not Brooks fans and we do not wish to ride with the fore most part of the body being the feet and I take it you are one of us.

There are a great number of saddles out there but the one does take some finding. Specialised dealers have a foam that you sit on and it tells you the width of saddle that you require. Does not always apply as I am supposed to be 155mm and The saddle they recommended was not the cheapest I have come across and with my NEW saddle that works- is not the right size. I am fortunate in that my LBS have a low stool. They opened up the Saddle showcase and let ne run through all the saddles till I found one that fits. I put the saddle on the stool and sat on it. That saddle worked for about 2 rides. I have had severe problems with saddles.

Then it was the second system. Sitting on all the bikes in the shop till I found one that fits. Didn't work either. Then The shop owner had his bike in the shop and he let me ride it on a test. That saddle was comfy. So I bought one. Took about 3 rides but last weekend I did 47 miles and did not feel the saddle and no Pain on Monday either.

That saddle was a selle San Marco "Aero". But it will not work for everyone. On the MTB I have a Selle Italia Gelflow but riding style on that is different in that you move around a lot more on an MTB and The Tandem has a wide Sell Italia Trans-Am, but you are more upright on a Tandem.

Sorry can't help on your choice of saddle, but I must have 20 nearly new saddles floating about you can try if you are over here.

vulpes

I found an old Vetta VSA in perfect condition at a flea market for $2. I really like it.

rodrigaj

The problem with brooks saddles is that people don't systematically adjust them till they feel right. In fact that may be the situation with lots of saddles.

Remember, each saddle is different which means at least three adjustments need to be tuned in before one can say the saddle doesn't work for them. Seat post height, seat fore aft position, and seat angle all need to be fined tuned.

I have found that three twenty mile rides and one 50 mile ride allows me the time to truly assess a saddle. Brooks Professional is by far the most comfortable saddle I have found - when it is properly set up.

Retro Grouch 

When you find a saddle that you like buy 2 because that exact model will no longer be available when the first one wears out.

jppe

I ride the Selle Italia Max Flite Trans Am (probably find on eBay) and also the Selle Italia Max Flite Gel. Both have the cutout, are wider in the sit area compared to other race saddles (around 144 mm's) and I've never had the slightest numbness in the soft tissue area. I have not found a saddle without the cutout that will work for me. Performance currently has the Max Flite Gel at 1/2 price via the web.

I'm sure you know this but saddle position (horizontal to the ground or the nose even so slightly down) and distance to the bars can also be factors to key comfort issues.

Lauraspark

Please...tell us more!

head_wind

Same answer that I give to the office ergonomics weirdos:
https://www.la-z-boy.com/ourfurniture/catalog.aspx?cid=1

Artkansas 

I think you need the advice of Dr. Timothy Diego....

Big Paulie

Like Dr. Tim, the Diegos have all been creamated and launched into orbit...

CrossChain

"Creamated" as in turned into white powder and dumped into coffee? I'd imagined the Diego Clan ended up somewhere far hotter than a cup of coffee.

Gotcha Paulie! for that "poorly kept uk roads" oversight of mine which you pointed out. So far, Stapfam hasn't come looking for me waving the Union Jack.

stapfam

[QUOTE=CrossChain
So far, Stapfam hasn't come looking for me waving the Union Jack.[/QUOTE]

You tell the truth and I'll respect your facts and agree with you wholeheartedly

oilman_15106

Saddle comfort has as much to do with correct riding position as the saddle itself. If your sure you have the correct stem length, seatpost height, seat to bar length, etc. then start buying different saddles. If not you may find making the small adjustments in riding position solve the problem. I discoverd this by changing a stem when I was ready to trash the Terry Fly. Found it was my postition and not the saddle.

I happen to like the Fizik Aliante, which they call a hammok style saddle, no cutout for the boys but it is comfy for me. Also use the Terry Fly, which has a cutout. Have used Velo Carbon - works fine and Velo SLR copy works for me. Avenir on my Mt bike - padded with cutout - POS that will kill your rear after 10 miles.