Any seat recommendations out there?
02-23-11, 08:01 PM
#2
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Any saddle recommendations out there?
This would be for a road bike. Most of my rides between 30 and 75 mi.
Last edited by sdlesko; 02-23-11 at 08:08 PM.
02-23-11, 10:34 PM
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Yes, I recommend you use one. A saddle would be a good thing to have on a road bike. 
02-23-11, 10:57 PM
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I remember, back in the mid/late 80's, reading about a women's NORBA champion that won without a saddle for the last 25 or so miles of the championship race. Her seat post broke and somehow she had the fortitude to not only finish but win the national championship race for the year. Wow!
02-23-11, 11:19 PM
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When it comes to saddles, what I would recommend based on my experience might prove to be torturous to you. Saddle fit/preference is very individualized. That having been said, I currently ride a Selle SMP.
02-23-11, 11:22 PM
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And the Brooks crowd will be here in 3...2...1...
02-23-11, 11:23 PM
#8
Uber Goober
Brooks! That's what I use on my Raleigh Sojourn, because that's what it came with.
But like they said up there, everyone seems to like different things.
On the lady riding without the seat- not so remarkable because some of those better cyclists don't spend much time on the seat anyway. It'd be remarkable if I did it, maybe.
But like they said up there, everyone seems to like different things.
On the lady riding without the seat- not so remarkable because some of those better cyclists don't spend much time on the seat anyway. It'd be remarkable if I did it, maybe.
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02-23-11, 11:30 PM
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How about a Brooks hater? Well, not so much a hater as that rare person who had one, back in the '60s and early '70s, and really didn't like it at all.
I suggest you find a bike shop that has a few loaners and try them out to get a feel for what works. When you get the right saddle you'll know within the first fifty miles. I have found that my rear end is wider than expected for a male, so I have often happily used saddles labeled for females. The Specialized thing I ride on now comes in various widths. Of course I use the widest one they sell. Strangely, my wife has always used the ones marketed to males.
I suggest you find a bike shop that has a few loaners and try them out to get a feel for what works. When you get the right saddle you'll know within the first fifty miles. I have found that my rear end is wider than expected for a male, so I have often happily used saddles labeled for females. The Specialized thing I ride on now comes in various widths. Of course I use the widest one they sell. Strangely, my wife has always used the ones marketed to males.
02-23-11, 11:50 PM
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I'm part of the Brooks crowd, I bought my saddle used 15 years ago, it's now on it's 3rd bike....
02-24-11, 12:05 AM
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02-24-11, 01:41 AM
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I've been awfully happy with a Serfa on my hybrid. It doesn't matter how far I ride my legs give out before my rear is sore.
https://www.serfas.com/saddle_products.asp?CatID=1
For my road bike I am looking at Terry or another Serfa since I have been so happy with theirs. Terry makes mens seats, too.
https://www.terrybicycles.com/Saddles
I have found I need/want/prefer the cutout seats- airflow, less pressure - BIG difference for me.
My husband likes his Fizik Aliante Gamma.
https://www.fizik.it/product.aspx?c=ALIANTE-GAMMA
He says it is very comfortable (a little wider than most mens road seats and it curves down- is not flat), which is hard to believe for me, but he says it is.
Saddles are very individual. If you haven't tried a cutout, I recommend you try one. Most bike shops have loaner seats.
https://www.serfas.com/saddle_products.asp?CatID=1
For my road bike I am looking at Terry or another Serfa since I have been so happy with theirs. Terry makes mens seats, too.
https://www.terrybicycles.com/Saddles
I have found I need/want/prefer the cutout seats- airflow, less pressure - BIG difference for me.
My husband likes his Fizik Aliante Gamma.
https://www.fizik.it/product.aspx?c=ALIANTE-GAMMA
He says it is very comfortable (a little wider than most mens road seats and it curves down- is not flat), which is hard to believe for me, but he says it is.
Saddles are very individual. If you haven't tried a cutout, I recommend you try one. Most bike shops have loaner seats.
Last edited by outwest5; 02-24-11 at 01:46 AM.
02-24-11, 03:28 AM
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How much money do you have to find the right one? Standard rule of thumb is about $500 is what it takes to find one that really works.
2 that work for me are Fizik Aliante and Selle Signo. There is not enough bandwidth to list the ones I have tried and not worked for me.
2 that work for me are Fizik Aliante and Selle Signo. There is not enough bandwidth to list the ones I have tried and not worked for me.
02-24-11, 03:45 AM
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I had an Ideale (similar to Brooks) for a couple of years. Meh. I prefer to only spend about $30 on a saddle, so I tried out a bunch, several were bike shop takeoffs I got for $5.
SDG Belair is my favorite so far. Mine are all chewed up, thinking about taking them in to an upholsterer, new ones are probably cheaper though.
I've heard tell of some fancy bike shops offering demo saddles if you're looking for something fancy.
SDG Belair is my favorite so far. Mine are all chewed up, thinking about taking them in to an upholsterer, new ones are probably cheaper though.
I've heard tell of some fancy bike shops offering demo saddles if you're looking for something fancy.
02-24-11, 04:34 AM
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Agree with others that it is so personal but I will throw out the Fizik Airone, that is what I use and stuck with.
I tried the Antares and Aliante but kept the Airone. Many thousands of miles and no problems.
I may try the Antares again a some time though. LBS has them as loaners so no cost to try them out.
I tried the Antares and Aliante but kept the Airone. Many thousands of miles and no problems.
I may try the Antares again a some time though. LBS has them as loaners so no cost to try them out.
02-24-11, 04:59 AM
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It's totally personal. I've tried several Brooks and a bunch of others, including a half-dozen $5 old Italian ones from the Madison Swap. In order what I like:
Selle AnAtomica (running three of them now)
Brooks B17 Imperial
Specialized Toupe 143
Specialized Alias 143
Brooks B17
Brooks Team Professional
Specialized BG
Specialized Toupe 135
E3 Form
all the rest
I got a bunch for sale if anyone wants to buy a "test kit"
Selle AnAtomica (running three of them now)
Brooks B17 Imperial
Specialized Toupe 143
Specialized Alias 143
Brooks B17
Brooks Team Professional
Specialized BG
Specialized Toupe 135
E3 Form
all the rest
I got a bunch for sale if anyone wants to buy a "test kit"
02-24-11, 05:08 AM
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What are you using now, and why don't you like it?
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02-24-11, 05:35 AM
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Brooks B17 or B17 Narrow. Took me 10+ years to learn that there is no better saddle available.
02-24-11, 05:56 AM
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02-24-11, 06:07 AM
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???? Ride 200-3000 miles per year already?
02-24-11, 06:29 AM
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02-24-11, 07:55 AM
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Just one question. If DF saddles dont cause pain, why is the so much discussion and switching to find one that causes the least pain??? We bent riders are smiling.
02-24-11, 07:59 AM
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Gloves, grips/tape, shoes, pedals, shorts, saddles any item that interfaces between your body and your bike are highly individualized choices. What works well for one could be complete garbage for another. Its all trial and error with some educated guesses thrown in for good measure. Good luck!
02-24-11, 08:37 AM
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Brooks B17. If you have sore butt troubles, you should at least give this saddle a try. It's not for everyone, but an awful lot of people (including me) love theirs.