Saddle Width and "Support"
 

I changed saddles last fall and I'm not sure I made the right move. I'll go back a few years to explain.

I bought a custom made steel frame about five years ago and had it built up at the shop. When choosing saddles (while riding the bike on a trainer), I got to try about 5 different ones. I recall clearly that with a couple of the saddles, when I initially tried them and shook my head no to the LBS fitter, he said that the saddle was not properly supporting me (something like that). Like, he can tell that as I was pedalling the saddle made me pedal differently somehow. I also recall that the two saddles, when this happened, were a little narrow. Mind you, I'm only 140 pounds with a narrow frame...so you would think I could at least sit on, and be supported by, most narrow saddles (how much thinner would you have to be). Yes, I understand about sit bone width. The saddle I went with was about 148 wide (can't recall exactly). I used it for a few years, but found on rides over 100k it was starting to hurt.

So a few years ago I tried a Brooks B17. After getting over the initial firmness of the saddle, I was in love. I was riding longer distances and never complained about that area. Used several on different bikes for a number of years.

This last summer I had some intense pain in the neck/shoulder area. I thought cycling was a contributing factor, and it probably is, but after six months of changing habits I realize it was the desk job and sitting in front of a computer for hours a day, for 15+ years with bad posture. I'm much better in that area now, and have felt the positive changes. In an effort to address this issue when it spiked six months ago, I bought new saddles. They were flat, as I was thinking I was sliding forward on the Brooks. But now those saddles, which are pretty narrow, feel like they're not supporting me when pedaling. But I don't really know what that meant back during the fitting when I wasn't properly supported by the saddle. Thoughts?

Anyway, now that my neck and shoulders are much better, and after several recent rides where I wasn't comfortable on these narrow saddles, I'm going to try the Brooks again and see how it affects my neck and shoulders through possible pressure on my hands (maybe due to the shape of the saddle and how I run it). If the next few rides on the Brooks are fine, I'll be set, but in the interim (waiting for snow to melt) I thought I would run this by the forum.

Cheers!

Generic the more Upright the posture the wider the back of the saddle .. But the saddle nose between your legs no wider..

In theory A racing bike You are putting weight on the pedals so less on your Butt. and have a strong Set of back & abdominal Muscles. to support the rest of you
taking it off leaning heavy on your Arms. (might want to work on that aerea , gym wise)

A Massage at the end of every days racing is also a Very Nice Thing , amateurs dont get.

Makes sense. When I'm riding the racing bike the saddle is more comfortable when I'm pedalling hard and in the drops. The touring bike with a Brooks is great when I'm upright. Lately, the touring bike with narrow saddle hasnt been supportive when I'm upright. I'm thinking that different saddle styles on each bike is the way to go.