I was just reading that comfort is key to riding long miles. Sore, numb hands and a hurting butt bone can cut a nice ride short.

I was talking to an old timer who spoke of a leather seat that he loved. Absolutely loved it. This guy has rode a bicycle for 50+ years. Then, on youtube, I saw a guy doing a review and his bike had a leather seat. He absolutely loved it.

My seat is stock. Schwinn stock. My butt is not comfortable.

What makes for a great seat.?? I'd like to try a leather seat but there must be other material and designs that works for most everyone. No.??

Brand and models of great seats, saddles, would be much appreciated here.

Consider yourself lucky if you get the saddle right on the first or second try. If you are set on leather, you cannot go wrong with Brooks. People have luck with Selle SMP. Then you have the Fabric Saddle guys.

Trial & error after affixed in the ideal position of the properly fitted bike.

Sorry, but that's a lot like asking which is the best shoe size. Don't ] if you want to get this specific, but what hurts? Might be a clue as to what might be more comfortable.

I prefer a real leather cover over fake leather but it's more rare with modern saddles. Proper tilt is the biggest comfort factor. Many people blow money on new saddles when all they needed to do was adjust it properly. Besides that, everyones rear end is different. What's comfortable for one person isn't for another. I personally can be comfortable on almost any racing saddle as long as it isn't super narrow.

A bike shop where I used to live would let me try a saddle out for a week or so before purchasing one. I think I went through 3 saddles before settling on a Fizik for my road bike. Now since getting back on a steel more upright bike I wanted another Brooks B.17 and really enjoying it, but its not for everyone..

Selle Anatomica gets good reviews as well. I haven't tried one (yet), but my next saddle will be one. Not inexpensive, but leather saddles are not cheap. They do get good reviews, though!

The first thing to know is what overall shape and width will work for you. Virtually all saddles fall into general categories based on shape: Flat, semi curved, and curved. Width varies from very narrow to extra wide. Combine the variables, and you get what seems to be a limitless number of variations. With enough trial and error, you'll get an idea about what works and what doesn't. But it's the trial and error part that can be a challenge.

Saddles aren't cheap. Quality saddles can be many times more expensive than budget models and there's no guarantee that an expensive saddle will feel any better than a low-budget offering. A $300 saddle in the wrong shape or width will just end up being nothing more than a torture device. In the broadest terms, within any given shape style, the more expensive saddles will tend to be more comfortable and better built. Having said that, there will be no shortage of guys chiming in about how a low-buck saddle is "the best I ever owned." And they're not wrong. Shape and width are the most important; price is only something to be considered after fit.

Figure out what shape works for you. Go bike shopping, not for the bike but for the saddle. Stock seats on new bikes are notoriously lower spec, but what you're trying to figure out is what shape feels best, so sit on a lot of bikes. Once you get a feel for what seems best, shop the various brands based on quality and budget. It might be expensive, or it might not, depending on how well you can narrow your focus. Remember too; you can always Craigslist the ones that don't work out. Sure, that's a big hassle, but how else are you gonna find the promised land? Online shopping? Photos are key. You wanna see a saddle from as many different angles as possible to discern curves and cutouts.

For me, I prefer a semi-curved shape and fairly narrow. Specialized Body Geometry saddles are quality designed and quality built. Specialized Phenom in a 143 width is about as good as it gets (for me). The truth is, there are many other saddles with similar shape and qualities, but I stick with Specialized because, well, they just work for me. Now here's the thing -- it really doesn't matter what I ride if it isn't a shape or width that will work for you. Only you can figure out that part.


-Kedosto

For me a firm seat that is adjusted correctly is what you want. My current bike seat is the stock Giant ATX Lite seat and I like it. If it hits your sit bones correctly and nothing else it should be good.

As others pointed out, a good seat is a pretty individual decision. My personal "journey" has been to seats that essentially touch my body in fewer places and seats that have less padding. (Which for some reasons means more expensive seats....) I do about 2,500 miles per year on the bike, over the winter do spin classes and have a bike on an indoor trainer - I think I have a fairly tough rear end... Plus, I have lots of natural padding on it!

By trying a number of seats out, I've moved to seats with cutouts in the middle and thin noses - the Selle SMP Glider is my current seat on my main road bike. I found I liked the droopy nose, too.

A friend of mine who does less mileage is very different - he has moved to saddles with more cushioning and wider noses, but still likes those with cutouts.

A good bike shop will let you borrow seats to try them out - really the only way to go.