ctpres

Time to replace five year old Ritchey WCS Streem that came with my Zenetto. I am totally confused at this point. Looking for a saddle: longer rides say 40 to 75 miles with an occasional century with more or less equal time spent on tops, hoods, drops and aero bars. Not a racer or slowpoke. Short saddle, curved nose, slot/cutout, curved up rear, wings, flat etc. Reading various mfg's saddle selection guides provides numerous conflicting stories and does not help me much. LBS route not doable as we travel year round in an RV and seldom in one place longer than a few months or no LBS within 200 miles. ME: snake, almost flat back in drops, 5'6" 158 lbs spinner and older than most. Looking for some ideas and help that will keep me from starting with mistakes.

Sojodave

Everyone is different when it comes to saddles. I've tried over a dozen saddles and I've found the Specialized Power saddles have been the best for comfort and distance. They are short-nosed saddles and once you get them dialed in, they are great for riding in the drops. I rode on an Expert Power saddle for a couple of years, but got it torn up in an accident. I strayed and tried a few others but went back to the Power Pro Elaston which I ride now. The Elaston is more expensive, but they figured out how to make a saddle for endurance that has the cushion.

Wildwood 

for a flat-back rider, look at the SMP saddles. Split rail and dropped nose. They offer many models, so good options for padding/weight/etc.

Kedosto

What works for me may not work for you, yada yada yada...

My faves -
Specialized Phenom
Specialized Power

I'm also good with -
Brooks B17
Specialized Avatar
Charge Spoon
Ergon SMC? (can't recall model)

My backside isn't very finicky. Phenom is my "go to" saddle.

-Kedosto

fietsbob

What works for me is the typical reply to all these hundreds of "which saddle" threads..

as you would know , If you read through any of the ones already posted over the years,

before starting one of your own..

My list : (drop bar bikes , touring)
Brooks Team Pro, bought in 1975.

2nd one bought in 1990.. frame & rivets different but not the leather shape

[Road and Cross , drop bar)similar shape San Marco Rolls. And Selle Italia 'Turbo'

nose of slot down the middle types (other than punched slot in leather ones )
are wider than those without..


Daily rider , (I live close in ,Old small coastal PNW town where it rains ).. 'pleather' covered 'unisex'
little wider still narrow nose ...

A Fizik Vitesse , 1 CP3, & several thinner padded from a batch ordered by Brompton
with a higher profile rail bend..
Brooks B or C 17 a bit wider than the race bike types ..

You leave your bikes outside on back of MH.. ? leather may not fare well left out all the time ..
Mine removed from bike left in basement , as mildew comes with the climate..




Tune : "99 bottles of beer on the wall" sing it while you buy and try almost that many
different saddles by riding them ..



....

surak

I think a stub-nosed saddle would work well for your use cases. I like the Specialized Power, but some prefer the Pro Stealth because they move around more. The other brands have come out with similar shapes, but those are the ones that have a good in-depth review: https://cyclingtips.com/2017/10/spec...arison-review/

delbiker1 

I am 5' 8", 160 lbs, so I am on the thin side. For me , a narrow saddle, in the 135 mm area, works best. Not as concerned with the nose. I also like a cut out or pressure relief channel and not too much padding. One saddle that I have and really like, comfortable for short and long rides, Is the Pro Turnix. It is relatively flat. That Falcon also comes in the Falcon, more aggressive, and the Griffon, more rounded for a lot of movement. Bikewagon.com had the Ti rails models on sale for less than $60 but I do not know if that is up to date.

veganbikes

So first thing, what didn't you like about your current saddle of 5 years that you now need to replace? If you liked the current saddle enough to ride it for 5 years before taking it off then maybe get another of the same saddle or something similar to it. You don't have to change unless you need to change.

However if you need change what I might do is go see a fitter who is well recommended in the next area you are in and maybe see if you can hang around for a bit and get a saddle from them or the local shop they recommend. They can measure sit bones and look at you on the bike and maybe figure out something else.

I like my Brooks Cambium C17 Carved it works well for me but my cheeks are different from your cheeks but if I had a saddle that I was on for that long without wanting to change I would probably stick with it. Ritchey still makes the WCS Streem and according to their site you can get it carbon railed or ti railed.

Slightspeed

Personal choice, but Brooks B17 works for me. I have several B17s, and one Brooks Professional. For some reason, sometimes the Pro feels strange, other times OK. I guess I'm not pro material.

martianone

ctpres

When I went to aero bars - that is when I felt the Ritchey was not working no matter how i adjusted it.

bakerjw

Everyone is different. Myself, I like leather saddles because after breaking in, they have conformed to ones unique shape. They aren't padded but you get used to it. At least me and my wife have.

ericzamora

I ride a drop-bar gravel bike. Switched to a Fabric Line Elite Shallow, and LOVE its comfort.

eric/fresno, ca.

NoWhammies

I keep reading good things about the Fabric line of saddles. I'm giving serious thought to considering them/buying one for my next saddle. I figure it's either that or another Specialized.

TimothyH

I replaced the saddle on three bikes with Fabric and put a fourth on my latest build.


-Tim-

GailT

I tried a Fabric Scoop Flat on my road bike and it didn't work for me, after a 50 mile ride I had the most numbness of several saddles that I tried. I ordered it from Competitive Cyclist and was able to return it. A lot of people say good things about Fabric, but you never know until you ride it, so it's best to buy from a place where you can return it if you need to. The Selle Italia SLR Superflow worked best for me of the saddles that I've tried, including Ergon, Brooks and other Selle Italia saddles.

taz777

As most people say, saddles are a very personal thing.

These ones have worked for me over the years for my relatively very short leisure rides:

1. Charge Spoon - very good price and surprisingly comfortable

2. Selle Italia SLR Superflow - probably best for road bikes and if you are a serious cyclist

3. Brooks England B67 - currently on my Electra Townie cruiser and a wonderful match for it - supremely comfortable but it's not designed for performance

4. Brooks England B17 - a general purpose saddle

5. Brooks B17 Special - similar to B17 but with a nicer finish

6. Specialized Phenom - great for most types of bikes (it's on my fat bike and hybrid at the moment)

7. Brooks England Flyer - in between a B17 and B67 with slightly smaller springs than the B67. More for comfort and more upright riding style

8. Fabric Scoop Radius Elite - quite comfortable and good value for money. This is on my mountain bike at the moment

9. Fizik Aliante R3 Open K:IUM - this is currently my favourite saddle and is on my gravel bike. Would also suit a road bike. It's pretty good value for money for a high quality saddle.

TimothyH

Charge Spoon is a rebranded Fabric Scoop.


-Tim-

rayooo

Fabric Line Shallow Pro for me, 'pretty lightweight, firm but not hard, a bit expensive but the same model with metal rails is less so. (although a bit heavier)

ctpres

Since so many of you have helped I thought I would keep you up to date on how I shopped.
OK: Specialized is out as only option I know of is store purchase ( we move around a lot,)
All leather : Brooks and Selle Anatomica are out as bike is outside all year covered behind our motorhome.
I ruled out basically flat saddles as that is what my current one is.
Common features from above suggestions are a cut-out and short nose.
Amazon Prime looked like best source for no questions asked return policy and super fast shipping.

So my first attempt was a throw=away at $26. All I can say is wow what a difference. Couple short adjustment rides and then a 77 miler. Amazing difference. The only thing that felt a little bit uncomfortable was in front where the cut-out stopped. The RockBros will probably end up on my Mtn bike.
My next test will be the - Name changed to Well for $139. Just clicked Buy and it will be here Sunday yes Sunday delivery.
And If I don't like and take care not to damage I can return for free - just put in box and drop off at any UPS store.

surak

www.specialized.com ?

Cyclist0108

My bike came with one. It caused very intense, acute pain like I never experienced with any other saddle. Everyone is different. Try before you buy based on recommendations.

Similarly, I bought my wife a $150 (list) woman's saddle that got a huge number of very positive reviews. She found it unusable.

livedarklions

Should there just be a sticky "Saddle Thread" at this point?

Not to be confused with a "Sticky Saddle Thread". That would just be gross.

ctpres

" I did look at that but -
Specialized Return Policy - "If you are not satisfied with any item(s) you have received, you may return it/them for a full refund within 30 days of receipt. Return shipping charges are the responsibility of the consumer." So unless saddle is priced over $150 shipping both ways is a problem. If I can't find a good one on Amazon I will try them.

Brocephus

How's the padding under the seat bones on this one ? I'm really feeling the seat bone soreness this year, and have been hunting around for an economical saddle with better padding,