Testing saddles indoor
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Testing saddles indoor
Haven't been riding my bike because I've been struggling with both saddle sores and soft tissue pain both indoors and outdoors for some time. I think it's definitely time to change my stock saddle, although since it's winter right now and I'm not willing to ride outdoors with all the snow, will testing a saddle indoors be just as effective as testing outdoors? Or if I just end up getting a saddle that will work for me indoors and not outdoors?
Edit: Thanks for the replies and tips
Edit: Thanks for the replies and tips

Last edited by RoadRider5; 01-27-23 at 09:17 PM.
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Are you going to be on the bike indoors? If using a trainer and riding for the time you will be riding outdoors then you might get some idea. However I don't sit the same indoors on a trainer as I do when riding outdoors. Indoors I'm more relaxed and sitting more upright.
Stock saddles usually are pretty decent for the big and common bike brands, IMO. If you are actually getting saddle sores, then that is likely the clothing you wear when you cycle. If you ride infrequently, it can take some time to get use to a proper saddle. But if you ride infrequently, you might be better served by a wide cushy seat. But you will likely never ride long rides on that really cushy wide saddle with out getting some actual saddle sores.
Stock saddles usually are pretty decent for the big and common bike brands, IMO. If you are actually getting saddle sores, then that is likely the clothing you wear when you cycle. If you ride infrequently, it can take some time to get use to a proper saddle. But if you ride infrequently, you might be better served by a wide cushy seat. But you will likely never ride long rides on that really cushy wide saddle with out getting some actual saddle sores.
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Yes, I am going to be on the bike indoors for probably 2 more months. Thanks for the insight!
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If you are getting saddle sores, it is most likely a fit issue. If the saddle sores are showing up on one side, and not normally the other side, it is most definitely a fit issue, generally speaking, the saddle is too high.
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I use the same saddle on the trainer as my bike, and set up the same. I've tested out different saddles on the trainer and it doesn't lie...I return to my standard; the inexpensive Charge Spoon.
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If anything, I would imagine testing the saddle indoors would be BETTER than testing it for outdoor rides because indoor cycling generally has you sitting in the same static position for most or all of the time. Outdoor cycling has you getting off the seat at red lights, standing while climbing, shifting positions for descents, etc. and thus relieves the pressure on your sensitive areas. This is just conjecture though, so maybe someone has solid evidence as to why I might be right or wrong about this.
Also, have you looked into embrocation? After I got heavier and less aggressive (not standing as often), Chamois Butt'r and a more curved saddle was required for me to endure rides of any decent length.
Also, have you looked into embrocation? After I got heavier and less aggressive (not standing as often), Chamois Butt'r and a more curved saddle was required for me to endure rides of any decent length.
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If a saddle is comfortable for 1 hour on the indoor trainer, itll be fine for me to use outdoors for however long my legs can last.
The opposite is not true, at least for me. A saddle can be super comfortable outside, but an ass-hatchet indoors.
The opposite is not true, at least for me. A saddle can be super comfortable outside, but an ass-hatchet indoors.
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Are you going to be on the bike indoors? If using a trainer and riding for the time you will be riding outdoors then you might get some idea. However I don't sit the same indoors on a trainer as I do when riding outdoors. Indoors I'm more relaxed and sitting more upright.
Stock saddles usually are pretty decent for the big and common bike brands, IMO. If you are actually getting saddle sores, then that is likely the clothing you wear when you cycle. If you ride infrequently, it can take some time to get use to a proper saddle. But if you ride infrequently, you might be better served by a wide cushy seat. But you will likely never ride long rides on that really cushy wide saddle with out getting some actual saddle sores.
Stock saddles usually are pretty decent for the big and common bike brands, IMO. If you are actually getting saddle sores, then that is likely the clothing you wear when you cycle. If you ride infrequently, it can take some time to get use to a proper saddle. But if you ride infrequently, you might be better served by a wide cushy seat. But you will likely never ride long rides on that really cushy wide saddle with out getting some actual saddle sores.
I think that riding indoors is more of an "acid test" for a saddle than riding outdoors. As you say, you sit differently, but you SIT, almost exclusively indoors. If a saddle is comfortable for an hour of seated spinning indoors it will probably be good for longer outdoors.
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Agree with others here: indoor riding is the ultimate test of a saddle, and bike fit in general.
I would strongly suggest the OP look into getting a bike fit from a quality fitter before buying and trying new saddles. A good fitter will be able to assist with this. It's money well spent.
I would strongly suggest the OP look into getting a bike fit from a quality fitter before buying and trying new saddles. A good fitter will be able to assist with this. It's money well spent.
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Haven't been riding my bike because I've been struggling with both saddle sores and soft tissue pain both indoors and outdoors for some time. I think it's definitely time to change my stock saddle, although since it's winter right now and I'm not willing to ride outdoors with all the snow, will testing a saddle indoors be just as effective as testing outdoors? Or if I just end up getting a saddle that will work for me indoors and not outdoors?
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You are so much less able to move when riding indoors. Make sure you're using chamois cream and potentially look into a rocker plate. The more motion you're able to get (even if it's just standing up on the pedals for a while every 15 minutes), the better off you'll be.
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That also reminds me, RoadRider5 how level is your saddle? I've known many people (including myself) who tried to relieve pressure by tilting the saddle forward when it was actually better to tilt it back slightly, so gravity would pull you back and resting on your wider, cushier, derriere instead of the more sensitive parts further forward.
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Since you're saying it a second time (I just read it and moved on the first time), I'm not sure I fully agree with you. Most people I know who had saddle sores and fixed it were on too narrow of a saddle, had the wrong tilt on the saddle, or were otherwise having chafing issues that were resolved by a embrocation and/or a different chamois (I do realize that chafing could be caused by fit, but it also might not). That being said, it could very well be a fit issue and it wouldn't hurt to have it looked at first if for no other reason to rule it out before wasting $$$ on saddle after saddle.
That also reminds me, RoadRider5 how level is your saddle? I've known many people (including myself) who tried to relieve pressure by tilting the saddle forward when it was actually better to tilt it back slightly, so gravity would pull you back and resting on your wider, cushier, derriere instead of the more sensitive parts further forward.
That also reminds me, RoadRider5 how level is your saddle? I've known many people (including myself) who tried to relieve pressure by tilting the saddle forward when it was actually better to tilt it back slightly, so gravity would pull you back and resting on your wider, cushier, derriere instead of the more sensitive parts further forward.
It's not me saying this, good fitters say this. You can mitigate the issue with various band aid approaches, but it is always better to fix the underlying problem. Look at fit first, then look at other things. I can ride 50-70 miles a day with no chamois, no padded shorts, and do it day after day on tour, and I do, but I could not until I addressed the fit issue. My seat was too high. I tried all sorts of shorts and ointments, but nothing worked until I got the seat down where it should be. Too many people come out of a "bike fit," with a seat that is too high for their individual fitness level, and flexibility, and often too much drop and reach. They have soft tissue pain, and get saddle sores.
Interestingly, once I got my seat height correct for me, I no longer have to tilt it up to remain planted on the rear of the seat, I just stay there naturally. I'm running a Brooks too.
If the OP only had chafing, I would be all for suggesting some sort of product, but since they also experience soft tissue pain, I lean towards a fit issue.
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Fair point. I guess I'm imagining "bike fit" meaning go pay a professional $400 when a simple adjustment could be all that's needed.
There are various possibilities there. Dry skin, sensitive skin, too much sweat, overweight taxing the body and all its support points, chub rubbing, as well as various fit aspects. The human body was not designed to rest most of its weight on a surface that narrow, so sometimes issues are natural. People are different as well. Some people are more stout and can handle more. Others are more delicate and at least need to ease into things or find various accommodations.
Another fair point, and you're probably right that fit should be checked first either way.
Another fair point, and you're probably right that fit should be checked first either way.
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Fair point. I guess I'm imagining "bike fit" meaning go pay a professional $400 when a simple adjustment could be all that's needed.
There are various possibilities there. Dry skin, sensitive skin, too much sweat, overweight taxing the body and all its support points, chub rubbing, as well as various fit aspects. The human body was not designed to rest most of its weight on a surface that narrow, so sometimes issues are natural. People are different as well. Some people are more stout and can handle more. Others are more delicate and at least need to ease into things or find various accommodations.
Another fair point, and you're probably right that fit should be checked first either way.
There are various possibilities there. Dry skin, sensitive skin, too much sweat, overweight taxing the body and all its support points, chub rubbing, as well as various fit aspects. The human body was not designed to rest most of its weight on a surface that narrow, so sometimes issues are natural. People are different as well. Some people are more stout and can handle more. Others are more delicate and at least need to ease into things or find various accommodations.
Another fair point, and you're probably right that fit should be checked first either way.
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#17
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Tilt of saddle = fit. Using a chamois is a way of mitigating an issue, but what caused the issue? The OP also complained of soft tissue pain, usually caused by fit, too high seat height, too much reach or too much drop, or a combination.
It's not me saying this, good fitters say this. You can mitigate the issue with various band aid approaches, but it is always better to fix the underlying problem. Look at fit first, then look at other things. I can ride 50-70 miles a day with no chamois, no padded shorts, and do it day after day on tour, and I do, but I could not until I addressed the fit issue. My seat was too high. I tried all sorts of shorts and ointments, but nothing worked until I got the seat down where it should be. Too many people come out of a "bike fit," with a seat that is too high for their individual fitness level, and flexibility, and often too much drop and reach. They have soft tissue pain, and get saddle sores.
Interestingly, once I got my seat height correct for me, I no longer have to tilt it up to remain planted on the rear of the seat, I just stay there naturally. I'm running a Brooks too.
If the OP only had chafing, I would be all for suggesting some sort of product, but since they also experience soft tissue pain, I lean towards a fit issue.
It's not me saying this, good fitters say this. You can mitigate the issue with various band aid approaches, but it is always better to fix the underlying problem. Look at fit first, then look at other things. I can ride 50-70 miles a day with no chamois, no padded shorts, and do it day after day on tour, and I do, but I could not until I addressed the fit issue. My seat was too high. I tried all sorts of shorts and ointments, but nothing worked until I got the seat down where it should be. Too many people come out of a "bike fit," with a seat that is too high for their individual fitness level, and flexibility, and often too much drop and reach. They have soft tissue pain, and get saddle sores.
Interestingly, once I got my seat height correct for me, I no longer have to tilt it up to remain planted on the rear of the seat, I just stay there naturally. I'm running a Brooks too.
If the OP only had chafing, I would be all for suggesting some sort of product, but since they also experience soft tissue pain, I lean towards a fit issue.
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Not sure what Canyon does. I've not seriously looked at them yet since I can't ride one first. Perhaps they just use a cheap but good name saddle for all their models thinking that it's going to be replaced anyway.
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Yeah, I'm sure it varies from one bicycle manufacturer to the other, but within the same brand of bicycles for Specialized, Trek, Giant, Cannondale and etc., the saddles seem to be better saddles as the price tier of the bike goes up.
Not sure what Canyon does. I've not seriously looked at them yet since I can't ride one first. Perhaps they just use a cheap but good name saddle for all their models thinking that it's going to be replaced anyway.
Not sure what Canyon does. I've not seriously looked at them yet since I can't ride one first. Perhaps they just use a cheap but good name saddle for all their models thinking that it's going to be replaced anyway.
Unfortunately for me, Avocet went out of business long ago and nobody's making the O2 Air 40R anymore!

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I have a gel version of the same saddle on my trainer bike. Everything else I do is the same.
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Lots of excellent advice above. Would like to put a punctuation mark about also using chamois cream - especially on the trainer.
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#23
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I learned to not judge saddles indoors. Most saddles don't feel great indoors as compared to outside.