Bike saddles. Why so expensive?
 

It's a piece of metal, plastic and maybe leather. It weights around 300g. Why am I finding saddles that cost upwards of 200 bucks? Why can't I find a decent one for around 20-30 bucks? What are the profit margins like on bike parts?

Many bike shops sell used saddles for $5 to $25.

Relatively limited production, some of the "better" saddles are made in places like Italy or England where they actually pay people who work. If you want a $20 saddle got to WM and get what you pay for.

Aaron :)

Sette Rev for $16.

http://www.mtbr.com/channels/mtbrevi...uct_415599.jpg

You're finding some expensive ones because there are people willing and able to pay those prices and therefore the marketplace provides such products.
But I'm puzzled as to why you can't find a decent one for $20-30. I've never paid more than $20 for a saddle and have had no problem finding good ones, albeit generally a few ounces heavier than the latest carbon fiber and/or titanium rail models.

Brooks saddles aren't that expensive ... they are pretty much middle of the road when it comes to saddle prices.

From Wallingford Bicycles in the US, you can get a Brooks B17 for $97 with a money back guarantee if you don't like the saddle after 6 months. That's a great deal for a great saddle!! http://www.wallbike.com/brooks/standardsaddles.html Most of the Brooks are, in fact, under $200 with the exception of the specialty saddles.

I'm leaning towards the Forte Classic which is only 35, which is fine with me but I'm not sure it's going to be any better than the Viscount that came with my bike. I'm still working with different saddle positions to see if I can get it to work.

One of the other things you have to consider is saddle shape. Over my years of cycling, I've found that I need a saddle that curves up in the back, and is a certain width across in the back. I have ridden saddles that were too narrow, and those are terribly uncomfortable. I've ridden saddles that are too wide ... also uncomfortable, although not as uncomfortable as the ones that are too narrow. I've ridden very flat saddles and ended up with a lot of lower back pain once my rides got up over 100 km. And I came to the conclusion that there is a specific shape of saddle I need to be comfortable out there.

As it happens there are several saddles that could fit the bill. Some work fine for short distances. My Brooks works fine for all distances.

Is there no consequence to the Brooks not having a cutout? This is the area that has been causing me the most grief. I've been getting alot of numbness on long rides.

Brooks makes a saddle with a cutout it is called the Imperial. It is one of their wider saddles, but unsprung.

Aaron :)

That looks like it could pinch something... :eek:

There are a lot of “why do they cost so much” in cycling. Why are bifters so expensive? Why does a short CF stem cost $98.00 and an Aluminum one cost $39.00? why do stock rims weigh 2200 grams and cost $100.00 a set and 1800 gram wheels cost $300.00 and 1500 grams wheels cost $900.00?
Why did my SMP cost so much and my stock saddle was about $25.00? Doesn’t matter because my old saddle wasn’t comfortable and my new one is. But then a 250 gram saddle most likely will cost less than a 165 gram saddle. They know we will pay for comfort and they know we will pay to save a few grams of weight.

Some folks can use the budget priced saddles with no problem for the type of riding they do. I found that for what I personally need, I had to spend up a bit, and for something as crucial as the saddle, it is worth it. Get the saddle that works for you, not the cheapest one you can find. If those two things coincide, great, you are one of the lucky ones :) But if you can't find a cheap saddle that works for you, don't be afraid to save up and spend a bit more money for something that does work (lots of bike shops have test saddle programs, or generous return policies, take advantage of this).

If you're asking, then you're in the wrong business. :D

Or born to the wrong family. ;)

http://www.bikeforall.net/news.php?articleshow=264