rousseau

Seems like it's the princess and the pea for some (most?) when it comes to saddles. My go-to...



...is the Selle San Marco Regale Racing Team, i.e. the updated "Belgian sofa," pictured here. Other saddles tend to feel like bricks to me. But I keep trying other saddles because I think it's inevitable that at some point this particular iteration of the model will become extinct, and then I'll be up butt creek without a paddle. I'd like to find several options that work for me, instead of always relying on just one, single, solitary saddle.

While it's a given that it's a given that saddle preferences are idiosyncratic, I still wonder if there aren't some general principles that one could use for guidance? One question that comes to mind:

If you're a wider guy and a particular saddle feels like sitting on a brick, would it generally make sense that the wider version of said brick-like saddle (if one is available) might support your sit-bones better and thus be more comfortable? Does the "sitting on a brick" feeling generally mean that a saddle is too narrow for you?

caloso

It's an interesting question. I also had a favorite "classic" saddle, in my case the Selle Italia Flite TT. Same shape as the classic Flite Ti, but even more minimal. I wore it down to the plastic and eventually it was ruining my shorts. Didn't have much luck finding a NOS one on eBay so I went to my shop to look for a replacement. The shop is a Specialized dealer and I asked them what Specialized saddle most replicated the Selle Italia shape: the Romin.

They also had me sit on their "Assometer" which leaves an imprint of your sit bones and they can give you the appropriate width. Mine said 155mm, which seemed crazy wide compared to the Selle Italia. And I just hated it for the first 100 miles or so. It just felt like a big old plank back there. Then, after about 100 miles it just disappeared under me. Perfect.

So, I don't know if this is helpful for you, but to answer your question, going to a wider saddle of a similar shape worked out really well for me.


[edit: Beautiful Bianchis, by the way. Makes me miss my 928 T-Cube.)

George

I use the same saddle and I've been thinking the same thing.
I got a Fizik Aliante vsx and held it next to the regale and the profile just about matches . Hard to believe, but it does. I didn't care for the vex, so I just ordered the Aliante R3 from Amazon to see how that works. The Aliante felt good but, the edges of the channel started digging in after 40 miles, so I sent it back. I think the profile on the new Aliante is a little different, so I'll have to wait and see.

fietsbob

Race Bike saddles are not for sitting on .. Push the pedals Harder so you put the weight on your Feet..

39 year old Brooks Professional , not Soft But Pliable .

Sojodave

OK, the first part of overcoming a problem is admitting you have a problem. My problem is that I'm obsessed with saddles. I got a new Ridley Fenix in September and I've gone through half a dozen saddles. I read an article that said the main reason people have problems with saddles is that they are either level, or tilting down in front. On some saddles, if you sit upright (like an endurance frame like I have) it puts too much pressure on your sit bones. I got a new Specialized Romin Evo Expert and I tilted the saddle back a couple of degrees. Wow, what a difference. It took the weight off my hands, no numbness or pain, and I was able to move around the saddle with no problem. Just don't tell my wife that I spent money on 6 other saddles...

rousseau

I've been wondering about the Romin as well. The Regale is 148 mm, but the Romin coming in a 155 mm version has got me considering it. Years ago I had a Toupe that seemed okay until one of the blades cracked, so it might be time to give the split saddle thing a try again.

P.S. I sold the steel one in the rear of the photo this past summer, having graduated to the aluminum ML3 in the forefront. Someday I'll move on to a carbon frame.

The Regale has been redesigned, so I may end up trying it again.



Wiggle | Selle San Marco Regale Racing Saddle with Xsilite Rails | Performance Saddles

rousseau

I went through a bout of prostatitis this past fall and am still recovering from it, so upward fore tilt would put too much pressure on the perineum for me. I'm basically totally level or just slighlty downward fore tilt. Though I've come to the conclusion that sitting at a desk all day is the real cause of the prostate issues, so the answer is to not sit so much throughout the day so that I can continue to do the enjoyable sitting on the bike.

George

That new regale looks a lot flater than the regale we have. I was wondering about it as well. If the aliante doesn't work, I'll try the new regale. Let us know how it works out, so I'll know if I should order one or not. I usually run mine a degree up. On the Aliante, I just level the front 4 inches and it felt pretty good. I just couldn't take the channel. Good luck with the new one.

rm -rf

The older style Aliante came with my new bike last year, and I assumed I would hate it and have to swap for another saddle at the LBS. And it was terrible for a few rides, then acceptable after a couple more, then great. It's at a slight upward tilt, so that the back part is pretty much level.

It's this Aliante Gamma--it's still on Fizik's web site. I really like that there's no seams. Why do they make saddles with seams on the surface? (I think the new R3 has welded seams, so it's smooth, no ridge line.)


It seems that this style, with a sweeping curve down the sides and a rise toward the back, is coming back in style. The Romin seems to be somewhat similar.

The VSX
After liking the Aliante so much, for a different bike, I tried the Aliante VSX that has the big center channel, and it's pretty annoying (although it's kind of okay for 1-2 hour rides now). The channel is just too wide, so I'm sort of sitting on the edge of the cutout, which is starting to soften a bit. But I usually rode a fairly narrow saddle, and this cutout is wide!

This VSX model that I'm trying has been redesigned. I guess that's why it was on sale...



Saddles are hard to predict. No good answer for everybody.

If you find one you really like, get another as a replacement saddle!

woodcraft

How about an SMP Pro?

Big, padded, & sounds like you are getting feedback that a cut-out is in order...

bigdo13

YEAH, that 'slight upward tilt' is also on my Prologo Evo Pas II and at first I had to really play with the fore and aft to find that sweet spot, but after a day or two messing with it and adjusting here and there I finally did find said sweet spot and man....lemme tell you the comfort is pretty great... I mean, it's not as lush as the OP's Selle San Marco Regale Racing team (i can tell that saddle is comfy) but it's pretty good...

rousseau

I am thinking about trying a saddle with a channel. Though I'm fairly sure that padding is the wrong thing for me, for the standard reasoning: your sit-bones sink down into the soft cushion, thereby putting pressure on your perineum. I'm fairly certain this is why the Prologo Scratch Pro I just bought, and which from all appearances seems to be shaped almost exactly like my old standby, the Selle San Marco Regale Team Racing (save for a cut-out at the back that has no bearing on where you make contact with the saddle), doesn't work for me. It's softer than the Regale, allowing you to sink down more. And as you go down, so goes your perineum.

Anybody want a brand new Prologo Scratch Pro, new save for thirty minutes on a trainer?

ColaJacket

That's what mine said, too. I've been using the Selle SMP Pro, and it's pretty good. I need the larger cut-outs of the SMP compared to the Italia. I had some issues with perineum numbness without the larger cut-out.

The Pro has a little bit of padding, but not too much. It still feels pretty hard.

GH

rousseau

Okay, let's confirm this once and for all. Does a channel/cut-out running down the middle of a saddle really take pressure off of the perineum? Are some saddles with channels more effective at this than others?

gsa103

Yes, the giant SMP cut out works. Not everyone needs it, but if you do it's great. On my mountain bike my riding position is more upright and I can use a saddle with a smaller relief.

Fiery

Did you get the 134 or the 143 mm version? The 143 Scratch Pro was the first non-Regal saddle Tom Boonen accepted to ride back in the day (he is now on a Romin I believe).

Regarding channels and holes, yes they really do relieve perineum pressure, and yes, some are more effective than others. I've ridden saddles with holes that made a noticeable positive difference, I've ridden some that made no difference, and then there was one that felt perfectly fine, but caused serious numbness problems - the only saddle I've ever had that happen with.

Campag4life

OP,
a footnote is...the lighter and fitter a given rider, the less of a factor saddle selection tends to be. A heavier rider without a tight bum is going to struggle more.
Fit is also key. More weight on the saddle, more issues.
A more aggressive positon also tends to take weight more off the sit bones.

Even technique matters. You have to get out of the saddle. The fitter I become...I am at my best riding weight right now at 170 lbs at just over 6'...the less a saddle matters...choice or even width. Saddle selection still matters, but a super fit light rider can ride a greater range of saddle geometries without discomfort.

ColaJacket

Yes, it made a big difference. I'm not going to say that I'm a very experienced cyclist. I started out with the saddle that came with the bike. I could ride on it for as long as my legs could carry me. But, as my legs and core got more fit. I was able to do more miles, and get in a little bit more aggressive position (less upright). I started to notice that I was having numbness/tingling in the male genital region. I did a few rides to make sure that it was the saddle that was causing the issue before I told my wife. As soon as I told her, she gave me permission to get a new saddle. I got the Selle SMP Pro, and I'm sure that you've seen that the Selle SMP's have a huge cut-out.

I could tell the difference immediately. Although it did take about a week for the issue that the other saddle caused to go away completely. But now, any problems with the saddle do not relate to numbness/tingling. Getting a saddle with a cut-out made a huge difference. I don't know if I necessarily need a saddle with a cut-out as big as the Selle SMP's, but I'm do know that I need some type of cut-out.

GH

gsa103

Yeah, the "holy crap this hurts!" sit bone pressure is surprising....
A friend and I both demo'ed Selle SMP saddles on a ride up Mt. Diablo. Coming down we both agreed, "WTF, this is stupid and OW!". All your weight is on your sit-bones, if they're not used to it...ouch.

Reading around on the forums, the general consensus is that Selle SMP and Specialized really stand-out for good relief saddles. The newer Bontrager saddles look better. And I've tried a Chinese carbon copy of the Specialized saddle and found the shape quite good (I bought the saddle as a cheap test).

woodcraft

But puts more pressure forward on the soft tissue.


Age can also be a factor.

What used to work may not over years.

rousseau

Which one's that? Got a link?

Sy Reene

That Aliante VSX cutout would probably annoy me too -- the way it flares as much as it does toward the rear of the saddle. I have the Antares VSX.. and find it great. Much less flare of the channel

gsa103

I think its basically identical to this.
3K Full Carbon Fiber Road MTB Bicycle Cycle Bike Saddle Seat SCL Bicycle Parts | eBay

Very similar shape to most of the Specialized saddles.

hubcyclist

Just curious, is yours 143mm or 155mm? The listing seems contradictory in their measurements

bakes1

If it is your "go-to" and a saddle is that important to you why wouldn't you simply buy a couple more now when they are available?