Hi all,

I've been using a San Marco Rolls saddle since I started up biking again, but I find that it is too narrow - my sit bones are on the very edge of the saddle. I've been looking at the Selle SMP TRK due to a combination of its price being affordable for my budget and the shape/width, but am not sure what others think of this. Also, despite its width being listed as wider than the SSMR, I don't know if its shape causes its "effective width" to be less...

I know try before you buy, but the only bike shop in the area carries the standard assortment of Fizik saddles, none of which I've found to be comfortable...

Specialized (roman & Power) come in 155 or 168 wide.

I kept getting saddle sores and finally got measured and found my sitbones are 155 meaning all my saddle were too narrow. I bought the Specialized Romin and never looked back. It's an awesome saddle and I haven't had saddle sores or other pain since I got it.

I used a Romin 155 but I found the Power 143 width is perfect since it doesn't have rounded sides.

Thanks all. I picked up a Selle SMP TRK to see how it will do because I had an Amazon gift card; I'll look into the Romin or Power if it does not work out - I think there is a Spec. dealer a couple hours drive away I can visit if necessary.

My sit bones are 141mm. I picked up a TRK(160mm width I think) a few months ago for my road bike..very comfortable, after adjusting it in. I usually ride 45-60 miles per ride. No complaints from my rear end. I can actually sit on the saddle (novel concept..I know) rather than continually use my legs to keep weight off the saddle..makes a big difference in riding.

I have a short tour coming up and needed a different saddle for my touring bike. There's a number of (reportedly) good options to try, but I figured..why run another experiment$$ when I know of at least one saddle that's comfortable..I picked up a second TRK a couple days ago..a returned one from amazon $47 delivered. Hard not to go for it.

I know this isn't technically a road saddle...probably more of a hybrid saddle, but after trying about 5-6 other saddles, I tried this just because it looked wider, and i think it might be the winner:

Nashbar CF1 Sport Saddle

Brooks...

Toupe 155 works well for me.

Selle SMP Extra works for me. Got mine form Chain reaction way cheaper.

Trek makes the Bontrager Serano RXL saddle in various widths...I have the 148mm one at the house but it was too narrow for me even though I thought I would use a wider saddle. It's very light and it is a classic shaped saddle,....and it is for sale. Lol.


Bontrager Serano RXL Carbon Road Saddle | Trek Bikes

Brooks B17 is the classic saddle for wide sit bones. However, I've replaced my B17s with Fizik Vitesse saddles, which have a similar shape and size but weigh less than half as much. You often can buy Vitesse saddles on eBay for surprisingly cheap, presumably take-offs. Mine are all the version with titanium rails and weigh about 250 g.

Brooks Cambium C17. I have tried over a dozen saddles, and this is the only that I truly forget about, even on a 100 mile ride. I will be stocking up on them if/when Brooks decides to stop production

Brooksies are good. I think (iirc) Lon Haldeman used one for early RAAMs and later contestants certainly have. They're designed for sit-on-the-saddle long-hours riding.

Most modern vinyyl-gel saddles require fairly frequent standing up to restore underside circulation. They're far lighter, and if you're racing you're going to be standing up anyway.

Brooksies are unrivaled for touring.

Also, Assos bibs and Assos chamois creme with periodic relubing, are great for randonneuring.

I'm so old I remember when Botto and UMD were main posters. And getting a warning about slinging insults with UMD from Tom Stormcrowe, El Rey of this website. That was in ye olde days when I was a Senior Member.

Funnily enough even though Brooks are quite wide, the actual useable width of the suspended leather saddle is really quite narrow. The widest sitbones a B17 can accomodate is around 130mm and that pushing it. For example I have 135mm wide sitbones and I hit the steel frame when sitting on one so realistically if you want even a bit of wiggle room 120mm sitbone width is more realistic. For reference a person with 120mm wide sitbones can ride a Fizik Arione which is 130mm wide.

Well not really, a good saddle should not require you to stand up at all. You can, but that usually means you just have too much padding. I'm slowly moving towards the realization that the best saddle might be one with no padding at all...

Same here. Have one on road & CX bike. Not in love with the level 1 padding on my roadie as much as the level 2 padding on my CX though.

No one has mentioned SQ Labs, and I didn't know anything about them until my Retul bike fitter put me on the 612 Carbon, 15cm. Best ever...

SQlab | Road | Ergonomic bicycle parts

+1 .... I have the Brooks Cambium C17 Carved (the one with the slot on the top) .... designed for long distance rides.... it's superb! (and 100% waterproof plus you get a 10 year guarantee when you register the serial number on the Brooks website)

my experience is quite different. I own two 168mm Specialized saddles and a B17. the B17 is no less comfortable and I have never felt like I was sitting on the hard steel rail, but I do keep it on my bike with a rather appropriate 72 degree seat tube while the Specializeds are on are on my steeper road and moutain bikes.

I tried the B17 once on my go-fast road bike and sides of the the saddle rubbed up on my thighs too much for comfort.

The real question is though, how wide are your sitbones?

I have them birthing hips. I dont remember the exact number, but I had fitting session several years ago and the person put me on the 168 Spesh Romin. I never knew a saddle could feel so supportive and a week later I completed a randonneur on it. Later I got a B17 as well for my daily do everything bike and it is still hugging my ass.

Hip width does not strongly correlate with sitbone width. I need at least 155mm width whereas my brother can ride 130mm saddles. We're almost identical in body dimensions.

Well, I've used the SMP for a couple shorter rides (10-20mi) and although it is definitely more comfortable on my sit bones, it seems to be rubbing the inside of my thighs. I'll give it a little while longer. I'm also thinking my bike may be part of the problem as since my back and clavicle injuries, I have not been able to comfortably sit in the more aero position the CAAD9 requires.

I have tried some others but the 168 Romin changed everything for me. I could probably manage with a 155 saddle but there will be discomfort/pain after a few hours, but hey I had to just deal with it before the Romin.