Saddle Durability
 

I've been using a moderately priced Forte brand saddle from Performance Bike. It's been a comfortable saddle and the cover has been durable. The saddle has about 7000 miles on it. I'm a bigger guy at 220 lbs.

Does the structure of the saddle weaken and become less rigid with use? I've recently been noticing more pressure on the soft parts of the anatomy. I'm wondering if the components of the saddle lose structural rigidity with use. The saddle feels more like a hammock than before.

I start to witness a similar thing. I have less miles on it but it was a low end one.

Or maybe our problem comes from the bib ?

I have a multiple saddles on multiple bikes, and the issue is limited to this one high-mileage saddle. I'm not concerned about the chamois at this point.

Saddles do break down. Not only might you get less support in important places, but you may actually end up closer to the cranks. I have had to raise saddles as they aged to offset the collapse of padding and curvature that both occur. Usually only a couple mm, but still. IIWY, I would first check your "effective" saddle height against what you want it to be. If you fix that and still have comfort issues, it may be time for a replacement.

7000 miles isn't "high mileage", but it could be enough to deteriorate foam padding in a cheap saddle.

Anecdote: The solid steel chromed rails of my 80's Concor Max touring saddle, took a decided curve where they once were straight,
the fore and aft adjustment range.. It was possible to straighten them a bit,

the mid 70s Brooks team pro is still fine, also chromed steel,

In the LBS we have had 2 Brooks saddle frame replacement jobs, when they broke,
so new ones were ordered and their copper rivets used to put the original leather on.
they were B17's



...

The foam padding gives out eventually. The Performance saddles I've had lasted better than most others, particularly Specialized saddles.

Interesting that you pick mention 7000 miles. I had some conversations a couple of years ago with one of the gucci saddle manufacturers and that was the number he used as the point where they figure saddles start to break down. Little guys break them down slower than big guys, according to him. They designed the saddles (i.e. slot etc...) but the actual manufacturing process was by Selle Italia and who collaborated on the manufacturability of their product.

J.