I've been riding the same Selle Italia C2 saddle for 13 years now, and maybe it is time for something different. My main complaint is on the trainer, where my butt just starts to hurt. On the road I haven't felt any issues even on long rides. The SI is starting to separate in places too, but it doesn't seem to impact the ride.

When I bought the bike back then, it was considered a decent saddle, but also Fizik was mentioned, but more expensive and I had already waaaaaay overspent my budget.

I know everyone is different with this, but what are the current top saddles to consider? Up to $200 or so but $150 would be better, and no I don't want a Brooks.

And in the end, pardon the pun, I could see myself just staying with what I have.

Most saddles will get you sore after an hour on the trainer.

Saddle fit is so personal you need to go by what works for you and not what people in a forum say. Some bike shops allow you to try before you buy.

Dunno what model C2 you have, but from what I found, they still make a C2. As stated and what I agree with, saddles are personnel preference. Also, I too get a bit sore after using the trainer/rollers after an hour or so with my saddles. Out on the rode you can float around the saddle much more easier.
Cheers

Saddles wear out, you know...WAY before 13 years. I’d say get another Selle Italia C2, maybe even the gel model with the cutout if you want to get fancy. I also agree with the trainer comments above. I think almost nothing helps on the trainer except trying to force yourself to change position and standing frequently.

https://www.selleitalia.com/en/saddles/c2-gel-flow/

Just don’t wait another 13 years to replace this one, lol

I had a saddle soreness thread under General Cycling.

One poster commented that one hour on the trainer is generally equivalent to three hours on the road from a soreness standpoint.

Good luck.

Ok. While I agree that saddles are pretty much personal, I am just looking for opinions on what is OK, and which to definitely stay away from. And while another C2 may be the best bet, I was looking to try something different. There are so many models and variations on all of them now it is hard to sort them all out. How many different versions of each of the Fiziks are there? Same with Selle Italia.

Everyone is different, but I love the Specialize Power Saddle. It has a short nose and a huge cut out. I went through 8 saddles before I found "the one".

I'd say one hour on the trainer is about equivalent to a double century. Or that's how it feels. You don't realize how much you move around on your seat until you can't.

Thanks for sharing. Seriously. Makes sense now that you mention it.

Can either of do anything about the painfully slow passage of time on a trainer? I can ride that thing for almost 7hrs straight, but when I look at the clock it's only been 2minutes. Ugh!

Zwift.

Selle Italias tend to be fairly flat saddles with shallow tumblehome (i.e. the transition from the top to the sides is gradual), so I'd look at other saddles with those characteristics. For example, from Fizik, Arione rather than Aliante. WTB Silverado and SL8 might be good picks, as maybe would San Marco Aspide Supercomfort Dynamic if you want a cutout. Fabric's Line range seem suited and are well-reviewed.

Lots of options, anyway!

Fabric makes excellent saddles. Extremely comfortable (but one man's trash is another man's treasure), the face doesn't absorb water, and they even look ok.

Kontact! The noseless saddle with a nose!

It took a cyclist to invent a time machine. It's all relative you know...

You need something to keep you engaged with the riding, be it Zwift, the Sufferfest, Trainerroad, or whatever cycling app. You also need to see your own metrics, not just the suggested ones.

I've had Sufferfest videos for a number of years, and while they got me going longer, I still couldn't readily do an hour just watching them, following the on screen instructions. I'd always cut out the last section. As an app on my computer, it now connects to the sensors on my bike, speed and cadence, and my HRM. With all that in place it is tracking what I'm doing vs. suggested and I can see where I am. I did a 2 hour ride last week and never felt bored (except my butt hurt, which prompted this thread). And the same is true with Zwift and the other apps. So instead of saying to myself "let me do an hour on the trainer", I say to myself "let me burn 700 calories", or "let me do a ride below threshold with intervals above" and the time passes much quicker. And the latter is what can really get you in shape.

Now if only this cough and cold would go away I could get back on the trainer. My wife thinks I overdid the trainer over the last few weeks and she may be right.