Stoeger

Outside of buying a bunch, trying them for awhile then returning everything except the one you want, how can you find a saddle that works for you?

cuda2k

Buy the most expensive saddle you can find, use it, if you don't like it you'll have an easier time finding someone who will trade for a lesser expensive saddle.

Reading a lot of reviews and threads about different saddles helps narrow the field some, but it does come down to trial and error till you find one or two models you like.

powerglide

trial and error (even if you use the ass-o-meter to measure, you'll still have to try and find one you like)
funny thing with me, my $125 saddle that I bought beacuse everyone told me was uber-comfotable isn't even close to the comfort I get from my 19$ OEM take off saddle my LBS told me I can have (cuz it sucks...he said)

you never know

try as many as possible

rbart4506

Yup...Trial and Error...And Ebay...

I usually gave my saddle choices a few weeks before I decided they were a no go, then I'd ebay them. I kept opting for the bigger softer comfy looking saddles and ended up on a Selle Italia SLR. My new bike has a Toupe Gel so I will be starting the game again. Of course if the Toupe doesn't work then I will just return to the SLR and ebay the Toupe...

tuscanydj

i choose the fizik, and it works great, the only downside of the new saddle is that it takes a while to break it in....it probably took about 10 months untill the saddle was actually comfortable.>>>but if you are a bigger person don't get this saddle.

texascyclist

Maybe the saddle broke you in rather than the other way around?

-VELOCITY-

Trial and error is probably the only way. If it helps you can get a Brooks saddle and they have many models and they all have a 6 month return of not satisfied policy. I know my Brooks B-17 is the best investment I've made for my ride. And my butt.

alanbikehouston

Sadly, "buying a bunch" IS the best method. Most of the bike shops in my neighborhood have an "orphan saddle" box. Folks buy a new bike and immediately buy a different saddle. The "orphan" saddles are often priced at just $10 or $20.

Through "trial and error", I've found exactly the saddle that is most comfortable for me when riding a road bike. They are the saddles that are wide at the back, dead flat from side to side, very firm padding, yet a light, thin shell that flexes when going over potholes and rough pavement. Such saddles are sold under ten or fifteen brand names, although Specialized may have been first. The Specialized Body Geometry saddles had the "comfort" market cornered for awhile, but now every saddle maker is selling good copies of the BG design.

When I going through the "orphan" box, I can easily spot those saddles, and I buy them cheap. So, I always have five or six extra saddles in my own "orphan" box at home. When I'm at Goodwill, and spot a nice 1988 Centurion selling for $25, I know I already have the perfect saddle waiting at home. Basic rule for buying old bikes: the saddle should not cost more than the bike.

Mukluk

Well I for one am surprised that no one here has suggested being evaluated by a buttologist. A buttologist can take precise measures of your butt using several types of advanced technology. A board certified buttologist will have at his or her disposal: MRI, functional MRI, pet scan, CT scan, not to mention special equipment for butt impressions. Try it. You will like it.

iNewton

Making a good butt impression must be very hard.

I'm not sure if that post was serious.

botto 

sat on it.

jamiewilson3

Buy used saddles on ebay until you find the magic one.

ratebeer

I guess I'm old-fashioned? Buy a saddle that has lots of positive reviews, looks awesome and is very lightweight (and is usually expensive). Then put at least 500 miles into it and maybe a couple thousand until one's anatomy conforms to the saddle!

I'm joking above, but it seems the saddles most-loved are the ones that are well-worn in.

CastIron

A few things:
Trial and error is time proven. Always hash out the returns policy first.
Know your general width. The Specialized Butt Meter is helpful, but not absolute.
Know your preferred shape. There seem to be a few basic saddle shapes on the market. Find yours.

This should narrow the field of candidates.

slim_77

I'm sure you did...

Proximo

Wallbike.com is the only Brooks dealer I know of that has a 6 month return policy. They make up for the lenient return policy by charging higher prices. For example, $68 for a B17 that aebike.com sells for $52.

ebbett

Buy used saddles. That way you can resell them with little or no loss.

nobirth

+1 Or you could go to Performance and buy and return saddles 'til something works.

BlastRadius

Measure the width of your sit bones. Then buy a minimally padded saddle that is just wide enough to support your sit bones. Extra padding only chafes, especially if you have a bit of extra junk in the trunk. A narrow "snout" helps to prevent chafing on the inside of your thighs too.

All this is assuming your bike fits you properly and is the saddle and handlebar are in the right position to allow your weight to rest on your sit bones.

Chucklehead

think of your butt as a new baseball glove and condition it to fit whatever saddle you have. as with the pros, this can take years.