Haydos

Hey Guys,
I currently use a Specialized Toupe 143 and really struggle after 2 + hours on my rides. The saddle feels great until around then. I also usually ride 2xu's top end bib. So upgrading my bib woun't make much difference (I think!).

I'm thinking between these three saddles:

Fi'zi:k Arione ( although narrow - 130mm wide - My LBS said the Toupe 130 was too narrow for me, but so many people love it...)
Selle San Marco Regal (i've heard it's comfy, 150 wide, and robbie rides one)
Selle San Marco Magma (from the san marco website, it's the right "size" for me, looks cool, won some awards etc)

I don't race, so I only use the drops when desending, so my hands are usually on top

What would you guys recommend? Any help would be great!!

NealH

I like the Brooks B17 but, it's not on your list so maybe the Regal would be my next choice. Saddles are very preference oriented though, so everyone's mileage will vary.

mimis

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/335508-help-new-saddle.html

dekindy

Have you experimented with back and forth and up and down saddle angle adjustments? Have you measured your sit bones? Just trying to save you some bucks if you are not aware of these things.

My fitter says that even turning the saddle slightly to the side, 1 or 2 degrees, can help. If your saddle feels well up until then maybe only a slight adjustment is needed.

If you have tried all that I can't help you with the 3 saddles you are considering. There are lost of saddle reviews by cyclists that have used them on RoadBikeReview.com.

I have the Aliante and it works great. Most comments I have read say that if you like the Arione you won't like the Aliante and vice versa. The only negative about the Aliante is that it has a true saddle shape and there is a sweet spot that is really the only place to ride the saddle. Once you get that dialed in though it is very comfort. I would like to move around more so when my Aliante wears out I will have the dilemma of whether to stick with the Aliante and leave well enough alone or try the Arione.

Good luck. I feel fortunate that I have not had the saddle woes that many others have had.

Haydos

Thanks for the comments guys.

At this stage i'm erring on the Regal, although the Magma sure looks and sounds good!

dekindy,
I've tried every possible movement on the saddle and have used it for 2 years! I'm just over it now.

I have a Gobi on my mtb which I don't like much either, I have also been told that this is the mtb version of the aliante? Just feels too narrow to me.

I've just arranged to try out a aliante of a friends for a couple of rides. We'll see how it goes!

dekindy

It sounded like you might have tried everything but I was looking at your join date and just making sure.

Great to try the Aliante and if you don't like it then there is a high probablility you will like the Arione. Just remember, there is a sweet spot and if you are not in it you are sure not to like the Aliante. It is not very comfortable on the rest of the saddle. I read Gobi comments on Roadbikereview.com that echo your thoughts.

It sounds like a wider saddle may be your best bet to try.

alanbikehouston

Most saddle problems are not the fault of the saddle. Folks ride with saddles that are not level, with the saddle too far from the bars, forcing the pelvis forward off the sitbones, or with the bars too low, which also rotates the pelvis forward off the sitbones.

As an experiment, move your saddle forward an inch and raise your bars an inch. Get your saddle dead level. Odds are, you will find the saddle has suddenly become MUCH more comfortable.

Also, you might try lowering your saddle half an inch. Many "Joe Average" cyclists set their saddle heights to pro levels. Pro saddle heights are set based on theories about power output, etc., but the resulting height is often too high for average cyclists.

Whenever folks think about saddle position, someone raises the subject of KOPS. If KOPS has any value (and I think it is worthless) it is to pro cyclists. It is based on theories about speed, not about comfort. Unless someone is paying you to ride in pain, set up your bike to be comfortable.

mpd224

I rode the Toupe 143 untill the shell broke. While waiting for a warranty replacement, I picked up a Selle Italia SLR Kit Carbon Flow saddle which has the cut out. If I remember right, the saddle is in the 130 size. I loved my Toupe and thought I would never switch. Now my Toupe just sits on the shelf as a back up. I absolutely love the Selle Italia SLR.

merlinextraligh

I have a Sella San Marco Regal on one bike, and a Fizik Aliante on another.

Both are way more comfortable than the Sella San Marco Revere I have on a third bike.

Personally, I'd take the Aliante ahead of the Regal for comfort. But saddle fit really is an individual preference.

not2blu

I'm looking to get the Selle SMP Composite Strike, for whatever it's worth.

Haydos

Thanks again guys,
I've also just been set up on my bike by a specialist bike fitter. My seat is dead level. My knees line up with the pedal axle etc. I will drop my seat 1cm to see if it changes anything. If not another cm.

I had just dropped my bars 0.5cm and gone from a 100 stem to a 110. The problems were there before I did this though.