I realize that there are a number of variables which determine how long a saddle should last (riders willingness to rid in inclement weather etc.), but I was wondering if I could get a few opinions on how long I should expect a saddle to last.

I currently have about 5,000 miles on my Terry Fly, and it is beginning to look a bit worn. I can't decide if I need a new saddle or if I simply have a jones to buy something new for my road bike (I know you all know what I mean by that!). Does a saddles ability to comfort diminish with age the way running shoes need to be replaced after 'X' amount of miles, or should the seat be replaced when the leather starts to completely peel off?

I've been very happy with my Terry saddle, but I have very little to compare it to. The Bontrager saddle that came with my bike sucked in comparison. In the back of my mind I'm wondering how much better it can be. The only way to know is to try different saddles out-- but at 100-400 bucks a pop that can be a very expensive proposition.

The Fizik saddle at my LBS seems to be calling my name.

should last longer than 5000 miles. I think you just want a new saddle.

fixed.

I have a 10yr old Specialized saddle that came with a well used bike. I must have put 40,000 miles on it and it is still more comfortable than any new saddle Ive tried. The leather is a bit worn at the sides but that doesnt affect comfort. Being on my commuter/hack bike, worn appearance is more of an asset.

10,000 miles or about a year before most I've owned turn into ass hatchets.

Fly's just dont hold up very well. Theyre very comfortable but they could use better materials. Ive found after 6-8 months, the shells start weakening and sagging some (Im a pretty big guy tho) and my Carbon Fly, the leather started wearing through after about 4 months of heavy use.

FWIW: I'm still riding a 20-year-old San Marco Rolls on one of my bikes. It's still as comfortable as ever. Can't beat quality, I say!

I am one that thinks once I finally settle its should last many years. worst case scenario re-aply a new covering and keep using it. saddle is one thing that should not change often especially when training at an elite level.

I have changed saddle 5 times in the last 6 months LOLOLOL

I've never had a saddle NOT last as long as the bike it was on. Some saddles have lasted through two bikes.

GB

My Brooks B17 is still going strong at 40,000 kms and I hope to put at least that again on it.

my old stock saddle on my concord that i converted to fixed gear is over 30 years old, and by far my favorite saddle. my dad rode it for 15 years, then it sat for 15 years, and ive ridden it two. i guess the apples behind doesnt fall far from the tree.

Here is an article I found from Koobi -

What is the life expectancy of a bicycle saddle?



Bike Saddle Lifespan



That is a question I get asked now and then. Most cyclists offer a reasonable guess of 10,000 miles, since that’s about the time a frame, handlebar or seat post will last. But all parts are not created equal.


A saddle’s function is unique compared to other bicycle components. Since it is the interface between your most private parts and a very hard frame, it has to be both ruggedly strong and comfortable throughout the ride.


The marriage of strength plus comfort is a design concept that eludes many saddle designers, and here’s why: The rails, base, cover material and foam must flex for a comfortable ride, yet it is that very flexibility that fatigues and wears out the parts. Heavy and rigid metal rails can last forever and some manufacturers are proud of that.
But cyclists know that Rigid Parts = Less Component Fatigue = Durability = Pain. “Herein lies the rub”, as Shakespeare would say. The trick is to find balance between comfort and durability.


Koobi saddles are designed for an optimum comfort lifespan of 400 to 600 hours. That doesn’t mean the saddle must be thrown away at 400 hours. Although we regularly run our saddles 600 + hours, we know that comfort begins to diminish by 400. Foam deterioration is so gradual that most riders don’t realize it. They are aware of some discomfort but don’t really know what has changed. But if you replace your saddle at 400 hours you’ll likely feel the difference. After 600 hours the difference in comfort will be significant.


To make a comparison, think of saddles in terms of Ferrari vs. Hummer. It’s very difficult to have the ride of a Ferrari with the bombproof quality of an armored Hummer at a price that is reasonably affordable. We’ve given Koobi saddles the Ferrari comfort components that will predictably deliver up to your 400th hour of riding pleasure. (And if you run the numbers, you only have to coast at 25 mph to clock in that 10,000 mile estimate anyway!)


Why do cyclists dish out $100 for a pair of cycling shorts that last only a quarter of the lifespan of a quality saddle? At that rate, every Koobi saddle is worth four pair of bike shorts. What a bargain!

What about 35 year old foam? I am considering getting a reproduction of a 80s saddle with more resilient foam?

I wonder if the OP ever did get that new saddle.

It was nearly 9 years ago.

What's with all the zombie posts lately?

A Brooks - 50,000-100,000

just get yourself a new saddle.

I have an Italia Flite saddle I've been riding since the late 1990s. It's on my hardtail now. I bent the ti rails on some jumps and the sides are getting a bit chewed but it still works fine...

I just commented on this yesterday when I noticed 4 or 5 necrothreads revived.

The OP is from 2008. I think it's safe to assume he has.

Sometimes good can come from a quality necro-post-- if no one had revived this long dead thread, I never would have discovered the ridiculousness that is the Koobi saddle. Designed to be replaced at 400-600 hours of use, and only $200! I'd have to buy a new one every 9 months.

Seriously, 600hrs*15mph = 9000 mi.

For what it's worth, I had one. Definitely interesting concept, but I needed a much harder saddle.

So what's the lifespan on a full carbon saddle? There's no foam to degrade, so does it just asplode at 10k miles?

I've had very good luck with Terry Flys. They are still going strong on bikes with 8 and 11k miles on them. I weight 155 lbs and treat the leather once a year or more with Snowseal. At least one of those saddles was not new when I set those bikes up.

(At least one of these saddles was not new in 2008 when this thread started.)

Ben

I've had specialized saddles (alias and toupe) last about 10,000 miles before the plastic shell cracks. It's always on the right side next to the cutout, thanks to a quirk with the way I set up my saddles (angled to the left a bit, helps my manly bits but puts extra pressure on that specific failure point).

I've only worn out one saddle, and I bought it used, a Shimano PRO Turnix AF. It was fantastic for it's whole life, then one day it developed play in the sockets where the rails meet the saddle, which allowed it to rock side-to-side as I pedaled. I'd never gotten a saddle sore, and got more than one in just one day. I had that one about 6,000 miles, but no idea of it's life before I got it.

I've also broken a Serfas Ghost, which was a fantastically comfortable, but very, very light saddle, and it snapped on the left-hand side, right along the overly large cutout.

I'm currently on a Selle Titanico X, at about 2,500 miles, and I've only put one full turn on the tension bolt. So I'm cautiously optimistic.

I've got about 10k miles on one. There are some marks on the rails from the clamp.

Look for a progress report the next time that this thread gets revived.