Rancho5

So far so good. According to the Specialized "Ass-ometer" I have wide sit bones.

I bought a Forte Classic (310 grams) for $34.99 at Performance and it seems to be doing the job. I was going to go for the Pro SLX or the Selle SMP but saw that the cut out on the classic was huge compared to the Pro SLX and I've been having numbness on the old saddle (no cut out) and the width was a tad wider than the SLX.

Mind you, I have not taken it for a hard ride, just up the road and back for 10 miles, but so far with my wide bones, it seems to be working well. I didn't get on and go "ow" like I do with the really narrow seat that came with the bike.

So, wide boned riders rejoice, there is an alternative to numbness.

PS. I had a professional "bike fit" when I bought the bike so it was all dialed in. Saddle just way too narrow for my bones.

CrimsonKarter21

San Marco Rolls, San Marco Regal. One will work for you.

dmb2786

might.

CrimsonKarter21

Most likely.

If he ends up disliking this next saddle, of course.

sced

Regal is wider than the Rolls and for me more comfortable.

Retro Grouch 

OK, I've got to know:

Is that "WooHoo" because you finally found a saddle that you like or is it due to something the saddle is doing for you?






If it's the second, what brand and model saddle is it?

HigherGround

I'd also add the Selle Italia Max Flite to that list, but of course that's a subjective call.

Rancho5

WooHoo...finally found a saddle that fit, that didn't break the bank.

Model: Forte Classic. 34.99 at Performance

cslone

You know that means they'll quit making it now, right? ;p

ridethecliche

What's the difference between the max flite and regular flite.

I wish the 'regular' flite had a cutout. It could have worked so much better for me.

CrimsonKarter21

The Max Flite is wider in the rear. I don't know if it's been around long enough to have proven itself as a classic yet.
Kind of like a Dodge Viper V10 engine in a pickup truck. It's a cool idea, but has it been executed properly?

AtomicCactus

Just curious, what's your sitbone width? I just got mine measured and they're 148 mm, slightly wider than my 143 mm Toupe saddle and I'm debating the switch.

CrimsonKarter21

Pssst, the Regal and Rolls are both about 147-150mm depending on where you measure.

surfengine

ahh the harsh truth of consumerism.

HigherGround

I don't recall the exact year that the Max Flite was introduced, but I know that I have used them since at least 1997. Granted, the Rolls and Regal have been around longer, but I think the Max Flite has proven itself to be a valid design for some riders.

Another difference from the standard Flite is that the base of the Max Flite saddle curls in underneath itself where the tail end of the saddle rails attach. It's kind of hard to describe, so here's the best picture I could find:



In theory this is designed to add some suspension. In my case, I think the comfort comes primarily from the shape and size of the saddle.

kissTheApex

I think it does. Is it not called Flite Gel Flow?

Rutnick

I was in the same boat. I went 155mm toupe and it is much better. I ran a 143mm on my MTB and suffered.

BigBlueToe

Sorry, but from my experience, 10 miles isn't enough to adequately assess whether a saddle will be comfortable. I can ride just about anything 10 miles. An uncomfortable saddle doesn't start to make itself known to me until somewhere between 20 and 30 miles, although I can still ride about anything 30 miles.

Around 30 miles the difference in saddles starts to become more obvious. With some saddles I'm ready to get off after 30; it's a huge relief to get off after 30; if I want to go more miles I at least need to get off and take a break before resuming my ride.

With my present saddle - a Brooks B-17 - after 30 miles I still have no saddle issues. Unless I remember to think about it, my saddle doesn't enter my mind. That's significant. With an uncomfortable saddle, there comes a point where you have trouble taking your mind off the discomfort you're feeling.

The longest I've ridden on the B-17 so far is 44 miles. At the end of that ride there was still no discomfort, although I got off the bike for about an hour after 22 miles. I'll be riding a century in September, so I'll know more then.

I have a Brooks Champion Flyer (the B-17 with coil springs) on my tourer. It was pretty comfortable initially, although on tour after about 10 days of daily long rides (50-60 miles) my butt was starting to get sore.

So far the B-17 actually seems more comfortable than the Champion Flyer.

kila kila kila

They're wide, but not flat, which I've found to be important. I have wide sit bones and am very comfortable on the 155mm Toupe. When I'm on my Regal, I get considerably more perineal pressure.