Best Saddle???
 

Lookin' to get a new, more comfortable saddle. What's working for you guys? I was looking at the Fizik Antares, but can't bring myself to spending $150 w/o a test ride... I have a Selle Royal on the bike now and it starts to get uncomfy after about 90 min...

You really have to try them. I have a fizik and it's decent, but I also have the Nashbar knock off and it fits me better.

How long have you been riding?

A good bike shop will let you buy the saddle and try it out for a while, get some miles on it to make sure it's for you. As long as you don't crash the bike and damage the saddle, they will let you exchange it for a different one. I recommend this method as it's the only way to ensure you get the right saddle.

Fizik Arione

I have gone through 10+ saddles and the onky shape so far that worked for me was the fizik arione. Its main benefit is it is all flat which gives you the full length to shift your weight on. It was the perfect shape but i wanted something just SMIDGE more "SUPPLE" (softer is the wrong teem because I didn't want cushion). I bought an arione tri 2 saddle which is the same shape but more of a supple leather and the padding is similar just not as firm (just slighty) it has been perfect for me so far.

I've been riding for about 9+ months...yep i'm new

My current saddle is pretty flat. I think i need one with a bit of curvature

Is the Fizik "spine concept" pretty accurate as far as flexibility goes?

Depends.

Haha! Yeah no kidding.

flexibility is only part of it. you need to also think about the shape and width. The only thing that will help you is trying saddles. The most frusting thing i found about starting out cycling was finding a saddle. no matter who you ask...forums, local bike shops, friends, other fellow riders on the road....etc.. it wont matter. There is no answer for your question because everyone is different. try different shapes, different widths. find a local bike shop that has a good trial program. where ar eyou from?

The only saddle to get is the Brooks Pro. Everything else sucks. Period. Yeah, if you like objects stuffed up your rectum, the Fizik is great. If you want classy comfort , go with the Brooks .

What he said. Humans are unique. Thus, so will "fit." For me it is this:
http://www.productwiki.com/upload/im...ic_1990_ti.jpg

Yah, depends is correct. The Arione fit me really well, but gave me numb nuts. I probably would have been okay with a Arione VS, but I found a Selle Italia Slx and was in heaven. The Terry Flx also works for me. My butt needs split saddles and I only figured that out after trying a bunch.

Like others have said, it all depends. Everyone is different so its basically a trial and error process. Find what you don't like about your current saddle and search for saddles that supposedly relieve or prevent whatever your current issue is. I ride a Fizik arione and find it very comfortable, others may find it very uncomfortable. Find a shop that allows a demo program of some sorts that will let you experiment with the various saddles they sell.

Flites for the last 20 yrs - my ass is never wrong.

I have tried all the Fizik saddles and none of the have worked for me. The problem with the Arione is that its too flat for me and I get numb during hard efforts. The problem with the Antares is that it is so wide in the back and has such a drastic flare to the nose that I find myself sliding too far forward on it. Sure the nose is wider and more padded than usual but you still lose the support. The problem with the Aliante is similar to what I didn't like about the Arione; during hard efforts, my ass gets numb. I have switched to the Specialized Romin and haven't looked back. I figured that what worked for me is minimal padding and minimal sag in the saddle. But then again, this is just me talking. Your experience could be wildly different.

That's my saddle! It's been a great one for almost 10 years now.

The best saddle is the one that doesn't make you want to try another saddle. ;)

Saddle angle is a huge factor, so first start by adjusting the nose up/down on your existing and see if that helps. You'll need to experiment with it on a new saddle too.

Two big bike shops near me have 30 day exchanges on saddles, which can help you make the right purchase assuming you have a LBS doing the same/similar. The bad news is, you'll probably pay MSRP which looks bad compared to ebay, and big internet discounters.

The good news is, as long as you ride enough over 30 days to know for sure that the saddle is good for you. No matter how good of a deal you get online, you'll come out ahead paying MSRP for only one saddle rather than having a box full of saddles you didn't like.

Depends ? I find they're too bulky to wear under cycling shorts.... oh wait wrong sub forum.

I've been a fan of Brooks saddles for a long time, but within the past year have been really impressed
with Prologo saddles. I'm riding a 2009 and 2010 Nago TR, both very comfy for me.
Prologo has 3 basic shapes, flat, semi rounded and curved (as seen across the saddle).
The Nago line runs in the middle (semi flat/curved).
I believe there's a saddle sawp thread in the Marketplace, you might see if anyone has something
your interested in trying.

Marty

For comfort you can't beat the Brooks B17. It's bulky, heavy and looks a bit odd on modern road bikes...but damn is it comfortable.

My current saddle is the Serfas Stinger (terrible name for a seat). http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...ad+Saddle.aspx It's pretty comforatable and very light weight. I'm happy with it. Plus Serfas offers a 90 day guarantee on this seat. If you don't like it, just take it back to the LBS and get your money back.

I have this for my commuter - http://www.amazon.com/Selle-Italia-F.../dp/B001CSWMNM

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...QL._AA300_.jpg

And a Felt Racing one that came stock on the Felt F75, so other than that, I can't tell you anything else as my ass loves it (to be fair, it loves both).

I've got a Selle Italia Max Flite sitting in a box. The center is very flexible and you sink in. You can deflect the center a lot just pushing with your hands. I like the Prolink a lot better-- similar shape, padded, but not overly soft to where you fit down in a U like a horse saddle.

Selle Italia Flite is definately my choice since 1992. My current one has been recovered twice!