Flash

With all the talk of saddle (dis)comfort on this and other boards, I wondered if the pros might not be able to provide a clue as to which saddles are most comfortable for long-distance, hi-speed road riding. The question: "which saddles to the pros ride?" occured to me last evening while watching the Giro d'Italia on OLN. All the saddles look about the same. Are these dudes riding minimalist leather Brooks-type saddles or are they riding the latest hi-tech cut-out padded jobs?

MichaelW

A lot of pros used to ride Rolls (with the brass plate on the back), but I never got on with that. I wouldnt take anyones recomendation as a guarentee of comfort.
No pros use good old fashioned Brooks saddles anymore.

cannondale

The USPS uses this type of saddle...

Selle San Marco Era, titanium/leather

I'm sure the others use something similar.

I tell everyone that no matter what seat they put on they will be sore. Until they get use to it that is. I don't think there is a way around it besides standing the whole time.

When I was stationed in Holland the locals had some pretty plush cruising bikes. Some saddles were just oval in shape. Now that looked comfortable! Very simple, just covered your sit bones and not the rest.

Cannondale

RacerX

Lance uses "another" saddle that is covered with his sponsored saddle. Other pros do this too. But for the most part, they use stock Selle Italia, Selle San Marco saddles. Mostly the lightweight, "racer" saddles.

Bartoli, Rebellin and many others (for example) use the Selle Italia SLR (which, at 135grams) is one of the most minimalist saddles around.

Comfort is in the butt of the beholder. You just gotta find one that works for you and stick with it.

RoAdRaGeR

I just duck taped a comfy teddy bear on to my saddle, and I never had any more complaints as to discomfort.