jareed58

Have rode about 300 miles on my stock saddle, and now looking into buying an upgrade. I sat on one of the measuring devices at the LBS, and it indicates my rear is in what they call the yellow zone or about 146mm. That being said, all the saddles I research at others suggestions(Adamo, Cobb, Selle, etc) are in the 130-135mm range. Will these be too narrow for my comfort? Might be able to afford one saddle, but can't keep forking out $150.00-$200.00 each till I find the right one.

fstshrk

Both Bontrager/Trek and Specialized have a money back return policy on saddles. Trek LBS are really good at taking things back. You can also get tester saddles from Fizik and Selle SMP at LBS that carry those brands. I would personally start with the tester saddle route. I personally prefer Fizik Aliante, but saddle choice is really personal. Not only the type of saddle, but also setback and angle/tilt make a huge difference. Don't rely on the sit-bone measuring devices as a sole measure of deciding on a saddle.

coastalrider

Definitely go to a shop that will exchange saddles until you get the right one. I personally prefer the Specialized Romin comp gel. They come in three different sizes (143, 155 and 168 mm).

bleui

as much as I hate the big S, their Romin saddle has been ridiculously comfy

fstshrk

Romin is terrible for me. So is the Toupe. I would like to try the chicane but hard to find locally.

calgarc

selle Italia makes a great saddle for the money. the SL Carbonio is a bit wider i believe

UnfilteredDregs

I've never had any luck with saddles in the 130mm range and I measure at 142mm. IMO sitbone width is an important determining factor. I ordered 5 saddles from CC online and sent 4 back, no problems or questions asked. Other vendors may do this as well. Check out a Cambium while you're at it, I've heard nothing but good things and it's on my list to try...

UnfilteredDregs

Selle Italia does make 140+ sizes... I have the Superflow SLR @145mm

calgarc

how do you find it??

UnfilteredDregs

It's pretty damned good, although it's not ultra-forgiving- significant chatter will get to you...I've ridden it upwards of 110~ miles and it does the trick but, it isn't a magic carpet ride like my Fizik Chameleon Kurve was, sadly that saddle cracked and has a history of doing so...hence my interest in the Brooks Cambium.

jareed58

Stopped by the LBS, and they have about the test saddles by Fizik. Put a $100.00 deposit down then try the saddle for a week and bring it back and buy one or try another. I guess some of the saddle companies, you buy there saddle and try keep or send back for another model? Do most designs come in several widths, or each model is specific to a width?

Northwestrider

Consider a Brooks, I'm happy with my B 17

calgarc

i remember having a brooks team pro on my touring bike... one of the finest saddles i have ever owned

bianchi10

Specialized Romin Evo pro 155 for me. Been through 10+ saddles and this has been the only one that has worked for me. Might work for you as well, Might be horrible though.

f4rrest

I've been through a handful of saddles. Sitbones measure 112mm, so should be ok on 135 or wider. I ride 200mi /wk.

Fizik Arione was too narrow. Soft tissue hurts over 20 miles.
Fizik Antares was wider 143mm and works for 30-50 miles, then get bruised sit bones if ridden daily.
Specialized Romin Expert feels great in the drops, and it works ok for rides 50 miles. Still painful if ridden daily though.
I also tried a Romin Comp Gel (more padding), but recent centuries were a challenge on it.
Now I'm on the Specialized Chicane Carbon, and so far so good, but haven't ridden over 60 miles on it. It has more of a traditional rounded profile.

You might find this saddle review interesting as well. Apparently, Rando Richard rides up to 1200km on some of these.
Rando Richard | Saddle Quest?Search for the Holy Grail

coasting 

i think the butt measurement means small butted can sit on wider saddles but wide butted cant sit on narrower.

Machka 

Right ... to a point. You don't want a massive tractor seat either.

Machka 

If you're interested in a Brooks, check out the selection on this site. They've got widths for your reference, and if you've got questions, you can email them and ask.

They also have a 6 month-guarantee ... if you don't like the saddle after 6 months, you can return it.


Brooks | wallbike.com

e_guevara

Generally, a wider saddle will be more comfortable since your weight will be spread over a much wider area.

My first saddle was a wide MTB saddle on my 2nd road bike (I use it for training) and I have done several centuries and do endurance training on it. I purchased a Romin Comp for my primary (race) bike, and eventually upgraded it to a Romin Expert. Both are 143 mm wide and is just as comfortrable to me (if not better) than my old saddle despite the Romin having thinner padding.

Saddle comfort is not just about width though. Saddle shape can also affect your decision based on how you ride, or how you sit on the saddle. Comfort and endurance riders generally like to sit more upright and may want to use a flatter saddle (Toupe, Arione/Antares). More competitive riders ride more forward on the saddle, so a dropped nose to protect the jewels and/or a curved rear to push against (Romin, Aliante) might be better for them. (This may go against fizik's "Spine Concept" but I find this better, for me at least. YMMV).

There is also the matter of padding/stress relief. Some like a lot of padding, others don't. Some prefer a channel in the saddle, others a cutout, to relieve stress on the soft tissue in between the sitbones (perineum).

bleui

According to ass-o-meter I should be sitting on a 143mm saddle, so I bought the Antares and it's good enough for me. Then I found a very good deal on a used Romin with 155mm width, and my first saddle test ride I just can't stop smiling.
The wider might be the better after all, but only one size up of course

jareed58

Have rode about 300 miles on my stock saddle, and now looking into buying an upgrade. I sat on one of the measuring devices at the LBS, and it indicates my rear is in what they call the yellow zone or about 146mm. That being said, all the saddles I research at others suggestions(Adamo, Cobb, Selle, etc) are in the 130-135mm range. Will these be too narrow for my comfort? Might be able to afford one saddle, but can't keep forking out $150.00-$200.00 each till I find the right one. Noticed today on a 20 mile ride comfort was not too bad, but any movement from side to side, I could feel the sit bones roll off the curved edge. Does this mean the stock saddle is too narrow for me?

TheSame

check out a few shops. Some will rent saddles out for a small fee. Others will let you buy try / return if you don't like it.

Lots of saddles also come in different sizes.

e_guevara

Same thread, same guy.

Researching a new Saddle

OP, why not just continue with your observations on the old thread?

jareed58

I would have, except I could not find it. I did a search and I went to my profile and looked under My Post and My threads and nothing would come up. Seemed like, most of everything I have did for the last couple weeks was gone. Thanks for the link.

bruce19

I am also in that yellow zone and I tried a Bontrager Affinity. It's a non-ergo and is actually working well for me. Lots of makers offer trial saddles and I would find a shop that has them.