Saddle Recommendations
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Saddle Recommendations
So I just came back from my first professional fitting, and one of the things my fitter recommended was a wider saddle. Currently I have the stock Selle Italia XR that came with the bike.I'm a pretty broad guy and stand at 6' 2" and 195 lbs and was also experiencing some numbness in my 'junk'
Just wondering if there were any similar sized guys that really enjoy their saddles, or have had numbness issues before.
Thanks for the help.
Just wondering if there were any similar sized guys that really enjoy their saddles, or have had numbness issues before.
Thanks for the help.
#5
Live to ride ride to live
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,896
Likes: 1
From: Austin, Texas
Bikes: Calfee Tetra Pro
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 3
From: Further North than U
Bikes: Spec Roubaix, three Fisher Montare, two Pugs
waste of time
I think the real waste of time would be to listen to anyone about their experiences. It's crazy how individual saddle preferences are. With bikes you can learn that this bike or that bike is stiff or has a long top tube or whatever but with saddles...one person absolutely loves this saddle and the next guy hates it. A year ago I needed a saddle with a fair bit of padding. My friend who is a stronger rider than I am rides with a saddle using a heavy, thick gel padding over it like some old woman and my current saddle is a Romin that would have made my butt scream for mercy last year. Your best bet in a saddle today may be totally different than next year. A few months ago I tried three saddles from a shop that are all considered quite popular and I loathed two of them. My wife will ride anything you put between her legs. Wait...that's not exactly how I should put that...
but my point is that I think you can't waste any time trying saddles with the exception of beach cruiser type saddles.

but my point is that I think you can't waste any time trying saddles with the exception of beach cruiser type saddles.
#8
King Hoternot
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,255
Likes: 0
From: Oregon City, OR
Bikes: 2015 Cannondale Evo Hi mod
I ride an arione tri2 on my road bike. not exactly traditional, but I love it. has essentially the same shape as the arione which I also ride. The shape worked for me because it has a flat top and allows for many different positions while riding. Has a good top to allow your body to move forward or back to find that spot for your sit bones to rest on.
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 561
Likes: 1
From: Maple Grove, MN
My Selle Italia C2 Gel Flow gets the best compliment I can give it, I forget it's there, I don't think about it at all.
I'm also 6'2" but a good bit heavier and I was getting some numbness, but with its cutout this saddle got rid of that right away. It has a genuine leather covering with just a bit of gel for comfort. It's not terribly wide at 136mm, but it works great for me.
A quick check shows them at about $95 on Amazon.
The C2 at the Selle Italia web site:
https://www.selleitalia.com/se_it3/pr...oad/pagina_c2/
I'm also 6'2" but a good bit heavier and I was getting some numbness, but with its cutout this saddle got rid of that right away. It has a genuine leather covering with just a bit of gel for comfort. It's not terribly wide at 136mm, but it works great for me.
A quick check shows them at about $95 on Amazon.
The C2 at the Selle Italia web site:
https://www.selleitalia.com/se_it3/pr...oad/pagina_c2/
#10
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
My current Selle Italia has the cut out, but I'm still getting the numbness. It sort of has me afraid to ride, god only knows what the long term effects will be from your junk going numb for 60 miles in a shot.
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
I'm about your size and have been trying various saddles for a while. The most comfortable I've been so far is a Williams saddle that I tried on a whim. I've had happy with their wheels for years, so I thought I'd take a chance on the AXIOM SLC.
#14
What's the width of your current saddle? Start out 10 mm wider and if that's not enough go wider and if it's too much go narrower. A demo program is key.
__________________
Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),1990 Concorde Aquila(hit by car while riding), others in build queue "when I get the time"
Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: Firefly custom Road, Ira Ryan custom road bike, Ira Ryan custom fixed gear
I've settled on Charge Spoon Ti saddles. Common in the UK; you can get them in the USA but you have to order. They are wide, light, full leather and very comfy on a road bike. Wore out the first one at about 10,000 miles.
I also like the arione CX. My uncle (same size as me -- 6'3, 210) swears by them. Charge spoon on my Ira Ryan in photo below.
I also like the arione CX. My uncle (same size as me -- 6'3, 210) swears by them. Charge spoon on my Ira Ryan in photo below.
#16
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,410
Likes: 188
From: Tariffville, CT
Bikes: Tsunami road bikes, Dolan DF4 track
I just peeked as I broke my saddle Sunday.
"Lady-Man"?
https://www.selleitalia.com/se_it3/pr...gina_lady-man/
"Lady-Man"?
https://www.selleitalia.com/se_it3/pr...gina_lady-man/
#18
Carpe Velo
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,519
Likes: 18
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Bikes: 2000 Bianchi Veloce, '88 Schwinn Prologue, '90 Bianchi Volpe,'94 Yokota Grizzly Peak, Yokota Enterprise, '16 Diamondback Haanjo, '91 Bianchi Boardwalk, Ellsworth cruiser
Since nobody mentioned the Macintosh of the bicycle world yet, I'll do the honors: Get a Brooks.
I'll go away now...
I'll go away now...
#19
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 39
Likes: 1
From: West Linn, OR
Bikes: 2013 Lynskey R230, 2012 Focus Izalco Pro 3.0, 2013 All-City Space Horse, 2009 Kona Kapu (RIP)
Selle San Marco Regale Racing.
Just added one to my new bike and I love it. I have wider sit bones and it's super comfy to ride. It's not as comfy as my Brooks B17, but it weighs half as much.
Just added one to my new bike and I love it. I have wider sit bones and it's super comfy to ride. It's not as comfy as my Brooks B17, but it weighs half as much.
#20
Full Member

Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 468
Likes: 7
From: Texas
I rode the Lady version about 90 miles recently. I doubt anyone could find it painful.
Sorry DStarr I'm not your size, but the least pressure on my boys has come from Specialized Avatar and Romin Evo Expert models, 155 width. A caveat though, two Avatars broke in less than a year.
Sorry DStarr I'm not your size, but the least pressure on my boys has come from Specialized Avatar and Romin Evo Expert models, 155 width. A caveat though, two Avatars broke in less than a year.
#21
OMC


Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,973
Likes: 142
From: South Louisiana
Bikes: Specialized Allez Sprint, Look 585, Specialized Crux E5 Sport, Trek Domane SL6
I'm your height and weight, but your sit bones are what determine what saddle you need, and yours could be closer together or farther apart than mine.
Having said that, I need a wider saddle. I've got three that work for me - Specialized Avatar in 155mm, Selle Italia Turbomatic Gel Flow, and Selle San Marco Regal w/steel rails. The Regal is the narrowest at 150 mm. I've done centuries on the first two with no problems; the Bianchi that's wearing the Regal is next in line for a century (I've already done a metric with it).
I'll add my recommendation for getting measured on the Specialized butt-o-meter before buying - it'll narrow your choices to what fits.
Having said that, I need a wider saddle. I've got three that work for me - Specialized Avatar in 155mm, Selle Italia Turbomatic Gel Flow, and Selle San Marco Regal w/steel rails. The Regal is the narrowest at 150 mm. I've done centuries on the first two with no problems; the Bianchi that's wearing the Regal is next in line for a century (I've already done a metric with it).
I'll add my recommendation for getting measured on the Specialized butt-o-meter before buying - it'll narrow your choices to what fits.
__________________
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
#22
Carpe Velo
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,519
Likes: 18
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Bikes: 2000 Bianchi Veloce, '88 Schwinn Prologue, '90 Bianchi Volpe,'94 Yokota Grizzly Peak, Yokota Enterprise, '16 Diamondback Haanjo, '91 Bianchi Boardwalk, Ellsworth cruiser
When one measures a saddle as well as the sit bone width, where are you taking the measurements at?
#23
OMC


Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,973
Likes: 142
From: South Louisiana
Bikes: Specialized Allez Sprint, Look 585, Specialized Crux E5 Sport, Trek Domane SL6
Saddle width is usually measured from the widest part of the saddle. I'm pretty sure the sitbones are measured from the deepest part of the indentation...but I'm not at all certain.
__________________
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
#24
Canadian eh?

Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 114
From: Toronto
Bikes: 2025 Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 0
I did this with Specialized....and am now enjoying a Romin Pro in 143CM. The saddle is rock hard, but as it fits my butt, it works great thus far.
#25





