Weird Saddle at a Museum
#1
Thread Starter
I love my life!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 280
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From: Fullerton, CA
Bikes: Univega 1985? Sportour
Weird Saddle at a Museum
Interesting cyclist photo featured on Hp.com's frontpage. I'll assume she/he is a messanger b/c of the massive solar-powered backpack and vintage bike. No nitto bars, but an interesting saddle.
Is that saddle the one that uses the two foam pads for your butt bones? Anyone got a link for it?
Is that saddle the one that uses the two foam pads for your butt bones? Anyone got a link for it?
#2
-koom til doom-
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 53
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From: long beach, california
Bikes: unknown singlespeed / mercier kilo tt track / lemond tourmalet road.
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...153494135&rd=1
they're called Spiderflex saddles. i haven't seen one in person, but i think they're pretty ridiculous looking. maybe this isn't even the same saddle, but it's pretty dang similar.
they're called Spiderflex saddles. i haven't seen one in person, but i think they're pretty ridiculous looking. maybe this isn't even the same saddle, but it's pretty dang similar.
#3
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 11,013
Likes: 24
From: Tucson, AZ
Bikes: Custom Zona c/f tandem + Scott Plasma single
This type of saddle has been around for years.
Two independent pads for under each half of your buns. Each pad moves independently as you pedal. Works or some people, but will not work for all!
Sorry, can't recall the brand name.
Two independent pads for under each half of your buns. Each pad moves independently as you pedal. Works or some people, but will not work for all!
Sorry, can't recall the brand name.
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 842
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From: oPt via Spokane, WA
Bikes: Chromoly Allez comp with Ultegra/DA, IRO Rob Roy
There is a guy out here with one of those. He ries a SS surly I think. I know INKDWHEELS had talked to him before....he uses his for some kind of medical reason, maybe from surgery or something. Kind of absurd looking, but might be functional
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I've been here since 2004? I've never felt this old before.
I've been here since 2004? I've never felt this old before.
#7
...leaving skid marks

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,014
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From: NYC (chinatown, w.vill, morningside)
Bikes: fuji track se ('02) | independent fabrication crown jewel ('04)
i can't say anything about this spiderflex one..
BUT there's another company who makes a similar saddle (www.hobsonseats.com) that i purchased and tried over the weekend but i didn't like it at all. i wouldn't recommend this hobson saddle for fixed riding, as the stance of it doesn't really work with the large ass-pad design. i kept sliding forward putting more weight on my hands, which meant i would never be able to ride handless on that seat. also the pads extended into my thighs which was really uncomfy. this saddle is better for cruisers or bmx rides.
BUT there's another company who makes a similar saddle (www.hobsonseats.com) that i purchased and tried over the weekend but i didn't like it at all. i wouldn't recommend this hobson saddle for fixed riding, as the stance of it doesn't really work with the large ass-pad design. i kept sliding forward putting more weight on my hands, which meant i would never be able to ride handless on that seat. also the pads extended into my thighs which was really uncomfy. this saddle is better for cruisers or bmx rides.
#8
I hear they're pretty terrible for any kind of extended riding because while they provide nice sit support the lack of horn means there's nothing supporting you in front and you end up putting a lot of pressure on your hands and wrists.
[ edit: umm, yeah, like turd said. ]
[ edit: umm, yeah, like turd said. ]
#9
The one he's got is different than the others in the thread, but it's a similar idea. A friend of mine had onee ffor a while. The two sides don't really flex seperately - they're on a fairly rigid base thing. The one that courier's using has closed-cell foam pads with no cover, with an adhesive back. The saddle comes with a couple sets, and when they're worn out you pull the old pads off and stick on the new ones.
The argument behind them is to get all weight off the taint and the boys, but as everyone else has mentioned, it just pushes you forward onto your wrists.
The argument behind them is to get all weight off the taint and the boys, but as everyone else has mentioned, it just pushes you forward onto your wrists.
#11
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 19
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From: galway when studying, dublin when im not
Bikes: claud butler lavante with a few extras and a few mods. Kona Kula Primo with marzocchi mx pros, magura brakes, cane creek ti wheelset, lots of carbon fibre and xtr. almost finished this one.. its in the making
i ask myself why no-one seems to be mentioning that stupid looking bag..
#14
Hauja
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 848
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From: Central North Dakota
Bikes: not as many but still too many
Originally Posted by zonatandem
This type of saddle has been around for years.
Two independent pads for under each half of your buns. Each pad moves independently as you pedal. Works or some people, but will not work for all!
Sorry, can't recall the brand name.
Two independent pads for under each half of your buns. Each pad moves independently as you pedal. Works or some people, but will not work for all!
Sorry, can't recall the brand name.
#16
18 dog baby
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu
Bikes: 2008 crosscheck complete, 1984 Pugeot fixed conversion
I ride one of those. The one in the picture is a different sort than mine. I'm the guy in Hawaii Rancid spoke of.
A few years back I was all freaked out from that article about the nerves and stuff getting crushed, but I just kept riding cause I love it. But there was always that possibility. Then I went on a longish ride around the island and when I got home, problems presented themselves. I didn't worry, didn't worry, told myself it was nothing, but the problems kept on. I didn't have any surgery or anything, but I figured it was either no bike or no, er, functionality.
So I got one of these, the spongy wonder, and the problems went away with no other intervention. After about a year, try as I might I can't force myself back onto any other kind of saddle.
My wrists stopped getting sore after about a month, and I ride my bike pretty often. I'd say sixty or seventy miles a week minnimum for work, sometimes longer quick rides not for work.
It looks stupid as all hell, yeah. I agree. But it works, and that's all I want.
Also, I ride no hands just fine.
A few years back I was all freaked out from that article about the nerves and stuff getting crushed, but I just kept riding cause I love it. But there was always that possibility. Then I went on a longish ride around the island and when I got home, problems presented themselves. I didn't worry, didn't worry, told myself it was nothing, but the problems kept on. I didn't have any surgery or anything, but I figured it was either no bike or no, er, functionality.
So I got one of these, the spongy wonder, and the problems went away with no other intervention. After about a year, try as I might I can't force myself back onto any other kind of saddle.
My wrists stopped getting sore after about a month, and I ride my bike pretty often. I'd say sixty or seventy miles a week minnimum for work, sometimes longer quick rides not for work.
It looks stupid as all hell, yeah. I agree. But it works, and that's all I want.
Also, I ride no hands just fine.





