I replaced the stock masi saddle I had with a $15 parts bin san marco ponza. I thought I like the ponza but recently it's really been rubbing me raw and feeling really uncomfortable. I have about $100 to spend and I was wondering what you all thought an economical, comfortable saddle was? I was thinking a Selle Italia Flite Gel Flow I found for about $50, but wasn't sure how great of a saddle was.

Brooks Team Pro.

San marco concor.

I like mine so far. Its kinda wide but it feels good if you are using it for commute.

If not brooks are also good for non shorts or non bib riding. Though i found cordiors and leather is just super slippery. I always slide off my leather saddle..

I like where this is going.

Tell me more.

Selle Italia Turbo reissue ftw. Or a badass yellow or blue one if you can find em.

Unfortunately, saddles are a matter of personal preference. What might feel great for one person could be horrible for another.

A bike I bought came with a WTB Deva saddle. It's very comfortable (for me) and relatively light.

Errr we can't tell you what your butt likes... go to your LBS and try some out.

Whenever I switch saddles the new saddle rubs me raw for a little while.

I find tiny adjustments in tilt help.

Try getting the saddle as level as possible (it might look slightly nose-up when perfectly level).

Bag Balm helps, both before and after riding.

The last time I got a new Brooks I could not have made it through the adjustment without Bag Balm.

https://www.bagbalm.com/

I use a Fizik Arione, I like it alright, its much better then my Ponza but for anything more then say, 10 miles I'm wearing bike shorts under my jeans.

I ride a Selle Italia SLK (Lady version, because I prefer a wider saddle). I've tried an SLR, but I really needed a cutout. I want to try out an SLC, but I can never find any cheap ones on eBay to try out. I also like the Specialized Toupe.

Pricepoint had (or still has?) the Fizik Arione, which is very popular, for $60 with free shipping right now.

But yea, it really depends on your butt. I prefer little to no padding, but some people like something a bit more robust. I prefer race type saddles, whereas some people prefer saddles like the Concor and Turbo. Some LBSs have saddle demo programs where you pay $xx and get some saddles to test out. When you find one you like, that $xx goes towards your new saddle purchase at their store.

What worked for me was buying and flipping used saddles on eBay until I found one I liked.

i like the flite gel flows. thats a good price, as well.

the ponzas suckkkk. i think almost anything will feel better than that. what sort of riding do you do?

I have a Specialized Avatar, because any amount of money is worth not having either numbnuts or something "rubbing me raw."

But seriously, find a saddle demo program and get something you yourself like.

+1 I'm surprised how comfortable the Avatar is. I went for a 35 mile ride and felt no numbness afterwards. My saddle of choice was the discontinued Fizik Pave, but the Avatar has superseded it. It's heavy, but who cares. I previously tried a lightweight Selle SLR with a cutout and it was horrible. It's like the cut out was designed to suck in your ball sacs and crush it everytime you pedaled. This really turned me off about saddles with cut outs, but the Avatar has won me over.

I'm thinking of getting a Selle SMP saddle to see if it will be even more comfortable. I think I will try them out and see which one fits me the best. Some riders swear by those things. They look weird but it's suppose to disappear under you like a good saddle should.

OP: You should check out either the Avatar or the Selle SMP. There are dealers that will allow you to test them out and see which size/model is the most comfortable. The Selle SMP will cost you an arm and a leg though. Even used they could go more than $125.

Dang, those SMP saddles are hideous yet somewhat cool.

the ponza is a terrible saddle.

i got mine for five bucks each and i still decided not to keep them.

i resold them for about ten and they went into funding the rambler...

now i ride one of the following: Turbomatic, Turbo Special, Arione, Selle Italia Pro Link

I have been through a few saddles looking for comfort[1] and decent looks on a budget. I have two suggestions:
1. Charge Spoon
2. Swobo Cart

[1]meaning comfortable without padded/chamois

Agreed. I enjoy my Charge Spoon quite a bit. Butt, as many have said, there's no telling what will feel the best to your own bum.

one VERY important thing that no one ever mentions, even LBSs dont even usually bring this up, is what kind of bars are you using and what is your saddle to bar drop like. Sure you can get the sweetest, most comfortable, slim profile saddle but that comfort is taking into account that you are leaning over the drop more aka your butt is not pressing down on it so much. Sure this isn't true for everyone, nothing ever is, but something to think about for sure. if you happen to be riding in a more upright position maybe a slim saddle is not for you. Likewise the a wide saddle while in a more dropped down position might not work either. I have a different saddle on each of my bikes as they all are set up differently. I hope this helps in your search.

+1

The demo program is the way to go. Find a mid to high end bike shop and ask about the demo program. Some are free, they just keep a CC number on file, if you promise to buy from them. Others have a deposit that goes towards the new saddle of your choice.

Remember, every butt is different. What works for one guy won't work for the next. Yes, there are some saddles that are popular, but it really is one of the most personal choices you can make with regards to your bike.

The shops will likely have the most popular saddles in the demo program. I like the Fizik Arione and Specialized Toupe. Both are sort of similar in shape.

WTB Rocket V.

Finally gave up on my Brooks B-17 after a year+ and got one and my ass is much happier, as is my wallet.

https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...e.aspx?sc=FRGL

How does the Turbo reissue stand up to the OG Turbo?

sella italia flite. My favorite saddle yet.

I've got an SMP saddle. It replaced the stock Orbea flite saddle that I must've put over 10k miles on. That Orbea saddle hurt like crap when I first started riding; it was my first road bike, too. Then it disappeared. The SMP felt great on the test ride, something I wasn't expecting. But the stock saddle on the San Jose also feels fine but I've only ridden it further than 20 miles a couple of times.

The Flite is a classic and works well with a lot of people. Same for the San Marco Regal or the Brooks.

its made of plastic while the original is non- and perforated leather or suede.




i currently own three turbos[two black leather, one baby blue suede, all from 86/87], a turbomatic3[was yellow leather with pinarello embroidery but i've disassembled it and pulled the cover. i'll be recovering it soon], two vettas[one white leather and beat to hell, one dark red/burgundy suede], and an old ass san marco concor lazer in suede that has gone brownish and is delaminating. i havent made an effort to find a new style saddle that i really like but i'll watch this thread for suggestions. i need a proper saddle for my felt.

I had the ponza and thought it sucked, so I bought a b17 narrow, but took it off during the winter riding months and put my ponza back on. That was a year ago and now I have the ponza nose tilted up a little and about 1,000 non-bike short miles on it. I think all saddles have a bunch of different places that your sit bones could rest on, it is just a matter of finding the right tilt so your sit bones stay where you want them to.