The "perfect" saddle.
 

I noticed there has been a lot of saddle talk on the forums recently, so I thought it would be a good time to ask this question. I've tried out a few saddles since I became an avid cyclist (Arione, Original flite, Modern flite gel flow, and a nashbar gr2). All of them give me the same problem. After a about 10-15 miles it feels like my gooch is supporting my entire body weight and it sucks! This cant be how everyones saddle feels. What does the perfect saddle feel like? Is your butt in heaven on longer rides?

ib4 charge spoon = jesus

I'm guessing your bone structure is a lot like mine. You probably have very wide sit bones. There have only been two saddles that don't leave me with those feelings you describe and that's the Charge Spoon and Bontrager Inform RXL in a 154mm width. Look for something with a flat back section that is wide. I don't know if any saddle still feels like heaven after 20 miles but with a combination of good padding and a well fit saddle you should be able to pull off some longer treks.

Your saddle should never be supporting your entire body weight. Either you are not pedaling hard enough or you are not bending enough at the waist or both.

Your butt and bone structure are very different than everyone else's. It does not matter what any one else likes, saddles are 100% personal. The best fitting saddel I have ever ridden is the QBP $20 "track saddle". It probably won't fit you. Lots of people love Brook's saddles. I cannot stand them. The point I am trying to make is this thread is useless. Just like every single one asking for saddle recomendations.

The "perfect" saddle.
 

The saddles he listed are narrow race saddles. Riding style and position is a factor but no one can say what will work for you.

I went through four or five saddles before trying a Turbo and finding it works. Later a B17 Narrow with the nose pointed sky high :)

To me a perfect saddle feels like nothing, you don't even notice it's there. When I got fitted on my Big Block the guy that fit me recommended a narrow flat saddle. I got the Tioga MC-S and he almost set-it parallel to the ground only slightly pointed down. And I haven't touched it since, I went on some very long rides 5-8 hours and never had any discomfort. It's not just about the saddle, you whole fit will interfere with your comfort on the bike. So either get a professional fit or do some research and figure out how you should be positioned on your bike.

I'm not asking for recommendations. What I am asking is If anyone ever had a similar problem of soreness and numbess after only a few miles and what they did to remedy it. I'm not a noob and I know saddles are personal preference. Sorry if it came off as a dumb question.

I'll look into getting a proper bike fit like one of you guys said.

I was about to say the same thing as Kayce, until I read your actual post. You're right, you aren't asking for recommendations.

I have yet to experience saddle nirvana, but I guess when I go on longer rides and I don't really notice the saddle, then that's good enough. The times when I really start to notice it are when I am riding at a slower pace (with my wife, bless her but she rides so casually).

I would think that the perfect saddle is just going to fit you with just the right shape and cushioning, for short and long rides. Longer rides might require a chamois no matter what though.

About a month ago I got my first bibs and shorts it did help a bit but not much. Haven't ventured into the land of chamois cream yet i'm guessing it would help too.

The perfect saddle for you may be entirely different than for me, it is a very personal thing. A saddle that fits me perfectly feels almost like I am riding on air, I barely notice it is there. I have also tested saddles that were okay, but after an hour or two I am just a bit more sore than usual. It is all dependent on the width of your sit bones as well as your level of flexibility. That is why almost every Specialized saddle comes in three different widths. Most competent stores should have a small measuring tool for your sit bones and it takes only a minute or two. That I would also recommend visiting a store that allows you test a saddle for a day or two. It may take you a while and a bit of trial and error, but finding your perfect saddle is priceless.

The purpose of short/bibs and chamois cream is not to make an uncomfortable saddle more comfortable.

The remedy is a different saddle. 10-15 miles means the saddle is wrong for your body.

I ride a Terry Butterfly, thank you very much.

:D

+1

A saddle that is right for you (and properly fit) will not cause numbness or pain.

also try experimenting with different saddle angles. i find even little adjustments make a big difference. better seat posts help with adjust-ability.

It sounds like your problem might be due more to saddle position, as opposed to saddle type. You need to get on the rollers and play around with different saddle angles, as well as fore/aft adjustment. Make SMALL tweaks, first in angle, then fore/aft, until you find that perfect spot.

yeah, there sure is "a lot of saddle talk on the forums recently"...wonder when someone will get the bright idea for a "the official saddle thread thread" :rolleyes:

actually this is not quite right - as several others have mentioned, good saddle/seating position is crucial, & wrong placement can make any & every saddle uncomfortable

this about covers it, but don't forget getting seat height right is important too, it may be that op has his seatpost set too high or low if he feels like he has all his weight on his gooch

i must be very lucky...as long as i got the right width for my sitbones & adjust it to the right postion, i seem to be able to get used to & comfortable on most saddles i've tried within a few few days...

http://i.imgur.com/KOyUJ.gif




Carry on. :p

this reply will be less strident than yours...but fact is that the way you phrased your statement makes it seem to refer to saddle fit with ones butt, not to seating position or bike fit.

sorry if i upset you, please try to more clear when you give advice :innocent:

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