Touring saddle recommendations
 

Hello

I am a tour cyclist and recently I have read about health issues that raised a concern if you put to much pressure in your perineal area during long rides. Besides minor soreness I have never had any problems with the actual saddle I used (Oval Concepts X38). Are there any saddle recommendations for long tours? I also ride about 8 hours a week when off tours. I must say that the two saddle I have on my 2 bikes works great, my question is gear more to medical recommendations.

Cheers
aperezy

Isn't a Brooks saddle always an answer?
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/leather.html

The saddle for you
 

I use a Brooks Flyer and love it. If you can sit on a saddle for 8 hours a day and not feel it.... you're set. A Brooks Flyer in natural leather with brass hardware is elegant.

OIf money is tight a Gyes will do a good job too... I've done 6000km on mine and it's like sitting on a lounge chair. Some days I enjoy getting on the bike, because it's more comfortable than sitting on some park bench...

I think that the danger is overblown, if your saddle is currently working for you and you're not experiencing numbness you have nothing to worry about. For long distance riding I think I would recomend a C17 over a B17 now just for ease of care.

Still have the Brooks team pro I got in the mid 70s, took several international tours on it.


But thats just me.

If it ain't broke!!
I'm currently looking at SQ labs probably the 610. They have quite a selection.

Whatever fits your sit bones.

Precisely..You need to satisfy your arse , not follow a popularity contest with your choice...

I installed a Gilles Berthoud Mente over 1,000 miles ago to replace my sagged B17. Comfortable, and no evidence that this one will ever sag.

It should cost over 100 pounds, be made of dead animal, be ridden at least a 1000 miles before it's comfortable, and weigh at least 2 lbs...

But seriously, if you are comfortable for long times and distances, it's the right saddle for you.

My choice of saddle is a Brooks B17 on my Surly LHT (has a flyer on it but prefer the B17) and my Salsa Mukluk, but of course it is a personal choice so you really need to work out what works for you.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2938/3...b1ef15d5_b.jpg
Holland Track Day 2: Salsa Mukluk at Granite Rock Outcrop

another what saddle thread , that up to 2000 of them now?

they all are just 'I like X saddle' responses mostly..


So What Saddles have You Tried So Far?






.....

Well !! it is an important issue.

If you want to sell a new saddle, wave the perineal compression/numbness flag.


If you're getting a little sore, ride more and get used to it. If that doesn't help, try adjusting the saddle a bit. If that still doesn't help, try a different saddle.

Love that set-up!

Another vote for the B-17: I have a B-17 on my gravel-grinder, using it for rides like the Almanzo 100 and Westside Dirty Benjamin (a few of us make this the Royal Benjamin - 150 miles). Never had a perineal issue.

Attachment 562730

I'm slow getting to it, but there are more Brooks in my future... won't purchase any other saddle.

edit - I ride 15 to 25 hours a week through summer and 10-15 hours per week through the winter.

There's been so much brooks tourting that I need to at this point rein in the circleobscenity and point out that a B17 or any other brooks will only work if you have good back flexibility, (and I suspect, don't have anterior pelvic tilt as a posture issue) and your sit bones are narrow enough. They way one sits on a brooks or any other leather saddle for that matter is with the ischial tuberosities so it's one of the few saddles where the "buttometer" test quite relevant. This of course because you cannot really lean forwards with a leather saddle. A B17 is actually quite narrow even if the measured width is around 175mm. Due to the iron rail under the saddle the suspended leather is only around 135mm wide and the outsides of one's sitbones need to fit there. If your sitbones are 135mm outside to outside they most likely will not be wider than 115mm center to center. More likely they'll be 105mm or narrower. That's pretty dang narrow.

Not sure I totally agree with you. I don't have time to dig out all the dimensions so I'll use smoke, mirrors, and hand-gestures....

Lisa has a hard time getting a saddle that works for her. Not one stock saddle has worked for her. She's found the Terry Butterfly saddles are good (standard and century models). This is not a narrow saddle. However, her favorite saddle is the B17 S and she'd love Brooks on all her bikes, she's only struggling with the aesthetics for a classic leather saddle on a modern bike.

Also, I don't understand the flexibility comment - this bike has the B17 S:

Attachment 562835

*Brooks saddles are not for everybody, but you'll never know until you try one.

At 71 yrs old 25 yrs cycling, cost to cost. I have probably spent more on saddles than bikes. about 2 yrs. ago I had blood in seaman, (yes it still works) several trips to medical Dr. & hundreds of $ later, I have SMP extras on all bikes with 2 bolt seat posts. All happy at this time. I am also a believer in drop bars, to change seating angle

Thanks, I have posted this on other forums and it seems Selle SMPs are the consensus. Question: what model do you recomend? or do you have a pic?

I do not have saddle problems with my two bikes but this is a concern after reading some online material

Thanks again
Alfredo

Thanks, My concern with Brooks is weight when traveling abroad. and I an not 100% sure if this is the best from the medical standpoint

Thanks and I will consider it

Thanks

Thanks...indeed I dont have issues with my current two saddles besides normal soreness. But again I was reading a lot of stuff online that raised a red flag...maybe I have been reading too much online

Thanks for your advise

Thanks