looking for good touring saddle
01-22-13, 05:00 PM
#1
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looking for good touring saddle
I'm building up a hybrid/cross bike for touring this spring. I am looking for suggestions for a good all day saddle. I am used to a very minimal saddle on my road bike. However, after hours on it I do get fanny fatigue. I have tried thick gel seats and don't like them. So lighter in weight but supportive for the long haul, any suggestions?
01-22-13, 05:02 PM
#2
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looking for good touring saddle
It's hard to go wrong with a Brooks B-17 saddle.
01-22-13, 05:39 PM
#4
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joetheun, I have a Selle Italia Flite butt. Anything with the same general contour works well for me on the touring bike. Right now I'm using a Serfas Ti saddle that was close on the roadie, but better on the T bike. An OEM CODA saddle from one of the roadies also worked well so you may want to go through any take-offs you have to try again.
Brad
Brad
01-22-13, 06:44 PM
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There is no "all day" saddle. Physics and human physiology prevent that. When you're touring, it's OK to take breaks. Stand and coast for a short distance or stop and take a drink of water. Give your butt, your back, and your legs a short break and then ride on.
Start with a saddle you're pretty comfortable on for an hour or so and work from there. The B17 works for lots of people, but I slide forward unless I jack the nose up in the air which causes other problems for me. I like the Selle San Marco Rolls for its front to back level profile with good support for my sit-bones. Saddle choice is a very personal thing, though.
Start with a saddle you're pretty comfortable on for an hour or so and work from there. The B17 works for lots of people, but I slide forward unless I jack the nose up in the air which causes other problems for me. I like the Selle San Marco Rolls for its front to back level profile with good support for my sit-bones. Saddle choice is a very personal thing, though.
01-23-13, 12:59 AM
#7
Senior Member
Can’t say I have tried them all. There are hundreds of saddles out there, but I have tried a wide variety. For my last two tours I have been on a Selle SMP TRK. It has several sitting positions including a cradle position similar to a leather suspension saddle (Brooks). The boys particularly like the eagle beak nose when bouncing down washboard rutted gravel roads. It wasn’t expensive and I will consider a fancier version down the road.
It is important to consider a saddle in conjunction with your shorts and chamois pad. What’s the difference between a rock hard racing saddle if you are wearing shorts with a thick gel chamois and a softer padded saddle that you can ride in comfort with little or no padding?
It is important to consider a saddle in conjunction with your shorts and chamois pad. What’s the difference between a rock hard racing saddle if you are wearing shorts with a thick gel chamois and a softer padded saddle that you can ride in comfort with little or no padding?
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On a trip you've got worry as a companion, for you're always concerned about what happens next and sticking to an itinerary. . . . on a journey you never have to worry. Something always happens next.
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01-23-13, 02:14 AM
#8
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just go find more saddles and sit on them
Its your Backside on the saddle Not Mine
Fizik Arione, Vitesse.. Brooks Pro, 17, swallow, Turbo, Rolls Selle Anatomica, and thousands more..
Its your Backside on the saddle Not Mine
Fizik Arione, Vitesse.. Brooks Pro, 17, swallow, Turbo, Rolls Selle Anatomica, and thousands more..
01-25-13, 10:36 PM
#9
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Bikes: Co-Motion Cappuccino Tandem,'88 Bob Jackson Touring, Co-Motion Cascadia Touring, Open U.P., Ritchie Titanium Breakaway, Frances Cycles SmallHaul cargo bike. Those are the permanent ones; others wander in and out of the stable occasionally as well.
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Selle An Atomica, An Atomica Titanico or Selle An Atomica Titanico x depending on your weight. I have ridden more than 20 saddles over the years and the titanico (I an 195 lbs.) is the first seat I have had that I no longer even notice no matter how long I ride, It did need maybe 300 miles to stretch and tension to where it was perfect. Way more comfy than any padded seat I have ever used.... Made in USA too!!
01-27-13, 08:41 AM
#10
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My favourite ... Brooks B17. I have them on all my bicycles now. 
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01-27-13, 09:02 AM
#11
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My favorite is the B17, but I also like the WTB saddles. Particularly the Rocket V, which also pretty reasonably priced. Many places offer WTB test ride programs, where you pay ~$50 deposit and can test ride any of the WTB saddles, then can use the deposit to purchase a saddle.
01-27-13, 10:14 AM
#12
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If you're not going to go with a Brooks, the WTB saddles are the closest I've come to a universally comfortable saddle. I have a Speed V Comp on my tourer currently, and have sold hundreds of Speed V's and Rocket V's over the years and not had one come back, ever, despite a 10 day return policy on saddles.
