My rides are getting longer and its time for a more comfy saddle (still running the stock saddle). So what saddle do you have and love or hate?
What Saddle?
- Thread starter aktallguy
- Start date
"comfy" is subjective.
I prefer a really hard saddle cuz the "comfy" ones with lots of cushion cut into my nerves and blood supply making me numb. Also, the "comfy" ones cause skin irritation when my shorts are pulled ever so slightly by all the padding.
You asked, so I'll answer, I ride a Brooks B17 hard leather saddle, fwiw.
What do you like and dislike about your current saddle?
I prefer a really hard saddle cuz the "comfy" ones with lots of cushion cut into my nerves and blood supply making me numb. Also, the "comfy" ones cause skin irritation when my shorts are pulled ever so slightly by all the padding.
You asked, so I'll answer, I ride a Brooks B17 hard leather saddle, fwiw.
What do you like and dislike about your current saddle?
That saddle made it difficult to ride sitting down on a big ride I did a while ago, not a huge fan, but that's just me. It works great for a bunch of people I know.
I have an SLR right now, it's ok, not great. I'm waiting for a Prologo Scratch, which looks pretty promising, looking forward to trying it.
Has gel improved over the years? I think I had gel and it broke down quicker than a typical saddle creating wierd bumps or something.
Steel and leather!
It depends on how hot your ass gets, lol! Has it improved? Probably, I've had this saddle for 4 years and there are no weird bumps or ooze coming out of it. However, being a road saddle, the amount of gel in it is probably very small.Has gel improved over the years? I think I had gel and it broke down quicker than a typical saddle creating wierd bumps or something.
Steel and leather!
L'Opie, I have a friend who swears by his brooks. How long have you had yours? Do you feel it was worth the $?
Mine has a pressure point right in the crotch where the crossing seams would be found on a pair of jeans. It's fine for up to 40-50 miles, but after that I start to notice more and more.
Mine has a pressure point right in the crotch where the crossing seams would be found on a pair of jeans. It's fine for up to 40-50 miles, but after that I start to notice more and more.
I recently switched to a Specialized Toupe from a Fizik something-or-other. My goodness, the Toupe is expensive for a little bit of plastic and a tiny amount of tubing. However, it's been good. I like relatively firm saddles because I find it much more comfortable to sit on my sit bones than mush a bunch of padding into my crotch. The Toupe has very little padding by any standards, so the ride is not cushy, but the shell flexes a bit to take the edge off. It's effective at eliminating pressure up the middle. I'm still getting used to the slightly different shape, but so far I'm happy with it. Maybe I'll write a more extensive review in a couple of months.
I ride a Specialized Alias and love it, hard, flat, channeled for Chode relief. And of coarse, Sitting right on the sit bones.
Fizik Arione here.
I have one of the lower priced Specialized Body Geometry saddles. Cost me about $65 at the LBS... I'm pretty happy with it. A bit firmer/sleeker than the stock saddle - a good upgrade for low $$, IMO.
Whoa!
If $65 is the cheap version of all these saddles, how much is everyone paying for them?
I got my Brooks at Nashbar.com for $55, plus $5 or so for the leather treatment.
I have this saddle too and I like it a lot.
I do, as do most of the ppl I ride with. I don't have any pure carbon saddles, they all have a little bit of padding
I dunno - maybe there are cheaper versions, I just had the impression that they were more along the lines of $100+, so I figured I was getting the bottom of the line BG saddle.
And $55 at nashbar is like $85 at the LBS, so my $65 saddle would have been like $40.
Jackson just almost broke the internet.
What's wrong with my math???
Opie's saddle at nasbar = $55
LBS markup would make it $85 or something there abouts.
I paid $65 for my saddle at the LBS
Take away teh LBS markup, and nashbar's price would be $40 (or something there abouts)
Opie's saddle at nasbar = $55
LBS markup would make it $85 or something there abouts.
I paid $65 for my saddle at the LBS
Take away teh LBS markup, and nashbar's price would be $40 (or something there abouts)
probably nothing, I just didn't understand
btw -- I'm with opie. I have a Brooks B-17 on the road/cross bike. I do have a waterproof cover on it during the summer because I sweat A LOT and it will mess the leather up if its not protected.
If I had it to do again I might have got one of the narrow ones(swift etc.) as I really don't feel confident getting behind the saddle on the trails.
I had always run the sella flite saddles, but for some reason they started to chafe my ass on long rides.
If I had it to do again I might have got one of the narrow ones(swift etc.) as I really don't feel confident getting behind the saddle on the trails.
I had always run the sella flite saddles, but for some reason they started to chafe my ass on long rides.
Consider your audience.
I thought about the Brooks, but I life in the Pacific Northwest so 6 months out of the year I ride in rain. Doesn't seem like a good idea with a leather saddle. Perhaps I'll try a Fizik. Seems like a number of people seemed to like that one. Too many choices.
I think everyone here would agree on:
-- hard saddle
-- little to no cushion
-- designed to allow your bottom and taint to float by being lifted by your sit bones
does that sounds about right?
And flat as a board.
Specialized Alias.....109.95
Specialized Alias gel...139.95
Specialized Toupe 149.95
Specialized Toupe Gel....169.95
There are others but your looking about 49 buck for an entry line Sp Ed BG seat
I've not been able to get comfy on mine. I took it off to try a Terry Y Zero today. Haven't ridden it yet, but it's close to the Flite Trans Ams I rode for so long.
I'm a skinny mofo.
I also like to be able to move up and down the saddle that extra half inch or so.
I ride a Brooks Swift treated with Huberts Shoe Grease - rain hasn't has caused any damage.
I vote for Brooks - leather saddles will conform to your bones, plastic and carbon fiber will not.
Selle Italia Flite: no gel, no cut outs, no stiching... perfect...
Agreed, I need some pshop material.
Back to saddles. Don't the lycra/spandex shorts have a huge pad in the middle for cusion?
Exactly. And that is why everyone rides 'hard' saddles.