Road Saddles?
- Thread starter Inclag
- Start date
I have used road saddle in the past with mixed results, but never any road saddle that had a weight limit. The decision to go with a different saddle came about because every single time I had a crash my saddle would get pummeled and destroyed no matter if the crash was big or small. It seemed like the saddle was a magnet for the ground and would somehow always land on it!!! I tried I kinds of lighter roadie saddles, but it seemed like they were a "one and done" product for me and only last a few weeks at most. I've since only ridden dh with an older Specialized bmx'ish saddle that used to come on the stock Demo 9 and P.1's. It weights a little bit more, but it's seen a ton of crashes and nothing has happened to it. I also found out that I liked having a bit more substantial (cushion) of a saddle to push against with my thighs when in turns and in other times when my legs hit the sides of the saddle....the rock hard and thin road saddles weren't so friendly in that area!
Hmmm that gives me an idea... single use saddles. Design them poorly, but they'll be so cheap you can buy them by the case!!!
Yes. Selle Italia. Being real leather it didn't take abuse real well. Currently using a Sunline saddle and it takes a beating. cover is made from vinyl and wont get wet when riding in the rain. I'm 230 with gear.
I used a tioga spider web seat. Ended up with stitches on the back of my thigh. It was rated at 250lbs and im only 140 so i figured it would work. I didnt even crash. was going a bit to fast, got sketch, feet were coming off the pedals so to regain control sat for a breif second in order to get pedal placement again, hit a braking bump and snap!, then got gouged with the broken rail. Goodtimes...
Not worth it. it was expensive, uncomfortable, and broke the 2nd ride out.
Not worth it. it was expensive, uncomfortable, and broke the 2nd ride out.
I've been running an I-Beam I-Fly for the past three season without any trouble. And it's held up very well to crashes.
toby
Just curious actually. I don't plan on using a saddle that could potentially fail to save 50 grams.
Last edited:
)
I run specialized alias 143 Ti railed saddles on all three of my bikes, they hold up well to crashes, wet weather, are light and comfy.
I'm an old school bmx'er and always used a hard plastic seat. I guess my ass is used to it because discomfort is at a minimum. Plus, I've never had an expensive seat 'fail' on me. Who's sitting anyway?!
make them out of corn starch. lightweight, solid and when your done you can disolve it in water
I'm thinking of buying an SDG SL and post combo for my DH bike. I'm a little hesitant however because of the carbon I-beam. Are these saddle combos really as durable as normal cro-mo or Ti rails? Anyone have much experience with I-beam setup?
Haha, yeah I suppose that would motivate one to keep pedalling. I'm not too worried about how hard it is when I'm downhilling. How durable would you say your friend's saddle was?
None of the SDG saddles have a carbon "rail". They are some sort of composite with a "carbon" print.I'm thinking of buying an SDG SL and post combo for my DH bike. I'm a little hesitant however because of the carbon I-beam. Are these saddle combos really as durable as normal cro-mo or Ti rails? Anyone have much experience with I-beam setup?
I have run one in some shape or form for 3-4 years with zero failures.
Nah, that's alright. I have a 04 Norco Rampage, and I've had to replace the crappy Titec seat 3 times. You might think that I would've bought a proper durable saddle, but it was the cheapest available. This last time that it broke I decided to replace it with my current dh saddle, and then buy a new seat and/or post for my dh bike. I think I'm gonna go ahead with the Bel Air SL.
I have used both the bel air sl and the I Fly. Both of them were extremely durable. I switched to the I Fly just cause it was a little lighter and my bel air was kinda dirty. As far as comfort goes, I cant really say they are all that comfortable but really how much does it matter if it is going on a downhill bike.
I have that exact seat and it seems as strong as can be, just make sure to install the seatpost correctly or the clamp of the seatpost itself will self-destruct, the little ribs will strip, and it will roll back or forwards whenever you sit on it (old style IBeam post anyway, I don't know how the new micro ones work). I got a new post and it has worked perfectly ever since. I need a new size so I'm going to try the new micro design. The Bel Air SL is not really comfortable, but even though this is on my only bike which gets used a lot for everything, it's not uncomfortable enough to complain about. Light+strong+cheap=winner.
Thanks alot, all good to hear. I'm surprised I actually thought that I was going to hear horror stories of them breaking all over the place. Anything breaks, especially saddles. Regardless, I'm going with the I beam setup.
I was going to try out the SDG SL and post, till the guy at SDG told me " not for you with DH"
Currently I have a THE Ti rail seat I got for 25 bucks last year that I have beat the holy hell out of this last year. Hard, flat, tough, resistant to tears, rails are still straight, so far after a year of abuse, I can say I would def get another without hesitation....If I ever wear this one out that is.
P.S. Def not teh seat for pedalling.
Currently I have a THE Ti rail seat I got for 25 bucks last year that I have beat the holy hell out of this last year. Hard, flat, tough, resistant to tears, rails are still straight, so far after a year of abuse, I can say I would def get another without hesitation....If I ever wear this one out that is.
P.S. Def not teh seat for pedalling.
I've had great luck with the Selle Italia Flite [series].
Very comfortable (most important), super durable, and reasonably light. Not to mention, classy styling.
I don't buy the "comfort doesn't matter because who sits down on their DH bike?" argument. Unfortunately, I [like most folks here] don't have a ski-lift behind my house, nor infinite gas money for shuttles. I'd much rather pedal than push (if I can) -- and that usually means I'm gonna sit down and spin for a little bit before I get to ride down. Why put myself through unnecessary pain/suffering?
But hey, it's your ass. Everyone's is different. Buy whatever keeps you and your ass happy. Whatever you do, don't cry about it on the forumz 'cause your 100-gram roadie seat couldn't take a shot from a tree and/or you're having a difficult time reproducing...
Very comfortable (most important), super durable, and reasonably light. Not to mention, classy styling.
I don't buy the "comfort doesn't matter because who sits down on their DH bike?" argument. Unfortunately, I [like most folks here] don't have a ski-lift behind my house, nor infinite gas money for shuttles. I'd much rather pedal than push (if I can) -- and that usually means I'm gonna sit down and spin for a little bit before I get to ride down. Why put myself through unnecessary pain/suffering?
But hey, it's your ass. Everyone's is different. Buy whatever keeps you and your ass happy.
Whatever you do, don't cry about it on the forumz 'cause your 100-gram roadie seat couldn't take a shot from a tree and/or you're having a difficult time reproducing...
Last edited:
I have a friend that has somehow managed to use a Specialized Toupe seat on his dh bike for the past couple months with seemingly good results, surprising since its pretty much the lightest most leg shaving saddle there is...
Personally I've been using the I-fly/ I-beam setup for about a year now, it replaced my Thomson/Sunline setup I had been using, it may be a bit lighter, but its way easier to adjust and I found the Sunline seat to be pretty uncomfortable, the I-fly isn't much better but it does the job without my skinny ass complaining too much.
On a side note another friend of mine managed to snap the rail off of a practically brand new I-fly on his 2nd day riding it, to the saddles defense though he is a pretty big bloke, I'd say around 230ish so take it for what its worth, anything can be broken when in the right situation...
Personally I've been using the I-fly/ I-beam setup for about a year now, it replaced my Thomson/Sunline setup I had been using, it may be a bit lighter, but its way easier to adjust and I found the Sunline seat to be pretty uncomfortable, the I-fly isn't much better but it does the job without my skinny ass complaining too much.
On a side note another friend of mine managed to snap the rail off of a practically brand new I-fly on his 2nd day riding it, to the saddles defense though he is a pretty big bloke, I'd say around 230ish so take it for what its worth, anything can be broken when in the right situation...
Why not just use one of these? No one has seemed to mention it. It works great and is light.
http://www.go-ride.com/ProductDetail.jsp?LISTID=800024E4-1206399071
http://www.go-ride.com/ProductDetail.jsp?LISTID=800024E4-1206399071