bmt074

I'm building a commuter using an old mountain bike that is strictly being put together to haul stuff (grocery bags and whatnot) and be comfortable. I'm looking for a really comfortable larger seat to replace the small seat currently attached to it.

What are some of the more comfortable bike seats out there? I know there are a ton of them on the market.

JeremyZ

Short answer: whichever Brooks is appropriate for your bike. How high are your handlebars in relation to your saddle?

Long answer: I've tried stock saddles (never any good) Bell granny saddles with lycra fabric coating, a wide butt, and springs (OK for trips up to 1/2 hour; the lycra wears through quickly) and a Brooks Flyer.

The Brooks Flyer has been by far the most comfortable, and I think the main reason is that it breathes. The springs also take the edge off the bumps. Its superiority is especially noticable on longer rides. The Flyer is the sprung version of the B17. It is heavier on account of the springs, and the springs bring the bottom of the saddle low enough that seat bag selection becomes tougher. The typical ones that hook to the rails of the saddle hang really low, looking all dopey, and interfere with rack bags. But to me, it is well worth it.

Pscyclepath

Personally, I use a Brooks B-17...

Rob_E

I'm not a leather fan in general, but especially because I ride in all kinds of weather, I'd worry about a leather bike seat, but a more breathable bike seat does sound good. If the leather and price don't bother you, everything I've read on this forum and elsewhere leads me to believe Brooks is the way to go.

I have tried a few seats, looking for a comfortable, non-leather option. I thought a nice, wide seat would be nice, but I've found that a wide seat hits the backs of my legs on the down stroke. Not nearly as comfortable as I thought. Right now one bike has an old-style sprung saddle, vinyl cover. It's good for short rides, but does not breathe so it can get sweaty. For the bike I spend most of my time on, I've been using a Specialized Body Geometry (Avatar, I think). It has a little padding, but not much. I can get tired of sitting on it for hours on end, but I expect that's true of any seat, and probably a few long days in the saddle will take care of that. Otherwise I find it to be a pretty comfortable seat.

ItsJustMe

I use a Brooks now, but I actually had a gel saddle that came with the bike (Giant Cypress) and I rode with it for 3 years without problems.

IMO, saddles are either painful or invisible. It's not like they're Laz-E-Boy recliners - you don't sit in them to kick back and relax. At best they support you and don't cause you pain, and you don't think about them. If you're thinking about the saddle, it's probably not a great saddle.

texasdiver

Brooks Champion Flyer. Got one on my mountain bike/ commuter bike. Best seat ever

https://www.wallbike.com/championflyer.html

It's the B-17 with spring suspension

Just put a waterproof cover on it for the rain

jeffpoulin

I have a Brooks B17 and I find it very comfortable. TBH, though, if you ride enough, you'll be comfortable on almost anything. If you don't ride very much, you'll be uncomfortable on almost everything (Brooks included).

bent-not-broken

I am one of those rare people who couldn't use a b-17. The good news is the resale after 600 miles was nearly what I paid for it. For me a lighlty padded saddle with a groove woks best. I use a WTB pure -v and a specialized bg equally.

EKW in DC

Bigger is not necessarily = more comfortable. I'd read that a lot on other saddle-related threads and can now vouch for that. I recently went from a wider suspension saddle (stock with my hybrid) to this narrower non-suspension saddle, and the new saddle is WAY more comfortable!

pathdoc

SMP saddles are IMO the most comfy.

Loose Chain

Specialized Avatar.

jsmonet

whatever fits your bones and makes your taint happy. for me it was a specialized romin.

asharx

The answer to this question is going to be all over the map, you are asking for personal preferences. What works for one person will not work for another.

For me, my go to seat is the Stelle Italia Trans Am XO. I have replaced the stock seat on both of my bikes with this, $35 bucks at my LBS.

My butt couldn't be happier.

buck65

Bianchi sells a Velo brand saddle on their site that I absolutely love (kinda reminds be of the Velo Plush saddle). It takes about a week to break it and only costs $20. It's a synthetic saddle with a nice groove down the center, and it's pretty wide, unlike some "racing" saddles out there.

I've tried two B17's in the past (about a year of usage) and have mixed feelings about them when riding in street clothes. When wearing my bib shorts, I can be on a Brooks saddle all day long...but I tend to find discomfort in street clothes. And I really don't enjoy wearing cycling shorts under my jeans. OP, saddle choice is very personal so you've just got to take a leap and see if one works for you. The break in period with any saddle sucks, but life sure is good once you've found your perfect match.

travelmama

Whatever feels right to you is the most comfortable bike seat. I was on a stock saddle for years and loved it. It was very comfortable and wasn't too big. After reading about Brooks, I switched over and will never go back. I bought another one yesterday for my touring bike.

colleen c

Was it the standard men version Brook seat? I wanted to get one for my commuter but then I saw that they have female Brook seat. Just wondering if there any difference because all my LBS carry the male version and I cannot check out the female version.

JeremyZ

Hi Colleen, I know the Imperials have different shaped cut-outs between the male & female versions.

The regular, "non-Imperials" are also shaped differently, I assume for womens' wider hips. I think you should hold out for an 'S' suffox version, which is their designator for womens models.

idiotekniQues

i like the Serfas dual density saddles. so far i have done several 30+ mile rides and been completely comfortable seat-wise the entire time. $40.

colleen c

Thanks. I think I will hold out a little longer. I'm gonna check to see if REI can get me what I think will work in the women version since they have the satisfaction return policy. So far personally for me, most male version saddle have a too long nose piece that is a pain the the you know what (and I don't mean butt either) argh.

woodbridge

specialized body geometry is the way to go! check out their options. that is all i ever ride.

bmt074

I'm giving the Bell Memory Foam seat a shot... Just got it today. It is massive compared to the old seat but hopefully it'll be much more comfortable.

GeneO 

+=1

See there you go. I am 56 yrs old and 205 lbs, 5' 11" and I love my Sella Italia flight gel. Very comfortable.

Gene

LesterOfPuppets

Comfiest, biggest saddle I've been on is a Terry Cite Y

ddez

Hi Colleen
Actually the Brooks for ladies has the "S" designation after the model numbers. Example would be the B-17 S. The B-17 is the most popular in a non sprung model. The most popular according to Brooks in the sprung model is the B-17 Flyer. For each model the ladies saddle is a bit wider and the nose is shorter.
You can get all this info re: sizes, by going to the Brooks site. Just Google Brooks Saddles a very informative site. At the very least you can read all about a very old company doing things the same way for more than a hundred years.
There is a company in the states who have a large selection of Brooks saddles and have a excellent return policy i understand, dont like it return it or exchange it. Lots of Americans on BF have taken advantage of there policy ive read on here. Google Wallingford Bicycles.

texasdiver

Colleen:

Wallingford Bike Shop in New Orleans seems to be the go-to place for Brooks saddles here in the US. They have the biggest selection and do a 6 month unconditional satisfaction guarantee on Brooks Saddles. They'll take them back no questions asked within 6 months if you don't like them. My local shops don't stock Brooks so I've bought from them.

https://www.wallbike.com/

I would call them and describe your riding style as they are the experts. But the B17 'S' for a more relaxed riding style or the Team Pro 'S' for a more aggressive riding style would be the first two logical choices unless you wanted to go with a heavier saddle with springs. I have the Champion Flyer Special on my hardtail mountain bike and it is to die for. I love it and it has been comfortable since day 1. No break in. They also make a woman's version of that saddle, the Champion Flyer Special 'S' which is what I would put on my wife's bike if she wanted a new saddle. But she's happy with her Sella Italia and doesn't ride enough to really care.