Picking a saddle, well, SUCKS!
08-15-17, 04:10 PM
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Picking a saddle, well, SUCKS!
I can't believe there isn't a more scientific way of choosing a saddle. I know I have wide sit bones so I need a saddle at least 17-18cm wide. Other than that I know jack! Its really frustrating, especially to someone who is OCD like me. I sent my bent saddle back, so know I have to pick a saddle ASAP because I can't ride until the day after I receive it.
I traded some coffee equipment for an Amazon gift card, so I have a max that I would like to spend of $125. I keep getting lead back to Brooks, currently considering the B67 as it is a bit wider as well as the B17 Imperial. The lack of being waterproof really bothers me enough to give me pause. I am also looking at the Selle Royal Respiro moderate and the Selle SMP TRK women's model (for the extra width).
How do you guys go about making a choice on a saddle? Is it really a shot in the dark every time?
I traded some coffee equipment for an Amazon gift card, so I have a max that I would like to spend of $125. I keep getting lead back to Brooks, currently considering the B67 as it is a bit wider as well as the B17 Imperial. The lack of being waterproof really bothers me enough to give me pause. I am also looking at the Selle Royal Respiro moderate and the Selle SMP TRK women's model (for the extra width).
How do you guys go about making a choice on a saddle? Is it really a shot in the dark every time?
08-15-17, 05:59 PM
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have you measured your sit bone....that is what is important, as they don't change (unlike your overall...width) and is where the pressure is. Some shops have a dohicky that you sit on and it shows dents where the sitbones are
here are some ideas for measuring and fitting
from rivet Which Saddle is best for me?
here are plenty of ways to measure your sit bones, so I won’t go into them all here. Simply, you can do it yourself or have help from a friend, or spend a lot of money having someone do it for you. If you have a willing partner, use a measuring tape, assume the position and have at it! Or, if you are alone, place a piece of paper on top of a foam-like surface and sit down on it hard. Make sure you are sitting upright, which will push your sit bones into a vertical position. Your sit bones will leave an indentation on the paper. Use a measuring tape to measure the space between the indentations in millimeters not inches.
Once you have the measurement, add 2cm (or 20mm). Saddle width is approximate to sit bone spacing + 2cm. With leather saddles like a Rivet, you definitely want to add that 2cm, because you do not want to be sitting on the metal frame of the saddle. You want to be seated between the edges of the frame.
What if the saddle’s more than 2cm wider than sit bone spacing? You may experience rubbing/chafing on the inner thighs, and or extra pressure on your hamstrings. You may find yourself moving up onto the nose of the saddle, which will put more pressure on your soft tissue. Overall, too narrow is typically worse than too wide because the saddle will naturally migrate up into the pubic area filled with soft tissue and nerve endings.
here is a video from art's cyclery How to Measure Sit Bone Width For Bicycle Saddle Selection
as for brooks and waterproof.....just cover it when you are not on top of it....or consider the cambium
here are some ideas for measuring and fitting
from rivet Which Saddle is best for me?
here are plenty of ways to measure your sit bones, so I won’t go into them all here. Simply, you can do it yourself or have help from a friend, or spend a lot of money having someone do it for you. If you have a willing partner, use a measuring tape, assume the position and have at it! Or, if you are alone, place a piece of paper on top of a foam-like surface and sit down on it hard. Make sure you are sitting upright, which will push your sit bones into a vertical position. Your sit bones will leave an indentation on the paper. Use a measuring tape to measure the space between the indentations in millimeters not inches.
Once you have the measurement, add 2cm (or 20mm). Saddle width is approximate to sit bone spacing + 2cm. With leather saddles like a Rivet, you definitely want to add that 2cm, because you do not want to be sitting on the metal frame of the saddle. You want to be seated between the edges of the frame.
What if the saddle’s more than 2cm wider than sit bone spacing? You may experience rubbing/chafing on the inner thighs, and or extra pressure on your hamstrings. You may find yourself moving up onto the nose of the saddle, which will put more pressure on your soft tissue. Overall, too narrow is typically worse than too wide because the saddle will naturally migrate up into the pubic area filled with soft tissue and nerve endings.
here is a video from art's cyclery How to Measure Sit Bone Width For Bicycle Saddle Selection
as for brooks and waterproof.....just cover it when you are not on top of it....or consider the cambium
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Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
08-15-17, 06:41 PM
#3
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have you measured your sit bone....that is what is important, as they don't change (unlike your overall...width) and is where the pressure is. Some shops have a dohicky that you sit on and it shows dents where the sitbones are
here are some ideas for measuring and fitting
from rivet Which Saddle is best for me?
here are plenty of ways to measure your sit bones, so I won’t go into them all here. Simply, you can do it yourself or have help from a friend, or spend a lot of money having someone do it for you. If you have a willing partner, use a measuring tape, assume the position and have at it! Or, if you are alone, place a piece of paper on top of a foam-like surface and sit down on it hard. Make sure you are sitting upright, which will push your sit bones into a vertical position. Your sit bones will leave an indentation on the paper. Use a measuring tape to measure the space between the indentations in millimeters not inches.
Once you have the measurement, add 2cm (or 20mm). Saddle width is approximate to sit bone spacing + 2cm. With leather saddles like a Rivet, you definitely want to add that 2cm, because you do not want to be sitting on the metal frame of the saddle. You want to be seated between the edges of the frame.
What if the saddle’s more than 2cm wider than sit bone spacing? You may experience rubbing/chafing on the inner thighs, and or extra pressure on your hamstrings. You may find yourself moving up onto the nose of the saddle, which will put more pressure on your soft tissue. Overall, too narrow is typically worse than too wide because the saddle will naturally migrate up into the pubic area filled with soft tissue and nerve endings.
here is a video from art's cyclery How to Measure Sit Bone Width For Bicycle Saddle Selection
as for brooks and waterproof.....just cover it when you are not on top of it....or consider the cambium
here are some ideas for measuring and fitting
from rivet Which Saddle is best for me?
here are plenty of ways to measure your sit bones, so I won’t go into them all here. Simply, you can do it yourself or have help from a friend, or spend a lot of money having someone do it for you. If you have a willing partner, use a measuring tape, assume the position and have at it! Or, if you are alone, place a piece of paper on top of a foam-like surface and sit down on it hard. Make sure you are sitting upright, which will push your sit bones into a vertical position. Your sit bones will leave an indentation on the paper. Use a measuring tape to measure the space between the indentations in millimeters not inches.
Once you have the measurement, add 2cm (or 20mm). Saddle width is approximate to sit bone spacing + 2cm. With leather saddles like a Rivet, you definitely want to add that 2cm, because you do not want to be sitting on the metal frame of the saddle. You want to be seated between the edges of the frame.
What if the saddle’s more than 2cm wider than sit bone spacing? You may experience rubbing/chafing on the inner thighs, and or extra pressure on your hamstrings. You may find yourself moving up onto the nose of the saddle, which will put more pressure on your soft tissue. Overall, too narrow is typically worse than too wide because the saddle will naturally migrate up into the pubic area filled with soft tissue and nerve endings.
here is a video from art's cyclery How to Measure Sit Bone Width For Bicycle Saddle Selection
as for brooks and waterproof.....just cover it when you are not on top of it....or consider the cambium
08-15-17, 08:27 PM
#4
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Saddles are pretty much a trial and error item. A saddle may be the wrong width yet be more comfortable than one that's a perfect width.
Many people go through dozens till they find the right one. And sometimes it becomes a never ending quest.
Many people go through dozens till they find the right one. And sometimes it becomes a never ending quest.
08-15-17, 11:02 PM
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Well I ordered a Selle SMP TRK woman's version. I liked that it came in red and it was half the price of the Brooks. If I knew for sure the Brooks would be better I would pay the money without a second thought, but this one has enough good reviews that I will give it a good go first. If it doesn't work, my next one will be a Brooks. I also ordered new grips with the same metallic red horns that my water bottles and stem riser have. Along with the red saddle it should look super sharp. The original pair of grips I bought were $14 and they are already coming apart and pinching me a bit, but they did good enough to let me know I like that style.
Last edited by bigbiker1; 08-15-17 at 11:05 PM.
08-16-17, 04:18 AM
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Good luck! I have a SMP saddle, they can be a bit tricky to set up right, so be patient with it, and do very minor adjustments.
08-16-17, 05:51 AM
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If you are looking at a brooks - look at selle anatomica
Leather saddle with no break-in
https://selleanatomica.com/
I have it on two bikes. I am about 225 and ride about 100 miles per week on it.
Most comfortable for long distance too
Leather saddle with no break-in
https://selleanatomica.com/
I have it on two bikes. I am about 225 and ride about 100 miles per week on it.
Most comfortable for long distance too
08-17-17, 07:49 AM
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I just ordered a Selle SMP TRK myself. I've started to develop numbness in bits I really don't want to be numb on rides over 20 miles. I ordered it last night, will be here tomorrow, I love Amazon prime.
08-18-17, 05:07 AM
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Brooks Cambium C19:... based on the dimensions of the B67 ... wide and waterproof
https://www.brooksengland.com/en_uk/cambium-c19-1.html
https://www.brooksengland.com/en_uk/cambium-c19-1.html
08-18-17, 01:09 PM
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My new saddle arrived today, took it to my friendly LBS to have them help my fit it - they rock. They also now have beer on tap so I can have a beer while they tweak my ride. I'll have a better opinion after tomorrow/Sunday (Sunday's my longer ride day), but my test ride impressions was "where have you been all my life!!"
I like the look, too
I like the look, too
08-18-17, 06:06 PM
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My new saddle arrived today, took it to my friendly LBS to have them help my fit it - they rock. They also now have beer on tap so I can have a beer while they tweak my ride. I'll have a better opinion after tomorrow/Sunday (Sunday's my longer ride day), but my test ride impressions was "where have you been all my life!!"
I like the look, too
I like the look, too
Edit: how do you get those full size pics to attach??
Last edited by bigbiker1; 08-18-17 at 06:13 PM.
08-18-17, 06:38 PM
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Here is a link to pics, click for full size on each. I can't get anything but tiny images to post here.
Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
08-18-17, 06:38 PM
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They also now have beer on tap so I can have a beer while they tweak my ride.
08-18-17, 08:07 PM
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Here is a link to pics, click for full size on each. I can't get anything but tiny images to post here.
Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
08-19-17, 08:13 AM
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First ride was 12.1 miles, went well - definitely relieved the perineum pressure I was getting on the stock saddle, but of course now there's pressure in new places. Need to tweak the position slightly, but I'm feeling good about it.
08-19-17, 11:22 AM
#19
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It does take some fine adjustment and some "self-hardening", but it's served me well. I've also noticed that over time it's good to change its angle slightly as you age and your physique changes.
08-19-17, 01:37 PM
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I rode 25 this morning over a rough patch of trail, I had to run over a lot of 1-2inch sticks and hit a lot of little holes and crevices. It went pretty well, I feel good now and had not real discomfort during my ride.
08-19-17, 01:39 PM
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08-19-17, 04:25 PM
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08-20-17, 11:22 AM
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I can't believe there isn't a more scientific way of choosing a saddle. I know I have wide sit bones so I need a saddle at least 17-18cm wide. Other than that I know jack! Its really frustrating, especially to someone who is OCD like me. I sent my bent saddle back, so know I have to pick a saddle ASAP because I can't ride until the day after I receive it.
I traded some coffee equipment for an Amazon gift card, so I have a max that I would like to spend of $125. I keep getting lead back to Brooks, currently considering the B67 as it is a bit wider as well as the B17 Imperial. The lack of being waterproof really bothers me enough to give me pause. I am also looking at the Selle Royal Respiro moderate and the Selle SMP TRK women's model (for the extra width).
How do you guys go about making a choice on a saddle? Is it really a shot in the dark every time?
I traded some coffee equipment for an Amazon gift card, so I have a max that I would like to spend of $125. I keep getting lead back to Brooks, currently considering the B67 as it is a bit wider as well as the B17 Imperial. The lack of being waterproof really bothers me enough to give me pause. I am also looking at the Selle Royal Respiro moderate and the Selle SMP TRK women's model (for the extra width).
How do you guys go about making a choice on a saddle? Is it really a shot in the dark every time?
08-20-17, 01:28 PM
#24
The Left Coast, USA
I can't believe there isn't a more scientific way of choosing a saddle. I know I have wide sit bones so I need a saddle at least 17-18cm wide. Other than that I know jack! Its really frustrating, especially to someone who is OCD like me. I sent my bent saddle back, so know I have to pick a saddle ASAP because I can't ride until the day after I receive it.
I traded some coffee equipment for an Amazon gift card, so I have a max that I would like to spend of $125. I keep getting lead back to Brooks, currently considering the B67 as it is a bit wider as well as the B17 Imperial. The lack of being waterproof really bothers me enough to give me pause. I am also looking at the Selle Royal Respiro moderate and the Selle SMP TRK women's model (for the extra width).
How do you guys go about making a choice on a saddle? Is it really a shot in the dark every time?
I traded some coffee equipment for an Amazon gift card, so I have a max that I would like to spend of $125. I keep getting lead back to Brooks, currently considering the B67 as it is a bit wider as well as the B17 Imperial. The lack of being waterproof really bothers me enough to give me pause. I am also looking at the Selle Royal Respiro moderate and the Selle SMP TRK women's model (for the extra width).
How do you guys go about making a choice on a saddle? Is it really a shot in the dark every time?
No; first figure out about what width. Second; flat or curved top, hammock or scooped. Third; cut-out or no cut-out. Fourth; material and weight.
You can narrow the universe of saddles down to a few likely candidates if experimentation turns you off.
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There is more to life than simply increasing its speed. - Gandhi
There is more to life than simply increasing its speed. - Gandhi
08-20-17, 02:07 PM
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OK, I did 20.7 miles on the SMP today. The final tweaking yesterday worked - I think I'm in love. No perineal pressure, no manly bit numbness. Some sits-bone pain, but way less than I'd been having and it might still be residual from the stock saddle, my butt has been pretty consistently sore. I feel great, and normally after my Sunday ride my tuchas hurts enough that I've been taking Monday off. Not this week!!!!!