rydabent

Starting in 2005 I ended up investing $2700 ($4500 in todays prices) on a LWB bent and a trike. Money well spent.

icemilkcoffee 

True, but not really an exact copy. I also have a Romin Evo, which I like as well. The chinese carbon seat has more curvature and needs to be nosed-up slightly more than the Romin, and the padding is maybe a little thicker.

Troul 

Now you look like a huge saddle to them.

Ferrouscious 

It took me quite a while to realise that I was testing saddles that were based on similar shapes and principles. The Brooks, Fabric, Turbo, and a few others were all curved-top, non-cutout saddles. I struggled with numbness.The Romin, Toupe, and Bridge were minor variations on a Fabric Scoop Flat with a rearward cutout. Numbness was still a problem. The Power 155 was the best saddle I tried for over a year with very few numbness issues, but the fast flare shoved me forward. I didn't have this issue with other shapes. After the Power, I finally wisened up and realised a forward cutout with a pear shape and a flat top would work much better. My new "intelligent" list of saddles to try include the Chinese Superflow and the Pro Stealth. Last, I worked at a shop, so I tried stuff just for the sake of experience.

But yeah, it might just be me. Or not.

Troul 

I see some folks replace them in about a year of use. What signs do you look for to determine that the butt comfort is junk? Some are tossing $100+ annually, just in seats!

WheelsDoHeal

December 2020, I bought a “Fi'zi:k Antares Versus Evo 00 Adaptive Saddle” (146mm width) $400. It is a light weight, honeycomb surfaced, all-carbon model. Although, as spndntrxi noted, the name is quite long, it has provided a more comfortable ride on my trainer and THAT is reason enough for me. I can transfer it from my trainer, when the time comes.

The bike saddle purchase is part of my “personal comfort” priorities. I thought about the costs for my various seating arrangements: living room chair, sofa, office, kayak cushions, lawn, beach and camping chairs and just how much actual time, that I use each of them. I also thought about my vehicle’s driver seat features and guesstimated its cost as well. Considering the costs $ and time spent sitting on them, the bike saddle is worth going into arrears for. Ha !

Troul 

that is a cool lookin piece of butt comfort ^

subgrade

Average ride distance is probably around the 20 mile mark, as the daily commute is 12 mile roundtrip, but during the non-winter months I do one to two rides a week upwards of 40 miles. The yearly distance has been around 4-4.2K miles for the last few years. My longest ride so far has been 130 miles in a day.

So while I do not spend very long hours in the saddle every ride, every day, 2-4 hour rides are not uncommon for me.

I'm not saying that I could not benefit from increased saddle comfort, but I've been feeling fine as it is, so I'm no hurry to spend money towards it.

Sy Reene

Might take a few Q-tips to clean though.

WheelsDoHeal

No cotton swabs are needed. This saddle is Very easy to clean; just remove the seatpost with saddle mounted or remove saddle from the seatpost... run under a water faucet, let air dry and that is it. There are No closed or open-cell materials used in this saddles’ construction. The non-moisture-absorbing webbed material is Very breathable, and I can sense a mild cooling effect when using a simple table fan with the trainer.

I think a saddle is quite functional as it helps to balance, provide comfort and rest the body. To me, these factors are important and reason to Not allow this item to take a back seat to equipment spending decisions (I had to say that) butt you decide for yourself.

DorkDisk

I really, really like the Toupe and S saddles in general. Off the top of my head, I have 1 crabon, 4 Ti, and 1 Cro-mo. I haven't seen Toupes for sale anywhere this past year; I fear they might be discontinued.

No mentions of seatposts? There is some comfort to be had there. I started with 1 Ritchey Flexlogic, and now acquired 1 Superlogic.

Troul 

it might be dishwasher safe?

rydabent

Of course everyone must admit that this is just another thread that admits that saddles on DF bikes causes pain.

In this case this thread admits the problem.

rsbob 

Last year after really getting back into cycling after a 15 year hiatus, my return came with a big surprise ->. Unpredictable urinary urgency. From research I determined it was due to compression of the pudential nerve that is the major nerve in the perineum which controls all functions in the netherparts. So my quest for a saddle began which did not compress the nerve. I spent over $1000 on saddles recommended to alleviate this and other similar nerve compression related issues. So far, no dice and running out of options. Have two expensive Selles and one cheap very comfy one for the mtn bike. Had great hopes with a very bizarre looking front channeled saddle for my $300 and still no love. It seems this issue is the trade off that comes with riding or else I just learn to ride out of the saddle as much as possible which can be exhausting. Don’t want to give up the sport I love so much, so if anyone has conquered a similar condition, let me know what worked for you (sorry but not going for a recumbent since I invested major $ in a new ride last year).

ofajen

Have you tried changing the riding position? Perhaps an upright position would change the geometry enough to resolve the issue? I didn’t experience this issue, but I did a lot of tinkering last year and ended up changing both bikes to SS with touring bars. Also went to a basic modern saddle with a center channel. The end result is more comfort even on much longer rides.

The swept bars and SS seem to go together, as the swept back position helps with making long, standing climbs feel like I’m running up the hill in a very balanced and natural position.

Of course that kind of setup may not help and it may be a bridge too far to contemplate on your current bike. Perhaps you could get an old beater and try it out in an upright posture?

Hope that helps!

Otto

rsbob 

Thanks Otto. I raised the bar height substantially which feels like my center of gravity is way up and that may have helped a little. I ride an endurance frame and have one of the largest center channel seats available. Your idea of a beater bike for experimentation is a good one. Thank you

Troul 

drop nose with cutout might work

Bmach

I ride 5 bikes different saddles on each one. No problem with any of them.

I think part of the problem with saddle discomfort is people go on a few rides and don’t give their butts time to adjust. Then they start changing saddles, their butt adjusts and they think they found the magic saddle.

Troul 

To me, picking out a seat is like picking out toilet paper. Make the wrong pick & your butt will pay for it, twice!

Sy Reene

Have you considered one of the Infinity Bike Seat options? eg.

50PlusCycling

The best investment (and to many people, the most expensive) is time in the saddle. More than half of the comfort issue is your backside, not the saddle or shorts. If you spend enough time in the saddle, you get accustomed and remain accustomed to it. I like to play the guitar, and acoustic guitars are not easy on the fingers. You can use lighter strings and such, but the only way to play without pain or discomfort is to play as much as possible. If I take a couple/few weeks off from playing the guitar, it becomes painful again to play for more than half an hour or so.

Troul 

My genitals disagree with this statement.

Ashloff

I’m new to mountain biking and at first I purchased a cheap-o seat for about $30. After realizing it is not a good fit for riding I purchased a female friendly design from Selle for about $80. It’s worth it.

The other saddle I have is a used $12 saddle also inspired by female ergonomics. The original price would have been similar to the first seat.

I hate it when my hip bones hurt. A good seat is worth it.

rsbob 

Great minds think alike. But just sold one to another forum member. Didn’t work out with my sit bones. Too much pressure after 20 mins. But you have the right idea

rsbob 

Bought one of those too. Have one on my mtn bike. Super comfy but didn’t help my issue

I used to ride 3000-5000 miles a year for several years, so have pretty good familiarity with long term relationships with saddles. I rode each of the current ones about 300-500 miles before tossing, unless you are speaking in generalities, then neva mind.