Limbatus

I'm looking for an incredibly comfortable saddle for performance long distance fitness training. Whats a saddle that won't slow me down after 30-50 mi riding? I plan to ride using traditional padded bike shorts. Thanks

plowmanjoe

everyone will tell you it depends, no one saddle can be comfortable for everyone.

riding position and bike fit will make a big impact.

surak

There's too much variation in physique to give a general saddle recommendation. Your best bet is to buy from a store that allows free exchanges and has a decent range of shapes. Getting a bike fit can also help give you a good starting point, besides also making the entire bike more comfortable for you.

Also, spend as much as you can on the best shorts (aside: I'm bibs >> shorts) with the best chamois, because there is a noticeable improvement in materials to reduce chafing and multi-density foam to distribute weight without causing numbness with more expensive options. Doesn't mean cheaper options won't work for you, just that there's a better chance that the high-end ones will.

DeadGrandpa

I have converted to ISM noseless saddles with zero regrets. PR 2.0 on my paved road bike, PR 3.0 on my rigid 29plus bike, which is for gravel roads and the occasional singletrack.

I don't use padded bike shorts anymore, as they are not needed. Compression boxers under some lightweight fishing/hiking shorts. My regular rides are in the low to high 40s (miles) and I frequently ride 55 or more on a good day.

Cyclist0100

True! Perhaps the OP can share some basic info about his/her bike and riding position. As your position on the bike becomes more agressive your saddle width will decrease, and just the opposite as your riding position becomes more upright. For example, on my touring bike the saddle width is 157mm, on my road bike the saddle width is 146mm. Gilles Berthoud saddles are on both bikes, and I can honestly say that in the case of the touring saddle the Aravis is the most comfortable saddle I've ever ridden. For 50, 100, and even 200 mile rides I experience no discomfort, no chaffing, no saddle sores. Regarding the Galibier road saddle, it's still too early to tell. The bike is still being built and I've only had the opportunity to test the saddle on an indoor trainer. However, if my experience is anywhere close to the Aravis, the Galibier will be an awesome road saddle.

^ Good advice! However, good luck finding a LBS with a good selection of saddles and an easy-exchange program. You may have better luck finding an independent bike fitter with an array of test saddles. If so, you'll be able to try several saddles in a short period of time on an indoor trainer so you can narrow the field to one or two contendors. You'll also likely be able to borrow the "finalists" for a few days to ride on your own bike, and then you can make the purchase. This recommendation depends on the resources available in your area, which can be really "hit or miss" depending where you live.

As for riding shorts, this item can make just as much of an improvement as the saddle itself. Good shorts with a well-made, durable chamois are well worth the $$$. I use the Assos H.mille_s7 shorts and absolutely love them. Wait for a clearance sale if possible (for whatever brand you ultimately purchase), as I'm sure you're already aware of how expensive good cycling shorts can be. I picked up the Assos H.mille_s7 shorts about a year ago for $58 per pair. Good luck! I wish you the best in your quest for comfort.

Iride01 

Doing long rides often will go further for making you comfortable with your saddle. Making an occasional long ride will leave you looking for that magical saddle.

79pmooney

As well as the saddle itself, the exact placement of the seat (height, fore and aft location and tilt (especially!) is very important. A big aid to getting those last two right is the 2-bolt seatpost. These have front and rear bolts in the clamp. Ride with the wrenches for your post and seat pin (and some tape so you can mark your settings before making changes). One can loosen the rear bolt, tweak the front (say 1/4 turn) then re-tighten the rear, Stop as needed to tweak the settings. See if you like it. If not you can go exactly back to where you started, half way, half again, etc. And you can do this out on the road with no fear of losing your basic reference. Nitto and Thompson make excellent 2-bolt posts.

I ride the Terry Fly. It is nearly the Selle Italia I raced and rode into my 40s until my body changed and the seat turned to torture. The Fly's cut out makes (for me) a huge difference and I get to ride the shape I love. BUt dialing them in is critical. (I am not promoting those seats. You have to find what works for you. I know a lot of people who love the leather Brooks. For me, those seats are torture or I have to give up riding my favorite positions.

Ben

Bmach

What is wrong with the one you have now?

Carbonfiberboy 

One really has to test a saddle to see if it's going to work. The test really starts at 3 hours saddle time. That's a dividing line between sorts works and 12 hours would be OK. My best find so far in 25 years of trying is: Selle Italia SLR Boost Endurance Superflow Saddle Black Size L3. Yeah, really expensive, but it works for me and I think would work for a wide variety of butts. The Selle Italia MAN saddle is also very popular, less expensive, and works for a lot of people. I used Terry saddles many years ago, but found that the foam broke down quickly, Maybe they're better now.

I assume the OP is male. Yes, IME padded shorts are the right thing, ALTHOUGH it's a very good idea to test possible saddles in nylon gym shorts. Padded shorts can hide flaws in fit that won't become obvious for too many hours, whereas one feels every little thing in thin nylon.

ARider2

+1 because bicycle shops have been unable to get saddles since April due to COVID-19 it is unlikely you will find a good selection anywhere. As for the easy exchange programs that some shops had in the past it is unlikely bicycle shops will be able to do this because there is no inventory of saddles to sell. Hopefully the supply side will improve going into 2021 and saddles, tires, tubes and other basic bicycle parts will become available again.