Need Saddle Recommendations!
09-16-18, 11:20 PM
#26
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Leather?
Depending on your riding style, all saddles could work for you, or maybe only one or two. All saddles would work if you are always hammering on the pedals, but if you're like me, sometimes you just sit, I mean really sit on the saddle. I gotta have my saddle FIT me.
Our butts present two bumps to the bike. The bike should cup (maybe even caress) those bumps, not FIGHT them.
Your saddle looks really painful.
Leather could be for you, or not. REI has a good return policy (1 year) & sells the Brooks B17 for $120.
purecycles.com has a leather saddle for about $49, that looks good, but I haven't had it in hand or under bum.
Lon Haldeman, ultra distance Rider of years past, had his own method of rapid leather saddle break-in. It worked well for me. Google that.
Good luck!
Our butts present two bumps to the bike. The bike should cup (maybe even caress) those bumps, not FIGHT them.
Your saddle looks really painful.
Leather could be for you, or not. REI has a good return policy (1 year) & sells the Brooks B17 for $120.
purecycles.com has a leather saddle for about $49, that looks good, but I haven't had it in hand or under bum.
Lon Haldeman, ultra distance Rider of years past, had his own method of rapid leather saddle break-in. It worked well for me. Google that.
Good luck!
Last edited by kayak4water; 09-16-18 at 11:38 PM.
09-17-18, 06:57 AM
#27
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purecycles.com has a leather saddle for about $49, that looks good, but I haven't had it in hand or under bum.
Last edited by tcs; 09-17-18 at 07:01 AM.
09-21-18, 02:16 PM
#28
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I disagree with much of what people posted here about butt pain and it having to do with getting conditioned. Either the saddle hits in the right spot or it does not. No amount of breaking it or your buttocks in is going to change that.
I can ride a steel bleacher seat on my mtb's with no issue but on the road bike, if it's too soft I get soft tissue chafing and numbness. If it's too hard it hurts my sit bones. I mean severe pain like bone poking through skin.
Maybe mine are unusually sharp. It is for sure not for lack of my own padding.
I have tried probably 20 saddles over the last 12 years. My Brooks B17 which has zero padding felt fine on my butt. But......alas it bothered heck out of the soft tissue. Since I can'f find one to demo, trying the model with the cutout is not going to happen. I tried Rivet, I tried the Brooks Cadmium OUCH they both killed my bones. I could go down the list, been to 4 or 5 shops and been measured etc. I'd like to try a Selle SMP saddle but can't find a shop locally with demos. This trying saddles can be an expensive prospect! Even though one of my LBS's is designated as an SMP demo shop, they told me they gave up because people don't return them. But they have a satisfaction guarantee. Try it or return it but pay first.
I feel funny making them special order a saddle then returning it. <shrug>
Right now I am demoing a Fabric Shallow line from a local shop that has actual demo saddles. This "might" be the one. Did 40 on it last week and 12 last night. It feels to my butt like my B17 does only has a large cutout channel. I am doing 50 on Saturday, if it passes I will purchase it.
I can ride a steel bleacher seat on my mtb's with no issue but on the road bike, if it's too soft I get soft tissue chafing and numbness. If it's too hard it hurts my sit bones. I mean severe pain like bone poking through skin.
Maybe mine are unusually sharp. It is for sure not for lack of my own padding.
I have tried probably 20 saddles over the last 12 years. My Brooks B17 which has zero padding felt fine on my butt. But......alas it bothered heck out of the soft tissue. Since I can'f find one to demo, trying the model with the cutout is not going to happen. I tried Rivet, I tried the Brooks Cadmium OUCH they both killed my bones. I could go down the list, been to 4 or 5 shops and been measured etc. I'd like to try a Selle SMP saddle but can't find a shop locally with demos. This trying saddles can be an expensive prospect! Even though one of my LBS's is designated as an SMP demo shop, they told me they gave up because people don't return them. But they have a satisfaction guarantee. Try it or return it but pay first.
I feel funny making them special order a saddle then returning it. <shrug>
Right now I am demoing a Fabric Shallow line from a local shop that has actual demo saddles. This "might" be the one. Did 40 on it last week and 12 last night. It feels to my butt like my B17 does only has a large cutout channel. I am doing 50 on Saturday, if it passes I will purchase it.
09-21-18, 03:38 PM
#29
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I disagree with much of what people posted here about butt pain and it having to do with getting conditioned. Either the saddle hits in the right spot or it does not. No amount of breaking it or your buttocks in is going to change that.
I can ride a steel bleacher seat on my mtb's with no issue but on the road bike, if it's too soft I get soft tissue chafing and numbness. If it's too hard it hurts my sit bones. I mean severe pain like bone poking through skin.
Maybe mine are unusually sharp. It is for sure not for lack of my own padding.
I have tried probably 20 saddles over the last 12 years. My Brooks B17 which has zero padding felt fine on my butt. But......alas it bothered heck out of the soft tissue. Since I can'f find one to demo, trying the model with the cutout is not going to happen. I tried Rivet, I tried the Brooks Cadmium OUCH they both killed my bones. I could go down the list, been to 4 or 5 shops and been measured etc. I'd like to try a Selle SMP saddle but can't find a shop locally with demos. This trying saddles can be an expensive prospect! Even though one of my LBS's is designated as an SMP demo shop, they told me they gave up because people don't return them. But they have a satisfaction guarantee. Try it or return it but pay first.
I feel funny making them special order a saddle then returning it. <shrug>
Right now I am demoing a Fabric Shallow line from a local shop that has actual demo saddles. This "might" be the one. Did 40 on it last week and 12 last night. It feels to my butt like my B17 does only has a large cutout channel. I am doing 50 on Saturday, if it passes I will purchase it.
I can ride a steel bleacher seat on my mtb's with no issue but on the road bike, if it's too soft I get soft tissue chafing and numbness. If it's too hard it hurts my sit bones. I mean severe pain like bone poking through skin.
Maybe mine are unusually sharp. It is for sure not for lack of my own padding.
I have tried probably 20 saddles over the last 12 years. My Brooks B17 which has zero padding felt fine on my butt. But......alas it bothered heck out of the soft tissue. Since I can'f find one to demo, trying the model with the cutout is not going to happen. I tried Rivet, I tried the Brooks Cadmium OUCH they both killed my bones. I could go down the list, been to 4 or 5 shops and been measured etc. I'd like to try a Selle SMP saddle but can't find a shop locally with demos. This trying saddles can be an expensive prospect! Even though one of my LBS's is designated as an SMP demo shop, they told me they gave up because people don't return them. But they have a satisfaction guarantee. Try it or return it but pay first.
I feel funny making them special order a saddle then returning it. <shrug>
Right now I am demoing a Fabric Shallow line from a local shop that has actual demo saddles. This "might" be the one. Did 40 on it last week and 12 last night. It feels to my butt like my B17 does only has a large cutout channel. I am doing 50 on Saturday, if it passes I will purchase it.
09-21-18, 06:06 PM
#30
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Which model did you get and what was your comfort issue? I'd like to try one but if this last ride works I will settle for now.
09-21-18, 07:12 PM
#31
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This is the one. I ride a hybrid with a more upright position. This TRK model is for that touring posture. They have several for every type of riding.
09-24-18, 02:43 AM
#32
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I’ve been a fan of the Brooks b17 and now Flyer Special for several years (on a Brompton and a Rivendell Hillborne). However, due to a shoulder injury, I converted the Hillborne to more upright handlebars essentially putting me in a more upright position like you are riding. I found the b17 started to hurt my sitbones. The best seat I found to correct the problem was the Brooks b67. Between the rear springs providing a little suspension and the suspended and wider leather saddle, it was the most comfortable I tried. I ended up buying the Flyer Special because I knew I was going back to lower bars once the shoulder healed. I still found that the added springs provided more comfort than the b17 with the upright bars.
Good luck.
John
Good luck.
John
09-29-18, 03:07 PM
#33
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Well... finally bit the bullet and went for a Brooks B-67. I have to say I'm amazed at how my derriere took to it. First ride was ten miles (a lot for these old bones) and, although it first felt like I was sitting on a slab of plywood, as I got used to it I really enjoyed it. If it's this comfortable, first ride, I can't imagine how well it will feel when it eventually becomes "broken in." So... my saddle search is over. Anyone want to purchase five or six miscellaneous saddles? 
BUT... it may not get too much use now. Here's a link to my latest (N+1) purchase...
https://www.bikeforums.net/general-c...road-bike.html
BUT... it may not get too much use now. Here's a link to my latest (N+1) purchase...
https://www.bikeforums.net/general-c...road-bike.html
09-29-18, 04:59 PM
#34
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Glad you found the right saddle. I used a Brooks Team Pro for decades on my road bike. But... after riding a mountain bike for a while, I swapped it out for a mountain bike saddle. I know people have their own preferences, but finding a saddle that is comfortable on a hardtail is another level.
John
John
10-04-18, 01:29 PM
#35
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The B67 is a great idea. I have lots of bikes, and the ones I ride the most have Brooks saddles on them.
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10-04-18, 06:09 PM
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As I approach senior (age) rider status I'll consider using Depends. May serve multiple purposes.....
10-05-18, 09:13 AM
#37
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I sometimes wear underpants liners when I'm going to be out for a while. They have separate types for men and women, though I can't tell them apart.
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10-05-18, 05:23 PM
#38
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Selle Anatomica....no break in, I own (5).
10-05-18, 06:11 PM
#39
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I just changed to Selle SMP after trying many other options through the years, and am very happy with it. CC is having a sale on some ot these now. Got my Forma for 40% off.
https://www.sellesmp.com/en
https://www.sellesmp.com/en
10-05-18, 09:01 PM
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I just changed to Selle SMP after trying many other options through the years, and am very happy with it. CC is having a sale on some ot these now. Got my Forma for 40% off.
https://www.sellesmp.com/en
https://www.sellesmp.com/en
10-05-18, 10:15 PM
#41
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Competetive Cyclist
Here's the one I got. No padding, but extremely comfy for me
https://www.competitivecyclist.com/s...saddle-sll000p
Here's the one I got. No padding, but extremely comfy for me
https://www.competitivecyclist.com/s...saddle-sll000p
10-06-18, 10:48 AM
#42
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I just changed to Selle SMP after trying many other options through the years, and am very happy with it. CC is having a sale on some ot these now. Got my Forma for 40% off.
https://www.sellesmp.com/en
https://www.sellesmp.com/en
10-06-18, 11:58 AM
#43
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They show retail as $270 on that saddle. Pretty good price.
This particular one is not padded - not everyone's cup of tea, but this is the most comfortable saddle I've owned.
