Who uses cheap saddles?
04-20-17, 05:08 PM
#1
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Who uses cheap saddles?
I'm usually pretty picky on saddles, but I've used this knock off Regal saddle on several bikes. $25 off eBay and I find it very comfortable on long rides. Anyone else find a cheap saddle they like, if so which one?
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Last edited by sloar; 04-20-17 at 05:17 PM.
04-20-17, 05:13 PM
#3
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Depending on how you define cheap, I'm probably a cheap saddle guy. That wasn't always the case, because in the past even the best saddles were relatively cheap. So, in 1967 I was riding a Brooks Pro.
But in the intervening years high end saddles have gotten ridiculously expensive, and I don't see the value, so I ride good quality, B & C level saddles that are comfortable. I'd spend as much as $50 if I had to, but that would be my limit, and so far I haven't done so.
But in the intervening years high end saddles have gotten ridiculously expensive, and I don't see the value, so I ride good quality, B & C level saddles that are comfortable. I'd spend as much as $50 if I had to, but that would be my limit, and so far I haven't done so.
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04-20-17, 05:38 PM
#4
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Hmmm, well I define cheap as $5. That's what I got this Arius Carrera (Spain) for at a swap meet some years ago. I love it, and of course it's pretty cool to have all those holes 
I haven't found anything to get an idea how much they went for bitd for comparison, but it's the cheapest way I know of to get a drilliumed saddle. I mean, did you ever price one of those vintage ventilated Assos saddles?!
DD
I haven't found anything to get an idea how much they went for bitd for comparison, but it's the cheapest way I know of to get a drilliumed saddle. I mean, did you ever price one of those vintage ventilated Assos saddles?!
DD
04-20-17, 05:39 PM
#5
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I am cheap and I like Brooks, so I permanently keep an eye open for used B17s and Professionals. If I see one in good condition below $40 it gets scooped up. The average yield is about two per annum, which is just what I need.
04-20-17, 05:40 PM
#6
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Not really talking about awesome swap meet sales, I meant new knock off saddles like the one I posted. I bought a really nice Brooks B17 at a rummage sale a few years ago for $10, that doesn't count.
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04-20-17, 05:42 PM
#7
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I'm definitely cheap. Back when some of the "period correct" saddles were on the market I think they were in the neighborhood of $30-40 US.
I wanted to try cut-out saddles a few years ago and was shocked at the prices. Thus, I tried and stuck with Nashbar saddles that cost under $30.
I wanted to try cut-out saddles a few years ago and was shocked at the prices. Thus, I tried and stuck with Nashbar saddles that cost under $30.
04-20-17, 05:48 PM
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Ahhh. In that case: no. I don't recall ever having bought a new saddle.
04-20-17, 06:00 PM
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Nashbar is the place to go for inexpensive saddles! $8 will get you something decent when they have a promotion. I am thinking about a brand-new $80 Brooks Professional, though, right now. The Ergons are also running as low as $15.
04-20-17, 06:15 PM
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I have three B17s that I bought new and I love them, but I took a chance on this one from Nashbar for under $20 on sale. I was surprised at how comfortable it is. Maybe not all day century comfort, but good for fast 20-30 mile rides. It is a little wider and flat on top, so it fits me better than most of the current racy saddles.
Nashbar CF1 Sport Saddle
Nashbar CF1 Sport Saddle
04-20-17, 06:22 PM
#11
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Singleworks has a knockoff that looks like a Regal. Leather cover and copper plated big rivets make it nice to look at. Comes in brown and black. A little acetone gets rid of the white name stenciled on the side. Looks vintage. I used it on my GT Karakoram cause it looked like the original saddle. No complaints about the ride with it. Cheap too.
04-20-17, 06:35 PM
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Not a cheap saddle guy, but I have found some deals on the Brooks pros, Selle Italias, and Selle Rolls that my posterior can stand. Best was a pair of nice Brooks Pros for $75.
04-20-17, 07:00 PM
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I'm a fan of Rolls and have got some cheap used good ones.
04-20-17, 07:05 PM
#16
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Selle Italia Q-Bik SE, the one with the cutout. Come in black and white, and have it on maybe a half dozen of my bikes. Best on the slightly more modern all day century bikes. Usually found under $30.
Those Regal knockoffs are nice, but at some point my butt started to go away and the rivets hit me in the wrong place. Hard to beat for the money, tho.
Those Regal knockoffs are nice, but at some point my butt started to go away and the rivets hit me in the wrong place. Hard to beat for the money, tho.
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04-20-17, 07:28 PM
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Cheap saddle? I bought a Gyes GS-13 triple spring leather saddle for $25 from the distributor in my town.
At all of places, the post office!
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04-20-17, 07:33 PM
#18
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Specialized Toupe Sport. Cheap, good looking, and heavy as a boat anchor. At $35 and with a flat top profile, me butt loves it.
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04-20-17, 08:39 PM
#19
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As a Regal guy, I'm happy to know the OP's knockoff is a tolerable alternative.
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04-20-17, 09:16 PM
#20
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I've always kept my stock saddle. Am I missing out? Just never had any issues don't want to change a good thing
04-20-17, 09:19 PM
#21
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I pick 'em up cheap at Goodwill. No joke. Sometimes find high quality ones. It's one of the benefits of being a skinny dude- picking thru all the take-offs at Goodwill.
I bought a brand new Blackburn Ligera saddle for my commuter after they were discounted to something like $25. If I ride that bike regularly enough I can sort of tolerate it for up to 50 miles. I recommend this saddle to riders who don't mind a little pain
and/or are cheapskates like me, or who don't actually ride their bikes. I actually have thousands of miles on mine.
The saddles I like the best are San Marco Regal (the old ones). These were not cheap at all as I bought them new BITD. Still ride one even tho it's past due.
I bought a brand new Blackburn Ligera saddle for my commuter after they were discounted to something like $25. If I ride that bike regularly enough I can sort of tolerate it for up to 50 miles. I recommend this saddle to riders who don't mind a little pain
and/or are cheapskates like me, or who don't actually ride their bikes. I actually have thousands of miles on mine.The saddles I like the best are San Marco Regal (the old ones). These were not cheap at all as I bought them new BITD. Still ride one even tho it's past due.
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04-21-17, 04:33 AM
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I agree on the Q-Bik. Surprisingly nice.
Old Avocets are pretty nice if you can find them.
Old Avocets are pretty nice if you can find them.
04-21-17, 05:13 AM
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What??? Only 2 wheels?
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WTB Speed V. Lightweight, not susceptible to rain, comfortable with any clothes, inexpensive.
They changed it slightly a year or so ago but the difference seems insignificant. They make several different variants of it but the basic V is just fine.
They changed it slightly a year or so ago but the difference seems insignificant. They make several different variants of it but the basic V is just fine.
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04-21-17, 06:47 AM
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My butt isn't fussy. Been using Nashbar branded saddles for years. KB