Do you keep the factory saddle on a new bike?
12-18-14, 08:29 AM
#1
meh
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Do you keep the factory saddle on a new bike?
I know it's 'conventional wisdom' to upgrade the saddle after buying a new bike; however, I've never seen any reason to. With the bikes I've bought new, the saddle fits me fine and is comfortable. That's 4 of 4 bikes I've got new over the last 10 years. In fact, the saddle that came with the Kona Dew Drop was amazingly durable, 10,000 miles of riding (& one bad wreck) before replacing it with a Brooks (love it)
On the other hand, my wife has never fit the saddle on a new bike - not one. That's 3 of 3 bikes over the last 5 years.
So, do you replace the saddle because of fit or 'cause it's the thing everybody does?
On the other hand, my wife has never fit the saddle on a new bike - not one. That's 3 of 3 bikes over the last 5 years.
So, do you replace the saddle because of fit or 'cause it's the thing everybody does?
12-18-14, 08:38 AM
#2
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Whatever works for you. I have pretty much the same saddle on all my bikes but saddles are never a problem for me. I can ride just about any saddle without complications. So if what comes on your bike is fine, why change?
12-18-14, 08:45 AM
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What's a factory saddle? I keed. I keed. Actually I haven't bought a factory assembled bike in over 30 years. I ride only one saddle brand/model now and it goes on every bike I put together. No exceptions. There is only one kind of saddle upgrade, and that is to be more comfortable. Nothing else matters. If your new bike saddle is the most comfortable you know of, then keep riding it. If you know of a more comfortable saddle that you like better, make the change. Easy-peasey.
12-18-14, 08:48 AM
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Like most inquiries in the 41, the correct answer is "it depends."
Some folks are very choosy about their saddles and will swap out a stock one for their preferred model. Some are so loyal to a certain model that they hoard a few of the current version (since the manufacturers sometime change models, sometimes even when they don't change the name!).
Others are fine with any given saddle.
Most of us are somewhere in the middle.
Some folks are very choosy about their saddles and will swap out a stock one for their preferred model. Some are so loyal to a certain model that they hoard a few of the current version (since the manufacturers sometime change models, sometimes even when they don't change the name!).
Others are fine with any given saddle.
Most of us are somewhere in the middle.
12-18-14, 08:53 AM
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Mine lasted 4000 miles, then it cracked.
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12-18-14, 08:57 AM
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My Roubaix came with a Toupe + and it looked too minimal to be anything other than a butthurt knife; however, it proved to be a perfect fit. My Stumpjumper hard tail came with a Phenom and I had the same feeling before I rode it. But it also proved to be perfect for me and for the bike. When I recently built up a single speed frame, I almost accidentally included a brooks B17 Special saddle. I confess, I just liked the patina of the leather and how it fit cosmetically with everything else I was doing to the bike. That saddle was 4 years old and just broken in. I can't believe how comfortable it is. It amazed me.
12-18-14, 09:14 AM
#7
TFO
When I bought my Felt Z2 several years ago, the factory seat and my butt did not agree so I moved my Specialized Ronin over from my Lemond. When I bought the Felt AR early this year, I was prepared to move the Ronin again or buy another one but decided to try the standard seat and lo and behold, it was just fine. The lesson - try before changing
12-18-14, 09:24 AM
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Wait, you can buy bikes that come complete with saddles, 
?
?
12-18-14, 09:38 AM
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When I bought my last bike, I had the shop put the saddle I wanted on it before I even picked it up. I don't what they did with the one that came with the bike, probably sold it. It was a men's bike, and I am a woman. Men's saddles do NOT fit me, so I didn't even consider it.
12-18-14, 10:00 AM
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...from the weight of my gear hanging off it. 
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12-18-14, 10:48 AM
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When I got my first road bike, I had been on this forum for a short while, as at that time I was riding a hybrid. I expected to hate the stock saddle, but I guess I got lucky and the Bontrager Affinity fit me just fine. I've gone as far as two hours with little/no discomfort.
When I got my 2nd road bike, a used Specialized, I tried the stock seat the owner still had - hated it. Got another saddle from a friend - hated it. I recently got a clearance Selle Willier, and it's okay (I'm on a trainer) but come next season there's a good chance I may just get another Affinity to match, or something very similar to that (I've heard good things about the Paradigm).
When I got my 2nd road bike, a used Specialized, I tried the stock seat the owner still had - hated it. Got another saddle from a friend - hated it. I recently got a clearance Selle Willier, and it's okay (I'm on a trainer) but come next season there's a good chance I may just get another Affinity to match, or something very similar to that (I've heard good things about the Paradigm).
12-18-14, 11:03 AM
#13
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12-18-14, 11:16 AM
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12-18-14, 11:32 AM
#15
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When I bought my last bike, I had the shop put the saddle I wanted on it before I even picked it up. I don't what they did with the one that came with the bike, probably sold it. It was a men's bike, and I am a woman. Men's saddles do NOT fit me, so I didn't even consider it.
My wife's bikes have all been WSD; however, her seat bone width is not typical. She's loved the Brooks (forgot the model) she got this summer for her city bike. She has Selle Italia on her two road bikes, think that's the Diva model.
12-18-14, 11:33 AM
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12-18-14, 11:50 AM
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replacing a saddle is upgrading?
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12-18-14, 12:08 PM
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It is if the stock saddle hurts like a mutherhugger after 10 miles. First think I replaced on my CAAD10 was the Prologo Buttaxe. I currently have a $10-on-Amazon Vader on there, and at a quarter the retail price of what it replaced, it's a massive upgrade.
12-18-14, 12:08 PM
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12-18-14, 12:11 PM
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I think you two are really saying the same thing. Having a comfortable saddle is not an upgrade, because it is the minimum acceptable condition.
12-18-14, 12:14 PM
#21
meh
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That's where my wife is at, she's tired of finding out the factory saddle is causing pain. New bike, buy one of the two that work. Me... I haven't found one that causes me issues. Not sure what that says about my butt ... ?
12-18-14, 12:17 PM
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I don't even test ride bike with the stock saddle... so, no, I am not keeping the stock saddle unless it happens to be a Specialized Romin EVO Expert/Pro.
12-18-14, 12:27 PM
#23
Uber Goober
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHKiGl02NmU (Caution, this may not be safe for work due to language, etc, I don't remember what all was in it.)
My Worksman cruiser and my Raleigh Sojourn both came with comfy saddles, and I used them.
My Worksman cruiser and my Raleigh Sojourn both came with comfy saddles, and I used them.
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12-18-14, 12:34 PM
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hypno toad huh?? i know someone from another beer related forum that uses that avatar, just sayin.
12-18-14, 12:34 PM
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No, I've never kept a factory spec saddle. Not because I have some principle against doing so, I've just never been lucky enough to get one that fit me correctly.
As far as the bike company picking a saddle that fits a majority of riders, I'm sure they do their best but I don't think it's a reasonable expectation. The odds just aren't in their favor.
Saddle preference is probably the most subjective area in a highly subjective activity.
As far as the bike company picking a saddle that fits a majority of riders, I'm sure they do their best but I don't think it's a reasonable expectation. The odds just aren't in their favor.
Saddle preference is probably the most subjective area in a highly subjective activity.
Last edited by Agent Cooper; 12-18-14 at 12:38 PM.