What style seat does everyone prefer?
11-17-02, 11:06 PM
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What style seat does everyone prefer?
I just wanted to get some ideas on what type of seat to get for my road bike. The one I have just broke. I've been able to find a few articles in Bicycling Magazine about them, but I was wondering what everyone thought. Should I go for the wider seats with more padding or should I go for the skinnier seats. I've read good things about both styles. Anyone who wants to share their two cents, feel free.
Geoff
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11-18-02, 12:39 AM
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A lot depends on the style of riding you're into. Are you a commuter - casual - serious - fitness cyclist?
Let's know what kind of cycling you do most often.
Let's know what kind of cycling you do most often.
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11-18-02, 01:01 AM
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I like the Terry Ti-fly, which is a narrower version of the liberator. Narrower seems to be better for me, but "your mileage may vary"!
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11-18-02, 01:37 AM
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Media
I would say somewhere in between casual and serious right now, but I'd like to get to the more serious point.
I would say somewhere in between casual and serious right now, but I'd like to get to the more serious point.
11-18-02, 03:10 AM
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IMO a softer wider seat is better for touring,mtn. biking or long commutes with a more upright body position while a narrow firm seat is better for performance,speed and a more aerodynamic lower body position on road/racing bikes so I guess it is a matter of which type of riding you will primarily do.
11-18-02, 10:50 AM
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A wider saddle may be OK for lower speeds but gets in the way as you pedal faster. Over the last couple of years I went from the widest softest seat I could find to progressively narrower saddles as I increased my cadence. I have used a Terry Liberator and found it quite comfortable if you want something with a slot. On my two road bikes I have a Selle Italia Flite Gel (standard, not wide) and a Selle San Marco Era. I find both quite comfortable.
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11-18-02, 11:55 AM
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It mainly comes down to personal preference, I would go to you're LBS, and see what their return policy is and try a few out. I like the San Marco Aspide saddle, it has minimal padding is very light and I find it extremely comfortable, but that is my personal preference you might hate it 
11-18-02, 01:03 PM
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I really liked my Avocet racing, but of course they
haven't made that particular model since the mid
80's. . .
currently I have a Brooks B-17n which I think
is the most comfortable saddle I have ever had.
after that Flite Trans am is pretty good.
But, as everyone else has said,
Its a personal thing, no one saddle is right
for everyone.
Marty
haven't made that particular model since the mid
80's. . .
currently I have a Brooks B-17n which I think
is the most comfortable saddle I have ever had.
after that Flite Trans am is pretty good.
But, as everyone else has said,
Its a personal thing, no one saddle is right
for everyone.
Marty
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11-18-02, 01:11 PM
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Just make sure that it is wide enough for your sit-bones (the two pelvic protruberances). And, when you sit on the saddle, make sure that you are actually sitting far enough back to actually use them (rather than putting the pressure on more tender parts).
If you do this, then you will likely find that harder saddles remain quite comfortable on the long all, and that the soft spongey ones that feel great in the store become a nightmare on a long ride. Sheldon Brown explains why at: www.sheldonbrown.com/articles.html (look for something to do with saddles).
cheers,
Jamie
If you do this, then you will likely find that harder saddles remain quite comfortable on the long all, and that the soft spongey ones that feel great in the store become a nightmare on a long ride. Sheldon Brown explains why at: www.sheldonbrown.com/articles.html (look for something to do with saddles).
cheers,
Jamie
11-18-02, 01:15 PM
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I currently am using a Selle Italia Flite Ti. It's fine up to about 60-70 miles, then it starts to get a bit uncomfortable. I am considering trying a Terry Fly Ti for an extended period. A lot of people seem to like 'em.
11-18-02, 01:38 PM
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I like saddles that are light, long, firm and narrow. They fit me.
On my roadie and touring bikes I use the Flite Ti. I find it comfortable for all day riding.
On my Mountain bike, I'm riding a Bontrager saddle for its shorter nose and "clipped wing" profile. It's a little easier to move my butt around on the Bonty.
Padding is overrated.
On my roadie and touring bikes I use the Flite Ti. I find it comfortable for all day riding.
On my Mountain bike, I'm riding a Bontrager saddle for its shorter nose and "clipped wing" profile. It's a little easier to move my butt around on the Bonty.
Padding is overrated.
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11-18-02, 01:48 PM
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I've done up to 100 miles on my SI SLR with no problem. I think Selle Italia makes good saddles. THey have a big selection so that would be something to look into.
They make saddles for every market. I think the ProLink is a touring/racing saddle that looks like a racing saddle but has more comfort features.
They make saddles for every market. I think the ProLink is a touring/racing saddle that looks like a racing saddle but has more comfort features.
11-18-02, 02:23 PM
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I'm with Dave on this one.
I bought a Terry Ti Fly last spring to replace my old "too soft" worn out saddle. Love it.
My wife said I bought it for the "logo" on the rear of the saddle.
I bought a Terry Ti Fly last spring to replace my old "too soft" worn out saddle. Love it.
My wife said I bought it for the "logo" on the rear of the saddle.
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11-18-02, 02:31 PM
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flite gel ti. just got it about 300 miles ago, but i'm enjoying it much over the old san marco i had. it was b/w that or the san marco era. hopped onto the latter and felt IMMEDIATE discomfort in the...uhm...area, so i went for the flite and have been happy with it.
11-18-02, 03:42 PM
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San Marco Regal... Ti rails. I just bought a Terry Ti Fly ($60.00) that I will put on my new road bike I'm in the middle of building.
11-18-02, 08:05 PM
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Mountain bike: Terry Liberator (the plain one, no gel)
Road bike: Specialized 02 Pro Men's Saddle (body geometry design)
PBW
Road bike: Specialized 02 Pro Men's Saddle (body geometry design)
PBW
11-18-02, 09:01 PM
#21
Just ride.
Originally posted by Greg
Is a Brooks saddle appropriate for a racing bike?
Is a Brooks saddle appropriate for a racing bike?
If I were getting one for a racing bike, I'd look at the swallow, since I have large thighs. Unfortunately, it doesn't come with Ti rails. Alternatively, there's the swift, which looks like a similar width, but not cut away in the sides. And, Ti rails!
I'm not sure, but I suspect it's true for all Brooks... they work best with a seatpost that has plenty of setback. The rails "narrow" further from the front than most modern saddles, so you can't slide it as far back on the rails.
Last edited by roadbuzz; 11-18-02 at 09:06 PM.
11-18-02, 09:24 PM
#22
Just ride.
I use a fi'zi:k pave` on my road bike. It's the best recreational saddle I've tried. I have fairly wide hips, but large thighs. So I need a saddle with a narrow nose. The tips of my sit bones don't actually rest on top of the saddle. Rather, the inner sides of my sit bones rest against the sides of the saddle. This keeps my "vitals" suspended sufficiently that I don't have any numbness problems, but I doubt it would work for everybody. In any case, riding a saddle this way requires a saddle with a round profile, rather than flat.
11-19-02, 12:45 PM
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Originally posted by Greg
Is a Brooks saddle appropriate for a racing bike?
Serious question.
Is a Brooks saddle appropriate for a racing bike?
Serious question.
As stated above they are pretty heavy.
I believe the swift is the Ti version of the pro?
The Swallow is no longer made, but still available
from wallbikes.
Basically if you ride a brooks you're not a weight weenie
Marty
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11-19-02, 03:10 PM
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I like my two 30-year-old Brooks saddles (a Pro and a Competition) and my Serfas ARC anatomical.
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11-20-02, 03:41 AM
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On my third (and possibly last) trying to get comfortable. It is a fi'zi:k Nisene, and pretty nice. Interesting, as it is an MTB saddle, but narrower than any of the road saddles I tried.
Cheers...Gary
Cheers...Gary