Salt Air

What is a good road bike saddle for 100 $ ? Other than spend a little more and get a brook's .

EjustE

got to ride a bunch and determine what your personal rear-end prefers.

Amesja

A B17 can be had for $100

Edit: $87.77 w/ free shipping even!

vonfilm 

You can't beat that deal ! A Brooks is the only way to go.

rumrunn6

I have one of these. don't let the word gel sway you away, it's no padded tourist comfort saddle. it's firm but flexes in a really cool way. it was recommended by a pro shop so it wasn't based on any ignorant decision on my part. I've enjoyed using it quite a bit.

https://brandscycle.com/product/speci...ddle-10116.htm

PDXaero

Depends on the bike. Depends on the butt.

RobbieTunes

EjustE and PDXaero have it clearly and succinctly.

It's a matter of Fits, Ends, or Butts.

Most people start off knowing what doesn't work, but they don't write it down.
Ride a few saddles, write down what you like/don't like or where it hurts.
Soon, you'll be into a fairly narrow search.

Chris_in_Miami

I've got an older Specialized BG saddle that looks very similar to that, and it's my most comfortable saddle by far.

YoKev

+1 for Specialized BG saddles. I've also had great luck with WTB's, and the San Marco Regal.

khatfull

Personally if I were doing it all over again, I do nothing but used ratty saddles on eBay until I learned what general shell shape, width and length "did" it for me. Then invest in nice new or better used saddles. The weeding out process can be excruciating...

YoKev

Check out your local bike shop. They may have test saddles available for you to try out. I know mine does.

Salt Air

Thanks it's hard to tell on line ! Bike shops around here don't have much.

noglider 

I don't think any saddle is worth more than $35 except for Brooks. Most of my saddles are cheap ones. Once it fits, what more do you want? I don't believe any of these saddles is durable, except for Brooks. All these expensive saddles seem like a lot of hype.

BassNotBass

+1.
Nothing beats my Brooks saddles for comfort. I do have various high end and mid range Selle San Marcos, Avocets, Bontragers, Fiziks and others that work pretty well but the Brooks are the only ones that I would (and did) spend money on because I feel they're worth it.

randyjawa 

I really like my Brooks saddles, particularly the B17 Special. However, I do not like to mount a Brooks on a bike I use for daily gettin around. Inclement weather and thief magnets are two concerns.

But for my riding bikes, the ones that are used only for enjoying the ride, the Brooks is the Best, except for the B15.

Now there is an butt nightmare. I actually, out loud, apologized to my butt after the one, and only, B15 experience me and me butt shared...

Bad A$$ B15...

noglider 

I need to clarify what I said. I'm not saying a Brooks is necessarily going to fit better and is therefore worth the extra money. I mean that if you take care of a Brooks, it will last a lifetime. All other saddles will fall apart, because an abrasion will eventually turn to a torn cover. This is guaranteed to happen over the course of ten years. I believe there is very little cost difference -- if any at all -- between producing a $30 saddle and a $100 saddle. I think most or all of the difference is profit. I'm talking about a plastic shell, foam padding plus a nylon cover, glued or stapled on.

Amesja

I actually even like the old B-100 and other variants of the vinyl-covered "mattress" saddles made by brooks and used on the lower-end and mid-ranged Raleighs. They are a bit on the squishy side but for around-town riding on an upright bike they do a fine job. They do tend to tear or rip after time but are not that hard to mend with vinyl cement when they eventually do. Vinyl cement is just as tough as new vinyl if a repair is done correctly.

Chris_in_Miami

Another very affordable option that comes to mind is Nashbar's R2 and CR2 saddles. They're usually around $30 on sale, and they're a very good deal for the price.

triplebutted

This is probably the best advice. I have tons of saddles and I often go back to my favorites. The Cinelli #3 saddle NOS is waaaaay out of my price range.
Luckily, I tried these Vader saddle from ebay for my road bikes and found them extremely comfy. And cheap too. Like 25 bucks with shipping from good old China. I tore up a 150 buck SLR and the Vaders were an exact copy. Yah, about 75 grams heavier. so what, not paying 100+ to save 75 grams.

Chombi

A "good" saddle does not neccessarily mean "Brooks" or "Ideale" for everyone. A classic Selle Italia Turbo or Selle San Marco Rolls or Regal can be just as comfortable for many people as the leather suspension saddles will for others. So don't limit your choices.
I would also not hesitate and try out the latest design saddles in the market as saddle design technology has progress wuite a bit since the 80's ans 90's. i don't see it as a big "sin" to put new tech pedals and saddles on a C&V bike as they are two of the most critical interface a rider has with his bike, where comfort ans safety can take a dirver's seat over classic aesthetics.

Chombi

PDXaero

Keeping my mouth shut

pastorbobnlnh 

E! Where you been? Welcome back!