I could not ride an event without this _______ saddle......
 

I'm anxious to hear from high mileage riders I'm sure hang out in this section, since a Randonneur I am not....

Plenty of experience with Brooks, don't want to turn this into another Brooks thread, but still I'm curious what's being used on these crazy long rides I'm reading about. Would further like to know if the need for a cutout is important in the Rando crowd.

Performance Forte. Has a cutout. If you can ride a century on it and finish with a comfortable butt, it's usually, but not always, an OK saddle.

Lots of Brooks, Rivet, and Selle Anitomica. Also many Fizik saddles. Plenty of people on other saddles, I just notice these.
I don't think a cutout would help any of the problems I have had. You see them a lot on rando bikes though.

I use a Fizik Alliante, and occasionally an Airone. Never gone more than 200km on an Airone though.

As per Carbonfiberboy above, if I can comfortably ride past 80 miles, it's a good saddle for me. I can ride just about any saddle up to 50 miles, doesn't mean a thing as far as long distance comfort

Selle Anatomica for me. Brooks cannot be set back far enough so I end up riding on the frame, which is a recipe for a very bruised butt by the end of 375 miles. Selle Anatomica solves that problem. That said, for my next saddle I may try a Rivet, just to give the competition a chance.

Brooks C17 Cambium:

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5552/...32e1ecf7b1.jpg100 Miles(160 Km.) on a Brompton by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

Fizik Antares

Brooks B17

lawn chair.

Rivet Pearl

Selle Anatomica.

I can't get Selle Anatomicas far enough forward for me. I tried the Rivet Independence but I experienced a bit of the dreaded numbness. I think it's shape is too arched. I'm trying a Brooks B17 Imperial. I have been using a Cobb jof Randee with fine results to 200k but want to make sure I can be comfortable for longer. Plus I wanted a honey brown saddle to go with the new bike...

Yet another vote for Selle Anatomica. Very comfortable for 200 miles in a day; can't say beyond that!

Rick / OCRR

Fizik Vesta.

Gilles Berthoud Aravis

Gilles Berthoud Soulur or Aravis saddles

Selle An Atomica x3 for me!

Just rode last Saturday our 400 Km brevet on a Brooks B17. No major complaints while doing the ride, but the next day my sit bones were sore. No rash, saddle sores, raw skin, numbness or anything like that, so I guess those things speak well for the saddle. But it made me wonder about riding the 600 Km brevet -- getting back on the saddle after a few hours of sleep near the 400 Km mark. But is there really a saddle that you can ride those kind of distances and finish not thinking about your tush? :rolleyes:

I'd be curious if you tried the Selle An Atomica to hear what you thought of it. I find mine does not ever make me sore at any distance, but I am just a beginner at longer distance riding (200k distance completion only). It is the most comfy thing I have used at any distances and was the final enabler to get me through the chafing and soreness i used to get at 60 - 70 miles...

If the saddle is right, yes your sit bones will hurt for a bit when you've been off for hours, but then should get numb and quiet down in an hour or so after you start up again. I don't mean your perineum, that should never get numb, just the sit bones. My experience, anyway.

Thank you, CFB! That is exactly the kind of reassurance I wanted to hear re: getting back on the saddle after a few hours of sleep to ride another 200 Km or more. I am doing my 600 Km brevet in a few more weeks. Yes, I believe the B17 saddle is doing its job if after 400 Km I am not feeling any major pain while riding (did have to move around and stand quite a bit toward the end though), but especially no numbness, chafing or, even worse, saddle sores! By the way, no change of shorts during those ~20 hours it took me to complete the brevet. Next time, I am planning on cleaning up and changing shorts near the 400 Km mark.

I have yet to find a 600 or 1200 Km brevet report mentioning that after those distances their rear end feels as fresh as if they had sat on a bed of rose petals.:lol: I am not talking touring-style where you ride all day and then get to rest the entire night. My B17 feels fine in those situations. I have realized that the longer brevets and randonnées are a totally different ballgame.

Recliner.

I have not had saddle issues on the 3 1200k rides I have done on my Fizik Alliante. Shorts-related issues are a different matter. I'm not sure I can say the same for the shorter rides, they come earlier in the season. Someday I'll keep my butt in shape over the winter. Last year I really screwed up, I was riding a random saddle on the first warm weather 200k that didn't agree with sweaty chamois. I had ridden it on cold weather 200k's and done fine. So I ended up with saddle sores that didn't really heal until after the 600k.

B17 Select

Specialized Romin Evo over 2200 miles and it is comfortable most of the time.