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Saddle recommendations not named Brooks...

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Saddle recommendations not named Brooks...

Old 07-08-21, 04:58 AM
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mechanicmatt
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Saddle recommendations not named Brooks...

Any new saddles you all are liking that are not Brooks? I am in need of a new one, I tend to like saddles with a little cush to it.
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Old 07-08-21, 05:33 AM
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Berthoud?

Rivet?
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Old 07-08-21, 05:43 AM
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Selle Anatomica is good
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Old 07-08-21, 07:39 AM
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Originally Posted by acm
Selle Anatomica is good
replaced 3 B17’s with them. 👍🏻
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Old 07-08-21, 08:27 AM
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The above advice is very good. If you are willing to put up with the weight, maintenance, sometimes creaking, Selle Anatomicas have had zero break in for me.
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Old 07-08-21, 11:07 AM
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Ideale 90?

The leather looks to be superbe!

P.S. - Why no Brooks?
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Old 07-08-21, 11:11 AM
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Berthoud Aravis
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Old 07-08-21, 11:19 AM
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Originally Posted by mechanicmatt
Any new saddles you all are liking that are not Brooks? I am in need of a new one, I tend to like saddles with a little cush to it.
Are you only wanting leather saddle recommendations?
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Old 07-08-21, 11:23 AM
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Since this is the C&V forum, how about a Selle Italia Turbo?
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Old 07-08-21, 02:10 PM
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I think you can still get Selle Italia Turbo in suede. It has never disappointed since 1984. A little beat up but solid and comfortable!
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Old 07-08-21, 03:51 PM
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Gilles Berthoud......
They pretty much finally closed the gap between good modern saddles and classic leather saddles like Brooks, in terms of weight, comfort and technology.
Just remeber to check your wallet before buying one, as they are EXPENSIVE.....
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Old 07-08-21, 04:33 PM
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I own three different leather saddles. Brooks B17 with ti rails, Berhoud Aravis with ti rails, and a Rivet with ti rails.

The Brooks works better on more upright positions, the Berhoud is my fast rando bike choice, and the Rivet sits on my endurance TT type bike.
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Old 07-08-21, 04:39 PM
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No such thing.
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Old 07-08-21, 04:52 PM
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I should have said no suspended leather saddles. I know we all think those are great but they are quite a bit of scratch. I have several 2000's Bontrager saddles that I like but those designs seem to not be around any more.
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Old 07-08-21, 04:53 PM
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Originally Posted by merziac
No such thing.
Hey I did get that double water bottle you suggested.
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Old 07-08-21, 05:00 PM
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My current favorite is the Ergon SR Pro. After decades of riding leather saddles, I began to feel really uncomfortable on them for longer rides. The Ergon has fit the bill for my arse though I also ride the Cambian C.15 both slotted and non-slotted regularly.
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Old 07-08-21, 05:00 PM
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I heard SA saddles had some durability issues, is that still the case?
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Old 07-08-21, 05:02 PM
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I run more Fizik Kurve Chameleon saddles than any other but they are so hard to find now. I also like the Fabric Scoops, flat version. Thing with saddles is we are all different so it's hard to recommend. Many love the Turbo and I find it to be a torture device.
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Old 07-08-21, 09:47 PM
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Terry Liberator. I like the older ones that are less triangle-shaped, but instead taper steeply to a long nose, and have a huge hole in the middle. They are cheaply available on evilbay and the Ti ones are feather light.
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Old 07-08-21, 09:54 PM
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Originally Posted by USSZim
I heard SA saddles had some durability issues, is that still the case?
The complaints I've heard about Selle Anatomica leather stretching out of shape or rails bending turned out to be riders choosing the wrong model for their weight. SA is now pretty specific about which version to buy based on the rider's weight. If I'm recalling correctly, a few years ago the SA website wasn't as clear as it might have been about which model to buy to suit the user's weight.

Locally I know folks whose weight ranges from around 130 to 200+ lbs and they all seem happy with their SAs.
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Old 07-09-21, 08:26 AM
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Originally Posted by acm
Selle Anatomica is good
Just beware these offer very little lateral support (unlike Brooks or a hardshell saddle). Felt like I was riding in a hammock that was swaying back and forth. Didn't care for the feel myself.

Personally, I really like the Prologo Dimension saddles but probably not what you're looking for.
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Old 07-09-21, 08:41 AM
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You might like one of these Sella Bassano, Vuelta models. I found it to be very comfortable, if a bit "plush" or even overstuffed compared to a classic Turbo. First got a well worn example at my local co-op for $5, liked it so well, that I searched on eBay for a nice one and found this. Old one is on a 91 Gary Fisher "Montare" here in Oregon, newer one lives in Florida on a Fisher HKII, They are leather covered and just right for this old man. Don Edit: I'm small and weight 144 #





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Old 07-09-21, 09:25 AM
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Originally Posted by tendency
Just beware these offer very little lateral support (unlike Brooks or a hardshell saddle). Felt like I was riding in a hammock that was swaying back and forth. Didn't care for the feel myself.

Personally, I really like the Prologo Dimension saddles but probably not what you're looking for.
Adjusting an SA is kind of intricate. I have a bunch of SA and have not noticed that problem, but I adjust them carefully. My guess is yours needs adjustment and setup. You also should progressively adjust the tension screw to maintain 6mm max spacing across the slot - just a little bit at a time. They discuss it on their site.

Sagging/hammock: it is designed to work as a double hammock, and needs a limited amount of sag. As such, it's more supple than say, a B17. It's possible to make it feel stiffer if you tighten it rather past the 6 mm width. SA does not recommend this. I've never noticed lateral motion, unless perhaps you have the saddle raised sitting up too high and you're getting a lot of hip rocking. Seems like somebody loves every saddle, and somebody hates every saddle.

For the list of recommendations I would add, look at the Specialized Gel Toupe in your width, and at other Specialized models. I think they're pretty goodl
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Old 07-09-21, 09:36 AM
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Originally Posted by canklecat
The complaints I've heard about Selle Anatomica leather stretching out of shape or rails bending turned out to be riders choosing the wrong model for their weight. SA is now pretty specific about which version to buy based on the rider's weight. If I'm recalling correctly, a few years ago the SA website wasn't as clear as it might have been about which model to buy to suit the user's weight.

Locally I know folks whose weight ranges from around 130 to 200+ lbs and they all seem happy with their SAs.
I'm about 200 at the moment, and I like the H a lot more than the X. When I bought my X, it had a 200# rating, but SA has been revising those numbers downward since they started. Not sure why, maybe the leather / cows are different, but more likely they've been studying what weight ranges the products actually work best for.
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Old 07-09-21, 01:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Road Fan
Adjusting an SA is kind of intricate. I have a bunch of SA and have not noticed that problem, but I adjust them carefully. My guess is yours needs adjustment and setup. You also should progressively adjust the tension screw to maintain 6mm max spacing across the slot - just a little bit at a time. They discuss it on their site.

Sagging/hammock: it is designed to work as a double hammock, and needs a limited amount of sag. As such, it's more supple than say, a B17. It's possible to make it feel stiffer if you tighten it rather past the 6 mm width. SA does not recommend this. I've never noticed lateral motion, unless perhaps you have the saddle raised sitting up too high and you're getting a lot of hip rocking. Seems like somebody loves every saddle, and somebody hates every saddle.

For the list of recommendations I would add, look at the Specialized Gel Toupe in your width, and at other Specialized models. I think they're pretty goodl
I worked w/ Selle Anatomica support so I had it dialed in. I come from a racing background and am used to saddles that are very stiff with 0 lateral 'give'. So, compared to what I'm used to these felt, to me, like they had alot of lateral sway.
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