Saddle advice
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Saddle advice
I have a Reebok race saddle but it is a bit too stiff for my bum. Can you guys recommend a soft saddle that looks a little sporty and has that middle groove?
What are your opinions on Origin8 and Ritchey saddles?
What are your opinions on Origin8 and Ritchey saddles?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Saddle choice is so personal, it's really difficult to solicit, or offer, opinions. For most people, it is trial and error. That can get a bit expensive, but is worth it. You might ask your local bike shop if they have a "take off" or used saddle box in the back room. They will often sell, cheaply, brand-new saddles that are taken off a new bike when the buyer installs their own.
What you are looking for is not so much the exact saddle model as the shape. Width is the most critical dimension for most people. Once you find the size and shape that works, you can narrow down your trials to models that match. Many bike shops also offer "saddle fit" tools which measure your sit bone width and can recommend a starting point based on that.
Also, it's very common to equate soft with comfortable, but that is only the case for very short rides. If the saddle is properly supporting your "sit bones" it will be comfortable, though it may not feel soft.
As for brands, a lot of people love Brooks leather saddles. Also, WTB saddles and the Body Geometry series from Specialized seem to have a lot of fans.
What you are looking for is not so much the exact saddle model as the shape. Width is the most critical dimension for most people. Once you find the size and shape that works, you can narrow down your trials to models that match. Many bike shops also offer "saddle fit" tools which measure your sit bone width and can recommend a starting point based on that.
Also, it's very common to equate soft with comfortable, but that is only the case for very short rides. If the saddle is properly supporting your "sit bones" it will be comfortable, though it may not feel soft.
As for brands, a lot of people love Brooks leather saddles. Also, WTB saddles and the Body Geometry series from Specialized seem to have a lot of fans.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 542
Bikes: 2012 Jamis Coda Comp; early 80s Univega Nuovo Sport
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yeah, apart from popularity and consistent reviews online, it's hard to say what would be a good saddle for you. Sorry, no experience with Origin 8 or Ritchey saddles.
#4
Albatross bars are cool!!
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 250
Bikes: 1984 Cannondale ST; 1975 Raleigh Grand Prix; mystery Nashbar tandem MTB; 1991 Paramount Series 20 PDG (in bits); 1984 Raleigh Record (in smaller bits, needs dropout repair); 1985 Raleigh Alyeska (wrecked, needs downtube repair)
Liked 11 Times
in
9 Posts
I recently got the supercheap sprung saddle from Nashbar. Kind of a budget Brooks lookalike, also probably good for folks who aren't up to breaking in or maintaining a leather saddle (which I probably wouldn't be even if I could afford one). The jury's still out on the arched shape of the plastic backbone, but for $15 I'm quite impressed. This saddle's give comes from the springs instead of thick padding, which for me at least seems to be a superior solution.