Slippery saddles are better than "sticky" ones.
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 226
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 144 Post(s)
Liked 119 Times
in
70 Posts
Slippery saddles are better than "sticky" ones.
After riding a couple of bikes with saddles that allow me to squirm around a bit rather than locking me into one position due to the texture of their material, I've decided that slippery is better for me.
Is this a thing or are people generally advised to be locked into one position? I've seen at least one YouTube bike-fitter who says locked-in is best. Not for me!
Is this a thing or are people generally advised to be locked into one position? I've seen at least one YouTube bike-fitter who says locked-in is best. Not for me!
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 3,651
Bikes: Too many bikes, too little time to ride
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 424 Post(s)
Liked 442 Times
in
303 Posts
In the 90s "anti-slip" saddle surfaces may have been a thing. I've had saddles that had anti-slip surfaces as well as saddles that were more slippery. I personally like a more secure feeling on the saddle and don't really like moving around too much on the saddle, assuming that my fit is dialed in. I think some modern saddles have longer noses that specifically allows the rider to sit more forward for situational use cases (get more aero, for example).
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 719
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 362 Post(s)
Liked 414 Times
in
244 Posts
Ideally, you should not need saddle "stickiness" to maintain a proper position on the saddle, and having a more slippery saddle should allow you to more easily shift position as circumstances demand. Me, being a duffer who gets a few thousand miles a year, and who gets tired and lets his form go to heck sometimes, I prefer a medium saddle, a little smooth and a little sticky. Many saddles start out pretty slippery but then moderate to medium after a few hundred miles.
Likes For noimagination:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,051
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18318 Post(s)
Liked 15,277 Times
in
7,225 Posts
Yes. Personal preference is a thing, and not just in cycling.
Likes For indyfabz:
#5
Full Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Lafayette, Indiana
Posts: 464
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 207 Post(s)
Liked 108 Times
in
58 Posts
Nice to know I am not the only one! I have to have the slip, and more and more saddles these days seem to be built to be the opposite. I've even tried additives to put a slide on a seat but it does not last past one short ride.
#6
Advanced Slacker
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,187
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2749 Post(s)
Liked 2,516 Times
in
1,422 Posts
I can’t even remember the last time I sat on a saddle that was “grippy” (vs “slippery”) on any bike I’ve borrowed, rented or demoed.
Likes For Kapusta:
#7
climber has-been
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Posts: 7,002
Bikes: Scott Addict R1, Felt Z1
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3335 Post(s)
Liked 3,435 Times
in
1,737 Posts
Locking into one position on the saddle is a sure-fire recipe for saddle sores.
__________________
Ride, Rest, Repeat. ROUVY: terrymorse
Ride, Rest, Repeat. ROUVY: terrymorse
Likes For terrymorse:
#8
Advanced Slacker
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,187
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2749 Post(s)
Liked 2,516 Times
in
1,422 Posts
A couple/few years ago someone came out with a saddle with a ridge poking up in the center that wedged itself in your ass crack. That’s one way to lock you in place.
#9
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 17,649
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10243 Post(s)
Liked 11,595 Times
in
5,942 Posts
I bought some bibs a few years back that were great in all respects except one - the fabric was slippery. I kept sliding forward, and had to consciously push myself back on the saddle every couple minutes. I tried roughing up the saddle surface with sandpaper. I tried these shorts on multiple different bikes with at least 4 different models of saddle, but no matter what I did, I kept sliding forward, which didn't happen with any other bibs. I ended up having to chuck them. So, put me on Team Non-Slip. It's not that I want to be locked in, but I want to stay pretty much where I choose to be.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
#10
Habitual User
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 7,785
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4829 Post(s)
Liked 7,820 Times
in
3,704 Posts
I don't want to be locked down, but I also don't want to be sliding around. I want to move how and when I want to move, and stay put when I want to stay put. Fortunately, that's the case for all the saddles on my various bikes (typical lightweight racing saddles)
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
#11
Senior Member
A properly adjusted saddle will usually keep you more or less in position, and even slippery saddles start to grip a little more when they get warmed up. Slippery or not, it doesn’t matter so much to me, I get out of the saddle regularly for circulation, and changing positions is easy enough. For the last decade I’ve been using Brooks saddles, which form to the shape of your backside, and will keep you in position.
Likes For 50PlusCycling:
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,893
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1062 Post(s)
Liked 665 Times
in
421 Posts
A properly adjusted saddle will usually keep you more or less in position, and even slippery saddles start to grip a little more when they get warmed up. Slippery or not, it doesn’t matter so much to me, I get out of the saddle regularly for circulation, and changing positions is easy enough. For the last decade I’ve been using Brooks saddles, which form to the shape of your backside, and will keep you in position.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 3,802
Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Gen 3, Soma Fog Cutter, Focus Mares AL, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG, Volae Team, Nimbus MUni
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 878 Post(s)
Liked 2,019 Times
in
1,055 Posts
Last year I went through a series of test saddles from an LBS, and one of them had a surface that prevented movement. I thought it was awful; I couldn't easily make small adjustments that normally happen without thought. Moving hand position, climbing or descending, or just changing level of effort might lead to a slight shift in position. Not to mention just wanting to move a bit for comfort.
I tend to think if you need a sticky saddle to stay in place, your bike fit is probably off. Bike fit has enough variables it's indistinguishable from magic, IMHO.
I tend to think if you need a sticky saddle to stay in place, your bike fit is probably off. Bike fit has enough variables it's indistinguishable from magic, IMHO.
#14
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 8,484
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3846 Post(s)
Liked 6,437 Times
in
3,183 Posts
Likes For KerryIrons:
#16
Full Member
Butt Butter will work it's way through shorts and make any saddle slippery.
I always have a big oil slick on my seat after every ride. No, it is not from a bad diet.
Wearing through a Brooks saddle into the sticky leather underneath will take your skin off quicker than a wood rasp.
I always have a big oil slick on my seat after every ride. No, it is not from a bad diet.
Wearing through a Brooks saddle into the sticky leather underneath will take your skin off quicker than a wood rasp.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,825
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 128 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4742 Post(s)
Liked 3,860 Times
in
2,509 Posts
I liked the suede covered saddles of the early '80s. Nice compromise. Of course, that suede does pull a fast one (slow one?) and becomes ordinary leather.
#21
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 8,484
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3846 Post(s)
Liked 6,437 Times
in
3,183 Posts
#23
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 8,484
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3846 Post(s)
Liked 6,437 Times
in
3,183 Posts
#24
Senior Member
I prefer a saddle that has some slip but not to the point where I'm sliding around. I like to be able to re-position with little effort. I also don't like a saddle that Velcro's my bum in one place.
I don't wear Spandex any more (always slide around on my Brooks) and instead wear Endura Hummvee shorts that allow a bit of slip on my Brooks saddles. I am breaking in a brand new Brooks Swallow saddle and even with those shorts I am sliding around a lot. That will stop once it gets sweated into a bit more though.
I remember back in the 1990's I think it was when non-slip saddles were very popular. I never liked mine because it chafed my bum. It was also hard to re-position on climbs, downhills, corners, etc. My shorts seemed to "stick" to the saddle. No Bueno.
I don't wear Spandex any more (always slide around on my Brooks) and instead wear Endura Hummvee shorts that allow a bit of slip on my Brooks saddles. I am breaking in a brand new Brooks Swallow saddle and even with those shorts I am sliding around a lot. That will stop once it gets sweated into a bit more though.
I remember back in the 1990's I think it was when non-slip saddles were very popular. I never liked mine because it chafed my bum. It was also hard to re-position on climbs, downhills, corners, etc. My shorts seemed to "stick" to the saddle. No Bueno.
#25
Grupetto Bob
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,065
Bikes: Bikey McBike Face
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2512 Post(s)
Liked 5,424 Times
in
2,825 Posts
I bought some bibs a few years back that were great in all respects except one - the fabric was slippery. I kept sliding forward, and had to consciously push myself back on the saddle every couple minutes. I tried roughing up the saddle surface with sandpaper. I tried these shorts on multiple different bikes with at least 4 different models of saddle, but no matter what I did, I kept sliding forward, which didn't happen with any other bibs. I ended up having to chuck them. So, put me on Team Non-Slip. It's not that I want to be locked in, but I want to stay pretty much where I choose to be.
__________________
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️