Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

Slippery saddles are better than "sticky" ones.

Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

Slippery saddles are better than "sticky" ones.

Old 03-06-23, 11:29 PM
  #1  
fredlord
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!
fredlord is offline  
Old 03-07-23, 03:04 AM
  #2  
tFUnK
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).
tFUnK is offline  
Old 03-07-23, 06:39 AM
  #3  
noimagination
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.
noimagination is offline  
Likes For noimagination:
Old 03-07-23, 06:53 AM
  #4  
indyfabz
Senior Member
 
indyfabz's Avatar
 
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.
indyfabz is offline  
Likes For indyfabz:
Old 03-07-23, 10:40 AM
  #5  
55murray
Full Member
 
55murray's Avatar
 
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.
55murray is offline  
Old 03-07-23, 11:16 AM
  #6  
Kapusta
Advanced Slacker
 
Kapusta's Avatar
 
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.
Kapusta is offline  
Likes For Kapusta:
Old 03-07-23, 11:20 AM
  #7  
terrymorse 
climber has-been
 
terrymorse's Avatar
 
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
Originally Posted by fredlord
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!
No, an emphatic no.

Locking into one position on the saddle is a sure-fire recipe for saddle sores.
__________________
Ride, Rest, Repeat. ROUVY: terrymorse


terrymorse is offline  
Old 03-07-23, 12:33 PM
  #8  
Kapusta
Advanced Slacker
 
Kapusta's Avatar
 
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.
Kapusta is offline  
Old 03-07-23, 01:00 PM
  #9  
genejockey 
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
 
genejockey's Avatar
 
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
genejockey is offline  
Old 03-07-23, 01:23 PM
  #10  
Eric F 
Habitual User
 
Eric F's Avatar
 
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
Eric F is offline  
Old 03-07-23, 05:03 PM
  #11  
50PlusCycling
Senior Member
 
50PlusCycling's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,079
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 526 Post(s)
Liked 722 Times in 380 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.
50PlusCycling is offline  
Likes For 50PlusCycling:
Old 03-07-23, 06:54 PM
  #12  
Gresp15C
Senior Member
 
Gresp15C's Avatar
 
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
Originally Posted by 50PlusCycling
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.
Indeed, I've found that if I have to work to stay in position on a saddle, it's probably adjusted wrong.
Gresp15C is offline  
Likes For Gresp15C:
Old 03-07-23, 07:46 PM
  #13  
downtube42
Senior Member
 
downtube42's Avatar
 
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.
downtube42 is offline  
Old 03-08-23, 12:20 AM
  #14  
SurferRosa
señor miembro
 
SurferRosa's Avatar
 
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
Originally Posted by fredlord
... who says locked-in is best. Not for me!
​​​​​​
Think about the millions (billions?) of saddles Brooks has sold since 1880.

Google tells me they currently make 200,000/yr.
SurferRosa is offline  
Old 03-08-23, 09:52 AM
  #15  
KerryIrons
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 962
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 497 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 622 Times in 346 Posts
Originally Posted by terrymorse
No, an emphatic no.

Locking into one position on the saddle is a sure-fire recipe for saddle sores.
What he said.
KerryIrons is offline  
Likes For KerryIrons:
Old 03-08-23, 02:33 PM
  #16  
cjenrick
Full Member
 
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 459
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 229 Post(s)
Liked 133 Times in 100 Posts
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.
cjenrick is offline  
Old 03-08-23, 05:39 PM
  #17  
Sy Reene
Advocatus Diaboli
 
Sy Reene's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,611

Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4717 Post(s)
Liked 1,526 Times in 997 Posts
One reason I didn't like the rubber Brooks Cambium saddle I had for a bit.
Sy Reene is offline  
Old 03-08-23, 05:54 PM
  #18  
79pmooney
Senior Member
 
79pmooney's Avatar
 
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.
79pmooney is offline  
Old 03-08-23, 05:59 PM
  #19  
Gresp15C
Senior Member
 
Gresp15C's Avatar
 
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
Originally Posted by SurferRosa
​​​​​​
Think about the millions (billions?) of saddles Brooks has sold since 1880.

Google tells me they currently make 200,000/yr.
I think that Brooks may be the oldest bicycle related brand in current use. Does anybody know of an older one?
Gresp15C is offline  
Old 03-08-23, 06:35 PM
  #20  
Sy Reene
Advocatus Diaboli
 
Sy Reene's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,611

Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4717 Post(s)
Liked 1,526 Times in 997 Posts
Originally Posted by Gresp15C
I think that Brooks may be the oldest bicycle related brand in current use. Does anybody know of an older one?
Maybe Goodyear or Michelin comes close, though is age supposed to be an indicator of something?
Sy Reene is offline  
Old 03-08-23, 06:57 PM
  #21  
SurferRosa
señor miembro
 
SurferRosa's Avatar
 
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
Originally Posted by Sy Reene
is age supposed to be an indicator of something?
Success and popularity?
SurferRosa is offline  
Old 03-08-23, 06:59 PM
  #22  
Sy Reene
Advocatus Diaboli
 
Sy Reene's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,611

Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4717 Post(s)
Liked 1,526 Times in 997 Posts
Originally Posted by SurferRosa
Success and popularity?
I suppose. McDonald's has been around a long time.
Sy Reene is offline  
Old 03-08-23, 07:03 PM
  #23  
SurferRosa
señor miembro
 
SurferRosa's Avatar
 
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
Originally Posted by Sy Reene
I suppose. McDonald's has been around a long time.
No doubt. But read the op again. He's wondering if he's alone in wanting a saddle he can slide around on.

Brooks, since 1880.
SurferRosa is offline  
Old 03-08-23, 07:24 PM
  #24  
drlogik 
Senior Member
 
drlogik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,763

Bikes: '87-ish Pinarello Montello; '89 Nishiki Ariel; '85 Raleigh Wyoming, '16 Wabi Special, '16 Wabi Classic, '14 Kona Cinder Cone

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 698 Post(s)
Liked 405 Times in 251 Posts
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.
drlogik is offline  
Old 03-08-23, 09:36 PM
  #25  
rsbob 
Grupetto Bob
 
rsbob's Avatar
 
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
Originally Posted by genejockey
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.
sounds to me that your saddle it too nose down. I put a level on the nose and highest rear part when I adjust mine.
__________________
Road 🚴🏾‍♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾‍♂️







rsbob is offline  
Likes For rsbob:

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.