fiat0

Got a Raleigh Roper and the OEM saddle is extremely uncomfortable. I don't know if my weight is the contributing factor (above 260lbs).

Trying to decide between a Brooks B17 or a Brooks Champion Flyer or a wider Brooks? Like B67? Or one with springs? Seems like the suspension is nicer with springs.

Brooks B33 looks interesting.

Or Lepper Concorde 800 saddle.

Or a nice gel saddle.

Maybe even Bell Mountain Bicycle Seat.

I just know it cannot be any worse than the OEM saddle that came on it, that's just terrible. Everything hurts. I cannot figure out if it's the width that's the issue or the fact it's rock-hard.

TrojanHorse

Those cheap gel saddles I see floating around sporting goods stores look horrific. I'd steer clear.

I guess try a B17, people seem to dig those and you can probably sell it pretty easily if it doesn't work out for you. OR find a bike shop that will let you demo a few saddles. It's hard to say what will work for you.

Jon T

I put a Spenco gel saddle on my bike 30 years ago and have never regretted it.
Jon

fiat0

Serfas outsell Brooks saddles on Ebay. It cannot be all that bad.

philbob57

I have a Serfas RX. The microfiber cover transfers to whatever shorts I'm wearing, and then to whatever seat I sit on. I don't know if that's common for Sefas or if my Rx is special.

fiat0

Interesting

JLDickmon

I have a Serfas RX, too. I found the sharp contours to be a little uncomfortable.. I'm currently riding a Serfas Tailbones and like it a lot better.

pdlamb

Back to the original question...

If the saddle is above to around equal to the bar height, a B-17 is a reasonable choice. If the bars are higher than the saddle, try a wider one like the B-67,

It also depends on what the roads or paths you're riding are like. Rugged chipseal, gravel path, expansion joints make the Champion Flyer a good choice.

I was going to put a Flyer on my bike before my daughter and I started our tour. The night before leaving, I pulled it out and she asked if it was more comfortable than what was on her bike (and came with mine). It went on her bike and I've never yet had a chance to ride it.

Clyde1820

I haven't ridden on very many different saddles, over the years. But in my experience comfort is mostly due to the shape of the thing and how well it matches my own sit bones and riding style, as compared to how well-padded it might be.

Which brings up the key issue: fitting the saddle to your butt is such a subjective thing. Lots of saddles out there. But probably only a handful that feel truly shaped for you. No real way to know that other than to get a "sit bones" fitting and to seek out saddles until you find "the one." (At least, I haven't yet found a magic way of avoiding that.)

TrojanHorse

The most expensive Serfas saddle on their site is $100, which is less than the Brooks. I'm shocked, I tell you, shocked! that they outsell brooks on ebay. Or maybe people just never part with their brooks, who knows.

fiat0

It for a 2015 Raleigh Roper with a Furley frame.

This is how high the saddle is.

fiat0

that is an interesting point. I am between 260 and 270lbs (but taller than average), I wonder what would be a good Brooks size, B17 or something a bit larger?

fiat0

That looks very promising.

Clyde1820

The distance of your sit bones changes somewhat based on riding posture. So if your pelvis/leg angle is more forward than upright, it'll be a different width than, say, if you're riding completely upright.

For example, you and I might in the same position have the same sit bones measurement, but if you're in a very-forward position and I'm in a bolt-upright position while riding then we're going to have different measurements, thus different saddles would be appropriate.

Get a proper measurement of your sit bones (in riding position), add 25-30mm, and that should be an approximation of the width of the saddle that's likely to be best for you. That's a starting point. Shape can make all the difference, beyond that. As can a slot in the middle of the saddle (to relieve pressure at the perineal area).

One measurement method: How to Measure Sit Bone Width For Bicycle Saddle Selection @ Art's Cyclery.

Midtown

Is this the one you have?

tyrion

My guestimate is, with the saddle slightly above the handlebars like that, a B17 would work, but saddles wider than a B17 wouldn't work (they're designed for more upright posture).

philbob57

Yes. That's the Rx I have. Now that I think of it more critically, I rode it for a year and put it away for 10 years. If I had kept riding, the seat might have worn out before the Lycra started transferring to my shorts.

fiat0

I just upgraded to this and it's a huge improvement. It went from being intolerable to just somewhat uncomfortable but I am getting used to it. Serfas RX sounds like an even more promising variant.

I paid all of $4 for this at a yard sale. It seems to sell for $10 on Fleabay.

fiat0

I am getting used to it.

ptempel

Like @TrojanHorse mentioned, its hard to say what will work for you since your sit bone can be different. I also agree with trying to get a bike shop to let you try some saddles. For what its worth, I'm still using a Terry butterfly saddle that I originally bought for my wife. I haven't found anything more comfy for me yet. And they're cheap (I saw a few used Ti models for less than $80 on ebay):

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odk...addle&_sacat=0

Edit: Why do links to Ebay break a day after I post them?

AstroEng

I'm 6'1" and 270#. I've found gel seats to be very painful in the past, even just a little gel. I find sitting on hard surfaces (wooden chairs) to be uncomfortable after short periods - I have a bony butt. I've had a Brooks Cambium C17 for a year now and it's the most comfortable I've used. That being said, it does get a little uncomfortable when I get tired (after a long climb), but nothing like the other seats. It also didn't require a lengthy break in period and I don't have to worry about rain and snow.

I recommend it if you don't mind the price ($100 or so).

fietsbob

When I pack up my Touring bike for long tours overseas I put my 30 year old Brooks on ,
around town I go with a 'pleather' covered saddle , for the rain ..

LBS has Take Offs , many people want another, non OEM pick, saddle

ZEDRX

I love my Brooks C17. I have put them on all my bikes.