George

I got to thinking about different saddles and I’m using a SMP drakon and it works for me. Every other saddle I try , just doesn’t fit. I can’t believe that’s the only one that I can make work. I think most riders use a conventional saddles and don’t have to pay a bunch of money for it. I guess that’s the way it is. I just have a hard time excepting that. Maybe once a year I try a different one, but I just can’t make it work. Am I only one of the few, this happens to? Thanks for any replies.

freeranger

Doesn't apply to my wife nor me. Guess we've been lucky in that the saddles we've tried worked for us without going thru a bunch. We are not long distance riders (usually under 30 miles) and we ride both road and off-road bikes. All of our saddles do have a cut out except my wife's mtn bike ('98 Kona Lava Dome) which has an ancient Advent with springs (don't know the model of saddle).

urbanknight

Everybody is different, and some people have pickier rear ends. I also noticed for myself that I could ride a wide range of saddles as a teen, but am lucky to find a saddle I can last 40 miles on now in my 40's.

Troul 

having bad pes planus & a bad lower back, it can take a few seats before the one is found. $200 to $350 is where the sweet spot tends to be unfortunately.

Kapusta

When she first started riding 14 years ago, my wife went through something like a dozen saddles to find one that worked for her. Recently her needs seemed to change and it took another dozen to find the right one.

Price seemed to have little correlation with what was comfortable for her.

I am lucky in that the WTB Volt which is common as dirt on many stock builds fits me great.

George

Thanks for the replies everyone

delbiker1 

I have certainly had some saddles that did not work for me. But I am fortunate that there are numerous brands that fit me just fine. Pro Turnix and Griffon, Selle Italia Novous, and I have one from the old Performance Bike company that is really comfortable, but it works better on a more upright geometry frameset. A key for is narrow and minimal padding with a shell that has decent flex. I actually have a $14 dollar made in China saddle that is quite comfortable, but I cannot use it when the temperatures get warm. It is like a rubber material and makes that area get hot spots and sweat too much.

Paul Barnard

The first seat that I tried that I liked was an ISM. I forget which model, but it had a good bit of padding. Then I tried a Cobb Randee. Better yet. I bought up all of the discounted models I could find. They should last me a lifetime. All four of my bikes have them now. We are all anatomically different, and a seat that works for one won't necessarily work for others.

Random11

I've seen these posts about finding the right saddle, but can't really identify with them. I'm riding the saddles that came with my bikes (Specialized Diverge and Cervelo Caledonia) and they seem fine. I'd get another saddle if I thought it would be more comfortable, but I've had no issues with the ones I have. Most of my rides are 15-20 miles, but I've ridden centuries on both bikes with no issues. Do I just have a tough butt? One thing that might help me be comfortable in the saddle is that I ride every day.

delbiker1 

The last stock saddle that I used for than a month or two was on a Myata I purchased in 1978. IIRC, it still had that saddle on it when I gave the bike to a friend in need. Sadly, a few weeks later he traded the bike for something that went up in smoke for a "friendly" woman he went to visit.

Rolla

If the stock saddle works for you, great -- but not everyone has the same dimensions, and not everyone is positioned so that their weight is distributed the same between saddle and handlebar. I don't think it's a matter of having a "tough butt " -- it's more about having a good-fitting, well-adjusted saddle and bike. Riding with a chamois can help, as can a careful adjustment of saddle fore/aft, height, and angle, as well as stem length and height. Millimeters matter!

I've been a Brooks guy for years and years now, but I wouldn't expect them to work for every butt and every bike.

chaadster

George I like a SMP Dynamic myself, and while I also ride a variety of saddles pretty successfully, including standards like Fizik Aliante R3 and the more novel SQ Lab 611 Active, I’ve found the best luck with short nose models, specifically Fizik Tempo Argo R3, San Marco Shortfit Race, and Supacaz Ignite.

It may be that the SMP drop-nose element mimics the fit of short-nose saddles, I dunno, but my tolerance range is probably a little broader than yours, as I can do decent mileage on quite diverse saddle shapes. Or it may be I’m just willing to suffer discomfort waiting for my body to adapt to different saddles, because though I probably do the most mileage on the Aliante R3s, they’re definitely not that comfy in the early season, and only get comfy once I’ve started putting more saddle hours on my underside.

Koyote

I tried Birks decades ago, and the rubber/plastic sole wore down (at the heel) to the cork footbed within a month. It was a drag, because I found them to be quite comfortable. Have they gotten any better in that regard?

George , if you have found the 'one' saddle that works well for you, think about stocking up. If the saddle is discontinued or changed (both have happened to me), you'll be glad to have a couple stashed in your parts bin.

George

Thanks, I was thinking about ordering a Power Arc, but maybe I should just order another SMP Drakon. I was looking at the brown one and use matching bar tape. Thanks again.

cyclezen

WOW! $270 Dinars... And, yes I know there are saddles up and over $500. I guess I should be thankful I can ride quite a variety of models. Many of which are quite a reasonable price.
Start Point for me is minimum 140 width, the also a fairly flat-ish top (although thats not true for the Sella Italia Turbo). Well supported Sitz bones means very little pressure in other places.
Brooks actually fits me fine, once I get it broken in... But so many others fit great right out of the box. Never have rode a SMP, just no need.

Have you identified what it is about the SMP that makes the real difference ? It would be interesting to hear. The SMP has a fairly pronounced 'cradle', so the big channel and drop nose seems appropriate.
I also find, for me, saddle position is really important, since I ride with a fairly pronounced (compared to many others) torso forward lean. Nut the saddle also has to be level (not accounting for an raised rear, which I don;t like much).

My bugaboo is helmet fit. I have a really hard time getting a fit which doesn't give me headaches. When I find a good fit, I'll buy 2 or 3 right away. LOL!
Ride On
Yuri

George

Everybody is telling me that the SMP saddle fits and that's why its so comfortable. Ive tried different ones that I used before and they just don't get it. No idea why. I can ride the SMP for 3 hours without getting out of the saddle. I would like to try some different ones, but its really wearing me down, seriously. Anyhow thanks again everybody.

nel e nel

Butts are like snowflakes

rsbob 

Have been through $1200 of saddles in the last year and a half trying to find the holy grail which will make my perineal area happy. You are far from alone. Thought I found it with a Terry since it was so incredibly comfortable, but the prostate definitely was not happy. Too bad. Thought I had found the one. Will put the Terry up for sale since someone will love it.

bwilli88 

I love Brooks Flyers and Cambium C-19 and sometimes C17(non-waterproof)
I also have a few professionals.

George

Does the brook’s pro have longer rails?

MinnMan

I am very particular about saddles. Very few models are comfortable for me. You are not alone.

79pmooney

+1 I say they are as different as faces. No, I haven't made a formal study but I have been observing what works for folk for most of 50 years. In my racing days, I did a long! ride with a clubmate; me on my Selle Italia leather over a plastic shell and him on his Brooks Pro. Sublime for each of us and a swap would have been pure h*** for both of us. I rode those seats, often with logos like Avocet and Peugeot on them 15 years until my body changed. Seats with cutouts and grooves worked but I didn't find the sweet spot until I tried a Terry Fly. They work for me like the Selle Italias used to.

Paul Barnard

https://www.ebay.com/itm/13408603679...3ABFBM5MjbjpVg

capzeyez

I have a decent spin cycle indoors, the seat was complete torture. My 99 Rover 308 had a springy seat, which I swapped for a newer stock Specialized seat for $10 from a used bucket at my LBS. It's an amazing upgrade for essentially nothing. My 84 Marathon has the stock seat, not the most comfy but not a huge deal, might snag another cheap used Specialized seat.

My butt isn't too picky I suppose.


EDIT: Just checked, it's a women's saddle. Quite nice and not a stock seat, but a Geometry Myth. Looks like I got a $120 saddle for $10.

Paul Barnard

At only $40 you stand to lose nothing. They are my saving grace.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/13408603679...3ABFBM5MjbjpVg