Choosing the Correct Saddle

[Rockn Robin]

First video is from sqlab and they're not really saddles IMO because they're flattish platforms not saddle shaped. The relatively wide flat surfaces allow them to claim they fit a range of sit bone widths so sell each to more people but the fairly square edges will irritate many people who ride frequently.

The second video seems to amount to trying loads of saddles, which can get expensive if you're not a shop.

I'd suggest measuring your sit bone width when sat similar to how you sit on that bike (stairs are often helpful) and using that to figure out saddle width as described, then try to estimate the length you want (27cm seems common and suits most people) and the sharpness of the curve along the sides: do you prefer more T shaped or more triangle shaped? If you go too triangle it'll chafe your thighs, but if you go too T, it'll put too much pressure on the back of them at the saddle edge like I mentioned the sqlab ones might. One advantage of leather saddles is the ability to mess with the shape a little with initial moulding, tension and lacing.

Take a tape measure to the shop and curse all the online retailers who don't display full saddle measurements.

And it need not be expensive. Most of the old classic saddles or their clones can be had for under £20.

Thank you for that advice. First step is to locate the best bike shop. Perhaps I should contact local clubs and get their view point on what shops they recommend, then go from their. Cheers mate.

 

[MrGrumpy]

I find people that do real mileage on them aren't half so fond of them. However, they are cheap, so may as well try one as a cheapo Selle etc.

I agree, charge spoon was not very comfy for me, luckily it was on the bike I bought second hand so it was dumped.

On the whole, it can be more about just time in the saddle and also bike setup. Not forgetting cycle shorts ! I`ve got three bikes all with different saddles and all just as comfy ! Seriously all this bike fit, correct saddle nonsense !! Just ride your bike, your @rse will get used it eventually

 

[jay clock]

I agree, charge spoon was not very comfy for me, luckily it was on the bike I bought second hand so it was dumped.

On the whole, it can be more about just time in the saddle and also bike setup. Not forgetting cycle shorts ! I`ve got three bikes all with different saddles and all just as comfy ! Seriously all this bike fit, correct saddle nonsense !! Just ride your bike, your @rse will get used it eventually

agreed. give it a try.

 

[mjr]

Thank you for that advice. First step is to locate the best bike shop. Perhaps I should contact local clubs and get their view point on what shops they recommend, then go from their. Cheers mate.

Some clubs have "saddle libraries" - boxes of ones their members have tried and they've not suited them but might fit you, or at least with enough variety that you might figure out what you are looking for.

 

[Rockn Robin]

Some clubs have "saddle libraries" - boxes of ones their members have tried and they've not suited them but might fit you, or at least with enough variety that you might figure out what you are looking for.

Worth a try. We have quite a few clubs here.
Cheers

 

[fatjel]

I hated the saddle that came with my defy but loved the one on my old carrera zelos

Define real mileage ?

I've ridden upwards of 60,000 km on spoons in the last five years

I've tried loadsa saddles that have come highly recommended it seems my bum is spoon friendly.

Wish you all luck in your search for anal satisfaction

 

[Boon 51]

It also depends on the mileage you do... the longer the ride the firmer the saddle you will want?

 

[Rockn Robin]

I hated the saddle that came with my defy but loved the one on my old carrera zelos

Define real mileage ?

I've ridden upwards of 60,000 km on spoons in the last five years

I've tried loadsa saddles that have come highly recommended it seems my bum is spoon friendly.

Wish you all luck in your search for anal satisfaction

It seems so many like this saddle, and some don’t. I wonder, do they come in different sizes? I will be going in to get my seat bones measured, or I could try doing it myself. Right now I’m kinda sidelined with back pain. Severe disc degeneration and two discs with severe bulging. Well, according to my recent MRI. Starting therapy next week, and that’s going to cost a bundle in copays. I won’t go into the barbaric medical insurance system here.

 

[Rockn Robin]

It also depends on the mileage you do... the longer the ride the firmer the saddle you will want?

That’s hard to get my head around, but I don’t doubt it considering the bricks that the pros sit on. If a hard saddle is not right, then how do pros ride over 100 miles per day in the Tour de France for example?

You are probably correct in what you say, but oh the pain before the arse agrees.

 

[Rockn Robin]

They get it over with quickly.

They would have to, or their career as a pro cyclist would be over before it began.

 

[Boon 51]

I'm not so sure. Obviously the longer you ride, the more important it is that you have the right saddle for you. But I'm a bit doubtful that it should necessarily be firmer.

The reason I say this is purely from personal experience, so it's just a single data point, and "anecdata" etc, so to be taken with a pinch of salt.

I used to be limited to riding for about 8-10 hours. After that, while my legs were still working, I could barely sit on the saddle. It was very painful. Now I can ride until my legs give out because I have a more suitable saddle (suitable for me that is).

Now, it just so happens that my previous saddle was of the "firm" persuasion, and my current one is not, it's quite padded. But actually I suspect it was the shape and width, rather than the firmness that did the trick.

All IMO and ymmv and all that.

I put saddles in three groups really soft. firm, and rock hard.. to me firm is the best for long rides that assuming you have the right size saddle.. 130, 140 150 ect. but sore bums do come from wrong sizes as well not just hardness?

Good reading though.

 

[mjr]

That’s hard to get my head around, but I don’t doubt it considering the bricks that the pros sit on. If a hard saddle is not right, then how do pros ride over 100 miles per day in the Tour de France for example?

1. Quickly, as mentioned.
2. Specialist fitting, the pick of the sponsor's kit or if needed, other kit debranded.
3. Showers on the team bus and change of clothes, usually within minutes of the finish, to clean and reduce the risk of infection as the skin heals.
4. Massages at the hotel and doctors.
5. Think of the money and turn the other cheek. When the other cheek also hurts, turn back to the first one.
6. And despite all that, there have been withdrawals from races (Dumoulin) and nasty bloody injuries (Tony Martin) due to saddles and attempts to make them suitable. Michael Matthews blames a run of bad results on a mispositioned saddle.

 

[Sunny Portrush]

I have slightly more than N+1 bikes including road, mtb and cx ones. I have never, ever, ever changed a saddle on any of them. I just sit on it and pedal anything from 1 to 100 miles. Then again, my wife always said I had a bony arse, not sure hoe relevant that is tho

 

[Rockn Robin]

1. Quickly, as mentioned.
2. Specialist fitting, the pick of the sponsor's kit or if needed, other kit debranded.
3. Showers on the team bus and change of clothes, usually within minutes of the finish, to clean and reduce the risk of infection as the skin heals.
4. Massages at the hotel and doctors.
5. Think of the money and turn the other cheek. When the other cheek also hurts, turn back to the first one.
6. And despite all that, there have been withdrawals from races (Dumoulin) and nasty bloody injuries (Tony Martin) due to saddles and attempts to make them suitable. Michael Matthews blames a run of bad results on a mispositioned saddle.

Indeed. In all of sports, these guys are the most amazing of all. What they have to endure for 21 stages of incredible indurance, strength and courage, and despite all what they deal with, if they fall and suffer injuries, they jump back on the saddle and keep riding.

Athletes of other sports in my part of the world are nothing but overpaid prima donnas. Break a finger nail, and they are out for the remainder of the game.

 

[Rockn Robin]

Other fun facts about pro riders ...

As mentioned in the commentary this year Sean Kelly had to quit the 1987 Vuelta from a winning position with only a couple of days to go due to saddle sores.

In 1999 Lance Armstrong used saddle sores as an excuse for doping, blaming a positive test on cream for saddle sores (and hastily obtained a back dated TUE for the cream)

Lance who? Than man should be behind bars.

Sad he had to quit, and so close. Seems to be a big issue with some riders. It must be frustrating for them, to say the least.