Saddle

[Fonze]

so I guess sitting on my ass for around four hours a day cycling I either need quality bib/shorts or a super duper saddle.
Is it worth upgrading a saddle for my Specialized Roubaix , or just invest in quality tights ?
Any recommendations please ?

 

[Cronorider]

so I guess sitting on my ass for around four hours a day cycling I either need quality bib/shorts or a super duper saddle.
Is it worth upgrading a saddle for my Specialized Roubaix , or just invest in quality tights ?
Any recommendations please ?

I can just see where this is going to go. Quality tights. No tights. Brooks saddle. Cut out saddle. Flat saddle. Curved saddle. LOL. For me it would be both saddle and tights.

 

[Bazzer]

Does your ass hurt at the moment and/or are you getting any other problems in that area? If not leave well alone.

Saddles and shorts tend to be something quite personal. What suits one person can literally be a pain in the arse for another. People can make recommendations, for example I find Funkier shorts very comfortable, others may not. I believe there can also be a difference of opinion about Brooks saddles, but not having ridden a leather saddle for many years, I am reluctant to go through the breaking in period of indeterminate length with no guarantee of success at the end of it.

If you think your saddle is the wrong size for your sit bones, Evans and some LBS have what is slangly called an arseometer. - A pad you sit on and it measures your sit bones. I found that very useful when the standard saddle on my Cannondale began giving me some jip.

 

[Fonze]

I think that's sound advice and I'll go to Evans see what they say, thanks for that.
I have some Castelli shorts they seem well padded, just my saddle makes my tush sore after a couple of hours on it so just seeing if it's worth an upgrade.

 

[vickster]

You don't need a super duper saddle price wise, just find the one that is right for you. My most expensive saddle, an £80 Specialized was awful, I get on much better with £40 Bontrager ones. Think right shape / width not upgrade

Some LBS offer loan or trials, try a Fizik dealer or Specialized Concept store

 

[gavroche]

Do you get off the saddle for a few seconds while riding, every so often, to get blood circulating again? Do you ride 4 hours non-stop?

 

[Bazzer]

I think that's sound advice and I'll go to Evans see what they say, thanks for that.
I have some Castelli shorts they seem well padded, just my saddle makes my tush sore after a couple of hours on it so just seeing if it's worth an upgrade.

You don't need a super duper saddle price wise, just find the one that is right for you. My most expensive saddle, an £80 Specialized was awful, I get on much better with £40 Bontrager ones. <snip>

^^This^^
My sit bones gave me a choice from a limited range. I needed some relief and quickly and my Cannondale was replaced with a Specialised, which I think cost £25 - £30.

 

[kingrollo]

Leave well alone
+1 for funkier bibs, great kit - reasonably priced as well.

 

[Racing roadkill]

I can just see where this is going to go. Quality tights. No tights. Brooks saddle. Cut out saddle. Flat saddle. Curved saddle. LOL. For me it would be both saddle and tights.

You’d be right as well.

 

[roadrash]

it could as simple as needing more time in the saddle

 

[vickster]

@Fonze are you heavier set, it may just be that you have more weight going through the parts connected to the saddle

 

[pawl]

Leave well alone
+1 for funkier bibs, great kit - reasonably priced as well.

I have 2 Sella Italia saddles. One is an old Sella Pro Link the other aSella gel man,both of which caused me some discomfort after about hour and half.Yeterday I was out and had on purely by chance a funkier blbs.2hours of riding no probs,This got me thinking about seat inserts and gel saddles.Today i used another pale of shorts hour and a half I was out of the saddle to ease my posterior.

I compared the padding in these shorts to that in the Funkier,the funkier are thinner and less dense.Is it possible that a thicker denser pad combined with a gel saddle saddle is not an ideal combination.

I realise one persons preference is an instrument of torture but does the combination of saddle andthickness/density
have a baring on comfort.

 

[petek]

For comfort you'll not go far wrong with Brookes B33.

 

[pawl]

Leave well alone
+1 for funkier bibs, great kit - reasonably priced as well.

Just ordered another two pairs

 

[T4tomo]

I can just see where this is going to go. Quality tights. No tights. Brooks saddle. Cut out saddle. Flat saddle. Curved saddle. LOL. For me it would be both saddle and tights.

you missed out bike fit.....