Touring saddle query

[bikepacker]

I have put this in the touring section as I really would like to hear from those like me who do a lot (around 10,000) of touring miles a year but not racing.
Again I have a saddle problem that I once solved in 1998. At that time I was riding Brooks and they became so painful I was on the point of giving up cycling. Fortunately on a trip to the USA I borrowed my cousin’s bike for a ride and found a very comfortable saddle. It was made for a company in the USA under their own name of Nashbar. At the time I purchased 5 of them and brought them back home, and they have been great since then. Unfortunately I am coming to the end of the supply (wear and tear plus broken rails) and cannot get hold of any more. I have been in contact with Velo who made them for Nashbar, even with the product code they cannot help as they have long since been discontinued.

I am now back to trying Brooks instruments of torture among many other makes of saddles. I have in the last year done many miles on most saddle I thought would possibly suit me and most of those miles have been painful.
What I am seeking to hear from any of you that do long touring miles on saddles other than Brooks and with a width over 160mm (seat bone optimum). I am not looking for recommendations I can find enough of those on the web, what I want to know is what you are actually using. The answer to my saddle problem could be a make you are using.

 

[steveindenmark]

This may be a long shot but have you thought of taking your saddle to your local upholster or ask at the riding school for a local saddle maker. Our local upholster is a dab hand at making motorbike saddles.

It is worth a go.

Steve

 

[rich p]

I have never found a comfortable saddle - only tolerable ones. I have wondered if it's possible if you're in the saddle for up to 8 hours a day - day in, day out.
I gave up on Brooks when mine went out of shape due to heavy rain saturation but I have recently bought another one to try it again and will keep it drier this time.
In the interim I used a Selle San Marco Rolls - horrible.
and currently a Selle Viper - tolerable.

 

[fossala]

I know you don't want to know about brooks, but I'm using a team pro. It has been rode everyday for over a year (except 3 month patch because of getting hit of my bike). This means whatever the weather was, it's taken it. They have a thicker leather than other brooks saddles, maybe this helped.

 

[Ticktockmy]

Having tried many saddles over the years and as rich p commented found them only tolerable, a friend suggested I try a Charge Spoon, having look at one in the shop, I though it should be called a Charge Knife as it looked as it was going to be most uncomfortable, anyway I bought it, and was so surprised that it is so comfortable, well for me it is

 

[bikepacker]

All the saddle mentioned above I have tried and none get even close to the comfort of my old Nashbars.
I am really not looking for recommendations as those who know me will vouch, I have brought and sold most possible saddles that are made that may suit me. I am intrigued to know what saddles you ride other than Brooks.

 

[stephenjubb]

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/SubCategory_10053_10052_202449_-1_202327_202349

Nashbar still make saddles see if any of the above are any good

 

[stephenjubb]

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_541482_-1___202449

Maybe this?

 

[bikepacker]

I have since had a couple of their newer ones but they don't compare to the older model. Apparently they only ever had the one batch of my model made for them by Velo.

The only popular saddle I have not tried is the Rido R2 and I am reluctant to fork out £45 to test one.

 

[Brains]

Have a word with Spa Cycles, they make their own Brooks style saddles, they may be able to make to order

 

[Alberto]

I have been a happy traditional selle flite saddle user for over 10 years, with and without central opening. I can be comfy enough for up to 10-12 hours on it. Not sure they will quite make it to your 160 mm wide (I think they're around 140 mm) but perhaps newer versions may suit?

I am not too convinced about Brooks either, especially after my B17 got saturated after a not particularly too wet tour in Scotland.

 

[oldfatfool]

The stock saddle that came on the ridgeback Panorama was comfy enough for 8 hours at a stint, don't know who makes it for ridgeback though.

 

[Titanium]

With saddles, you're correct - recommending one to someone because it suits you nicely is just a bit like recommnding them your glasses prescription. That's kind of exagerating but there's a grain of truth there. I can't get on with Brooks saddles, even though I admire them.
For me, the Selle Royal Gel saddles in Halfords are pretty darn good. And they're also quite cheap.
Mark.

 

[Yellow7]

Now surely, this is the what ya need!! Seen last week whilst pondering around Brugge.

 

[Alan Frame]

Now surely, this is the what ya need!! Seen last week whilst pondering around Brugge.

Now THAT should tickle anyone's fancy !