The most comfortable saddle…

[damhooligan]

i know brooks scores high in the comfort zone, but never bought one because of their looks.
But i saw on wggle they have a limited edition in blue...
like that one, but they don't ship to australia.

I also like this one, but i doubt i can buy this one.

[Spork!]

hmmm...
If you can see it, you aren't sitting on it.
If you aren't sitting on it, does comfort matter?

[justD]

hmmm...
If you can see it, you aren't sitting on it.
If you aren't sitting on it, does comfort matter?

+1

Anyone who cares about appearance when it comes to saddles have not had any problems with saddles. Some people sit on any saddle and are just comfortable, some of us though, really struggle! I'm on saddle #12 in the past 2 years </rant>

[damhooligan]

hmmm...
If you can see it, you aren't sitting on it.
If you aren't sitting on it, does comfort matter?

+1

Anyone who cares about appearance when it comes to saddles have not had any problems with saddles. Some people sit on any saddle and are just comfortable, some of us though, really struggle! I'm on saddle #12 in the past 2 years </rant>

Not true, i care how it looks as wel as it is comfortable.
I have not got a comfortable saddle at the moment, and I have tried a variety of saddles.
But i have ordered a brooks saddle, not the one in the picture, but not a standard brooks colour either.

In general a lot of people do wear things that are not comfortable but look good.
some people choose looks over comfort.

[Spork!]

Which one have you ordered damhooligan?
I hope it pleases you arsetheticaly.

[Nobody]

I think (like most things) the look of Brooks saddles can be an acquired taste.

[Jeremy]

I'm very much loving the selle SMP at the moment

[novice]

+1 for the Selle SMP.
Riding with the cheaper TRK version but have ordered the leather Plus version.
Looks ugly but its friendly on the butt and nether regions.

[damhooligan]

Which one have you ordered damhooligan?
I hope it pleases you arsetheticaly.

That's a nice word, i wil keep that one...
I wil put a picture up once i have received the saddle.

[AUbicycles]

I saw that brooks saddle at Eurobike - a partnership with Vans that sees 500 saddles and 1000 shoes made. The pattern/die for the saddle was destroyed as well so that it can't be reused.

I will chat with my contact - but you better start saving now.

[Uncle Just]

Saddles used over past 40 years....Unicantor; Rolls; Concor; Flite; Gel Flite; Selle Italia SLR; Fizik Arione and several others I've forgotten. I prefer narrow saddles around 130mm wide preferably with long rails to help get the setup correct. Best was the Concor Super Corsa closely followed by the original Flite. The Fizik is ok for a time but I find they can go soft. They do have the longest rails I've come across though. For looks alone the SLR and the original Flite are works of art. I note the devoted following of Brooks and they do look good particularly with the rivets but they are a tad heavy. Still I may yet try one for touring.

My son developed a problem using a Fizik Arione which helped put a stop to his racing career. Totally spooked him as he continued to train and race through the numbness that took months to get better. He now has a Specialised Toupe which is wider and allows him to ride pain free.

[damhooligan]

I saw that brooks saddle at Eurobike - a partnership with Vans that sees 500 saddles and 1000 shoes made. The pattern/die for the saddle was destroyed as well so that it can't be reused.

I will chat with my contact - but you better start saving now.

I'm working on it...
If i had a change of buying that specific saddle i am very tempted to do so...
I really beatifull.

[AUbicycles]

I will shoot off an email... though its a long shot as I think that they were all snapped up in the states and are reserved for shops.

[AUbicycles]

damhooligan - I have word back and will send you an email.

[justD]

Has any of the "larger" fellows that do long rides mentioned what they use? I'm pretty sure weight plays a major role in my inability to find a saddle that I can survive on. My backside and lower back go numb after a couple of hours (sometimes completely numb, sometimes just a deep pain that leaves me feeling weak). Sorry to turn this into a bitching session, but I'm at my wit's end with saddles.

In the last 2 years I've tried these
Brooks B67 (Sprung)
Brooks Flyer
Specialized Sonoma
Selle SMP Trk Ladies
Sell Italia Max Gel-flow
Some nameless brand saddle I bought from Hadleys Cycles (best yet, but it's a ladies and kills my hamstrings as well as the numbness on day-2)

Out of desperation I've also tried these:
Sustek (original with first bike)
Huffy (k-mart)
Bioflex Cruise Gel Saddle
Bioflex GT Saddle
Bioflex OZone ladies Saddle

The Bioflex GT is actually okay, but it's too soft and therefore only good for the first hour or two.
I think I sold the B67 too soon. Once I have some money I'll probably order one of them again. In fact, may be time for a saddle sale:)

[Nobody]

What about going to the limit and getting a B190?
At 249 wide, it may be of help.

http://www.brookssaddles.com/en/Shop_Pr ... &prod=B190

If the primary problem is numbness, maybe a B68 Imperial?

http://www.brookssaddles.com/en/Shop_Pr ... 8+Imperial

A 'bent would probably be the ultimate answer though...

http://www.bacchettabikes.com/bikes/tou ... ikes/bella

[damhooligan]

damhooligan - I have word back and will send you an email.

Thanks christopher.
I have received you mail.

Thanks for your help.

[novice]

Has any of the "larger" fellows that do long rides mentioned what they use?

justD. I am a larger rider and I also had a lot of trouble with saddle comfort.
I finally settled on a Selle SMP TRK as this was the only one that relieved the numbness in the genetal area.
But I still get very tender in the sit bone area after 2 hours or more, so I am starting to think there is no cure for the bigger rider.
So my solution is to limit the rides to 2.5 hours max and keep riding daily to get the weight off.

[justD]

What about going to the limit and getting a B190?
At 249 wide, it may be of help.

woah, I hadn't seen that before, but that looks like some serious springs there!!! When the money is there, I'll definitely look at Brooks again. Problem with the B67 was that I wasn't sitting "in" the saddle, but rather on top of the back rim, which is terribly hard. Now that I have a new bike and sitting more upright, I am hopeful in trying it again.

A 'bent would probably be the ultimate answer though...

haha, but there's always jogging if we get desperate enough!

[justD]

Has any of the "larger" fellows that do long rides mentioned what they use?

justD. I am a larger rider and I also had a lot of trouble with saddle comfort.
I finally settled on a Selle SMP TRK as this was the only one that relieved the numbness in the genetal area.
But I still get very tender in the sit bone area after 2 hours or more, so I am starting to think there is no cure for the bigger rider.
So my solution is to limit the rides to 2.5 hours max and keep riding daily to get the weight off.

Bah, I loved the TRK for the first hour or so. But where the numbness with other saddles had been in my lower back and backside, the TRK caused my feet and most of the legs to go numb. (Geesh, I can complain!!!) But yeah, I tried it for a couple of longer rides and my left foot went numb every time and not long after that the right foot would follow.

But I'm with you on the shorter rides. I was meant to be on a cycling tour now, but cancelled because I got some bad news in the family. I think I'll also forget about the longer rides for now and just focus on riding more often.

[waynohh]

+1 for specialized toupe

-10 for any Selle SMP

Toupe
Used: I have 2 of these on 2 bike for about a year
Cost: $150 ea from UK, double that in bike stores here if you're a sucker.
Width: 143mm
Weight: 185g
Good for: forgetting it's there. Can't comment on distances over 111km (4 hours), but anything under I haven't felt it.
Bad for: AUD retail price is LOLfail.

SMP Extra
Used: A couple weeks
Cost: $100 new on ebay
Width: only comes in 1 width, i'm not interesting in looking it up but you can.
Weight: 400g
Good for: extremely short rides i.e. down the shops or less than 10km. Why would you pay so much for a saddle for that i don't know.
Bad for: everything else

SMP Evolution
Used: A couple months
Cost: >$250? from wiggle, don't even want to remember
Width: only comes in 1 width, i'm not interesting in looking it up but you can.
Weight: 230g?
Good for: doing irreversible damage to your nads and everything else you hold most dear.
Bad for:
Cost
Comfort
Too narrow
Not flat enough across the rear so that it's constantly trying to prize your ass apart.
Wasting lots of time trying to set it up before realizing it's impossible. You can move pressure around, but you can't get rid of it. In fact, because of the stupid shape, you're making the pressure MORE ACUTE. So take your pick of any of the following - sore dick, sore nads, numb legs, sore ass, sore tailbone, etc, etc.

[rkelsen]

So I've joined the Brooks club... got a B17 from Wiggle.

Now, how long until it breaks in? I spent two hours on it today (mostly slippin' & slidin'... ), and still have a dull ache in my sit bones.

It's great for the perineum though. This is the first saddle I've owned that hasn't caused any kind of numbness or loss of blood flow.

[Spork!]

You'll soon get used to the slipping and sliding - it's a +. Beats the hell out of chafing and rubbing...
I've had mine for about 500k's. It doesn't seem any more broken in/softer then it did new - but it was comfortable straight away - once I got used to slippin and slidin...

[Mulger bill]

Good one RK, you won't regret it.

The slipping about will become a non issue in a few more hours riding. The break in period is as long or short as that mythical piece of string. For me it was pretty much straight away but I did give mine a good seeing to with Proofide before my first ride.

Shaun

[Nobody]

So I've joined the Brooks club... got a B17 from Wiggle.

That's a happy club.

Now, how long until it breaks in? I spent two hours on it today (mostly slippin' & slidin'... ), and still have a dull ache in my sit bones.

It's great for the perineum though. This is the first saddle I've owned that hasn't caused any kind of numbness or loss of blood flow.

If you don't want the "piece of string" answer, then about 500+ Km for most people. I hear it is less if you're heavy and more if you're light. Depends on the saddle too as some have thicker leather than others in the Brooks range. As Shaun said, Proofide helps. Maybe try winding the tension adjuster off a bit if you can't wait. It might help.