Which saddle is for you?

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The Walrus
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Which saddle is for you?

Postby The Walrus » Thu Feb 07, 2013 7:31 am

How do you know if your saddle isn't right for you or if it just needs adjusting?

After 500 k's mine still isn't comfortable but how the hell do you know which one would be?

My MTB saddle was a standard issue cheap specialized one and it never once gave me any pain. The roadie feels sore all over!

Should I swap them and see how that feels or just buy another and hope its ok?
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Nobody
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Re: Which saddle is for you?

Postby Nobody » Thu Feb 07, 2013 7:58 am

You could try adjusting tilt first.

Swapping the MTB saddle over seems like a good idea to start with. Then, if it works, determine what makes it comfortable. Factors can be width, shape (whether flat of curved when looking from the side and then looking from front or back) the amount of padding, whether it has a cutout etc.

Another factor could be your tyre pressure is too high on the road bike. Your body angle may be leaning too far forward because you handlebar is too far forward or too low.

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Re: Which saddle is for you?

Postby Jesmol » Thu Feb 07, 2013 8:03 am

Its hard to get right, I've gone through

Prologo scratch - to much pressure on the front
Specialized Romin - too harsh on the sit bones
Selle italia slr max - too harsh on the sit bones

Now trialing a wtb rocket v which initially seems spot on, with just a slight pressure on the front, but great on the sit bones

Find somewhere that does trial seats and do lots of test rides

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barefoot
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Re: Which saddle is for you?

Postby barefoot » Thu Feb 07, 2013 9:26 am

I went through quite a few MTB saddles before discovering that pretty much any saddle that says SDG on it is comfortable.

Now I'm also riding road... but I've never owned a "road" saddle [1]. SDG MTB saddles on everything.

Not entirely sure what defines the difference between a road saddle and a MTB saddle, other than the label. The SDG Ti Fly I currently run on my road bike is as minimal as I've seen a saddle... there's almost nothing of it, and it doesn't resemble the BelAirs on my commuter and tandem or the Satellite on my hardtail in anything but brand... but still comfy.

I'd swap your saddles between your bikes and see if the discomfort follows the saddle or stays with the bike.

It's probably a faux pas to ride a MTB saddle on a road bike, but I've been found guilty of plenty worse so it really doesn't bother me :-D

tim

[1] ...other than my Brooks B17, which gets swapped in for long rides on whatever bike I'm riding. For mine, it's less comfortable than the SDGs for the first ~20km, lineball for the next ~80km. After a hundred or so, plastic saddles start to get a bit uncomfortable, and leather just settles in. Adds about half a kilo to my bike though...

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Re: Which saddle is for you?

Postby RonK » Thu Feb 07, 2013 9:30 am

The only way to find out is adjust it. You'll have to experiment with different positions. Eventually you'll be able to reach a conclusion.

A likely cause - it is set too far back so you are sitting on the narrow part of the saddle.
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The Walrus
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Re: Which saddle is for you?

Postby The Walrus » Thu Feb 07, 2013 10:16 am

Thanks guys. I'm out on it now so just followed RonK's suggestion and moved it forward 10mm and see how that feels...
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splunk
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Re: Which saddle is for you?

Postby splunk » Thu Feb 07, 2013 1:24 pm

Another +1 for experiment.

Majority of people rave about Ariones, but it did not work for me as it was too flat. Selle Italia flow worked for me in the end.

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The Walrus
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Re: Which saddle is for you?

Postby The Walrus » Thu Feb 07, 2013 1:49 pm

Ouch...I didnt think it could get worse but I think moving it forward 10 mm did!

Every aspect of the saddle seems wrong for my body shape. Its like it has been made for someone else! I'm going to try the MTB saddle next and see how that feels.
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rifraf
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Re: Which saddle is for you?

Postby rifraf » Thu Feb 07, 2013 1:58 pm

Such a personal thing, saddle comfort/discomfort.
There is no one answer. I suggest you type "saddle" in the search engine at the top of the page and spend the time necessary to read it. :idea:
Then hit Sheldon Browns pages. Then face the realisation that its a question that only experimentation can answer and that the answer is relevant for you and you alone. :shock: It can be an expensive process but worth it when you find a saddle that has mercy on your neither regions.
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Re: Which saddle is for you?

Postby TDC » Thu Feb 07, 2013 3:08 pm

rifraf wrote:Such a personal thing, saddle comfort/discomfort.
There is no one answer. I suggest you type "saddle" in the search engine at the top of the page and spend the time necessary to read it. :idea:
Then hit Sheldon Browns pages. Then face the realisation that its a question that only experimentation can answer and that the answer is relevant for you and you alone. :shock: It can be an expensive process but worth it when you find a saddle that has mercy on your neither regions.
Hit Sheldons pages about saddles and he suggested this. http://sheldonbrown.com/real-man.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Puffy
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Re: Which saddle is for you?

Postby Puffy » Thu Feb 07, 2013 3:11 pm

Find a LBS that has the range of Specialized test saddles and try away. I did this (at no cost) and had each saddle on loan for a couple of weeks (~500kms). Nothing like try before you buy.

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The Walrus
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Re: Which saddle is for you?

Postby The Walrus » Thu Feb 07, 2013 11:00 pm

Nobody wrote:You could try adjusting tilt first.

Swapping the MTB saddle over seems like a good idea to start with. Then, if it works, determine what makes it comfortable. Factors can be width, shape (whether flat of curved when looking from the side and then looking from front or back) the amount of padding, whether it has a cutout etc.

Another factor could be your tyre pressure is too high on the road bike. Your body angle may be leaning too far forward because you handlebar is too far forward or too low.
Thanks Nobody

Tyre pressure could be worth a try as I'm at 110 back and front. I'm 76 kilos so maybe I don't need so much.

I'll speak to my LBS (Spec dealer) about trying a few options as Puffy suggested. But the MTB saddle will get a go first. Should I keep the roadie's carbon seat post or just swap the lot, or does that matter?
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Re: Which saddle is for you?

Postby Mulger bill » Fri Feb 08, 2013 7:19 am

Way over tyre pressure for weight there Walrus unless you're running 19mm tyres. I'm mid 80's and get away comfortably with about 98/105 on the 23mm Rubino pros on my roadie. The 28s on my commuter run about 10 psi lees each end.

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barefoot
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Re: Which saddle is for you?

Postby barefoot » Fri Feb 08, 2013 10:41 am

Mulger bill wrote:Way over tyre pressure for weight there Walrus unless you're running 19mm tyres. I'm mid 80's and get away comfortably with about 98/105 on the 23mm Rubino pros on my roadie. The 28s on my commuter run about 10 psi lees each end.
Maybe true, but if he has a saddle that doesn't fit his bum, quibbling over 10 (or 50!) psi isn't going to change the fact that he won't be comfortable on it.

I've ridden saddles that are arse-hatchets on a MTB running 25 psi, and I've ridden (and still ride) saddles that are equally comfortable on my ~25 psi MTB and my ~100 psi [1] roadie.

Give my uncomfortable saddle to somebody else, they might find it comfortable. Sit me on somebody else's comfortable saddle and I might find it excruciating.

Different saddles suit different bums. That's all there is to it.

tim

[1] maybe too high... but I'm pretty damn lazy with my tyre pressure control. If it feels a bit soft, I push 100psi in to it, then ride it until it feels a bit soft again some weeks later. Sometimes "feels a bit soft" is lower pressure than I'd like to admit riding on :oops:

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Re: Which saddle is for you?

Postby il padrone » Fri Feb 08, 2013 10:47 am

The Walrus wrote:Ouch...I didnt think it could get worse but I think moving it forward 10 mm did!

Every aspect of the saddle seems wrong for my body shape. Its like it has been made for someone else!
There's your clue..... and the answer too!

Rx = Brooks leather

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Re: Which saddle is for you?

Postby Dr_Mutley » Fri Feb 08, 2013 10:59 am

As always, no saddle will be comfortable if yr fit isn't spot on... I did 10hrs on an Fizik Arione without any issues during the 3 peaks event, and love it.... But if I put the saddle up 5 to 10mm, and start to rock a little on it I wouldn't be able to ride 1 hour before getting pain and numbness. I experienced this a few months ago on a new bike. I transferred across my measurements and stuffed up my saddle height by 7mm (too high). The result was saddle sores on the left, excess pressure on the right, and a numb apparatus!

Fore/aft, and tilt have similar dramatic effects. Chances are if u have tried quite a few saddles, it's not the saddle at fault, but the way, or the position your sitting on it, and interacting with it...
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Re: Which saddle is for you?

Postby TDC » Fri Feb 08, 2013 11:34 am

Dr_Mutley wrote:As always, no saddle will be comfortable if yr fit isn't spot on... I did 10hrs on an Fizik Arione with any issues in 3 peaks, and love it.... But if I put the saddle up 5 to 10mm and start to rock a little on it I wouldn't be able to ride 1 hour before pain and numbness. I experienced this a few months ago on a new bike and stuffed up my saddle height be 7mm. Result was saddle sores on the left, excess pressure on the right, and a numb apparatus!

Fore/aft, and tilt have similar dramatic effects. Chances are if u have tried quite a few saddles, it's not the saddle at fault, but the way, or position your sitting and interacting with it...
+1 to this

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The Walrus
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Re: Which saddle is for you?

Postby The Walrus » Fri Feb 08, 2013 12:28 pm

Ok so I put my MTB saddle on the roadie and it was considerably better. I think I'm a bit sore from the other one but I felt like I could stay out all day! Sadly I had to keep it to 15k's but a marked improvement.

Went to my LBS and they measured my sit bones to determine which option would suit me. I pick up a test saddle today and I'll see how that shapes up.

I appreciate what people have said about adjustments with the current saddle but its just not going to work so a new one is in the pipeline!

Anyone want a Specialized Toupe saddle that's only been used for 500 k's? Great quality and very comfy LOL
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Re: Which saddle is for you?

Postby geraldobeavis » Fri Feb 08, 2013 12:43 pm

The tyre pressure comments have given me food for thought, I have been running 110 in my 25 mm tyres recently and it has been noticeable how much more the bike rattles.

Re the saddles, as everyone said its personal so give a few a run if you need to. i have a specialised avatar and it has been great. Before I bought it I assumed I would need one with less width being a short and relatively skinny guy (ie the fats all on the gut). After the sit bone measurement it turned out I actually need the widest size. If your Mtb saddle is wider than the roadie ones you have tried it might be a factor to consider if you try other road saddles.
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Re: Which saddle is for you?

Postby newie » Fri Feb 08, 2013 1:06 pm

The Walrus wrote: Anyone want a Specialized Toupe saddle that's only been used for 500 k's? Great quality and very comfy LOL
The Toupe is my favourite saddle!
What colour, width and price?

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The Walrus
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Re: Which saddle is for you?

Postby The Walrus » Fri Feb 08, 2013 2:08 pm

newie wrote:
The Walrus wrote: Anyone want a Specialized Toupe saddle that's only been used for 500 k's? Great quality and very comfy LOL
The Toupe is my favourite saddle!
What colour, width and price?
Jeez I might have sold the old one before I've even got the new one! It's black & 143mm...

No idea on price other than the new one will cost me $125!

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The Walrus
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Re: Which saddle is for you?

Postby The Walrus » Fri Feb 08, 2013 2:13 pm

geraldobeavis wrote:The tyre pressure comments have given me food for thought, I have been running 110 in my 25 mm tyres recently and it has been noticeable how much more the bike rattles.

Re the saddles, as everyone said its personal so give a few a run if you need to. i have a specialised avatar and it has been great. Before I bought it I assumed I would need one with less width being a short and relatively skinny guy (ie the fats all on the gut). After the sit bone measurement it turned out I actually need the widest size. If your Mtb saddle is wider than the roadie ones you have tried it might be a factor to consider if you try other road saddles.
The LBS said most people are 143mm but I'm 147mm (does that make me a lard ass?) so sounds like a similar situation. Not sure of the name of the new test model I'm getting but it looked very similar to the MTB one!
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Re: Which saddle is for you?

Postby Sydguy » Fri Feb 08, 2013 3:13 pm

I was happy with Fizik Arione for over a year then it just sort of stared to hurt - and I found I was 'moving around' on it once rides went past 70kms.

Replaced it with a Fizik Arione Versus - basically same seat with a channel in the middle to take the pressure of your soft bits.

Working a treat so far.

JM

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Re: Which saddle is for you?

Postby Dr_Mutley » Fri Feb 08, 2013 5:05 pm

Sydguy wrote:I was happy with Fizik Arione for over a year then it just sort of stared to hurt - and I found I was 'moving around' on it once rides went past 70kms.

Replaced it with a Fizik Arione Versus - basically same seat with a channel in the middle to take the pressure of your soft bits.

Working a treat so far.

JM
Don't be surprised if the Vs does the same thing, just after a longer distance... I did the exact same thing, and i agree the Vs are quite comfortable, but, u probably haven't fixed the moving issue, just relieved some of the pressure temporarily. Working out long term, reliable solution can truly be a pain in the ass sometimes! ;-)

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Re: Which saddle is for you?

Postby TDC » Fri Feb 08, 2013 5:59 pm

The Walrus wrote:
Went to my LBS and they measured my sit bones to determine which option would suit me. I pick up a test saddle today and I'll see how that shapes up.
and did they suggest the size that they have the most stock in the shop?

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