Choosing a saddle

[LouiseSJPP]

Not having the luxury of a large LBS anywhere nearby, I need to choose a new saddle online, a laborious way of getting there But maybe I could narrow down the choices with your experiences.

I ride on the road, typically 2 to 3 hours a time (every day or every other day) but up to eight hours. I guess I'm about half 'club speed' (I'm a girl...), so its performance but I still put some weight on the saddle.

My current saddle is a narrow (140mm) and shiny Giant saddle. Its not uncomfortable at all, but to stay in place on it I have to set it truly horizontal. When it is horizontal, I tend to rub on the front of the saddle, becoming sore on a long trip. I would much prefer it pointed a few degrees down, to facilitate perching towards the back of it and giving a bit of clearance on the front. But when it is set it like this, I just slide down it, shiny cycle clothes on shiny saddle.

So, I'm wondering, should i look for a saddle that isn't shiny, or one that has an 'anatomical' relief in the shape, or a gel saddle that will form a better shape to the bones of my bum and perhaps prevent me slipping down?

Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[Spiderweb]

A Charge spoon saddle is comfortable for me, definitely not shiny or slippy and worth a punt at around £20. Should you find it unsuitable then they always achieve £15 on eBay.

 

[Spiderweb]

Charge Spoon £19.74 from Tredz.

 

[Drago]

Ah mate, that's difficult. The charge spoon and its identical but cheaper stalemate, the Madison Flux are torture to me, whereas cheap Selle saddles that are standard fare on many middling machines (albeit often badged Giant, Spesh etc) are cosseting and comfy.

There's no point us recommending anything because our ass bones, buttock fat and pain threshold will all be different to yours.

 

[Spiderweb]

Ah mate, that's difficult. The charge spoon and its identical but cheaper stalemate, the Madison Flux are torture to me, whereas cheap Selle saddles that are standard fare on many middling machines (albeit often badged Giant, Spesh etc) are cosseting and comfy.

There's no point us recommending anything because our ass bones, buttock fat and pain threshold will all be different to yours.

I completely agree, there are no standard sizes for sit bones etc. everyone is different but it is a budget option to try and they do suit many people. Ideally I would recommend visiting a bike shop with test saddles that you can try before you buy, some shops even measure your sit bones to give you a better idea on what width saddle you should be looking for.

 

[Sharky]

As said above, we are all different. But on the slipping down bit, have you experimented with the fore/aft position of the saddle? If always slipping forward, it might mean your natural position is just a bit more forward. Stem lengths could also make a difference? However, you seem to be riding quite long rides and if soreness only start after 2 to 3 hours, a different saddle might not much different.

 

[Mrs M]

Try and get your sit bones measured if possible.
That's how I found my BG Ariel saddle that's been on my mountain bike and now road bike.
Hope you find something comfy.

 

[steveindenmark]

I bought my Charge Spoon online without trying one out first. Brillant saddle.

 

[helston90]

Depending on where your rubbing is taking pace consider one with a cut-out, mine helped when my leg kept falling asleep so may benefit you similarly.
You can check your bone width at home and then get something suitable.

 

[Spiderweb]

As said above, we are all different. But on the slipping down bit, have you experimented with the fore/aft position of the saddle? If always slipping forward, it might mean your natural position is just a bit more forward. Stem lengths could also make a difference? However, you seem to be riding quite long rides and if soreness only start after 2 to 3 hours, a different saddle might not much different.

Having read Sharkys post I agree it would be worth keeping the nose of the saddle just down from horizontal and sliding it forward. Definitely worth a try before making a purchase.

 

[derrick]

A lot of people use Specialized toupe comes in different widths, i find them comfortable as for the charge spoon it does not suit by bum

 

[Klassikbike]

It would be great to know what kind of budget you want to spend too.
Try looking for women specific saddles, I know Selle Italia makes a few.

Just looking at how you described your problem I will put here 2 options that might be fitting with the problems you describe but those are not cheap options.
Selle SMP (Front bends down sharply to relieve front rubbing pain)
http://www.sellesmp.com/smp4bike/en/products/saddles
here is their product lineup with many different price points.
More expensive but very low weight and great quality/comfort with Alcantara leather to remove the sliding to the front problem.
http://www.tune.de/produkt/sattel/speedneedle-alc
http://www.tune.de/produkt/sattel/re4mer
Im a bit of a weightwheenie on my current bike but don't want to sacrifice too much weight, so I found the Selle Italia ones best fitting and comfortable for me.

Saddle choice is not something easy and really everyone is different. What works well for one might be the most painfull saddle for the other.
Whish you best of luck finding the right one.

 

[Milkfloat]

You can measure you sit bones yourself to at least give you a clue. I go for the tin foil on a carpeted stair approach myself, but google around and you will find many versions.

 

[summerdays]

Ok I'm a Specialized fan, mainly because it's easier to stick with one brand once you've got an ok one.... Though I often wonder if the grass is greener I can't be bothered with wasting money experimenting (or suffering for my experiments - I once bought a saddle that didn't agree with me and was unable to ride for a week or so!)

Anyway I've tried various ones but the last one I bought was a Specialized Lithia, mainly bought because it didn't have a seam on the saddle part. Turned out it was also a slightly different material to previous ones so I found I didn't slip around on the saddle and at first I found that quite strange as you do move a bit. So maybe looking at the material that the saddle is made of might alter the grippy ness of it?

 

[vickster]

Or go for a short made from a more Matt than shiny material

Specialized don't work for me, bontrager do

The ladle is the WSD version of the spoon FYI