Do Gel seats work?

[oldroadman]

Always used Brooks B17 ("butchered" with the big copper rivets) in early years, which was comfy but a bit heavy in competition. Later on a switch to firm plastic covered with a decent (unpadded) layer of leather, which was very supportive. And I've still got it in frequent use. It's simply horses for courses. Those thick gel things are horrible, sweaty, saddle sore devices. One more thing - quality shorts with a proper gender specific anatomic insert, and chamois cream (or Sudacrem) - can't beat it.

 

[Globalti]

What is the stuff that's used in wrist supports for mouse mats and keyboards? Is it an aerated silicon foam or a gel? Isn't this the kind of stuff that's used in big fat squashy saddles, bought mostly by people who think they'll be a good idea?

 

[Gravity Aided]

Gel saddles have a silicone looking gel in them, foam saddles have closed cell foam. Gel saddle once wore out for a fellow on a ride, and silicone sort of gel was inside.

 

[Apollonius]

Oh dear! Can you please put a warning of some kind on if posting horrific pictures like the one of the saddle above. Gruesome!

 

[PaulSecteur]

Gel Saddle - covers a lot of saddles from that monstrosity above to things like this, that I feel are acceptable...

 

[mjr]

Gel saddles have a silicone looking gel in them, foam saddles have closed cell foam. Gel saddle once wore out for a fellow on a ride, and silicone sort of gel was inside.

Saddle makers aren't that consistent in their use of the terms. Some gel saddles may be like that but many aren't.

 

[glenn forger]

I use one, it's fine:

 

[Globalti]

Hideous, innit?

 

[Kevin T]

Spend your money on a more expensive pad in your shorts.

 

[DWiggy]

Hard seat + good shorts + a few good rides = happy bum

 

[cyberknight]

Standard gl saddles can cause more issues with chafing as you sink into them , i have heard about these but im not sure if they are any better?
http://fabric.cc/shop/saddles/cell/

 

[mjr]

Any saddle that is too wide between your legs for you will cause chafing, surely? Maybe a leather hammock will eventually succumb, but most other things won't.

 

[Arrowfoot]

Thanks all, very informative and helpful.

 

[Gravity Aided]

From website Pilderwasser

 

[S.Giles]

I use a saddle that purports to be a 'gel' saddle (whatever that means), and it suits me fine. I bought it (for £14) to replace a saddle that had stitched-together panels that would hold water which would then seep out and dampen the nether regions. I've done several 100+ mile trips on my 'gel' saddle, and wouldn't consider swapping it unless it broke or something. If I purchased a new bike, I'd swap it over to the new one in fact.