Gel saddles?

[bikepacker]

My experience is opposite to many touring cyclists. I am currently using a Selle Italia Man Gel Flow saddle and find it excellent for long distance touring. I have tried every make of leather saddle including many different models of Brooks and find them to be most uncomfortable.

 

[jefmcg]

I think the point is for a saddle to be comfortable for a long ride, your weight should be on your "sit bones" (basically where your hipbones get closest to the saddle) and not on your <euphemism> soft tissues. So a saddle like the Gel Flow above might be great, because you are still mostly contacting via sit bones, and the padding just cushions them a bit, while a bulky padded saddle may feel comfortable when you first sit on it, after a few miles you'll be in agony.

VS

I'm a fan of an unpadded Brooks, but they really don't work for everyone, and they are not cheap though I believe have a good resale value.

Fizik have a saddle test scheme where I believe you can pay a deposit and try out different saddles. Might be worth looking for a retailer near you that has them.

 

[KnackeredBike]

Horses for courses. I had all manner of non-gel saddles having read the "gel saddles aren't as comfy as a good leather saddle". Inevitably ended up with a sore arse over 30ish miles.

Went into LBS asking for the comfiest saddle, didn't care how stupid it looks. Sold a gel one. Now absolutely fine doing long rides on 23mm.

I think that if anything it shows that the material matters very little, it's much more the width and shape of the saddle which makes it comfy or not comfy.

 

[mjr]

I think the point is for a saddle to be comfortable for a long ride, your weight should be on your "sit bones" (basically where your hipbones get closest to the saddle) and not on your <euphemism> soft tissues. So a saddle like the Gel Flow above might be great, because you are still mostly contacting via sit bones, and the padding just cushions them a bit, while a bulky padded saddle may feel comfortable when you first sit on it, after a few miles you'll be in agony.
View attachment 376438 VS View attachment 376439

Or vice versa. Or one might be fine on one bike and the other on another, but swap them around and it'll be hell.

I don't rate flat saddles like the first one above because they aren't saddle-shaped until someone of the design weight sits on them: if you're too light then it's like sitting on a table; too heavy and the "soft tissues" get squished.

 

[mjr]

So my best option would be to work out a saddle that fits properly...would my local bike shop do that for me normally?

Not all of them, but some offer it as a service. Or you can find Art's Cyclery videos on how to grope your own bum correctly with a tape measure by proxy with some foil or card. I've yet to see a system that gets it right every time - that's probably only possible with real-time pressure-measuring tools on turbo trainers at labs and maybe not even then.

I've seen some places that do bike fitting but they charge around fifty quid for that..is that the same thing?

A bike fit should include it IMO but also include saddle position, stem selection and bar type/position as a minimum. Ask what it includes. There are no dumb questions - but lots of opaque adverts.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I find this comfy

 

[jefmcg]

I find this comfy

View attachment 376532

darksider!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Yep the darkside is comfy with this one. Not a single pressure point across hands, feet, neck or bum etc. A revelation after years of uprights.

 

[Cycleops]

I have a Selle Italia similar to the one @jefmcg posted and it’s very comfortable for me, but my best one i bought for four quid second hand finished in a rather nasty fake carbon finish. If you a few you’ll soon find out which is good for you.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

So my best option would be to work out a saddle that fits properly...would my local bike shop do that for me normally?

I've seen some places that do bike fitting but they charge around fifty quid for that..is that the same thing?

Yes - Trek/Bontrager, Specialised etc stockists will have a device* to measure your sit bones width and then match you up to a suitable width saddle which will improve your chances no end of a comfortable fit.

* It's a gel pad that you sit on and the depressions of your sit bone are measurable.

No charge for this service from the dealer.

 

[Dirk]

Yes - Trek/Bontrager, Specialised etc stockists will have a device* to measure your sit bones width...

Otherwise known as an 'Assometer'.

 

[DCBassman]

ITMD - Ischial Tuberosity Measuring Device?

 

[Dirk]

ITMD - Ischial Tuberosity Measuring Device?

Bumometer?

 

[hoppym27]

ok..so i went to Evans just now..because its round the corner for work..the chap said we can measure you but there isnt much point, its how you sit..i said I had a hybrid and i do in excess of 50 mile rides..he said a hybrids not really designed for that distance then recommended a new bike..an adventure road bike..or try the fabric scoop or similiar with a 142 measurement....ive been impressed with that store up to now but i left feeling a little underwhelmed today!

 

[mjr]

ok..so i went to Evans just now..because its round the corner for work..the chap said we can measure you but there isnt much point, its how you sit..i said I had a hybrid and i do in excess of 50 mile rides..he said a hybrids not really designed for that distance then recommended a new bike..an adventure road bike..or try the fabric scoop or similiar with a 142 measurement....ive been impressed with that store up to now but i left feeling a little underwhelmed today!

Should have probably said that's nice and asked if you could speak to someone more senior