Saddle Type Question.

[Boon 51]

I'm on the look out for a new/better saddle and I was reading a book called.. The Cyclling Bible written by Robin Barton.
The bit in question was.
He said a lot of people buying another saddle for a road bike seem to think that a softer saddle is better but in fact a harder saddle will be just as good..

How does this work then, can anyone enlighten me?

 

[black'n'yellow]

I suspect what he means is that padding is pretty much irrelevant. Shape is much more important.

 

[Boon 51]

I suspect what he means is that padding is pretty much irrelevant. Shape is much more important.

I did measure my rear and with the chart provided it did say I need a 130mm size saddle and I was looking at one of the Specilized Romin's or Toupe but when I picked the Romin up it did feel rather hard hence my question.. So why is the padding not so important, or is it the proper size that's important.

 

[billy1561]

Some of the comfiest 'looking' saddles are the worst i have found. Also saddles are uniqely personal fit wise. To get one that fits i recommend try try try and try again.
My saddle of choice is a selle italia x1 road which i have on my roadie and commuter. I did try a fizik aliante on recommendation for my roadie but alas it wasnt to be

 

[screenman]

This is what I use, with a warranty like they offer how can you go wrong.

http://bontrager.com/products/components/saddles

I suggest going to shop for a proper sizing though first, I think the one I use the most was £45.

 

[Kestevan]

An overly-soft padded saddle will not support your "sit-bones" correctly. Your backside tends to "squish" into them; whilst this initially feels comfortable, after a while the excess padding causes chafing and soreness.

A harder saddle will support you better, without deforming around you too much..... The trick is to get a size and shape saddle that suits your bum. Lots of us on here like the Charge Spoon, ( but some hate it with a passion) quite a firm saddle with a thin layer of padding.... other masochists profess to liking a Brooks - but I suspect they're all lying really, just cos they spent a fortune on one and wont admit to being wrong

 

[Boon 51]

An overly-soft padded saddle will not support your "sit-bones" correctly. Your backside tends to "squish" into them; whilst this initially feels comfortable, after a while the excess padding causes chafing and soreness.

A harder saddle will support you better, without deforming around you too much..... The trick is to get a size and shape saddle that suits your bum. Lots of us on here like the Charge Spoon, ( but some hate it with a passion) quite a firm saddle with a thin layer of padding.... other masochists profess to liking a Brooks - but I suspect they're all lying really, just cos they spent a fortune on one and wont admit to being wrong

The first bit of your post is just about what the guy in the book is saying..

 

[Boon 51]

Here's some I was looking at this morning, in no order..
Specialized
BG Romin Expert
Phenom Expert
Selle Flight gel Pro
WTB Volt Pro.
All at 130mm.
I want a saddle for my road bike that is good for hours in the saddle not racing..

 

[Psyclist]

Here's some I was looking at this morning, in no order..
Specialized
BG Romin Expert
Phenom Expert
Selle Flight gel Pro
WTB Volt Pro.
All at 130mm.
I want a saddle for my road bike that good for hours in the saddle not racing..

+1, I'm contemplating whether to get another Spoon, my sit bones hurt on my (Spoon) Forme seat/saddle.

 

[NormanD]

I used a spoon saddle on my hybrid and it was as comfortable as you like over any distance or period of time, I then switched it to my road bike and problems began, it's became uncomfortable after a short period of cycling and no matter how many adjustments I made over a six week period i had to switch saddles in the end.

I think it was down to the switch in riding styles, the hybrid being a more upright stance, while the road bike became a more leaned forward stance. After some online research and reading through many reviews, I opted for the Specialized Romin saddle (with advice form owners on here) ..At first I thought the saddle wouldn't be for me but, I did notice I was doing longer distances before the I could feel the saddle below me, not pain or uncomfortable, Just the knowledge the saddle felt really stiff.

I gave the saddle a few weeks and now I don't even notice it's there, I think it was down to the newness of the saddle and a little breaking in .period for both the saddle and my ass was needed. Now I can do any distance and the last thing on my mind is the comfort of the saddle because it suits me.

The Romin is a very good saddle.

 

[Psyclist]

The Romin is a very good saddle.

I know a guy on another forum who had the same problems on his roadie with a Spoon. He also owns a Romin and claims it's more comfortable. I'll lurk this thread and see who else recommends it, to make my choice. But it's definitely on my mind as my upgrade.

 

[thegravestoneman]

I am apparently a masochist, but i certainly have not spent a fortune on any of my brooks saddles having bought them when every bike shop stocked them. Some do take a bit of 'braking in' but they do shape them selves to your backside. Most brooks riders would move their saddle from bike to bike as they change them keeping them for years and making the initial cost irrelevant anyway, and they do improve with age how many other saddles can claim that? . It would be fair to say that some of the most uncomfortable saddles I have ridden are other peoples brooks' though . Also I will confess to not having ridden a 'new' saddle in thirty years. It may take trying a few different types before you find 'the one'

good luck and happy cycling

 

[jay clock]

I have four Charge Spoons. Not perfect for everyone, but many people love them. The leather and titanium version looks a bit better but the real world weight is very very similar

 

[Boon 51]

As the 3 or 4 saddles I've tried have all been 140mm or more I think a 130mm is the thing I must try, as I'm thinking a lot of saddles are similar in make up but the size might be the biggest factor?

PS.. As I read in the book I still cant get my head round that the harder saddle might be the the best.. funny thing your brainbox.

 

[Widge]

I (rather naively) bought a charge 'Spoon' for my new road bike last year and found it deeply uncomfortable.

Just goes to show.....there is no 'Everyman(woman) Saddle'

It was nicely made and cheap at the price...but not for me.
I have a few cheap saddles knocking around the shed and one of these was better...(a £5..00 bargain bin special from my LBS).

Embarrassingly though, the saddle the bike actually came with (Triban 3) proved to be the most comfortable after a bit of fore-and-aft tweaking.

PS...the guys here ARE right.....my experience is that squidgy soft saddles are nowhere near as comfy as minimalist hard ones....IF you get the 'right' minimalist hard one .........

w