What do you think of sprung saddles ?

[BADGER.BRAD]

Hello Everyone,
The time has come to change my saddle on my rigid commuter/minor tour bike and I'm thinking of buying a sprung saddle to iron out some of the pot holes/rough roads that I encounter. Is there any pit falls of using them ?

Thanks all

 

[Moodyman]

Never seen the attraction. I was put off by reports of squeaky springs and the sea sickness induced by the wallowing.

If comfort is your motive then wider tyres with softer compound may be the answer.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

squeak bounce squeak bounce squeak boing OWWWW! (spring broke)

In seriousness perhaps some of the problem is that sprung saddles need to be wide...had a modern sprung which wasn't silly wide and had a nod towards anatomic design, but the springs did less than the leanings towards proper saddle design

 

[Shut Up Legs]

If you're not completely happy with the saddle you currently have, then shop around, ideally finding bike shops which allow you to sit on a saddle before buying it. If a saddle is just the right width* and shape to support your sit-bones, then you shouldn't need springs under it. Remember also that the saddle should be horizontal, to prevent you slipping forwards onto the narrow part of the saddle when using it.

* ideally, the saddle should be wide enough such that your sit-bones are supported by the rear of the saddle, but no wider than this.

 

[BADGER.BRAD]

The saddle I have has had it with rips appearing at the front so that was the main reason for changing it, The roads in Dudley have become really bad in the last 4 or 5 years ( the local council only ever bodge the holes rather than fixing them) In all fairness the rough ride comes from the front rather than the rear of the bike so I'm not really sure what a sprung saddle would do anyway ! I've highered the bars to take some of the wieght of my hands but the ride is still rough. Riding my full sus MTB to work makes for a nice ride but is like pedaling a tractor. So I was looking for a happy medium between the two. I do intend to change the sport contacts nearer the winter for a wider treaded tyre with a centre band to cope with any snow we have, so maybe wider tyres and a standard seat are a bettwer way to go.

 

[BADGER.BRAD]

The saddle I have has had it with rips appearing at the front so that was the main reason for changing it, The roads in Dudley have become really bad in the last 4 or 5 years ( the local council only ever bodge the holes rather than fixing them) In all fairness the rough ride comes from the front rather than the rear of the bike so I'm not really sure what a sprung saddle would do anyway ! I've highered the bars to take some of the wieght of my hands but the ride is still rough. Riding my full sus MTB to work makes for a nice ride but is like pedaling a tractor. So I was looking for a happy medium between the two. I do intend to change the sport contacts nearer the winter for a wider treaded tyre with a centre band to cope with any snow we have, so maybe wider tyres and a standard seat are a bettwer way to go.

 

[oldfatfool]

Nothing wrong with a Brookes flyer

 

[JohnC60]

Sprung saddle is alright for a one mile round trip to the post office but agony after an 16-18 mile ride. I can do 60-65 miles no problem on the road bike saddle.

 

[tyred]

A lot depends on your riding position and riding style imo. Sit up and beg really demands a sprung saddle, a stretched out racing position demands a firm saddle, what happens in between will depend on preference.

I wouldn't recommend a sprung saddle for anyone who regularly pedals with a cadence in excess of a 100rpm as you may find yourself bouncing up and down.

I have a number of Brooks B66s and a B72 and I love them. Definitely suitable for more than a 1 mile trip to the PO.

Setting the thing up is important as setting saddle height and tilt is not as clear cut as with a solid saddle. It will sink on the springs slightly when you sit on it. A B66 should be set level so it will assume a very slight nose up stance when you sit on it.