Which New Saddle?

[Baggies Man]

Hi all.

I've decided to upgrade my saddle for something more comfortable (hopefully).

The two saddles that keep popping up with good reviews are the Charge Spoon and the Brooks B17 saddle. I'm a pretty hefty cyclist, so was wondering if any of you out there had an opinion or advice which saddle would be best, or even recommend another?

At the moment i am cycling between 1-2 hours at a time but feel my aching rear is holding me back a little. The problem is not chafing, it is more like bruised saddle bones during my ride. I have invested in some padded cycling bib-shorts and even a padded seat cover, but still am not entirely comfortable.

I'm a new cyclist and have only being riding about 3 weeks so maybe i'm being a little impatient and need to let my body toughen up abit, but hey, if a better saddle will help i'll take it.

Cheers folks, Mark.

 

[Kies]

I tried a charge spoon and hated it. Have a decathlon gel saddle on the hybrid which doesn't require mW to wear padded shorts for the commute and a fizik arione on the roadie.
Best place to start is by measuring your sit bones and trying a few saddles out via the saddle bank on here.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Saddles are a really personal thing which makes it incredibly difficult to recommend one. For example, my brother has recently been measured up and bought a Specialized Riva which he reckons is the best saddle he's tried so far. I tried one and found it completely unbearable after only 7 miles.

For the record I have both of the saddles you mention. The Spoon is a decent saddle but I find that it isn't the paragon of comfort many claim. For me it's good up to around 20 to 30 miles but gets uncomfortable beyond that.

The B17 for me wasn't great at all for the first 200 miles but I persevered knowing that the leather moulds to the sit bones. After those first few rides it started to improve and I was able to do my first century ride back in June, which I couldn't have even contemplated on any of my previous saddles. It's not perfect though as the slippy top means it's difficult to stay in the most comfortable position. I'm led to understand that will also improve as it ages.

I want to emphasize again that this is my personal experience. I've read more positive reviews than negative for both.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

It will take a lot longer than 3 weeks for your body to adapt to cycling, and that includes the backside.

Also adding extra padding is the opposite of what you probably need to be doing. I usually find harder saddles are more comfortable in the long run. As for the Brooks saddle, well if you are sore now, leave it for a while. They need breaking in, though I understand you can now buy some that are pre-broken in at more cost, but the Brooks debate is a 50:50 thing, rather like Marmite. love them or hate them. I'm in the latter camp, but from what you are saying above, I can't see how you will get on with a Brooks saddle yet, but at the end of the day, the only way to know is to sit on one and try it. But you say you are a "pretty hefty cyclist" which to me implies you are likely to be losing weight? Any significant weight loss will change what saddle you need.

So all I can say right now, is wait and let your fitness increase, your weight drop and your backside get used to cycling. Then you will need to sit on saddles that have been fitted to your bike in a shop and see which feels the most comfortable. (Take cycling shorts & your bike with you for best end result.)

 

[goody]

I'm a big fan of the Spoon, I really didn't want to believe all the hype but tried one for a Lands End to JoG ride. I've now got one on my Commuter, MTB and a Charge Knife on my 'best bike' for the money they're hard to beat. They have just released the Charge Scoop which is an 'improved Spoon' so might have to try one just to see what that's like. I recently rode 250 miles in about 24 hours on a Spoon with no problems (decent shorts as well). They always seem to sell well if you don't get on with them (on here or ebay)

 

[karl61]

I bought a spoon, fitted it, used it, for me not a good buy, not comfortable in my opinion, but, horses for courses!!

 

[goody]

Which saddle did you replace it with?

 

[Baggies Man]

Cheers guys.

I think i'll give it a few more weeks and see if it makes a difference. If not i'll probably try a charge spoon. For just £20 i'm prepared to take a chance on it, and if not i can probably sell it on.

 

[Muddyfox]

Also have a look at the Specialized BG Avatar, i have one on my mountain bike and can easily ride for a few hours on the road without any numbness or soreness .. as for the Brooks B17, i have the B17 Titanium on my tourer and its slowly getting better but they do seem to take some breaking in, when i first got it i went out and did a 40 mile ride and could hardly walk the next day, but as the mileage increases the saddle becomes comfier, i'l persevere with it but i have still got the stock saddle from my old Ridgeback Panorama sitting in the garage as a replacement which is a very comfy saddle

 

[Sittingduck]

Less is more. Ditch the gel cover and give yourself more time to get used to riding for longer periods. Padded shorts are a godsend.

 

[samsbike]

I have the spoon and b17. The spoon works to a limit but on crappy roads and on the commute home, its just a little bit uncomfortable. The b17 is geat and looks a bit rough, but it is very comfortable. However, it does take more care and it doesnt like rain much.

 

[Milzy]

I have the charge spoon which is ok after initial break in but I'm not that heavy.

 

[Lien Sdrawde]

6 saddles for me so far over a 3 year period. Good luck.
Padded keks / shorts a must.
My arse bone is wide so well worth taking the advice re finding out what measurements you are. This may help you find the best saddle sooner rather than later.
I've spent £100 + on saddle more than once and ended up happy with one that cost £18

 

[172traindriver]

I have Fizik Aliante saddles on all 3 of my bikes, and find this model very comfortable. I have hired bikes in Mallorca and they have those cut out saddles which have left me in agony because they are too narrow.
Now when I go to Mallorca I always take my own saddle to put on the bike that I hire.

 

[Davidc]

Very personal thing, saddles.

I have a Charge Spoon on the utility mtb, and it's fine for up to about 3 hours/ 30 miles but I find it uncomfortable after that. It's cheap though if it gets vandalised.

On the tourer it's a Brooks B17. I'm one of those people who find the B17 comfortable straight out of the box (provided I get it set up right first time) and it just goes on being that way.

Beware though. Your backside is almost certain to be different to every other backside represented on this forum and you need to find a saddle which fits yours. The saddle bank is your friend!