Which saddle (reccomend me an armchair)

[fwgx]

The saddle that came with my bike has left me very sore even 5 days on after an 18 mile ride. I've since swapped it with my dads saddle (as he doesn't use his bike) and that's better but it's still aggravating the same points (which is the bones you sit on). I've tried just sitting on the bike and shifting my position forwards and back and it doesn't make a lot of difference. My sit bones just rest on the side of the pointy front of the saddle (not a bike sizing issue as this was done whilst stationary and not riding) where there is no padding. At the moment I don't want to use the bike until I get a new saddle!

Ideally what I want is a big relaxing armchair under me, I don't want something designed for speed as I'm not going to be racing. So a long thin saddle is not needed for greater leg mobility. I'm going to do some riding on the roads and a bit on trails in parks but nothing exciting and probably not for any more than 30 miles max. I've even been thinking a wider woman's saddle would be better.

From what I've seen looking around the dirt and BMX bike saddles look the most comfortable but I could do with some advice from people who've done more than a quick google and looked at the pretty pictures (like me).

I'm currently looking at getting one of these: http://www.ukbikestore.co.uk/product/49/dmr_hip_08/dmr-hip-saddle.html to try out (it's white too which'll match my bike

) or something like this: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/expedition-saddle-ec007261 or this: http://www.ukbikestore.co.uk/product/49/dirt_jump/dmr-dirt-jump-saddle.html

Those are the three that I've seen on the web and look the comfiest (in order of descending comfiness looks)

I've also just found these:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=37003
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=7413
Any opinions?

Are there other types of saddle I should be looking at or any other recommendations?

 

[wafflycat]

You need to get a saddle that fits your rear end. Whether a saddle *looks* comfortable has nothing to do with whether it will be comfortable for you. Indeed a soft 'comfy-looking' saddle can be this after a very few miles: painful. This is because it squishes your nether regions rather than supporting your nether regions. Look at the saddles the pro-cyclinst are on when they are riding mile after mile and spending hours in the saddle every day. They are not 'comfy' saddles - they are not big comfy armchairs - indeed it's those that cause problems the more miles you ride. It's got nothing to do with racing.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html

The bottom (hahaha!..) is that what is a comfortable saddle for one person can be a PITA for another.

 

[simon_brooke]

A saddle works by supporting your sitbones. If it's soft, your sitbones sink into it, and consequently weight gets transferred to other more delicate parts of your anatomy, which end up getting damaged. Your sitbones are hard and tough and won't get damaged.

If they're hurting at present the problem is that you aren't used to sitting on them. It will pass remarkably quickly. If you look at the bikes of people who cycle long distances, you'll notice one thing: they all have VERY hard saddles. Why? They're more comfortable. The squishy ones you've linked to are going to be very uncomfortable indeed for more than ten miles (the reason dirt bike saddles can be squishy is that no-one is going to sit on them for any length of time).

What you want is one of these:
Brooks B17 or Pro - very comfortable, but unfortunately also heavy - or one of these:
Selle Italia SLR - very comfortable, but unfortunately also expensive.

 

[fwgx]

So where are your sit bones supposed to be on the saddle? Because mine are not sitting on the top of the saddle at all, they are rubbing on the sides of the saddle where there is no padding and hence a lot of pressure. The seat isn't going to budge and nor are my bones. Are you saying that the sit bones should sit on top of the saddle and rest on the padding or should they sit either side of the nose of the saddle and not touch the seat at all?

Because mine are rubbing on the sides of the saddle I was under the impression I should get a wider saddle so that my sit bones actually sit on the top of the seat and not on the sides of it.

This is a bit more than just a breaking in thing as I really don't want to sit on the bike at all at the moment because I know it'll hurt like buggery

 

[wafflycat]

Have a look at the link I gave you. It tells you all. Plus for piccies. see here http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com/faq/The_Saddle_Fit_System.html

 

[bonj2]

carbon frame - spesh toupe
steel/alloy frame - brooks
sorted

also if you are getting discomfort, it helps to identify whether it is either pressure (in the wrong place), chafing, or even bad clothing.
I was convinced the brooks on my fixie was "a bad egg" after an uncomfy 200k audax but then i discovered it was the crap nike bib longs i was wearing that had a seam right under where i was sat, and it was that that was rubbing.

 

[fwgx]

It's definitely pressure in the wrong place and not chafing. If I just sit on the bike without riding it puts pressure on the inside of my sit bones as they press against the side of the saddle. This is only slightly better when riding and taking a bit of weight off my bum through peddling. Hence why I was thinking a wider saddle would be better so that these bones sit on the seat not press on the sides of it.

 

[simon_brooke]

So where are your sit bones supposed to be on the saddle? Because mine are not sitting on the top of the saddle at all, they are rubbing on the sides of the saddle where there is no padding and hence a lot of pressure. The seat isn't going to budge and nor are my bones. Are you saying that the sit bones should sit on top of the saddle and rest on the padding or should they sit either side of the nose of the saddle and not touch the seat at all?

Because mine are rubbing on the sides of the saddle I was under the impression I should get a wider saddle so that my sit bones actually sit on the top of the seat and not on the sides of it.

Saddle isn't wide enough for you, then. Get a hard, wider one. Fit is important, and one size does not fit all. Shops which sell Specialized (brand) saddles have a device for measuring the width of your sitbones.

 

[wafflycat]

Indeed. Wide does not necessarily mean soft saddle. Get yourself sized & fitted then you'll be in with a decent chance of having a saddle that fits.

 

[Davidc]

It's your backside, and it's unique, so you'll have to experiment. You can be sure though that soft padded saddles will be uncomfortable.

I've used Brooks for the past 40 years. When anything else is supplied/ fitted on a bike I get sore. usually after about 30 minutes, but it took 2 hours with a Selle Italia.

Had a B15 for 7 years, stolen with the bike, and since then 4 B17s. 2 stolen, 1 chewed by mice, and just bought the latest, not fitted yet.

The stuff that's written about Brooks needing breaking in has never applied - all 100% comfortable from day 1 (perhaps it's the shape of my backside) but other people certainly do find they need it before any long rides.

I've always used the Brooks Proofide stuff on them, but I've never needed to touch the adjuster nut they say you should tighten. I also carry a shower hat (the sort hotels dish out) to cover the saddle if the weather's bad, and use one to keep dust off it in the garage.

They seem hard when you feel them, but i've always found them really comfy. You might not though!!

 

[wafflycat]

The stuff that's written about Brooks needing breaking in has never applied - all 100% comfortable from day 1 (perhaps it's the shape of my backside) but other people certainly do find they need it before any long rides.

This is why I've never been tempted to try a Brooks. All the 'you need to break it in' stuff. A friend of mine got herself a Brooks and she was in *agony* even on short rides. She was perservering and perservering.. I think the saddle was molding her backside rather than the other way round. Not good.

The saddles I have on my bikes have been comfortable from the first time I sat on them. None of this breaking in rubbish. If a saddle fits, it should be comfortable from the start IMO.

 

[Panter]

The Specialized BG2 is very good, and available for less than £20.00 online so is worth a punt.

I've shunned saddles costing nearly three figures for one of these

I haven't tested it beyond 35 miles yet but it's like sitting on a cloud for up to that distance (for me, anyway.)

EDIT: Sorry, forgot to add, it's the BG2 Sport.

 

[HJ]

The Specialized BG2 is very good, and available for less than £20.00 online so is worth a punt.

I've shunned saddles costing nearly three figures for one of these

I haven't tested it beyond 35 miles yet but it's like sitting on a cloud for up to that distance (for me, anyway.)

EDIT: Sorry, forgot to add, it's the BG2 Sport.

The Specialized BG2 Sport Saddle can be yours for £15, personally the most comfortable saddle I have ever owned is the Specialized BG Toupe Gel Saddle, but that cost a wee bit more...

I have ridden with a Selle Italia SLR - very comfortable, but the LBS didn't have any...

 

[Cockney Scot]

I agree with the above, I have a brooks Pilot, did take me a little while to break in (about 200 miles ) but now it is as comfortable as an armchair. the padded shorts have been relegated to the cupboard. Pick up the new bike tommorrow and the Brooks will be transferred from the hybrid to the new MTB.

 

[Davidc]

This is why I've never been tempted to try a Brooks. All the 'you need to break it in' stuff. A friend of mine got herself a Brooks and she was in *agony* even on short rides. She was perservering and perservering.. I think the saddle was molding her backside rather than the other way round. Not good.

The saddles I have on my bikes have been comfortable from the first time I sat on them. None of this breaking in rubbish. If a saddle fits, it should be comfortable from the start IMO.

I've never understood the claims about breaking in - the saddle can't change that much, and the rider's skeleton can't either, so if the thing isn't comfortable to start with how's it going to get that way? I just know they suit me.

With my level of patience even Delt1c's 200 miles would be pushing the limits!

For anyone the important thing is to find a saddle which is comfortable, then stick with that design.