any one got one? love it or hate it?
im looking at the Ti versuion if it makes any odds...
Bike Forum
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sdg bel air saddle- how do you find them?
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Posted 2 years ago #
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I like mine, although little spoon has gone numb on occasions, im now looking at spesh etc to see if it makes an apreciable difference.
Posted 2 years ago # -
little spoon
Posted 2 years ago # -
Well I always swore by it until I started riding my Genesis singlespeed, with own brand saddle, without padded shorts (stood up most of the time see). On the few occasions I do sit down, I'm amazed at how I probably wouldn't need padded shorts even if it was geared, leading me to believe that perhaps the old Bel Air isn't that comfy afterball. I do go a bit numb and the arse bones on long climbs...
Posted 2 years ago # -
On Merlin
Like both of mine one Ti, one not. Not much difference between them. WHen you fit them the back should be a lot higher than you'd think. It feels right once you're on it.
Posted 2 years ago # -
my saddle doesnt cause any numbness but its flat and hard so like riding on a block of wood.makes my pelvic bones sore.cant see that much could be worse than what i have...
Posted 2 years ago # -
I like mine, when I first put it on I had to keep reminding myself that I had a new saddle as it was just there doing what its meant to without problem.
I had a specialized one but the body popped off the rails when I crashed.
Posted 2 years ago # -
regular ones with rails = good
i-beam ones = uncomfortablePosted 2 years ago # -
Had mine about 3 months and it's fine. Took a couple of rides to get used to it and sort out the right angle etc, but guess that is the same with all saddles. I got the cheapest black rail one from Merlin for £20, but they were also doing good deals on the Ti ones - much cheaper that CRC or Wiggle
Posted 2 years ago # -
I'm entirely the opposite to retro83
Posted 2 years ago # -
Got a Ti one. It's very noisy. Creaks like a creaking thing from a very creaky place. Pretty comfy though.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I have ridden long off road and on road distances on mine and really like it.
Have just replaced the Five's one with a Charge Spoon though, and man it's good. The nose is amazing for hard sat-down climbing. Cheap too...Posted 2 years ago # -
my Ti version creaks like a fat bird in a corset!
Posted 2 years ago # -
I was bought a Ti one by my GF, At first I didn't want to use it as I loved my Flite, but as she had bought it for me I put it on my bike. Wider than I normaly like, but actually a really great saddle. Good comfort on long rides and not to wide to stop you from getting off the saddle.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I have one on each of my 3 bikes and have used nothing else for past few years - love 'em. The creaking can be cured if you get some chain lube into the rail holes when new and every 3 months or so repeat, with the saddle upside down, letting it soak for an hour or so. (unscrew the rail end covers first). also, don't jet wash !
Posted 2 years ago # -
I'm entirely the opposite to retro83
That's interesting, I really loved my railed one, but I just can't get on with the I-Beam one.
It's got far less padding than the railed one, and because there is no give in the base - the ride is very jarring.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Coyote - Member
Got a Ti one. It's very noisy. Creaks like a creaking thing from a very creaky place. Pretty comfy though.
drop some chain lube down where the rails join the saddle and that will go away.
Personally I wouldn't have any other saddle
Posted 2 years ago # -
They're not right for my arse
Posted 2 years ago # -
I have a ti one, really like them although have recently put a Gobi Xm on my other bike and am preferring it for the longer rides.
Posted 2 years ago # -
yup had a bel air and swore by it, until I tried a charge spoon.
edit not to be confused with a little spoon !
Posted 2 years ago # -
Very good saddle that a lot of people seem to get on with.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I've just this minute taken delivery of a charge spoon to swap for my ti bel air.
It was OK, but not the most comfy for me.I think the turning point was racing at the BBB in a pair of speedos, and getting right royal arse chafe...
Plus I chuckle at the thought of having a spoon up my bum...DrP
Posted 2 years ago # -
It's got far less padding than the railed one, and because there is no give in the base - the ride is very jarring.
I've an ST version, slightly more padded I think, and TBH the base moves about much more than my railed SDG did, perhaps they've changed the design? Run in combo with a Kore Carbon I beam post, it even makes my Chameleon a nice place to be on all-day rides.
Posted 2 years ago # -
my Ti version creaks like a fat bird in a corset
Ditto that
Posted 2 years ago # -
I've got an OEM one. Cheap and comfortable but heavy. I was using a Gobi XM but started to get some, ahem pain in the delicates! Not a saddle for weight weenies but the ti ones will obviously be alot lighter
Posted 2 years ago # -
oh and my creaks like a fat bird in a PVC corset
Posted 2 years ago # -
As above really.
I've got four of them on MTBs, 1 Ti and 3 CroMo. They all creak. They're all pretty comfy. I don't normally recommend saddles but...
If you're @rse is exactly like mine and you ride a bike just like I do, then the Bel Air is definitely the saddle for you.Posted 2 years ago # -
p.s. I'm unfamiliar with fat birds in corsets. For research purposes only could someone point me at a suitable web resource?
Posted 2 years ago # -
got 2 of the steel ones super comfy but need regular attention cause they creak and i have tried finish line on the rail join.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I have had a cromo one for the last year or so. Yes they do creak but as people have said chain lube down the gap where the rail meet the seat does the trick.
Did the South Downs Way on my over 3 days carrying all my camping kit (~12Kg) on my back with no problems at all. Did not even need to get the vasaline out at the end.Posted 2 years ago # -
I found mine the best MTB saddle I'd tried - got it on a deal from Merlin.
Sadly it was sold in error when I had to get rid of a bike last year:-(
But when I can get the petty cash together I'd have another.
Oh - it was Ti railed, and it squeaked like beggary!
Posted 2 years ago # -
squeeky...
Posted 2 years ago # -
There must be something wrong with my Bel Air because it doesnt make a sound. I love my saddle and it loves my backside
Posted 2 years ago # -
I had two ti's and loved em, find the wtb rocket v better though... although no faux animal fur prints
Posted 2 years ago # -
I don't have creaky problems (that I can hear over my creaky knees). I have one each on my three MTBs, one Ti, one CroMo and one OEM CroMo. The build on the latter doesn't seem so good. I also tried an I-Beam and didn't get on with it. That was silly light though - very impressive - it just didn't like my arse.
I do really like the regular Bel Air RL - it's my favourite saddle. You'll just have to try it though to see if it suits you. Ditto Merlin for the deals.
Posted 2 years ago #
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