in all the years i have been riding (over 40 plus) i am embarrassed to say that i still don't know what saddle is comfy for my rear.
there have been comfy saddles that i have had but equally not comfy ones too. unfortunately, i cannot remember the make of the comfy ones.
i would like to get a comfy saddle for my chisel fs as the specialized power one that came with the bike just isn't comfy after a few hours of riding so much so that i have to stand up more (could be partly due to me not riding regularly as well).
is it worth going for a size fitting (am thinking total fitness in bath). as they would be able to pinpoint what size and shape would be comfy am guessing.
i do like the 3d printed saddles that are out now but i don't want to spend a lot of money if the saddle is not comfy for us.
thanks in advance 🙂
Can you remember the shape of the comfy ones you have had in the past. I have had saddles that would be painful after an hour or so and it is crap.
I know now to only buy WTB Rocket saddles in wide but everyone is different and there are so many to choose from. That said I also think our bum shape can change with age, I used to like a Charge Spoon but they now fall into the 1 hour pain category for me.
A combination of what shape of saddle has worked for you plus a sit bone measurement might get you something that works.
Basically, trial and error, sadly, but it helps to be methodical. What is it specifically that hurts on the Power?
I was having a miserable time early winter with saddle discomfort, mainly on my road bikes with Fizik Antares saddles which had worked well for me for the longest while.
With some help from videos by Douglas Shaw/ Edinburgh Bike Fitter, I gradually realised what it was about the shape that didn't work for me, they transitioned from wide to narrow too abruptly, and my sitbones were looking for a middle zone that wasn't there. Lack of width in the 'transition' meant my sitbones weren't supported so I was rocking side to side and causing lots of discomfort.
Going for more triangular/ tapered saddles helped this, and it just became an exercise in finding the right taper. The Specialized Power was OK for me but still got too narrow too soon, so the rocking issue persisted and I still got sore. Going for too wide a saddle can have a similar effect, the extra width sort of pushes you forwards until you run out of useable width for your site bones, I've actually gone narrower which seems to work better.
Bontrager Aeolus, Selle Italia Novus and San Marco Aspide all narrowed nice and gradually and had wider noses, providing more support, less rocking, more comfort.
For me, the front-to-back 'wave' is also important, I didn't get on with e.g. a Selle Italia SLR because it has more of a kick up at the rear, basically forms a sort of dip where it wants your sitbones to be. That's all well and good if the dip suits the curve of your sitbones and if you don't like to move around on the saddle, but I do, so half the time I was fighting the saddle unless I just sat still. I found this with e.g. a San Marco Allroad and Specialized Power Arc as well, if it's too ergonomic it just doesn't work for me.
Went through loads, all of the ones recommended by others and then settled on a spesh power saddle. Afraid thats not much help other than what others have said, its trial and error!
If you've tried numerous traditional shaped saddles, but haven't tried a Selle SMP variant, try one. You're supported between the two peaks instead of a majority going through your sit bone points towards rear of saddle, the drop between the peaks is critical to individual, but typically ~11mm iirc.
I found the SDG Bel Air works for me brilliantly on a mountain bike, but is never quite right on my crosscheck. It's ok, but not as good in that position. I went through trying a lot of different ones over the years. The worst by far was a brooks b17 i think. Never have i felt such crushing pain on my tubes no matter how it was set up.
SDG BelAir.
I loved my V3. Up there (oo'er) with the Charge Spoon and Fabric Scoop.
I was all set to buy another V3 to replace the Fizik Terra Ridon X5 on my new bike, but I'm actually getting on with that quite well... at least I never think about it on a ride which is a good sign (more time seated on ebikes too, so I'd notice it if it was shite).
Always meant to try a WTB Volt too, as everyone who has them seems to love them.
Bike fitters need money though, so do that.
I buy a bike. Always seems like when I buy a complete bike, the saddle is perfect. If I try to buy aftermarket, or replace a worn out saddle, they are invariably uncomfortable... Not sure how helpful that is 😀
I'm going to go against the grain here. It's not about the component itself, it's about the bike fit.
Preparing for my big ride last year, I spent loads of time on the bike getting my saddle, handlebars and grips in exactly the right position. Lots of riding means lots of miniscule fettling. Small position changes make a massive difference. Bar width and reach impacts on saddle comfort as much as does saddle height, fore and aft, and tilt.
I really think that when people replace saddles, often they just accidentally get it in the right position, and then think that it's the saddle that's comfortable not the position.
Until recently I was convinced that the narrower (sub 142mm) saddles suited my rear best ( think Flite Titanium) but a quick blast on a friend bike who had a ~160mm saddle has made me question everything 🤣 🤣 🤣
The wider one was a fancy 3d one so it may have been the materials rather than the profile.
I think the answer is just keep buying saddles ... I have so many now it's embarrassing.
I think the answer is just keep buying saddles ... I have so many now it's embarrassing.
I don't think you're alone in that. Maybe someone should organise a STW Saddle Swap Shop.
I don't think you're alone in that. Maybe someone should organise a STW Saddle Swap Shop.
A saddle library would be useful. What I find frustrating is I know exactly what works for me, a Fabric Scoop Radius in 142mm on the road bike and in 155mm a mountain bike but I'd really like to try something that works as well that has a cut out.
There used to be some manufacturers who did test saddles, but I think that’s probably gone. I’ve recently used the wtb sizing guide and it came out wide! I would have naturally gone narrow, but it feels fine so far!
but as stated above it’s mainly trial and error, but sizing of sit bones may help narrow it down a bit
WTB Rockets, SDG (came on the Capra Core 4) and the Strange (came on my Orange Stage Evo) all work well for me. Best of all are a Sonder Zone (133mm) and a 3D printed Ryet (Aliexpress) which is super comfy but no fun if I am not wearing padded liners.
Worst of all is the WTB Speed V which, it appears, is too soft and shaped with a dip for the sit bones compared to the others above.
I did sit on some foil/cardboard to get an understanding of my sit bones width.
" unfortunately, i cannot remember the make of the comfy ones. "
Once you find a comfy one buy several.
IME the main variations are shape, width, and amount of cushioning. What mix works will depend on your riding position as well. Apparently if you ride with bars below the saddle you may need a narrower saddle.
I find with a fairly upright position, bars level with saddle I need a 175mm width which dratically narrows the field. Sounds very wide but I'm 6ft3 so partly riding position, partly big frame.
I like a flat shaped top and a bit of cushioning.Too much cushioning is bad as you end up bearing weight on soft tissue not sit bones.
I found a Specialized Sonoma in 175 width was perfect. After they went out of production I bought any that came up on Ebay and have one on each bike plus 3 or 4 hanging up in the shed.
Basically, trial and error, sadly, but it helps to be methodical
This. I think it worth having your sit bones measured - quite a few shops have a memory foam pad thing from one of the manufacturers that gives you that measurement.
Then trial and error. eBay is your friend on this - there are loads of people who try a saddle and hate it, or get one with a new bike that isn't what they like. Buy a few 'like new' saddles and try them out. You should get your money back less eBay fees. Then when you find something that works for you put one or two in stock when you see them discounted
I ride a selle SLR on all my bikes in some form, except the Brompton - because it's so much more upright I want a different shape on there.
