Forum menu
Anyone have any experience? I have not found a comfortable saddle since the old Bel-Air V1. Recently tried Specialized Power Comp Mimic, Fabric Scoop, WTB Volt, Ergon SM Comp and each one cripples me after an hour or so in the saddle. Tried many others over the years with and without chamois padded shorts not much joy, guess my backside is weird shape. Sit bone measures 12cm.
Just noticed that SDG a have brought out a Bel-Air V3 Max with quite a bit more padding. could this be the answer? Anyone tried one?
Have you tried the Bel-Air V2 ?
This is my go-to.
I know reviews say it has less padding but I don't believe that and can sit on it all day.
(I have a perineum like tissue paper on all my other saddles, except the Brooks B17 Ti)_
The Fizik Taiga S-alloy I have on my Orbea is currently creaking. It's sort of semi-comfy but I think I'll replace it with a Bel-Air V2 as on my Sherpa.
I’m a V1 fan and I didn’t like the V2. Other V1-ers might well though.
Have you tried the Bel-Air V2 ?
No, I was put off by the vast amount of people saying it’s terrible and very uncomfortable! That said people swear by the Ergon saddle but it crucifies me!
If you search online you’ll be able to find a bike shop which allows take home demo of various bicycle saddles, specialised are good at this
Here is one example based in Keswick Using the Retül Digital Sit Bone Device a rider will get recommendations on saddles to take home and test ride
I use Bel Air 3 on all my bikes as they are great, but seems you would benefit from in-depth analysis with a decent bike shop
Good luck
Like all saddle threads the answer if you’re struggling is probably either a bike fit where the fitter has many saddles to try or find the rare bike shop that has demo saddles you can borrow.
I got on well with the Bel Air V1 and the Titec Berserker back in the day. When I restarted mtb (after 10 years off) I went back to the bel air 1 and it was still ok.
Si xe then I tried the v2 and for me it was like sitting on concrete. Didn’t matter whether I used chamois cream / thick or thin padded shorts - road or mtb bikes it just didn’t work for me.
Now on a Fabric Scoop on road and mtb and it’s alright with shorts. Mine’s a Fabric Scoop Elite Radius gel saddle - the different shapes make quite a bit difference. Tried the flatter scoop and didn’t get on with it.
Here is one example based in Keswick Using the Retül Digital Sit Bone Device a rider will get recommendations on saddles to take home and test ride
I got excited u til I realised it’s Keswick in America 😂
Is it just me who snaps Bel Air 2 rails (yes I am a big lad), anyone know if the ti-alloy version would be stronger, or is it just for weight weenies? As I get on well with the V2, but three saddle in, it's getting annoying, but not as annoying as having to spend top dollar on rear quite uncomfortable Burgtec The Cloud