Opinions on Road Bike Saddles

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I've been using a seat that came with my Bianchi Campione, which is
the Selle Italia Tri-Max, and I must say this thing is murder! Sure
looks pretty though, as the yellow accents go nice with the yellow
frame on my bike.

Anyhow, I've been seriously kicking around the idea of upgrading
mighty soon, as my poor butt (Mostly my two butt bones) just cannot
bear the punishment from this saddle any longer.

I've thought of perhaps the Selle Flight Gel, as this would also
nicely compliment the bike too, but then I got to thinking.... "Why
should I make "looks" really be THE most important factor on buying a
new-better Saddle"? I think I'm initially totally missing the point
here, and need to think a bit more about this choice.

I can remember back many years ago, on how the Brooks Saddle on my ole
Motobecane Le Champion never hurt me like this.

I've read some reviews on saddles, and certainly the evaluations are
quite mixed on virtually all of the Selle's. I guess it's true that no
one saddle, no matter what its features, high cost, or attractivness
can be said to be suitable for every rider, we are all different.

Still I'd like to hear a few opinions from those who have over the
years tried many of the saddles, both the newfangled types, and the
good ole Brooks. Perhaps you folks can help me make a sound choice.
Price is not a problem, yet I do prefer a traditional Road Bike
Saddle, not a hybrid-MTB. Thanks, Mark

"Mark" <apoman60612@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:68236fb6.0404051600.418032a2@posting.google.com...
> I've been using a seat that came with my Bianchi Campione, which is
> the Selle Italia Tri-Max, and I must say this thing is murder! <snip>
<snip> Anyhow, I've been seriously kicking around the idea of upgrading
> mighty soon,<snip> >

<snip>I can remember back many years ago, on how the Brooks Saddle on my
ole
> Motobecane Le Champion never hurt me like this.<snip>

Why not another Brooks? They're not terribly expensive and can be very
comfortable on the loooong rides.

http://www.permaco.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/race.html?L+scstore+qysj8573ff102c10+1086813479

http://www.wallbike.com/brooks/standardsaddles.html

RE/
>Anyhow, I've been seriously kicking around the idea of upgrading
>mighty soon, as my poor butt (Mostly my two butt bones) just cannot
>bear the punishment from this saddle any longer.

First thing I'd do is find out how far apart my butt bones were spaced.

Second thing I'd to is take a ruler and measure the usable width of saddles that
I was interested in. If you turn a moulded plastic saddle over, you'll
immediately understand "usable...".

Measuring the WTB Speed V that's hanging on my garage wall, I'd guess that the
average butt-bone width is somewhere between 2.25 and 2.75 inches.


If this were for a hard-tail bike, I'd also consider a sus post.
--
PeteCresswell

apoman60612@yahoo.com wrote:

> I've been using a seat that came with my Bianchi Campione, which is
> the Selle Italia Tri-Max, and I must say this thing is murder! Sure
> looks pretty though, as the yellow accents go nice with the yellow
> frame on my bike.
>
> Anyhow, I've been seriously kicking around the idea of upgrading
> mighty soon, as my poor butt (Mostly my two butt bones) just cannot
> bear the punishment from this saddle any longer.
>
> I've thought of perhaps the Selle Flight Gel, as this would also
> nicely compliment the bike too, but then I got to thinking.... "Why
> should I make "looks" really be THE most important factor on buying a
> new-better Saddle"? I think I'm initially totally missing the point
> here, and need to think a bit more about this choice.
>
> I can remember back many years ago, on how the Brooks Saddle on my ole
> Motobecane Le Champion never hurt me like this.

I can't think of any good reason not to go for the Brooks, since you
already know it works for you -- unless you like leaving your bike
unprotected in the rain frequently. I can't speak for everyone, but I can
ride for more than 24 hours on my Brooks with no saddle-induced discomfort.

I'd choose it first for looks too, but I have a bit of a "retro-chic bias".

--
Benjamin Lewis

"Love is a snowmobile racing across the tundra and then suddenly it flips
over, pinning you underneath. At night, the ice weasels come."
--Matt Groening

Mark <apoman60612@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Still I'd like to hear a few opinions from those who have over the
> years tried many of the saddles, both the newfangled types, and the
> good ole Brooks. Perhaps you folks can help me make a sound choice.
> Price is not a problem, yet I do prefer a traditional Road Bike
> Saddle, not a hybrid-MTB. Thanks, Mark

i've tried a bunch and always come back to the selle italia ti flite.
actually i just tried a brooks swift and got my ass handed to me. egads ..
i just don't get it. i'm tall but narrow and apparently the ti flite just
fits. i no longer argue .. i just use it.

it's also nice that my preferred saddle is only $50.
--
david reuteler
reuteler@visi.com

"Mark" <apoman60612@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:68236fb6.0404051600.418032a2@posting.google.com...
> I've been using a seat that came with my Bianchi Campione, which is
> the Selle Italia Tri-Max, and I must say this thing is murder! Sure
> looks pretty though, as the yellow accents go nice with the yellow
> frame on my bike.
>
> Anyhow, I've been seriously kicking around the idea of upgrading
> mighty soon, as my poor butt (Mostly my two butt bones) just cannot
> bear the punishment from this saddle any longer.
>
> I've thought of perhaps the Selle Flight Gel, as this would also
> nicely compliment the bike too, but then I got to thinking.... "Why
> should I make "looks" really be THE most important factor on buying a
> new-better Saddle"? I think I'm initially totally missing the point
> here, and need to think a bit more about this choice.
>
> I can remember back many years ago, on how the Brooks Saddle on my ole
> Motobecane Le Champion never hurt me like this.
>
> I've read some reviews on saddles, and certainly the evaluations are
> quite mixed on virtually all of the Selle's. I guess it's true that no
> one saddle, no matter what its features, high cost, or attractivness
> can be said to be suitable for every rider, we are all different.
>
> Still I'd like to hear a few opinions from those who have over the
> years tried many of the saddles, both the newfangled types, and the
> good ole Brooks. Perhaps you folks can help me make a sound choice.
> Price is not a problem, yet I do prefer a traditional Road Bike
> Saddle, not a hybrid-MTB. Thanks, Mark

Check out a Koobi PRS saddle. It's a racing saddle. It actually comes out
of the Selle Italia factory. But it has the split down the middle to help
the privates and, most importantly, it has these suspension elastomers in
the rail system. There are three different sets of elastomers with three
different degrees of shock resistance. I've got two of these saddles (I
have two nice road bikes) and they REALLY WORK! About a year ago I moved to
an area where the roads are all very rough tar and gravel. I'm a very high
mileage rider and I was using a Selle Italia Flite. I thought I was going
to have to start cutting back my mileage 'cuz the pounding and vibration
from these roads was killing me. Then I got the Koobi PRS and the
difference was like night and day. The thing really works and the weight
penalty is minimal. And it's not some funky-looking thing. It's a little
different, but no big deal.

Check it out at www.koobi.com.

Bob C.

Mark-<< I've been using a seat that came with my Bianchi Campione, which is
the Selle Italia Tri-Max, and I must say this thing is murder! >><BR><BR>
<< I think I'm initially totally missing the point
here, and need to think a bit more about this choice.
>><BR><BR>


have ya had a bike fit? Most uncomfortable saddles are related to fit, no
saddle design.

If ya have had a fit, look at the Terry 'Fly'...

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

Mark wrote:

> I've been using a seat that came with my Bianchi Campione, which is
> the Selle Italia Tri-Max, and I must say this thing is murder! Sure
> looks pretty though, as the yellow accents go nice with the yellow
> frame on my bike.
>
> Anyhow, I've been seriously kicking around the idea of upgrading
> mighty soon, as my poor butt (Mostly my two butt bones) just cannot
> bear the punishment from this saddle any longer.
>
> I've thought of perhaps the Selle Flight Gel, as this would also
> nicely compliment the bike too, but then I got to thinking.... "Why
> should I make "looks" really be THE most important factor on buying a
> new-better Saddle"? I think I'm initially totally missing the point
> here, and need to think a bit more about this choice.
>
> I can remember back many years ago, on how the Brooks Saddle on my ole
> Motobecane Le Champion never hurt me like this.
>
> I've read some reviews on saddles, and certainly the evaluations are
> quite mixed on virtually all of the Selle's. I guess it's true that no
> one saddle, no matter what its features, high cost, or attractivness
> can be said to be suitable for every rider, we are all different.
>
> Still I'd like to hear a few opinions from those who have over the
> years tried many of the saddles, both the newfangled types, and the
> good ole Brooks. Perhaps you folks can help me make a sound choice.
> Price is not a problem, yet I do prefer a traditional Road Bike
> Saddle, not a hybrid-MTB. Thanks, Mark

I may be the wrong person to comment on this, because I'm really not terribly
picky about saddles. Some drive me nuts, but I can get used to most of them.
However, pros spend more time on their bikes than most people, so you might look
at what they use. There seem to be more Selle Italia Turbomatics and Flites in
the pro peloton than anything else. These are probably my two favorites as
well, if I have favorites.

Matt O.

Qui si parla Campagnolo wrote:

> have ya had a bike fit? Most uncomfortable saddles are related to
> fit, no saddle design.

Good point.

> If ya have had a fit, look at the Terry 'Fly'...

I have one of those. It's pretty good, but I think I'd prefer a Flite. I've
thought about switching. However, that's just my personal preference. The
Terry is very well reviewed, so it's probably a good *bet.*

Matt O.

These are the three important qualities for a saddle: Fit, firm and
(slightly) flexible. A Brooks leather saddle is guarantied to fit your
individual anathomy and it gives you the firm and flexible support you need.
Surely you can find other saddles that will fit you - but a Brooks is sure
to do the job. I used my first Brooks (Colt) for 20 years. And a year ago I
bought my second Brooks - a Swift. In a month it was broken in and since
then it has supported me gently on numerous ultra long rides. It has
personality, it carries craft tradition, it's beautiful, and it gives you
lots of well deserved street credit among the connaiseurs.
Ivar



"Mark" <apoman60612@yahoo.com> skrev i en meddelelse
news:68236fb6.0404051600.418032a2@posting.google.com...
> I've been using a seat that came with my Bianchi Campione, which is
> the Selle Italia Tri-Max, and I must say this thing is murder! Sure
> looks pretty though, as the yellow accents go nice with the yellow
> frame on my bike.
>
> Anyhow, I've been seriously kicking around the idea of upgrading
> mighty soon, as my poor butt (Mostly my two butt bones) just cannot
> bear the punishment from this saddle any longer.
>
> I've thought of perhaps the Selle Flight Gel, as this would also
> nicely compliment the bike too, but then I got to thinking.... "Why
> should I make "looks" really be THE most important factor on buying a
> new-better Saddle"? I think I'm initially totally missing the point
> here, and need to think a bit more about this choice.
>
> I can remember back many years ago, on how the Brooks Saddle on my ole
> Motobecane Le Champion never hurt me like this.
>
> I've read some reviews on saddles, and certainly the evaluations are
> quite mixed on virtually all of the Selle's. I guess it's true that no
> one saddle, no matter what its features, high cost, or attractivness
> can be said to be suitable for every rider, we are all different.
>
> Still I'd like to hear a few opinions from those who have over the
> years tried many of the saddles, both the newfangled types, and the
> good ole Brooks. Perhaps you folks can help me make a sound choice.
> Price is not a problem, yet I do prefer a traditional Road Bike
> Saddle, not a hybrid-MTB. Thanks, Mark

Ivar Hesselager <ivar.hesselager@medie.dk> wrote:
> These are the three important qualities for a saddle: Fit, firm and
> (slightly) flexible. A Brooks leather saddle is guarantied to fit your
> individual anathomy and it gives you the firm and flexible support you need.

no it isn't. make sure you buy from a place with a nice liberal refund
policy (wallbike.com comes to mind).. 'specially with how much these saddles
cost.

> Surely you can find other saddles that will fit you - but a Brooks is sure
> to do the job.

ummm, no.

> I used my first Brooks (Colt) for 20 years. And a year ago I
> bought my second Brooks - a Swift. In a month it was broken in and since
> then it has supported me gently on numerous ultra long rides. It has
> personality, it carries craft tradition, it's beautiful, and it gives you
> lots of well deserved street credit among the connaiseurs.

no saddle has caused me as much pain as a brook's swift. it just didn't
fit me. i rode a selle italia ti flite cross country no problem.

there really is no easy answer w/r/t saddles.
--
david reuteler
reuteler@visi.com

"Matt O'Toole" <matt@deltanet.com> writes:

> However, pros spend more time on their bikes than most people, so
> you might look at what they use.

If you're a racer with 5% body fat and a low-bar aero position, this
might work well. As one gets more normal in build and more upright in
position, the less comfortable (IME; YMMV) these saddles get. If you
want to see what's comfortable in saddles, I'd say look at what's
ridden by the people who do 200, 300, 400, 600, 1000 and 1200 km
rides. There's an amazing number of Brooks saddles under these folks
(OTOH, I also see Flites and other "racing" saddles too).

It's a good thing that there are many, many saddles to choose from
because there are many, many different size and shape butts out there.

"Ivar Hesselager" <ivar.hesselager@medie.dk> writes:

> These are the three important qualities for a saddle: Fit, firm and
> (slightly) flexible. A Brooks leather saddle is guarantied to fit
> your individual anathomy and it gives you the firm and flexible
> support you need. Surely you can find other saddles that will fit
> you - but a Brooks is sure to do the job.

Whilst I am a Brooks fan and have them on 5 of my bikes, I know many
people who could never every get comfortable on any Brooks saddle.
They don't work for everyone.

The other two bikes have Lepper Voyageurs, BTW. Not quite as comfy
as a Brooks but quite suitable for a race bike.

RE/
>
>have ya had a bike fit? Most uncomfortable saddles are related to fit, no
>saddle design.

I spent *months* convinced that a certain saddle was too narrow for me.
Finally discovered that as my bod found KOPS on it's own, my butt wound up
sitting on the rear rivets of the saddle. Got a 2" setback post and suddenly
the saddle fit...
--
PeteCresswell

RE/
> A Brooks leather saddle is guarantied to fit your
>individual anathomy

Don't be too sure. Some of us have butt bone spacing that's way out on the
edge of the bell curve...like 5" C-C instead of 2.5....

For the statistical outlier with 5" spacing, Brooks B-72 is a little wide, but
B-17 is borderline wide enough - CB 1/2-3/4" wider... All the narrower Brooks
(and just about all other firm, non-sprung...) saddles are way too narrow.
--
PeteCresswell

First, do check your fit and then go a shop that will readily exchange
saddles until you get one that's comfortable. Most will do so if you're
careful and quick.

That said, I used to use the Terry Butterfly, went to the Fly and most
recently went to Selle Italia SLR. The SLR is pretty minimalist but I've
been very surprised at how comfortable it is. Just rode a century this
weekend without any concerns/issue.

CM
"Mark" <apoman60612@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:68236fb6.0404051600.418032a2@posting.google.com...
> I've been using a seat that came with my Bianchi Campione, which is
> the Selle Italia Tri-Max, and I must say this thing is murder! Sure
> looks pretty though, as the yellow accents go nice with the yellow
> frame on my bike.
>
> Anyhow, I've been seriously kicking around the idea of upgrading
> mighty soon, as my poor butt (Mostly my two butt bones) just cannot
> bear the punishment from this saddle any longer.
>
> I've thought of perhaps the Selle Flight Gel, as this would also
> nicely compliment the bike too, but then I got to thinking.... "Why
> should I make "looks" really be THE most important factor on buying a
> new-better Saddle"? I think I'm initially totally missing the point
> here, and need to think a bit more about this choice.
>
> I can remember back many years ago, on how the Brooks Saddle on my ole
> Motobecane Le Champion never hurt me like this.
>
> I've read some reviews on saddles, and certainly the evaluations are
> quite mixed on virtually all of the Selle's. I guess it's true that no
> one saddle, no matter what its features, high cost, or attractivness
> can be said to be suitable for every rider, we are all different.
>
> Still I'd like to hear a few opinions from those who have over the
> years tried many of the saddles, both the newfangled types, and the
> good ole Brooks. Perhaps you folks can help me make a sound choice.
> Price is not a problem, yet I do prefer a traditional Road Bike
> Saddle, not a hybrid-MTB. Thanks, Mark

>. I tried a Swift and was amazed how uncomfortable it was...Brooks
> isn't the panacea of saddle comfort. works for some but not all.
>

OK OK, some budds are imcompatible with any Brook's saddle. I wish a happy
life with a synthetic substitute to those of you that will never experience
the depth of a lasting Brook's relation. You may find happiness in your own
way, I guess, but please don't talk evil of the real thing.

So to a searching soul in need of a good saddle, it's still the best advice
to try out - at least once in the course of af cycling life - one of those
firm and flexible, beautifully craftet, organic, honeycoulered Brook's
leather saddles. ;-))

Ivar

Ivar Hesselager wrote:
>> . I tried a Swift and was amazed how uncomfortable it was...Brooks
>> isn't the panacea of saddle comfort. works for some but not all.
>>
>
> OK OK, some budds are imcompatible with any Brook's saddle.

Calling Doctor Freud, calling Doctor Freud!

Bill "where's Brock Bailey when you need him?" S.

apoman60612@yahoo.com (Mark) wrote in message news:<68236fb6.0404051600.418032a2@posting.google.com>...
> I've been using a seat that came with my Bianchi Campione, which is
> the Selle Italia Tri-Max, and I must say this thing is murder! Sure
> looks pretty though, as the yellow accents go nice with the yellow
> frame on my bike.
>
> Anyhow, I've been seriously kicking around the idea of upgrading
> mighty soon, as my poor butt (Mostly my two butt bones) just cannot
> bear the punishment from this saddle any longer.
>
> I've thought of perhaps the Selle Flight Gel, as this would also
> nicely compliment the bike too, but then I got to thinking.... "Why
> should I make "looks" really be THE most important factor on buying a
> new-better Saddle"? I think I'm initially totally missing the point
> here, and need to think a bit more about this choice.
>
> I can remember back many years ago, on how the Brooks Saddle on my ole
> Motobecane Le Champion never hurt me like this.
>
> I've read some reviews on saddles, and certainly the evaluations are
> quite mixed on virtually all of the Selle's. I guess it's true that no
> one saddle, no matter what its features, high cost, or attractivness
> can be said to be suitable for every rider, we are all different.
>
> Still I'd like to hear a few opinions from those who have over the
> years tried many of the saddles, both the newfangled types, and the
> good ole Brooks. Perhaps you folks can help me make a sound choice.
> Price is not a problem, yet I do prefer a traditional Road Bike
> Saddle, not a hybrid-MTB. Thanks, Mark

Never tried a Brooks, but I have tried a few over the years. The best
one I've used is a Trico Split Rail. This saddle has adjustments for
width and spring. It also has a space in the middle. Very easy on the
butt for long rides.

Eric

Try a Specialized, they have several choices and they fit my tall lanky
frame well. And the price is affordable too.

Tom