Okay, I realize this is highly subjective, but can anyone suggest some very comfortable saddles for a bike put together with comfort in mind first and foremost? It's for general tooling around at moderate speeds but will occasionally get used on long tours and charity rides, meaning up to 10 hours in the saddle at a time. I tried the Brooks route many years ago and didn't care for it. Currently running a Selle Royal Avenue Gel on this bike. Has anyone had experience with the Tricosports Ultralounge or other Tricosports gel saddles?
Okay, I realize this is highly subjective, but can anyone suggest> some very comfortable saddles for a bike put together with comfort> in mind first and foremost? It's for general tooling around at> moderate speeds but will occasionally get used on long tours and> charity rides, meaning up to 10 hours in the saddle at a time. I> tried the Brooks route many years ago and didn't care for it.> Currently running a Selle Royal Avenue Gel on this bike. Has anyone> had experience with the Tricosports Ultralounge or other Tricosports> gel saddles?
Okay, I realize this is highly subjective, but can anyone suggest some> very comfortable saddles for a bike put together with comfort in mind> first and foremost? It's for general tooling around at moderate speeds> but will occasionally get used on long tours and charity rides, meaning> up to 10 hours in the saddle at a time. I tried the Brooks route many> years ago and didn't care for it. Currently running a Selle Royal> Avenue Gel on this bike. Has anyone had experience with the Tricosports> Ultralounge or other Tricosports gel saddles?
As you said yourself, it is highly subjective. Softer doesn't necessarily mean more comfortable either - To my experience the correct shape (also subjective) is most important. The most popular single model on the market for many years has been Selle Italia Flite, so if you have absolutely no idea, I think it would be a good starting point. It works well for many, but not all riders.
Zog The Undeniable 20 March 2005 14:02:11 [ permanent link ]
Antti Salonen wrote:
As you said yourself, it is highly subjective. Softer doesn't> necessarily mean more comfortable either - To my experience the correct> shape (also subjective) is most important. The most popular single> model on the market for many years has been Selle Italia Flite, so if> you have absolutely no idea, I think it would be a good starting point. > It works well for many, but not all riders.
Also try a San Marco Rolls. It was the standard saddle in the pro peloton for a long time.
"NiteRider" <stingray@bowlander.bike> wrote in message news:190320051815352913%stingray@bowlander.bike...> Okay, I realize this is highly subjective, but can anyone suggest some> very comfortable saddles for a bike put together with comfort in mind> first and foremost? It's for general tooling around at moderate speeds> but will occasionally get used on long tours and charity rides, meaning> up to 10 hours in the saddle at a time. I tried the Brooks route many> years ago and didn't care for it. Currently running a Selle Royal> Avenue Gel on this bike. Has anyone had experience with the Tricosports> Ultralounge or other Tricosports gel saddles?
A lot of websites have reviews on their product listings, you can also get reviews from BikeMagic.
"NiteRider" <stingray@bowlander.bike> schreef in bericht news:190320051815352913%stingray@bowlander.bike...> Okay, I realize this is highly subjective, but can anyone suggest some> very comfortable saddles for a bike put together with comfort in mind> first and foremost? It's for general tooling around at moderate speeds> but will occasionally get used on long tours and charity rides, meaning> up to 10 hours in the saddle at a time. I tried the Brooks route many> years ago and didn't care for it. Currently running a Selle Royal> Avenue Gel on this bike. Has anyone had experience with the Tricosports> Ultralounge or other Tricosports gel saddles?
If you're thinking of comfort: this will give you real comfort: www.thudbuster.com
As you said yourself, it is highly subjective. Softer doesn't>> necessarily mean more comfortable either - To my experience the correct>> shape (also subjective) is most important. The most popular single>> model on the market for many years has been Selle Italia Flite, so if>> you have absolutely no idea, I think it would be a good starting >> point. It works well for many, but not all riders.>
Also try a San Marco Rolls. It was the standard saddle in the pro > peloton for a long time.
In the last saddle test in TOUR magazine the Rolls saddle came out as ....worst saddle and I agree with that conclusion. Best saddle: Fi'zi:k Aliante and I also agree with that. (Very) expensive though. A cheaper alternative is Selle Italia Flite titanium.
NiteRider <stingray@bowlander.bike> wrote in news:190320051815352913% stingray@bowlander.bike:
Okay, I realize this is highly subjective, but can anyone suggest some> very comfortable saddles for a bike put together with comfort in mind> first and foremost? It's for general tooling around at moderate speeds> but will occasionally get used on long tours and charity rides, meaning> up to 10 hours in the saddle at a time. I tried the Brooks route many> years ago and didn't care for it. Currently running a Selle Royal> Avenue Gel on this bike. Has anyone had experience with the Tricosports> Ultralounge or other Tricosports gel saddles?
I ride the Selle Italia Flite Ti, AND a Capy Record carbon seatpost (bike is aluminum frame.) It was real comfortable at the end of the season last year, but my butt was hurting after a long ride last weekend! I rode over 2200 miles on it last year, and it would take some convincing to get me to give it up.
The carbon seatpost really soaks up some of that high frequency road vibration. I was very skeptic before I got it, but I'm convinced that it helps on all-aluminum frames.
Brooks are very intriguing, but I'm not sure I'd have the patience to break one in.
Okay, I realize this is highly subjective, but can anyone suggest some> very comfortable saddles for a bike put together with comfort in mind> first and foremost? It's for general tooling around at moderate speeds> but will occasionally get used on long tours and charity rides,> meaning up to 10 hours in the saddle at a time. I tried the Brooks> route many years ago and didn't care for it. Currently running a> Selle Royal Avenue Gel on this bike. Has anyone had experience with> the Tricosports Ultralounge or other Tricosports gel saddles?
As some have mentioned, the Flite is a good choice. However, the Flite is now a whole line of saddles. I like the original. It's very popular among pros, but some people find it too small. Another that's very popular among pros but more substantial than the Flite is the Turbomatic 4. Just about everyone seems to agree these are very comfortable. However, they're hard to find in the US these days, unlike earlier versions which were ubiquitious. My recommendation -- if you're skinny and fit go for a Flite. If you're larger and softer, or just like a more substantial saddle, go for a Turbomatic 4.
I'm riding a Terry which is similar to a Flite but with more padding and a hole. Terrys generally get high marks from reviewers and riders alike. I'd actually prefer a Flite, but the Terry has been fine too. I'm thinking of getting another one for my mountain bike. I don't think much of the hole, but it works fine anyway.
NiteRider wrote:> Okay, I realize this is highly subjective, but can anyone suggest some> very comfortable saddles for a bike put together with comfort in mind> first and foremost? It's for general tooling around at moderate speeds> but will occasionally get used on long tours and charity rides, meaning> up to 10 hours in the saddle at a time.
After several years riding a recumbent, I found that I experienced no butt pain on WTB saddles. For reference, I'm 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, so the WTB line may be better for larger riders.
An important detail you didn't ask: the bike should fit you correctly. If it's too high, too low, too far forward, too far rearward, etc., your ideal saddle could end up hurting you.
After several years riding a recumbent, I found that I experienced no> butt pain on WTB saddles. For reference, I'm 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, so> the WTB line may be better for larger riders.
I like those too, and I've heard the same from other larger riders.
jabario@backpacker.com wrote:> BROOKS B17 Standard. I suffrered for years with poor saddle comfort.> With a Brooks you will ride until legs fail not stop because of butt> pain
I'm one of a lot of people who found Brooks to be about the most uncomfortable saddle they've ever tried. My theory is that I need a saddle that is relatively flat front-to-back. I like Flites and similar saddles. On my MTB I have a Titec "Beserker" which is like an oversize Flite, which another large (6'4") friend also swears by. I had a little less luck with WTB saddles, but my wife finds them "perfect" so she rides them both on & off-road. I also find Terry saddles less comfortable, like the WTB saddles, they have a bit of sag front-to-back, but nowhere near what leather saddles have. My current favorite is a Selle Italia "Tri-matic" (very much like a Turbomatic, I guess), very flat. I've done double centuries and beyond on this one. I swapped with my sister for the B17, we both wound up happy.
A funny anecdote: I was looking for a saddle for my (road) beater, and in my box of discards was a woman-specific MTB saddle that I bought years ago & my wife hated. I threw it on my bike and found it to be pretty confortable, so there it will stay. It's a very small saddle, and I'm a very large (6'10", 235) guy, but it's flat, and that seems to be the key for me.
I have tried Many Many saddles. My current saddle is a Selle Italia Prolink Gel Flow. I really like it, it a nice cross between a narrower racing style and a wider more comfortable saddle. Another saddle I really like is the Avocet O2 Air 40 Men's saddle. Its wider and more of a touring saddle. They also make it in a narrower racing style, that I have not tried but I'll bet it would be good.
Both of these have the anatomical cut out or recession which is key to comfort and avoiding future sorrows.
-Alex
On 20 Mar 2005, Peter Cole wrote:
jabario@backpacker.com wrote:> > BROOKS B17 Standard. I suffrered for years with poor saddle comfort.> > With a Brooks you will ride until legs fail not stop because of butt> > pain>
I'm one of a lot of people who found Brooks to be about the most> uncomfortable saddle they've ever tried. My theory is that I need a> saddle that is relatively flat front-to-back. I like Flites and similar> saddles. On my MTB I have a Titec "Beserker" which is like an oversize> Flite, which another large (6'4") friend also swears by. I had a little> less luck with WTB saddles, but my wife finds them "perfect" so she> rides them both on & off-road. I also find Terry saddles less> comfortable, like the WTB saddles, they have a bit of sag> front-to-back, but nowhere near what leather saddles have. My current> favorite is a Selle Italia "Tri-matic" (very much like a Turbomatic, I> guess), very flat. I've done double centuries and beyond on this one. I> swapped with my sister for the B17, we both wound up happy.>
A funny anecdote: I was looking for a saddle for my (road) beater, and> in my box of discards was a woman-specific MTB saddle that I bought> years ago & my wife hated. I threw it on my bike and found it to be> pretty confortable, so there it will stay. It's a very small saddle,> and I'm a very large (6'10", 235) guy, but it's flat, and that seems to> be the key for me.>
In article <1111343265.604613.68720@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com>, peter_cole@comcast.net says...> I like Flites and similar> saddles. On my MTB I have a Titec "Beserker" which is like an oversize> Flite, which another large (6'4") friend also swears by. > I've arrived at the same solution -- Flites on my road bikes, a Titec Berserker on my MTB. For me, the Titec feels like an oversized Flite with more padding for shock absorption.
In article <d1jau5$rfo$1@oravannahka.helsinki.fi>, Antti Salonen <aksalone@blah.blah.cc.helsinki.fi.invalid> wrote:
As you said yourself, it is highly subjective. Softer doesn't> necessarily mean more comfortable either -
Thing is I'm just a weekend rider and don't have the time to build up the toughness Sheldon Brown refers to in his article. I ride a couple of centuries a year, but that's as long as I go. Most rides are under 25 miles.
To my experience the correct> shape (also subjective) is most important.
True. I guess I can always try one and send it back if it's not comfortable.
The most popular single> model on the market for many years has been Selle Italia Flite, so if> you have absolutely no idea, I think it would be a good starting point. > It works well for many, but not all riders.
I tried the original Flite when it was brand spanking new to the market. Hated it.
In article <1111339472.828694.93220@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>, JeffWills <jwills@pacifier.com> wrote:
After several years riding a recumbent, I found that I experienced no> butt pain on WTB saddles. For reference, I'm 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, so> the WTB line may be better for larger riders.
Sounds interesting. I've done some time on recumbents, so this advice has some relevance.
An important detail you didn't ask: the bike should fit you correctly.> If it's too high, too low, too far forward, too far rearward, etc.,> your ideal saddle could end up hurting you.
I've been using the KOPS and 15º knee angle fit techniques since the 80s. Unless the understanding of bicycling biomechanics has changed drastically since then, I should be set.
In article <d1jau5$rfo$1@oravannahka.helsinki.fi>, Antti Salonen> <aksalone@blah.blah.cc.helsinki.fi.invalid> wrote:>
As you said yourself, it is highly subjective. Softer doesn't>>necessarily mean more comfortable either ->
Thing is I'm just a weekend rider and don't have the time to build up> the toughness Sheldon Brown refers to in his article. I ride a couple> of centuries a year, but that's as long as I go. Most rides are under> 25 miles....
There is a type of seat that is comfortable for the occasional rider, even on long rides, but it is politically incorrect to mention it on this forum.
-- Tom Sherman - Earth (Downstate Illinois, North of Forgottonia)
Danlchris@Hotmail.Com 21 March 2005 01:33:34 [ permanent link ]
For road, love my Rolls, also love Sella Italia Turbo (do they still make it?) For off-road, nothing beats WTB SST (getting hard to find). No "toilet seat" models for me!
Thing is I'm just a weekend rider and don't have the time to build up> the toughness Sheldon Brown refers to in his article. I ride a couple> of centuries a year, but that's as long as I go. Most rides are under> 25 miles.
Not sure which of my articles you're referring to, but be assured that my advice was not solely directed to high-mileage randonneurs or racers.
Most of my rides also are also under 25 miles, and it has been many years since I rode a century. Last year I put on 2700 miles, which is a big jump from the average yearly mileage I was running before my kids left the nest.
Sheldon "Not An Athlete" Brown +-------------------------------+ | It's never too late to have | | a happy childhood | | --Jacek Rudowski | +-------------------------------+ Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041 http://harriscyclery.com Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide http://captainbike.comhttp://sheldonbrown.com
Squid-in-Training Phil 21 March 2005 06:03:32 [ permanent link ]
"JeffWills" <jwills@pacifier.com> wrote in message news:1111339472.828694.93220@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...>
NiteRider wrote:>> Okay, I realize this is highly subjective, but can anyone suggest> some>> very comfortable saddles for a bike put together with comfort in mind>> first and foremost? It's for general tooling around at moderate> speeds>> but will occasionally get used on long tours and charity rides,> meaning>> up to 10 hours in the saddle at a time.>
After several years riding a recumbent, I found that I experienced no> butt pain on WTB saddles. For reference, I'm 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, so> the WTB line may be better for larger riders.
WTBs work very well for me also, but I'm small. The Specialized Body Geometry series is also very good if your bony protrusions sit right on the support foam.
NiteRider wrote:> In article <1111339472.828694.93220@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>,> JeffWills <jwills@pacifier.com> wrote:>
After several years riding a recumbent, I found that I experienced
butt pain on WTB saddles. For reference, I'm 6-foot-4, 220 pounds,
the WTB line may be better for larger riders.>
Sounds interesting. I've done some time on recumbents, so this advice> has some relevance.>
"Done some time"? Interesting choice of words.
An important detail you didn't ask: the bike should fit you
correctly.> > If it's too high, too low, too far forward, too far rearward, etc.,> > your ideal saddle could end up hurting you.>
I've been using the KOPS and 15º knee angle fit techniques since the> 80s. Unless the understanding of bicycling biomechanics has changed> drastically since then, I should be set.
KOPS and knee angle might get your lower body "correct", but top tube length, stem length, and handlebar height also affect position on the saddle. Getting this figured out is why good bike fit people make the big bucks.
In article <1111379827.688219.151440@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com>, JeffWills <jwills@pacifier.com> wrote:
Sounds interesting. I've done some time on recumbents, so this advice> > has some relevance.> >
"Done some time"? Interesting choice of words.
I rode a couple of years on some. While I really liked the way it relaxed the back, neck and arms, the seats weren't as comfortable as I wished, even the large seats. This includes the wide mesh seats and the enlarged, padded seats commonly found on MWB bents. I also found hillclimbing to be somewhat more difficult, even though I'm naturally a spinner and not a grinder.
KOPS and knee angle might get your lower body "correct", but top tube> length, stem length, and handlebar height also affect position on the> saddle. Getting this figured out is why good bike fit people make the> big bucks.
Understood, but sometimes one just can't get the upper body fit one wishes for. Mass production stems come in a very limited number of rise/extension combinations, especially when you're dealing with threadless steerers that don't allow height adjustment. The only alternatives then are to either get a custom stem (expensive) or to use one of those adjustable dual-link stems, which are quite heavy and flexible and I'm told tend to slip.
Also try a San Marco Rolls. It was the standard saddle in the pro> peloton for a long time.
Another vote for San Marco Rolls. When I got first bought a road bike with a harsh, generic seat, I posted the same query on a user group, and numerous people recommended the San Marcos Rolls. I then went to a hi end road bike only shop and asked the owner to recommend a comfortable saddle. He pulled 10 off the wall, laid them out in two rows. Roll 1 was in order of comfort if "the plumbing" was a problem, row 2 was in order of comfort for the backside. The San Marcos Rolls was #2 in the backside row.
No problems on numerous century rides, double century and full Death ride. I like it so mucb that when I recently bought a lightweight bike and swamped parts to even make it lighter, I traded in the saddle and got another Rolls Due (ti rails)--the only part I swamped out that added weight.
David Damerell 21 March 2005 19:35:47 [ permanent link ]
Quoting Bert L,am <bert@l.am.com>:>"NiteRider" <stingray@bowlander.bike> schreef in bericht>>Okay, I realize this is highly subjective, but can anyone suggest some>>very comfortable saddles for a bike put together with comfort in mind>>first and foremost?>If you're thinking of comfort: this will give you real comfort:>www.thudbuster.com
One of the sprung Brookses will give the same effect without quite so much gizmoage. -- David Damerell <damerell@chiark.greenend.org.uk> Kill the tomato! Today is Second Gloucesterday, March.
Per David Damerell:>>If you're thinking of comfort: this will give you real comfort:>>www.thudbuster.com>
One of the sprung Brookses will give the same effect without quite so much>gizmoage.
I tried an 8-inch coil-sprung Brooks (B67) as an alternative to a ThudBuster/B-17.
I'd call it entirely adequate for road.
Off-road, the occasional unexpected hits add up and the ThudBuster/B-17 combination is, for me, clearly superior...... until the ThudBuster breaks, I guess.. -- PeteCresswell
I rode with an old flite ti for several years, until I developed a severe UTI after a particularly long ride. Apparently some scarring resulted (psychological or otherwise), as I was never able to get comfy on that saddle again - at least, not on my road bike with a 2-4" saddle to bar drop (It's happily perched on my MTB now). I then tried a flite gel (the older style with three distinct gel pads), and while I was not blown away, It served for a few years. In time, however, the gel seems to have hardened. My latest acquisition is a Terry Fly Ti, which I've spent several hours on the trainer and a few 1.5-2 hour rides on thus far. Much more comfortable than the flite gel, but the profile is taking some adjustment - very flat, rather than the slight upward flare that the Selle Italia saddles had
David Damerell 22 March 2005 19:26:15 [ permanent link ]
Quoting (Pete Cresswell) <x@y.z.invalid>:>Per David Damerell:>>>If you're thinking of comfort: this will give you real comfort:>>>www.thudbuster.com>>One of the sprung Brookses will give the same effect without quite so much>>gizmoage.>I tried an 8-inch coil-sprung Brooks (B67) as an alternative to a>ThudBuster/B-17.>I'd call it entirely adequate for road.
There's one on the back of our tandem, and it works fine there. I can well believe it's not up to scratch offroad, but the OP says "long tours and charity rides", so I guess his offroad excursions will just be short with gritted teeth, like mine. -- David Damerell <damerell@chiark.greenend.org.uk> Kill the tomato! Today is Second Leicesterday, March.
Per David Damerell:>so I guess his offroad excursions will just be short with>gritted teeth, like mine.
"Gritted teeth..." may be an overstatement.
It's a-ok as long as you see and react to the bumps properly. It just doesn't give as much of a margin for improper taking of bumps. I'ts fine for filtering out all the non-bump abuse. For anybody who is used to riding a hardtail with no springing at all in the saddle, it should be great. -- PeteCresswell
