Comfy saddle recommendation.

[Gren]

BGarside said:

Measure the spacing of your sit bones by sitting on a piece of corrugated cardboard placed on a hard surface (corrugations facing upwards), and measure the separation of the flattened areas. Then look for a saddle where the width of the rear pads (not the overall width of the saddle) matches this dimension.

Similar to what I did. Sat on some tin foil on the stairs and lifted my legs up. Measure between the buttock impressions.

Most saddles tend to be around 130-135 or 140-145 mm. I went from the SLR (130) that came with my mtb to a Flite (140) and couldn't believe the difference despite both being similarly constructed otherwise. When I got my road bike I got a Flite for it before I even picked up the bike.

[TwistingMyMelon]

I'm quite small and slim, but my sit bones seem quite far apart, I'm sticking with cheap Selle Italia saddles for the moment, they have come as standard on 2 Wiliers I have had, they just "work"

Ive spent loads on saddles from traditional expensive ones such as Brooks to cutting edge expensive ones such as ISM models, in the end its a cheapo £20 one that works best for me

Good point on spesh saddles and the arsometers they have in shops, worth a shout

[E65Ross]

I recently splashed out on a Selle SMP Stratos saddle. Not cheap but it's been a revelation!

[Barchettaman]

SQ Lab saddles seem to win the comparison tests here in Germany. Dunno if they are available in the UK.

[justanother5tar]

Thanks all.

I think ill go get my arse measured at the Specialised shop and go from there.

To the guy who posted the 4.5 step guide to saddles, thanks very much. Very helpful.

[Marcellus]

This topic just goes to prove there is no such thing as "which is the best saddle".

I have ariones on all my bikes (road and mtb) as i find they're great for me and no adverse effect on my arse even after a 10/12 hour ride.

But it did take me a lot of trial and error to find a saddle that worked for me.

So my advice is find an LBS that does loan saddles and try them all.

[nike 5]

Is checking saddle height worthwhile too (I'm more of a road cyclist, so this may not be relevant).

[sugerbear]

justanother5tar said:

Had a scout around on the web and Specialized Body Geometry and Madison Flux (possibly could be too narrow for me) saddles seem to come up often and review well, has anyone had any experience of either? I think I'm going to need a 155mm saddle.

I had a Madison flux which is basically the same as the charge spoon (in shape), but in terms of comfort the charge spoon is so much more comfortable than the flux. Light years difference.

Plus the charge spoon can be had for £20-£30. I use them on all my bikes, MTB and Road and they are very good and very good value.

[227bhp]

sugerbear said:

What a terrible user name!

@ the OP, I got a comfy seat (£10 IIRC) from Aldi who have their bike stuff sale on at the moment.

[benny.c]

sugerbear said:

Plus the charge spoon can be had for £20-£30. I use them on all my bikes, MTB and Road and they are very good and very good value.

Ditto. I have had them on all my bikes and have always been comfortable. The price and range of colours is a bonus.

[Kell]

Can anyone recommend somewhere to get fitted for a new saddle?

Either in/around High Wycombe or in London.

I tend to find that no matter what saddle I'm on, after 10-15 miles I get numb 'down there'. This is clearly not a good thing.

[Marcellus]

Kell said:

Can anyone recommend somewhere to get fitted for a new saddle?

Either in/around High Wycombe or in London.

I tend to find that no matter what saddle I'm on, after 10-15 miles I get numb 'down there'. This is clearly not a good thing.

Go see Simon and the guys at Cycle Care in High Wycombe!