Soft saddle selection - help please.

[Riley Blue]

Radiotherapy a couple of years ago for prostate cancer has left me short of padding in an area with which you should all, as cyclists, be intimately familiar. I'm currently on a cardiac rehab programme after having stents fitted to widen arteries (yes, it does all seem to happen to me...) and I'd like to start cycling again as part of my exercise - I have a Ridgeback Velocity that I haven't been able to ride for around ten years.

My question is, can anyone suggest a saddle I might use without feeling that I'm sitting on a brick? Much as I'd like to, I don't think I could cycle far perched on top a foam cushion so your ideas gratefully received, I'd really like to get mounted again.

[SteveO...]

These days a lot of saddles are made with cutaways/holes in the centre to relieve pressure on soft tissue areas. This might do the trick. Selle Italia, Fizik and Specialized all have models with pressure relief. A LBS or chain like Evans will be able to let you try some.

[rs4al]

Also have a look at ISM saddles http://www.ismseat.com

[WinstonWolf]

A Brooks will eventually mould to your shape but will take a fair bit of bedding in.

[Magic919]

Have a look at the Selle SMP Trk. It's their usual cutaway design and only about £35 instead of their normal £100+ range.

[qska]

I got this one last month, so far so good.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ISM-49523-Bicycle-Saddle-...

It doesn't have anything that's not necessary - you just place your sit bones over the front arms, and that's that.

[Riley Blue]

Brilliant! Thanks for all the suggestions, great ideas.

[Barchettaman]

Hi Riley,

Firstly beat of luck getting back to health after your recent woes. Cycling will be a great way of doing this!

Secondly, saddles are notoriously personal things so it's difficult to recommend with any certainty as no two bums or riding positions are the same.

Having said that, here are a few ideas:

Selle SMP with the anatomical cut out
Terry
SQ Lab (they win all the tests in the German mags)
Brooks Cambium (a new design made of rubber rather than leather)
Brooks B-17 - the classic long distance saddle, wonderfully comfortable when broken in

I would add that the saddle is just one part of the system. Think about the shorts/bibs you will be using too.

[Porsche911R]

Shorts are the key,

[idiotgap]

Ha! The pedal powered section is full of Bargista...

When I was looking for a saddle a found this article really helpful.
https://www.cervelo.com/en/engineering-field-notes...

The striking thing for me was the explanation around cushionning not necessarily bringing comfort. Well worth the read anyway and should help you find the ideal saddle for you.

[IREvans]

Riley Blue said:

Radiotherapy a couple of years ago for prostate cancer has left me short of padding in an area with which you should all, as cyclists, be intimately familiar. I'm currently on a cardiac rehab programme after having stents fitted to widen arteries (yes, it does all seem to happen to me...) and I'd like to start cycling again as part of my exercise - I have a Ridgeback Velocity that I haven't been able to ride for around ten years.

My question is, can anyone suggest a saddle I might use without feeling that I'm sitting on a brick? Much as I'd like to, I don't think I could cycle far perched on top a foam cushion so your ideas gratefully received, I'd really like to get mounted again.

The key is the shorts, I have various saddles, and they all feel pretty much the same.

Invest in a pair of Assos Cento shorts, and you'll never look back.

[battered]

Hmm, I'm not convinced all seats are the same. ISTR there is a seat with no central section, or less of one. This will make it harder to grip between your things but the benefit is that you sit on the back of your sit bones. This may help your situation. Also, within conventional designs there is a range of shapes. One of my old saddles, on my student bike, has a steep kick up at the back. If you push back it lifts the soft and squidgy bits off the seat and you sit on the back of your sit bones. A short frame helps in this of course.

Good luck sorting it out. A soft seat isn't the answer, the shape of it is.

[TwistingMyMelon]

The ISM saddles will give you want op, Make sure you fit them correctly and still wear high quality padded shorts

If you are just doing casual miles and value comfort (as posted above) this model is great: http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ism-sport/?currency=...

I ran one for years a few years back on my commuter bike as I was fed up of discomfort and its great (once you get used to it)

Ive been riding for years and a Brooks was the most uncomfortable thing known to man, I still quiver at the thoughts and I tried to wear it in over a few months

[Bobley]

I'm a bit late to the party but I'd suggest finding a Specialized store/dealer as all their saddles come in width fittings so you should be able to get your rear end measured (you sit on plank with memory foam on it and measure the dents) and then try the saddle which comes in that fitting. The Romin Gel models are fairly generously padded too and don't cost the earth.

I don't have one as I'm happy with my Fizik which should in theory be too narrow for me but it strangely works??