How to pic a saddle?

[torqueofthedevil]

My trek came with a saddle that is generally regarded as very painful. I've put up with it for ages but I need to swap it this year as it does hurt!

Don't mind paying a bit but how do I know it will be more comfortable without trying for a few hours?

I have a road bike but i do sit quite upright?

I considered a brooks cambium c17 but I'm not convinced itvbe comfy enough - especially on a few days of 70+ miles.

Was in a shop and saw a fabric scoop for £40 and a Giant contact SL upright for £70 - both felt to have a softer sadder without being overly padded - do I just bite the bullet and buy one and see how it goes?

[HughG]

You can get test saddles for most models from the bigger brands (spec, fizik etc). Just find a lbs that is a dealer for one, or the one that you find you'd like. They will also be able to sit you on something to measure what width saddle you need.

[anonymous-user]

yes, you have to try them. You should be able to tell fcom a 1 your ride ime

For me there is nothing better than the sellesmp pro www.sellesmp.com

But try as many as you need to in order to find the best one for you

Make sure it is properly adjusted too

[Matt_N]

Time to get on the assometer and get some demo saddles, most shops will have a range to try out.

[bakerstreet]

I did a saddle fit with a shop that mostly sold Specialized saddles. You had to pay for the saddle and then return it, but you had to eventually settle on a saddle from the specialized range. You may find other shops work in this way. I can't say it worked that wel, as I eventually sold the Spesh saddle that I had. Only lost a tenner on it though

Try a Charge Spoon Saddle. Only £25 and available in a variety of colours. Many people including me really rate them. I had one on my folding bike for a while and its now been transferred to my CX bike. Very comfy

If you are in a cycling club, you maybe able try other people's bikes with different saddles. At least that way you should be able try and number of different manufacturers.

[SoliD]

bakerstreet said:

Try a Charge Spoon Saddle. Only £25 and available in a variety of colours. Many people including me really rate them. I had one on my folding bike for a while and its now been transferred to my CX bike. Very comfy

I've tried numerous and settled on spoons and have them on my road bike, CX bike and HT. They just work for my bottom!

[Marcellus]

In Gruffys latest (or was it a previous one) he gave details of where he went for a "saddle fit", like a bike fit but purely for your arse and saddle.

Not sure of cost but if you've got problems probably worth looking into!

[Gruffy]

Here's my recent experience https://theadventurecapitalist.wordpress.com/2016/...

To follow up on that: I rode 275km on Sunday and while it was a bit sore, I think that's to be expected. I'm pleased with the results so far.

[subsea99]

bakerstreet said:

I did a saddle fit with a shop that mostly sold Specialized saddles. You had to pay for the saddle and then return it, but you had to eventually settle on a saddle from the specialized range. You may find other shops work in this way. I can't say it worked that wel, as I eventually sold the Spesh saddle that I had. Only lost a tenner on it though

Try a Charge Spoon Saddle. Only £25 and available in a variety of colours. Many people including me really rate them. I had one on my folding bike for a while and its now been transferred to my CX bike. Very comfy

If you are in a cycling club, you maybe able try other people's bikes with different saddles. At least that way you should be able try and number of different manufacturers.

Im with Bakerstreet on this i wouldnt ride anything else other than a charge spoon or a madison flux(£14 on tredz)
Sometimes cheap saddles just work

Im sure they are made in same factory

[Gruffy]

I used Cyclefit for my saddle session. Proper pressure mapping so there's visible data to show when you've cracked it. There's still no test like a proper free range test though. The best thing about Cyclefit was a sensible returns policy on saddles. Buy it and if you don't like it just return it, no questions. I actually told them I'd definitely be returning the saddle I was looking to test (they didn't have the carbon version in stock) and suggested they give me an old one, but they insisted I take a new one anyway. I hear good things about Specialized but it inspired more confidence having a fit with a place that sells everything.

I've no idea if they're all as good as the guy I saw but I'd recommend Jimmy at Cyclefit London.

[Chicken Chaser]

I've been riding around on a prolly scratch pro and a Selle Italia Flow SL. They been ok and I've been fairly happy however never really liked the cutaway on the Flow.

Bought a Fabric scoop Shallow Elite the other week and after several hours in the saddle, it's a revelation. So comfortable, well priced and gives me no numbness at all. So much so I've bought another to go on my other bike.