Saddle recommendations..

[EFMax]

Time for me to replace my old saddle (got a spilt on the top plus it is old).

I have used GEL filled saddles up till now but I am still not happy.. it is not a question of suspension but one of soreness on the bum..

I am a biggish chap (200ish pounds) but it's not fat and that backside of mine is maybe a bit too solid..

I do a fair bit of off-road messing around/downhilling and free-riding but I also do a lot of road stuff (and this is where the problem is). Spent 7hrs in the saddle on Sat (just nice easy relaxing stuff with a few hills) but my bum was sore, and my bits are taking a bit of bashing..

So, any recommendations based on experience.. would like a reasonable attractive saddle as the bike is a FS bike, but my enjoyment is being reduced.

I get a pain in the meat of my bum and just inside the top of thighs where there is contact with the side of the saddle, so any recommendations or pointers would be appreciated..

[Freddie]

People buy gel saddles in the slightly misguided thinking that a soft saddle=comfort, this is not the case, at least not for any distance...with a soft saddle you end up sitting on muscles which should be propelling the bike. The only place your backside should contact the saddle is your sit bones, this requires a relatively stiff saddle which may initially be slightly uncomfortable, but once you've broken your rear/saddle in will be infinitely better than any gel saddle.

People round these parts tend to favour Brooks saddles, wider ones are preferred if sitting more upright and more slender ones if the handlebars are a way below the saddle.

[fredkite]

Get yourself a Brooks B66, or any Brooks with a wider seat and springs. My B66 is 20 years old this month and is a real beauty - heavy of course, retro-look - a lovely example of quality craftsmanship. Excellent for the more upright riding position.

[random37]

The Brooks is a good choice, but they mustn't get wet or be ridden when they're wet, which is important.
Recently, I've had good experiences with the Specialised Body Geometry.

[iandriver]

Saddles, ironically, are like bottoms, we all got one and they're all different. This seems to be the most personal bit of a bike. And as always, whats the budget? At a more budget end, I'm a similar build to you and 200 pounds + and get on fine with the Selle Italia X0 Trans Am

[EFMax]

Saddles, ironically, are like bottoms, we all got one and they're all different. This seems to be the most personal bit of a bike. And as always, whats the budget? At a more budget end, I'm a similar build to you and 200 pounds + and get on fine with the Selle Italia X0 Trans Am

To be honest, given the high cost of the bike, I am now at a stage where I worry more about the comfort than the price to achieve it. I was using the Selle Royal.. it started off good but over the last 12 months it just is not doing the business.

I would consider between £50 - £100 GBP to be a fair price to pay.. but I appreciate that spending loads does not always get you better and for that reason (in my search) I have come across the Ergon Liberator Gel Air Cell - which seems like a candidate.. but I am still open on the matter..

[Gearoidmuar]

The Brooks is a good choice, but they mustn't get wet or be ridden when they're wet, which is important.
Recently, I've had good experiences with the Specialised Body Geometry.

Where did you get that idea about wet??

I've several of them. One is 22 years old.
They've got wet more times than you've had hot dinners!
They need an occasional dose of Proofide or similar.

[anweledig]

+1 for brooks. I have a b17 on my hybrid and a b17 imperial on the tricross. It is one area where it is worth spending a bit of cash. Initially a bit hard but once broken in they are a real joy to ride. (and I've kept the original saddles - one gel and one spec body geometry to put back n if I sell the bikes).

[CREPELLO]

I would recommend a Brooks. I'd add that I had similar pain (same places) from a WTB rocket V saddle installed on my MTB. I've cured it by raising the saddle. Having the saddle set to correct height (and nose angle) is going to help, but I imagine a lot of MT bikers are reluctant to have it too high, to maintain their mobility on the bike. Well I'm not a very technical rider, but I'll still slide of the back of the saddle, riding on my stomach on steep sections, and I'll have more power going up hills with the saddle set up high.

[random37]

Where did you get that idea about wet??

I've several of them. One is 22 years old.
They've got wet more times than you've had hot dinners!
They need an occasional dose of Proofide or similar.

If you're heavy, you can wreck a Brooks by riding it wet.
I loaned one of my Brooks equipped bikes out for two months to someone who used it without taking care of it, and it came back really, properly stretched. It took years from it.
Don't ride a Brooks when it's wet.

[Wesh-Laurence]

If you're interested in buying a Brooks Saddle I am just about to sell a virtually new Brooks "Conquest All Terrain" tan coloured mens' saddle.

I am selling the saddle on behalf of a friend who has decided to get rid of his mountain bike. He used his bike less than half a dozen times on very short rides and bought the Brooks saddle as an extra.

The saddle is about 3 years' old but virtually brand new. I don't know the Brooks designation eg. B17 etc. of the saddle but it has 2 large springs on the back to provide suspension.

I personally use a Selle SMP TRK Saddle on my touring bike.

If you are interested in the Brooks Saddle let me know? I believe they were about £60 new from the shops 3 years ago, I've yet to check that out. I believe £45 plus postage would be a fair price for it. I can send you a photo of the saddle if you contact me. I've yet to take photos of it before I advertise it.

[EFMax]

I personally use a Selle SMP TRK Saddle on my touring bike.

Would be very interested to know how you are getting on with the Selle SMP.. have been looking at this range recentl and it looks interesting.. cheers..

[patricktaylor]

It's not just the saddle. Some decent cycling shorts make a difference too. I wear bib shorts with a chamois insert. Brooks B17 still comfy after several hours at a stretch.

[NUKe]

Everytime someone mentions a new saddle this forum turns into the Brookes appreciation society, to the point of avengelism, so from that you can tell they come Highly recommended.

However we are not all Brookes fans, so Just to throw something else into the mix I am a big fan of Specialized saddles and the best thing is they do wider fitting, Although just because your a little on the large side doesn't mean you need a wide fitting. They have a device to measure the sit bone width. My own mount is an Avatar model on my CB roubaix . Currently done 20000 miles with very little sign of wear. I also have a body geometry on my MTB which works quite well as the padding helps soak up the bumps off road.

[EFMax]

Some how, no matter how good Brookes look, they do not strike as an off road saddle and as I spend about 60%-65% of my time off road, I need a good compromise..

I also just wear a normal track suit bottom and a pair of shorts underneath them.. I don't suffer from any rubbing on the thigh and the one time I tried padded shorts I just hate them and everything about them..

After contacting Selle, I think from my research and replies that I am going to get their Selle SMP as it appears to offer me the sort of comfort possibilities between the legs which is important and also pretty good bum support, so we will see..