choosing a saddle

cookiemonster

Hello

I've a Cayo that came with a Selle Ponza K saddle, which I find abit uncomfortable. Its quite narrow at around 12cm or so, which is narrower than the spacing of my sit bones (measured very crudely :-) ); so my weight is going through the soft tissue. This is fine for short rides, but on longer distances and when I get tired, and start taking less weight on arms and legs, I begin to feel it.

So, a new saddle is needed, probably wider, that I sit on with sit bones.

But, here's my problem - how do you find what suits? Just purchase something in the hope its right? Is there a measurement that you can take to give a rough guide? For example the spesh toupe gets great reviews and comes in two size - how do you know which size is right?

Im in London, but i still cant find anyone with a decent selection of saddles to try out, which I guess is the major issue...

What do most people do?

Jon

Shadowduck

120mm is a bit on the narrow side alright, I'm not surprised it's uncomfortable!

For me, I (well, my darling wifey) measured my sit bones at just about 140mm so I went for a 150mm wide saddle to have a little bit of overlap. As I already had a WTB Rocket V (which I was happy with apart from the width) I got a WTB Laser V comp which I find pretty comfortable, but you may not.

There's a lot more to it than width - your riding position, riding style and anatomy all have an effect on what shape will suit you so there's not really much substitute for trying them out. I'm told most cyclists have a few discarded saddles knocking around that they tried before finding one they liked - once you find something you think is right for you, it could be worth a look on e-bay!

campagsarge

Yeah, saddles are a very personal thing. I loved the old skool Rolls saddle and indeed I have seen Wiggins using these on his track bike. Tom Boonen does not use the Specialized saddles either (even though the sponsor of Quick Step are Specialized) and Lance Armstrong rode Concor saddles.

When I was looking at buying saddles, I made a point of seeing what the pro's used as these guys are spending hours in the saddle and will use the one that suits them.

So the new supper skinny wieght shaving carbon constructed saddles may not be the best! You may find a saddle for £20 that suits. Just cos a saddle is £100 does not mean that it will suit you.

The Fizik range have a longer nose and are quite wide. Some of the guys in the club I ride with love the Fizik saddles. The Specialized ones suite me. Any retailer selling Specialized saddles will have a sit-bone measuring device.

I went to my LBS and asked them to stick a few saddles on a bike so I could find one that suited me.

It is such a personal thing that really no one can recommend you a saddle that will suit you. If a saddle looks comfy to you then try it. Forget the price and the wieght. If a saddle is 200g heavier but is very comfortable, the extra 200g after 80 miles will not bother you!

cookiemonster

cheers,

i agree with you on cost - i'm very happy to trade 200g in weight for something thats comfortable after a few hours. I find it hard to judge long term comfort from just sitting on them in the bike shop - im not sure that just coz it seems comfy after 15 seconds it's the one for me.

I'll give the spesh sizing thing a go - I guess evans must do this as they stock spesh saddles...

ho hum

campagsarge

Yep, I had my ar*e measured at evans, so they will be able to do it. You just sit down on a foam pad, which then takes an impression of your sit bones.

I intitially bought an San Marco Aspide saddle and heck, was that painful. I loved their Rolls saddle and Armstrong rode their Concor saddles so I figured they had a good pedigree. Cost me £80 and it was on ebay within the week.

Check out Selle Italia saddles. You can test some out before you buy. Below is the only shop in The Smoke that will do this:

Bike and Run Ltd
125 High Road,
London N2 8AG
Tel: 0208 815 1845
e-mail bike.run@virgin.net
Web address: www.bikeandrun.co.uk

Check out selle italia on t'internet:

http://www.selleitalia.com/eng/index.html

Good luck!!

cookiemonster

campagsarge wrote:

Check out Selle Italia saddles. You can test some out before you buy.

Good luck!!

£395 !!! for a SADDLE???

Shadowduck

cookiemonster wrote:

campagsarge wrote:

Check out Selle Italia saddles. You can test some out before you buy.

Good luck!!

£395 !!! for a SADDLE???

*whispers*
My bike cost less than that! :shock:

campagsarge

yeah, I have seen the carbon saddle they are on about. Heck, if you paid me £400 I would not sit on it in fear of doing some major damage to my...