Best saddle for a fatty

Kafka\'s Doll

Hello,

I tried this in the commuting forum to little response, so thought I'd give it a go here.

I'm cycling 30 miles a day on the saddle that came with my Condor Fratello. It is a right pain in the perineum. I'm sure it's a decent saddle, but I imagine it wasn't designed to carry my fat arse. So is there anything that might be a bit more forgiving? Are those ones with the groove cut worth considering?

I'm happy to pay a decent whack for the right saddle -- I do understand that I shouldn't just choose the one with the most padding. The mag seems to recommend the Fizik Gobi, but the reviews (at least online) don't make it very clear whether a saddle is for road or mountain. I'm road all the way.

Thanks for any advice.

Blonde

Depends what the exact nature of the problem is. My partner uses a saddle with a cut out hole to alleviate saddle pressure on the perennial nerve. He uses a Selle Italia brand saddle on all his bikes. I don't know which model it is but it has cut out hole in the centre. If you are numb or have pain underneath, then that's the type to go for. Something like these:
http://www.totalcycling.com/index.php/p ... LR_GF.html

If the saddle is rubbing your inner thigh/groin area it is likely that it is actually too wide. You could try a saddle that is narrower all over, (but check your sit bones are still on it!) or one that is a different shape and narrows more quickly from the rear to the mid section where it will rub if it is too wide. General saddle advice is always that firmer is better (oo-er! )

BTW - the Fizik Gobi is the MTB version of the Fizik Arione road saddle. There is nothing wrong with using it on a road bike, if it is comfortable for you, but MTB saddler are usually quite padded/less firm compared to road saddles - so if you already have issues with padding restricting your pedalling or rubbing/chafing it may not be the best choice.

Note: Position on the bike can also make a big difference. The greater the reach down to handle bar, the more pressure will be on the front of the saddle. Level bars with saddle put more of your body weight on the back of the saddle.

Kafka\'s Doll

The perennial nerve, that'd be it. Very sore. Thanks for the link.

acorn_user

Brooks B17 is quite wide. I like mine a lot. It took about a week to start breaking in, and is now pretty nice

graham_g

After smoking a fatty, I'm not too fussed about what saddle I use. Baddum 'tish. :oops:

N0bodyOfTheGoat

If you are happy to spend 80 squids on a saddle, I can personally vouch for the Specialized Toupe Gel. I bought one for my Felt last summer when the original saddle went to bike heaven. It was highly rated on here, so I took the plunge and have not looked back. Despite comments from work colleagues, I can say it is the most comfortable saddle I have ever owned! I'm no skin and bone frame either...

At the other end of the scale, Planet-X saddles are apparently comfy. Their site also has an offer on a Prologo saddle (Choice), which looks quite unique with the etching on the nose. http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/

jellybellywmb

I just picked up a specialized Toupe Team today reduced from £89.99 to £34.99 not really relevant to your needs probably as it doesn,t look that comfy but I will let you know,what a bargain though

redddraggon

jellybellywmb wrote:

I just picked up a specialized Toupe Team today reduced from £89.99 to £34.99 not really relevant to your needs probably as it doesn,t look that comfy but I will let you know,what a bargain though

Where'd you get that from?

jellybellywmb

Grafham Water Cycles or Rutland Cycles,just fiited it and its a thing of loveliness.
They also have the toupe gel for £34.00

jellybellywmb

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/ProductDe ... e78b870acc

graham_g

Thanks for the link - at that price, it's worth a punt (I'll measure the dents in my saddle when I get home!).

jellybellywmb

Did my 15mile lunchtime training route on the new saddle with no adverse affect and founf it much more comforrtable than the saddle that came with the bike as it is a lot narrower.
Knocked 1min30 off my best time as well so can't be bad

pjh

Fizik Arione .... comfy as .... (only needs 4/5 rides to break it in).

Nice and long too so you can move around a bit if you get a bit sore in one spot.

and many of the top pro's ride it which must say something

kmahony

I searched for ages to get the right saddle. Finally very happy with the Selle Italia Signo (Special Ltd Edition Version - the normal one was not so good).

It doesn't have the cut out, but seems to work much better than ones with.

http://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=8;p ... 49b3fd44c1

redddraggon

pjh wrote:

and many of the top pro's ride it which must say something

It says that they get paid to ride it.

Ariones are not known for comfort for a "larger" rider.

redddraggon

I like the Selle Italia Flites, I'm a bit disappointed I went for the Arione over the Flite.

a_n_t

jellybellywmb wrote:

I just picked up a specialized Toupe Team today

thats the one i have but the 143 mm wide [i think]

comfy as my sofa!

guv001

I've owned a few Specialized Body Geometry (BG) saddles including the Alias , Toupe and the Phenom and they have been excellent. They even have different sizes. I'm no expert but if its still comfy after 120 miles it gets my vote.