Saddles

richard36

Hi

I have a mountain bike that I am using on the road having fitted some slicks. I want to start doing some 20+ mile rides each week and having done one last week I think I need to change my saddle. I've got some padded shorts which must have helped but suspect I could get a better saddle.

My problem is that I would need to buy one over the internet. I am only looking to spend about £25 and wonder whether they are any that folk can recommend that are generally very comfortable.

Thanks

Richard

Jamey

I think Bontrager have a comfort guarantee thing. It doesn't necessarily mean you'll find it comfortable but at least you'll get your money back if you decide you don't like it.

graham_g

Charge spoon has a ridiculous number of accolades for a relatively new product - must say something (my girlfriend loves hers but I haven't tried it).

http://wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx? ... 5360029530

I find Planet-X/On-One saddles very comfortable too and haven't heard any stories of people being forced to change it on all the bikes they send out with them on.

http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/aca ... s_388.html

Where are you based? I've got a few saddles in a box that you're welcome to try!

richard36

Graham (and Jamey)

Thanks for your reply.

I live in SW Scotland so can't take up your offer - but thanks anyway.

I'll look at the links you've provided.

Richard

John C.

I swear by my Specialized BG saddles and they are at the top end of your price range. I've done several 100 mile + rides on them. I also have a Botrager and although I find it OK for short evening blasts of up to 40 miles for the all day rides I choose the Specialised.

Nuggs

John C. wrote:

I swear by my Specialized BG saddles and they are at the top end of your price range. I've done several 100 mile + rides on them. I also have a Botrager and although I find it OK for short evening blasts of up to 40 miles for the all day rides I choose the Specialised.

I have to say that even the lowly Spesh BG Avatar that came with my bike is incredibly comfy. I've heard that the top of the range Toupes are even better...

gkerr4

toupe's are great but you are unlikely to get even a second hand one for £25

I have a charge spoon on my fixed gear bike (the brown ones look great with my brown langster) I have to say that it is a very comfy saddle for the money. It's also light and good looking - and available in black if the brown doesn't go with your bike!

meagain

"Planet-X/On-One saddles very comfortable too"

Seconded. Planet X Uranus suit ME fine - but saddles are of course a very personal thing! However, you can usually try the Planet X cheaply: markanthony cycles very often have a batch on ebay and some of the less popular graphics versions go for a few quid!

Just search saddles/Planet X.

Good luck.

pneumatic

get a spesh avatar. I love mine so much I went to get another for the other bike (too idle to swap saddles every time I whistle for my steed). Problem was, I made a mistake and instead of an avatar at 25 notes, I bought an alias at 45. It has titanium rails and a carbon shell. Not tried it yet, but frankly all I care about is that the gel pads and the "member centre" are as good as the ones on the avatar.

richard36

Thanks to all those who have replied.

One thing I am intrigued about is how do you find out whether the seat you are interested in is comfortable or not before you buy it! Is it only by trial and error that you discover what is going to be a comfortable seat after you've been sat on it for 100+ miles?

I am interested in the Charge Spoon seat given that it appears to have so many positive reviews.

Thanks

Richard

meagain

"Is it only by trial and error that you discover what is going to be a comfortable seat after you've been sat on it for 100+ miles? "

Sorry, but "yes" really! Altho' you can make an informed guess once you've tried maybe 2 or 3 (the wider one was "better" sort of thing). For reasons I don't understand I've also found that some that don't seem perfect while riding nonetheless leave no after-effects - and vice versa!

graham_g

Richard,

I've checked the box'o'bits at home and I have two spare On-One saddles - you're welcome to one of them (I got given one for free anyway!), just PM me your address and I'll stick one in the post to you.

Graham

geoff_ss

I find it's impossible to give valid advice on saddles. Everyone seems to be different. I once came across a bloke searching through a box of assorted saddles on a stand at the Mildenhall Rally looking for those awful, hard plastic saddles they used to put on cheap 'racers' - there's no accounting for taste or, it seems, cyclists back-sides

I always recommend Brooks leather saddles but, not only are they more expensive than your budget, they need a good few miles to get them into 'your' shape. I used to run mine in commuting 27 miles/day so they didn't have time to get uncomfortable.

Geoff

feel

Having tried a few saddles without success i asked my LBS man and he recommended quite a cheap saddle, he said he had sold loads and had lots of positive feedback. I bought one and am very pleased i did, only £20 :shock:
sorry the LINK is american it was the only pic i could find.

edit : :oops: the link is to a velo pronto Z2 it should have been to a Velo Pronto Z1

redddraggon

I get on with both Fizik Ariones and Selle Italia Flites, I'd probably get on with most saddles though.

graham_g

Oh man, I had a fizik pave sport - made me feel like I'd given birth.

italiaandyf

Was riding a fizik arione for a while and found it to be very good - recently bought a brooks Team pro which is excellent, bit of tweeking to do with the position, angle etc, but I think it's going to be great. I like the idea of a saddle moulding to my shape, and lasting for years.

bigjim

Only paid £26 for my brooks, at wiggle I think.

Jim

huggy

For my Cervelo P3C (absolute dream in races) I use this saddle:

http://www.brooksengland.com/shop/cat_aged.aspx

Quite lightweight, very comfy and one of the most stylish in the peleton I think.