Seat recommendations

gtvlusso
gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
edited July 2008 in Workshop
Hi All,

I have a sore bum, any recommendations on seats?

Currently riding between 50 and 70 miles a day on a racing bike - my current seat is really designed for sprinting. I was gonna go for a Ritchey streem Marathon Pro - or wcs as it fits with the finishing kit on the bike and seemed to have a good review. Should I go for a gel seat? I am not gonna pay more than £50!

I weigh about 12 stone in weight - if this helps!

Cheers

G

Comments

  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    Recommend a saddle - that's difficult - I don't know your bum

    I use Fizik Ariones and they are fine for me.
    I like bikes...

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  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Every bum is different, and every saddle is different. You may spend a long time searching and finding the right saddle for you. Trial and error I'm afraid!
  • Bikerbaboon
    Bikerbaboon Posts: 1,017
    have you had your sit bones mesured? i have a long run of spending alot of cash on saddles till i did and then i found out that i was getting saddles too narrow for my bum and that cuased the pain. I am now on 143 size spec BG saddles it felt wrong to start with but over a 4 hour ride i dont even this about the saddle now wich is that only way to have things.

    hope that helps.
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  • jonesey10
    jonesey10 Posts: 239
    It's a saddle.
    I'm in the same predicament, it's a bloody minefield trying to find the right saddle. I think I'll just bite the bullet and go for a brooks that'll mold to my bum and last for years.
    Trouble is they're very pricey.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Selle Italia are doing test saddles via your LBS - you can try a few different ones before committing your readies - doesn't really help if you're after a San Marco, Fizik or other make!
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • mercsport
    mercsport Posts: 664
    Yes , the Selle Italia ' test before you ' idea is worthy .
    I rode a Brooks for ages . They're painful to break in .
    Now , on the two bikes that I have going at the moment , I use a couple of Selle Italia ' Pro Link Gel ' saddles . They 're great . Not as funky looking as , say , an SLC or a super flyweight carbon job , but , instant comfort .
    At least they work for me .
    "Lick My Decals Off, Baby"
  • graham_g
    graham_g Posts: 652
    50-70 miles a day. Holy sheeeet! I'd be prepared to pay hundreds for the right saddle if I were doing that kind of mileage!
  • jonesey10
    jonesey10 Posts: 239
    Quite an interesting article on saddles here.
    Check it out my man. :)

    http://www.sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html
  • Jez mon
    Jez mon Posts: 3,809
    Hmmm @ the conclusion that 'bents can be safer...the only recumbent rider i see are invisible out on the road.

    With regards to saddles. I really love my Spesh Toupe, but as others have said, every bum's individual
    You live and learn. At any rate, you live
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Another vote for Fizik Arione - but your bum may differ.
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    mercsport wrote:
    Yes , the Selle Italia ' test before you ' idea is worthy .
    I rode a Brooks for ages . They're painful to break in .
    Now , on the two bikes that I have going at the moment , I use a couple of Selle Italia ' Pro Link Gel ' saddles . They 're great . Not as funky looking as , say , an SLC or a super flyweight carbon job , but , instant comfort .
    At least they work for me .

    Gel saddles are fine ... until they harden. Then you won't want to sit on it! I hope your one doesn't go hard!
  • mateotu
    mateotu Posts: 33
    Pop down to your local Specialized dealer and get your sitbones measured. This ain't as traumatic as it sounds, you just sit on a strange foam pad for a while :D

    The results might surprise you. I'm not a big lad but following the @rse-measurement procedure I selected a 155mm Specialized Alias saddle - a very wide size. I now carry my weight on my sitbones (rather than on soft tissue) and I'm a lot more comfortable 8)

    Kudos to Specialized for inventing the measuring thingy, and also for bothering to make the Alias saddle in several different widths.
  • SteveR_100Milers
    SteveR_100Milers Posts: 5,987
    If this was cakestop I'd recommend the Leon Cupra (previous generation) in yellow :D But its not so I'll suggest a Spesh BG series and get it "fitted".
    http://www.pontypoolrcc.co.uk/
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  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    jonesey10 wrote:
    It's a saddle.
    I'm in the same predicament, it's a bloody minefield trying to find the right saddle. I think I'll just bite the bullet and go for a brooks that'll mold to my bum and last for years.
    Trouble is they're very pricey.

    If you are looking at Brooks you should look at Selle Anatomica

    www.mcmwin.com

    I've just fitted one to my fixed and imo they are superior in every way to Brooks. i might even replace my Pro-Links with these.
    M.Rushton
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    mrushton wrote:
    jonesey10 wrote:
    It's a saddle.
    I'm in the same predicament, it's a bloody minefield trying to find the right saddle. I think I'll just bite the bullet and go for a brooks that'll mold to my bum and last for years.
    Trouble is they're very pricey.

    If you are looking at Brooks you should look at Selle Anatomica

    www.mcmwin.com

    I've just fitted one to my fixed and imo they are superior in every way to Brooks. i might even replace my Pro-Links with these.
    I have been hankering after one of those for a long time! Its good to hear they are as good as I suspected. Even with shipping from the US they work out at a price competitive with the more expensive Brooks.
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    They also do 2 other models - the Robusto and the Settebello and the bling Ostrich Titanico which I would really like but is too expensive. My girlfriend has 3 of the Titanicos and really rates them. i borrowed one and fitted it to my Pompino and the saddle is extremely comfortable and supportive. The ffirm are good at replying to emails so I'd ask them any questions before you commit. They normally take 2 weeks to get over from the US to your door.
    M.Rushton

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