Saddles to prevent Numbness

JimD

I ride Sportives and Audaxes. I am really suffering from numbness for days after each event and am desperate for some sound advice on saddles. I currently have a Selle Flite (not sure how old it is as it came on the bike seconhand). I've looked at the Brooks range but I'm confused by which model would be most suitable for the type of riding I do. Can anyone recommend a saddle, Brooks or otherwise, for long days (but not multiple day touring). Thanks.

andrew_s

First off, everyone has a differently shaped bum so just because someone else finds a particular saddle comfortable, it doesn't mean that you will.

Numbness is caused by the pressure of the saddle on the area between your balls and your arse hole (the perineum or "barse") squashing the nerves and blood vessels that are there. The way to avoid this is to ensure that your weight is taken by your sit bones - those which are readily felt when sitting on the bottom step. The saddle has to be wide enough that it doesn't fit between your sit bones and flat enough that it doesn't rise up too far between them. If a saddle is too soft, your sit bones sink into the padding and this makes the effective rise in the centre of the saddle greater.
So you need to know how far apart your sit bones are, and how much of a rise between them you can get away with. Specialized dealers have a gel pad thing for you to sit on to aid in choosing wide, medium or narrow Specialized saddles, but otherwise its lragely a case of guesswork and trial & error.
When comparing saddle widths, note that Brooks will measure up about 1.5-2cm wider than an equivalent width standard saddle. This is because the outside edge of a Brooks has a metal plate directly under the leather, and you don't want to sit on that bit.

I use a Brooks Team Pro (with the big rivets). I once did a 400k on a brand new one (first ride) without any problems, but I was used to the hardness of them already.

APIII

I used to have a similar problem. I also had the flite originally, then a couple of Fizik saddles (Arione, pave), but Specialized toupe worked for me in the end. It took some getting used to as your sit bones really do take the majority of the pressure, but overall it's the most comfortable I've had. They seem to be a love/hate thing though, so it would be a good idea to try one out before buying if you can.

Garry H

http://www.rido-cyclesaddles.com/

Looks odd, but works.

mrushton

Just get a titanico from Selle Anatomica www.mcmwin.com

keef66

If you've a hankering for a Brooks, just go for the standard B17. I rode thousand of miles on one till some tw@t stole the bike it was attached to.

My present road bike came with a Filante which was like riding around on a 5 bar gate. Numbness and shrivelled genitalia would ensue within 10 miles.

I just replaced it with a Charge Spoon which for £18 is ridiculously comfy for extended and multi day rides.

Just read on another thread that Bompington went for a Spoon just before the Etape Caledonia, and found it comfy.

Monty Dog

Before you start changing your saddle try experimenting with the position and angle - IME the original Flite is one of the most comfortable saddles going, particularly a well-broken-in example.

Gav2000

Selle SMP TRK is good for me.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?PartnerID=79&ModelID=23428

I think they are cheaper in Bike+. It has huge central cut out and allows me to cycle for up to 90 miles without problems.

I've tried a Rido and a Charge Spoon, both are OK for about an hour but not much more for me. Saddles are very personal though and I've probably had 6 or 7 in the last 3 years, I will stick to the TRK now though.

Gav.

dombo6

Try the Specialized BG range. I had numbness problem using the stock saddle on my roadbike - a Bontrager Race Lux. Changed it for the Spesh, and problem solved.