Saddle advice, gel - £50 max

Joe86

Hey all

Had my first ride today on a road bike, and found it pretty nice! Well as expected, I did encounter a bit of discomfort on the saddle. In all honesty that is an understatement, I only did about 7 miles but I have a really bad pain around the crotch afterwards. I have padded shorts, but that did little to add some cushioning in the hard rubber seat.

Anyway, I'm going to go and shop round my local LBS's tomorrow, but thought I might try to get a few in mind, so I know prices and quality. I'm definately not going to buy without seeing and testing the saddles, but I have to plan a trip, and not sure which way to go, until I get an idea of what brands I would be looking at.

Are the Specialized good value for money? Don't really want to spend more than £50 or so, and would like to try and get as 'comfortable' as I can, without having a seat that will make the performance really limited. Or are there cheaper alternatives from other brands. I have been looking at the following:

Specialized BG Phenom Gel Saddle 143mm
http://www.simpsoncycles.co.uk/product.php?xProd=940


Also, 130/143 mm and other variations, what advantage do you gain? I do have quite a big arse, so performance aside I imagine it might be more comfortable


Cheers

ride_whenever

it's to do with the width of your sit-bones and them needing to be supported.

If i were you i'd buy a charge spoon, because whilst saddles are very personal etc. etc. very few people don't get on with the spoons and they're cheap!

amaferanga

Its 'impossible' for anyone to say what seat you will find comfortable. You need to find a saddle that'll support your sit-bones properly. Trying some in a shop might give you some idea, but ultimately you won't really know until you've done a good few miles to allow the saddle/your arse break in a bit.

FWIW I'm of the Brooks school of thought, even on my carbon road bike....

pabloweaver

ride_whenever wrote:

it's to do with the width of your sit-bones and them needing to be supported.

If i were you i'd buy a charge spoon, because whilst saddles are very personal etc. etc. very few people don't get on with the spoons and they're cheap!

+1 on charge products , have the spoon on my " hack " and the knife on my shiny bike ( knife is more of a slimline profile )

both very, very comfy

softlad

ride_whenever wrote:

If i were you i'd buy a charge spoon, because whilst saddles are very personal etc. etc. very few people don't get on with the spoons and they're cheap!

spoon is out of stock almost everywhere at the moment.......

k-dog

I got a BG saddle for the first time a few months ago and it's the best saddle I've ever had - even straight away.

I got the Phenom in the width they suggested and I haven't had even a twinge of numbness or anything else that isn't expected after sitting on something so small for so long.

Seem to remember paying £50 for it too.

k-dog

I wouldn't go for gel - the most important thing is a well fitting saddle - gel just moves around and squishes on your soft bits.

My BG saddle is pretty firm but has enough padding in only the right places.

FSR_XC

If you are looking at a Specialized saddle - does the shop do a saddle fit service?

Specialized saddles come in 3 widths. The right size will be comfy, the others won't.

A good lbs may let you try a few saddles too.

Slow Liam

I wouldn't change the saddle based on your first ride, I remember it being agony when I first started riding but you soon toughen up. I reckon if you get the saddle set up properly, and then build up the miles gradually, and have days off, you will be ok.

Joe86

Slow Liam wrote:

I wouldn't change the saddle based on your first ride, I remember it being agony when I first started riding but you soon toughen up. I reckon if you get the saddle set up properly, and then build up the miles gradually, and have days off, you will be ok.

I now agree with you I was a little eager to try and find a new saddle. I was oblivious to the fact that I needed to break myself in, and toughen up that region first of all, as well as let the saddle break in a little. The uncomfortable ride made me look at it with a narrow mind and think it was just the saddle. I will keep note of the reccomendations, in case I decide to buy a new one at a further time, and also interesting to realise its the shape that is much more important than the material.

Joe86

My second ride/s probably lasted for about 60 minutes, and after the initial burn of the sit down action, within a minute it was ten times more comfortable. I also don't feel sore at all after the ride, so thanks to the guys for steering me away from purchasing a new saddle asap. You were definately right Will reconsider buying a saddle much later in the future!