ouch - I think I need a different saddle

pinotnoir

I finished a 2hr 30min ride today in some pain. After about 2hrs in the saddle my left sit bone was killing me.

I bought a new bike (Planet X) the other week and it came with a planet x saddle on it. I've ridden it a few times and found the saddle a bit uncomfortable, but never suffered the pain I had today.

I'm fairly new to cycling, so not really sure what's a good or suitable saddle for me.

Please, please, please, could someone recommend a saddle for me?

I'm male and 45 years old, and sitting here popping ibuprofen and drinking red wine to chear myself up

My plan is to do some riding in France next year.

Thanks
pinotnoir

carrock

TBH, if you're fairly new to cycling, and go for a 21/2 hr ride, whatever you're sat on it's going to hurt. Just stay off the bike for a week, and then go for regular rides of up to 1 hour to toughen up your tender parts

A mistake some new cyclists make is going for a squashy soft saddle. This feels comfy for 20 mins but then compresses

Equally, a £100 lightweight racing saddle is no good neither- a saddle of about £40 with gel inserts should be ok- something like a specialized avatar gel

http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/SBC ... 6&eid=5007

wiffachip

i know it's a bit of an obvious response, bit at 25 quid mrrp, i can't see past the charge spoon

just bought one and will definitely be buying one for all me bikes eventually

unixnerd

i know it's a bit of an obvious response, bit at 25 quid mrrp, i can't see past the charge spoon

I have one two. Not perfect but a lot better than the instrument of torture it replaced. For 20 it has to be worth a try.

pinotnoir

wiffachip wrote:

i know it's a bit of an obvious response, bit at 25 quid mrrp, i can't see past the charge spoon

just bought one and will definitely be buying one for all me bikes eventually

Thanks

Where did you buy it from?

KingCustard

Out of interest, what's the major difference/improvement in something like the Charge Spoon to the standard saddle you'd get on a £500 road bike? I've seen loads of good things written about it, even seen one in a LBS, but couldn't really see what it was about it that would make it superior to any normal saddle. I am an utter n00b when it comes to cycling though!

unixnerd

If I knew what made the perfect saddle I'd be a rich man.

It seems to support the sits bones better without putting weight further forward around one's gonads (technical term). Seems to be a bit wider at the back too.

I have one on my mtb, it's good but a little more padding wouldn't kill it. I'm thinking of putting one on my road bike, I probably will. Might visit my local bike shop and see if they have a few other saddles I can try first though. The Charge Spoon is about 85% of the way to being what I need, but I'm going to have a wee look for the other 15% before I buy a second one.

I paid 19.99 inc. shipping for mine on ebay.

giant_man

Beware - the charge spoon doesn't suit everyone. Everyone's ar$e is different, not all saddles suit all ar$es. It's a case of trial and error.

Just because it's cheap doesn't mean it's going be comfortable. Worth a punt of course, you could always sell it on if it's not comfy, you should ideally give it a chance and go out regularly quite a few times so that you and your bum gets used to the saddle.

dg74

I upgraded to a Selle San Marco and have to say, it's the dogs doodahs.

cougie

You had enough pain from your saddle to take painkillers that evening ? I've never heard of that before. Wow !

Saddle choosing is a black art.

Charge Spoon is comfy for me and cheap.
Fizik Arione is comfier and quite expensive, but I see PX are doing a red and silver one for about £35.


Pretty much all saddles will be uncomfy until you get used to cycling though - so theres always an element of HTFU.

keef66

My Spoon is much better than the (more expensive) Italian @rse-hatchet that came on the bike, but I find I have to keep riding it to keep my nether regions tough enough.

I have happy memories of the Brooks B17 I had on my Raleigh as a teenager. I could manage 100 miles on that and not notice any discomfort at all. I'm seriously considering another Brooks, but I'm bewildered by the range, and struggling to justify the expense.

cougie

If you watched the BBC4 prog last week - they went round the Brooks factory in Birmingham and showed the process - so I'd feel better about the higher costs involved.

derosa

San Marco Rolls every time

CletePurcel

+1 for the charge spoon. Bought mine off ebay for about 20 quid. Better for me than the 90 quid Italian saddle it replaced.

kitsunegari

I've got a Specialized TT saddle on at the mo, but I'm not 100% happy with it. Might try a road saddle.

rowings MTP

It depends where you are geographically but the Specialized Concept Stores have test saddles that you can leave a deposit and borrow for a prolonged trial. I was reluctant to part with £80+ on a saddle without trying it first so was quite impressed.
For what its worth the Romin I've got on this basis has really impressed , did 4 1/2 hours on Sunday with no discomfort which I couldn't have done on the factory fitted saddle.

stokepa31

I ride a charge spoon and find it great. not the lightest but what price a pain free ass

I do agree with other posters that you should give it some time to develop a tough butt. Even my spoon hurts on a long ride after a long layoff so beware