Saddle for Paris Roubaix

Brocade
Brocade Posts: 433
edited March 2011 in Road buying advice
Folks
Am doing the Paris Roubaix event April 9. Any advice on saddles ? i currently ride with a Specialized Romin which is perhaps too hard...
Thanks in advance
BMC Pro Machine
Enigma Ego

Comments

  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Get better shorts and practise riding in a big gear such that you're actually 'floating' above the saddle as you ride the pave. If you try and relax in the saddle you'll just get bounced all over the place.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    I'd stick with what you have, wouldn't change something like a saddle this close to it, it's only a few weeks away. If you want to change something, then what tyres/wheels are you going to use?
  • FransJacques
    FransJacques Posts: 2,148
    You're barking up the wrong tree, a new saddle won't do squat for you. These things will:

    - Get the fattest 28C (or bigger) tyres that will fit your frame. Ride 'em at 85-90 psi. No more.
    - Double pad your bars.
    - Lower your saddle ~1cm so you can do the floating thing described above.
    - Ride 53x17 or 18 to achieve floatiness. Practice on some cobbles near you before you go.
    - Take 500/600ml bottle so they don't imitate popping popcorn when you hit the first stretch of cobbles. It amazes me, even in Flanders which are nothing, it looks like someone's having a fricken yard sale when you hit the first cobbled section. One dude left his frame pump befind. I've seen bottles STILL in their cages? How can you miss that one?

    Belgians are generally crazy bikers. Note that unlike us, this will be literally the first ride of the season for a lot of them so it's a case of aggression over skill or fitness. Ride defensively.

    On Mons en Pevele it was muddy, rainy, and there were huge gaps in the stones that would do Shane Mcgowan proud. I was crying bitterly for my mama. That was above and beyond the worst bit. Do NOT ride on the side in Arenberg like a poof - ride the crown and take the pain - that's where the photo guy is and you'll appreciate the photos more :-)
    When a cyclist has a disagreement with a car; it's not who's right, it's who's left.
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    FransJacques wrote:
    - Take 500/600ml bottle so they don't imitate popping popcorn when you hit the first stretch of cobbles.

    Also not a bad idea to make sure the valves on your water bottles are closed. One year I hit the first sector of pave with one of them left open and ended up with energy drink all over my legs!

    :D
  • Barteos
    Barteos Posts: 657
    FransJacques wrote:
    - Get the fattest 28C (or bigger) tyres that will fit your frame. Ride 'em at 85-90 psi. No more.
    1+

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