Wide saddle on roadie; why not?

yeachan153
yeachan153 Posts: 401
edited July 2011 in Road beginners
As title says; is there anything wrong with fitting a wide, hybrid style gel seat on a roade if I'm doing a sportive like, 18mph ride to the isle of wight? Unless its racing, i dont really see how it would be a disadvantage. Please share your opinions :)

Comments

  • danowat
    danowat Posts: 2,877
    In my experiance, wide(r) seats are generally more uncomfortable over long(er) distances.
  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    Softer saddles tend to cause saddle sores. Because they are more compliant, they grip the surface of your shorts and stop them from sliding around as you ride. That causes greater sliding between your shorts and your backside, hence the sores.

    A firm, correctly fitting saddle and padded shorts are the way to go!
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  • Ezy Rider
    Ezy Rider Posts: 415
    soft wide saddle = sore bum

    something slimmer and firmer is a much better bet for longer rides
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    How many miles have you ridden ? It takes a short while to get used to a racing saddle.
  • yeachan153
    yeachan153 Posts: 401
    I've done half centuries before, the odd 30 miles maybe every few days :-) Not that much, but the stock saddle still hurt quite badly, but apparently sticking a gel seat in isn't such a great idea either.
  • Speedmenace
    Speedmenace Posts: 97
    if you wear some proper padded cycling shorts there is no need for a massive wide saddle
  • mikebikemike
    mikebikemike Posts: 166
    B17 - firm, comfortable and wide
  • yeachan153
    yeachan153 Posts: 401
    mikebikemike wrote:
    B17 - firm, comfortable and wide
    that's a joke, right? :?
  • kettrinboy
    kettrinboy Posts: 613
    Dont think you will spot any riders using wide soft seats in the TDF, why? because they are not comfortable over long distance, the few times i have rode a bike with one it made the inside of my thighs hurt like f**k, probably because i,m used to proper road bike racing seats.
  • billysan
    billysan Posts: 575
    I have a great big Brooks on my road bike, and Im only an 11 stone whippet. Best thing I have ever added to it.

    Nothing wrong with wide saddles at all, however agree with the others here that soft and wide will cause more discomfort as the milage increases.
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  • vorsprung
    vorsprung Posts: 1,953
    yeachan153 wrote:
    mikebikemike wrote:
    B17 - firm, comfortable and wide
    that's a joke, right? :?

    I have a Specialized Avatar Gel saddle with a central cut out. I got it because it was fitted on the Specialized Roubaix Comp. I replaced it on the Roubaix with a modified B17. I decided to try out the Specialized Saddle on my commute bike and found that

    1) I like the central cut out
    2) I don't like the gel padding

    The cut out seems to do what central slots/holes/channels are supposed to do.

    The gel padding OTOH seems to rub and bruise my backside in a manner I have never experienced with Brooks saddles.

    This whole business of saddles baffles me. I know what my experience is, but translating that to advice for other people seems utterly pointless. There wouldn't be an entire market for gel padding on saddles if it was counter productive in the way I have found. But clearly, hard saddles work for me

    I know a few long distance riders who think the particular saddle- the Avatar- is pretty good and they use it for proper long rides.

    I see that the Selle Italia SLR is available in a version with no padding and a slot. Might give that a go
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  • gilesjuk
    gilesjuk Posts: 340
    yeachan153 wrote:
    As title says; is there anything wrong with fitting a wide, hybrid style gel seat on a roade if I'm doing a sportive like, 18mph ride to the isle of wight? Unless its racing, i dont really see how it would be a disadvantage. Please share your opinions :)

    On a road bike you are leaning forward more and so part of your weight is on the saddle and part of it is on the bars. A wider saddle can restrict your pedalling action and rub more.

    When on a MTB or town bike you are more upright, so a wider saddle is often needed as practically all your weight is on the saddle.
  • g00se
    g00se Posts: 2,221
    yeachan153 wrote:
    I've done half centuries before, the odd 30 miles maybe every few days :-) Not that much, but the stock saddle still hurt quite badly, but apparently sticking a gel seat in isn't such a great idea either.

    Not all saddles are the same. For a comfy perch, first get your arse measured (!?!). Seriously, most bike shops will have a device you sit on to identify the distance between your sit bones. Then try road saddles designed for that distance.

    The next thing is to find one you prefer. Personally, I go for the flater ones and avoid the ones that curve down the sides too much - but I guess that all depends on your anatomy.

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