New Saddle

dry664

I need some help on getting a new saddle! Ive been researching for weeks and am non the wiser.
Just completed around 150miles on a Charge Spoon and its still a pain in the @$$, feels like the saddle is pressing on the inside of my sitbones. Got measured on the Bontrager @$$ometer which said I needed a wider saddle (barely), however measured my sitbones using the tin foil trick and they are only 120mm. Ive also tried a Fizik Arione which initially gave me some relief, but I think its because its so flat compared to the Spoon but way too narrow.
Im stuck. Without buying a load of saddles to try im not sure what to do next. Help! Please.

cooldad

What have you used in the past that was comfortable?

andy46

Always a tough one saddle choice, what works for one person won't for another.

Anonymous

Charge Spoons work for everyone though!

How are you sitting on the bike and is the reach right? A good saddle can be bad if you're on it wrong.

And padded shorts etc.

dry664

I've been out of mtbing for years and only just come back but to be honest can't remember what I used to use. I have been wearing padded shorts. I think my position on the bike is pretty good and I don't get any relief from changing position when sore. Maybe its a big ask but I want to go out on my bike round swinley forest once or twice a week for 3 to 4 hours without a sore bum being a problem. Am tempted to try the saddle from my gf's old shopper :-) Maybe I just need more miles.

cycle monster

I have been lucky with mine generally, must be all the flab cushioning the blows. The WTB saddle that came with my Giant Talon 2 (2009) has been great but the cover has started to split on one side. Have a spoon in transit to try, given that it seems rather popular. May not be a good match for my rear end though. No substitute for getting off the saddle here and there, especially in tight corners and downhill stretches. Generally speaking my behind has got used to it and I need to ease the pressure less often nowadays. This may be partly down to better technique, riding style or a woodening of my backside. We are all different and one man's spoon is another man's knife.

cooldad

I'd say more miles.
If you are around Swinley regularly take a look in London Calling in rides. Few of us ride there regularly. We also rest a lot, making it easier on the butt.

dry664

Thanks for the invite Cooldad. Im up there with the gf this weekend so will probably try and join up with you next weekend.
As an experiment i just pulled the trigger on a Specialiazed Toupe Gel 155mm on special offer at Cyclestore for £32. Expect to see it in the 'For Sale' section of the forum this time next week :-)

jayson

deadkenny wrote:

Charge Spoons work for everyone though!

.

Or a Madison Flux which is essentially the same saddle with some slight cosmetic differences. Ive had both and am currently using a Flux but both are great cheaper seats.

70\ʹspenguin

dry664 wrote:

Thanks for the invite Cooldad. Im up there with the gf this weekend so will probably try and join up with you next weekend.
As an experiment i just pulled the trigger on a Specialiazed Toupe Gel 155mm on special offer at Cyclestore for £32. Expect to see it in the 'For Sale' section of the forum this time next week :-)

The Toupes take a long time to wear in and are definately for the more "bum hardened" i think. Many roadies swear by them though and they are very popular. £32 is a good price! If the spoon was too narrow then this new one will give you tonnes more support. However if its the sit bone thats hurting i pray for your soul!

I have a hard time with saddles. Im using a BG Avatar 143. I wear gel shorts under my baggies with it too. I hate the fekkin thing but its the most comfy ive had so far. Ive noticed a more agressive race position makes it VERY comfy, however a more upright MTB style is a bit painful. Im contemplating a £19.99 One One "big nose" as people seem to find these ultra comfy! If the spoon is going cheap give me a bell as id like to try one )

cycle monster

cycle monster wrote:

I have been lucky with mine generally, must be all the flab cushioning the blows. The WTB saddle that came with my Giant Talon 2 (2009) has been great but the cover has started to split on one side. Have a spoon in transit to try, given that it seems rather popular. May not be a good match for my rear end though. No substitute for getting off the saddle here and there, especially in tight corners and downhill stretches. Generally speaking my behind has got used to it and I need to ease the pressure less often nowadays. This may be partly down to better technique, riding style or a woodening of my backside. We are all different and one man's spoon is another man's knife.

If it helps at all, the Spoon arrived, was fiitted and tested at the weekend. 20 mile plumbuster route negotiated with little fuss. Forgot it was there most of the time. Quite impressive as my butt cheeks have not got used to it yet and vice versa. It shall adorn my seat post for the foreseeable future I think.

dry664

Got my Specialized Toupe Gel 155mm on Saturday and took it for a spin. I noticed immediately that the saddle was hitting my sitbones correctly. Another run out on Sunday round Swinley and I'm finally happy I have the correct shape of saddle. I'm feeling bruised but not like my sitbones have been forced outwards.
As for the toupe as an mtb saddle it does a decent job. Feels small and fast and its very easy to get off when you need to. Would love a bit more grip and maybe a bit more padding but I'm certainly not complaining. My search for the perfect saddle stops here for the moment. Thanks for the input all!

The Rookie

Congratulations, I'm lucky as a Spoon fits me fine!

Simon