Saddle type

JimmySavile

Hi,

I've recently started using a road bike after not doing much exercise for years. I did a couple 30 mile rides then a 55mile sportive, during which I had the most agonising pain from the saddle in the delicate area. Padded shorts did nothing to help and I could tell it was more to do with the pressure/seat type or something than not enough padding.

I found this guide through the forum search for working out the ideal saddle width which I'll do soon:

http://www.specialized.com/specs/spec.j ... trysaddles

Just wondering what type of saddle is best for comfort really. Ideally I don't want to have to spend too much on the saddle. I have a Giant Defy 4 which comes with a really thin racing type saddle.

In 4 weeks time I am doing the London to Paris bike ride so obviously need something that won't cripple me when I sit on it for a few hours

Thanks for your time

father_jack

What may be comfy to me may not be for you. However I've found Brooks to be very comfy. For road bike I'd recommend Swallow or Swift.

Raffles

Saddles are such a personal thing,one blokes joy is anothers nightmare. A riders fave, the fizik arione was the most uncomfortable saddle I have ever ridden on ,but there are riders from pro to weekend warrior who just adore them. Like you, I value my comfort and if your bum is being massacred by the saddle then it aint much fun. I found my saddle nirvana in what is considered a classic saddle , the Selle San Marco Rolls. This saddle founds its way onto many pro bikes as it is extremely comfy and a joy to use. Its an all leather product ,I have the titanium rails version which weighs in at 275g and I swear I could ride on it all day with nary a problem. You buy one and it takes a few rides for your bum to break it in, then its ride all day and no sore bum. Like I said, its a classic saddle and it doesnt have the looks of a modern performance racing type, but my bum is very happy sitting on my rolls titanium and ive stopped looking at other saddles. Do check one out , I think it will tick your boxes.



thats exactly how my Rolls looks,just posting the pic for you to view.

Good luck

knownothingbozo

I found my san marco ponza power to be very comfortable on my old aluminium framed bike, but when I put it onto my new carbon frame, nothing I did made it comfortable. I found I was getting particular pain around the perinium (I hope it's called that on blokes as well). I have now got a specialised Romin, which has a cut out, instinctively you may think it will be less comfortable as it has less padding, but I have fouynd it to be perfectly comfortable on several 60+ mile rides.
On a more basic level, you should first of all check that it is set up right, I'm sure there are wiser folk on here who can be more specific, but simple things like the angle of the seat will have an impact on where it's creating pressure points. As a ready reckoner I always make sure my seat is level with a spirit level.

nunowoolmez

All the above make good points. Not sure how much cycling you intend to be doing but if you want to really get into it i would recommend a decent bike fitting. Doesn't have to cost a bomb & they will have a look at your riding & position & will sort out any probs. I had one just over a year ago & it was the best money i ever spent. I now have pain free riding!! They recommended the correct saddle width & saddle type & i now use the Specialized Romin on all my bikes. I did the Fred Whitton on Sunday & was on the bike over 8 hours & with the Romin Gel it was a very comfy ride. There is a whole world of saddles out there & you could try half a dozen & not even find the right one. Get a bike fit & they will sort everything out for you. The issue may stem from another problem you do not know about in your riding position.

Good luck!

giant_man

JimmySavile wrote:

Hi,

I've recently started using a road bike after not doing much exercise for years. I did a couple 30 mile rides then a 55mile sportive, during which I had the most agonising pain from the saddle in the delicate area. Padded shorts did nothing to help and I could tell it was more to do with the pressure/seat type or something than not enough padding.

I found this guide through the forum search for working out the ideal saddle width which I'll do soon:

http://www.specialized.com/specs/spec.j ... trysaddles

Just wondering what type of saddle is best for comfort really. Ideally I don't want to have to spend too much on the saddle. I have a Giant Defy 4 which comes with a really thin racing type saddle.

In 4 weeks time I am doing the London to Paris bike ride so obviously need something that won't cripple me when I sit on it for a few hours

Thanks for your time

Hmm the cyclists' holy grail here. Don't think the specialized measuring sit bones method is reliable either, cos it's not. There's no substitute for trying out different saddles over time and seeing if they are suitable for your ar$e.

maveco

The only saddle I have ever had that does not cause me pain is the Fizik Arione. Pricey, but have done a lot of miles on it with no issues.

£68 quid online:

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalo ... ps-sellers

Hope this helps

JimmySavile

Thanks a lot for the replies, I'll look into it a bit more and see if I can maybe find one with a money back guarantee in case it doesn't work out

kayakerchris

I have an arione and have had perineal pain after 80+ miles. I have just bought an aliante on ebay at well under half price.

I realised that actually most of my weight was going onto my perineum. I have a very stiff back and as such my pelvis tilts rather than my back bending. This takes weight off my sit bones and onto my perineum. Hopefully the alienate will do the job!
Chris

Raffles

Can you please post a progress report with how you are finding the aliante ?

According to fizik promotional bumph, it says the arione is for the flexible riders , whereas the aliante is for the much less flexible.My experience with the arione was disastrous, like you point out I found all my weight resting on the soft t`arse section and it was excrutiating to use that saddle no matter what I did. Imcurious as to whether the aliante performs as claimed and does it offer comfort where the arione delivers pain.

racingcondor

I don't hold much stock in the Fizik promotional bumpf but I do like the saddles. Personally I'd look at the range as being:

- Arione - Narrow and slightly rounded. Nice and long so you can sit forward if you're TTing or going hard in the drops and back if you're climbing seated.

- Antares - Flat and slightly wider. Not much room for movement front to back but wider under the sit bones than the Arione.

- Aliante - Wider still and back to a slightly rounded shape. More the classic saddle shape.

I recently moved from the Arione to the Antares and seem to have found my ideal perch.