Which saddle?

DarrenGTi

I'm after advice and others experience on which saddle to go for.

I measured my sit bones at 130mm this morning, which using Specialized's sizing guide puts me on either a 143mm or 155mm saddle.

My old roadie had a San Marco 130mm which I've done about 1,500 miles on, its not perfectly comfortable but bearable. My new Cube came with a Selle Italia X1 133mm which again was bearable but the padding started to collapse almost instantly. Because of that I've got a second hand Fizik Arione carbon, not sure on the size but measured up near 140mm at the widest and it hurt like hell on a century ride yesterday.

So it appears I'm riding on too narrow a saddle but going up a size, which I think I did with the Fizik made it worse. What do you guys recommend? LBS rides a Specialized Toupe which he loves.

Cheers

topdude

Seems like everyone is searching for the ultimate comfy saddle, me included !
The comfy ones seem to be the ones that are out of fashion on a new road bike like Brooks and San Marco Rolls.
In your position it might be worth trying the Charge Spoon or Knife, they are liked by lots of people, not expensive to buy, easy to sell if not suitable.

northpole

Yep, everyone is different!
I have tried quite a few and concluded that the Spesh ones with their cut outs remove alot of pressure from around the undercarriage area and therefore prove more comfortable over longer distances. I have a romin fitted at the moment which is fine - I was equally impressed by the toupe. Both are very thinly padded and, in my case certainly, highly dependent on a decently padded pair of cycling shorts. The two seem to go together in my experience.

Peter

DarrenGTi

Thanks guys. I might order up a Charge Spoon and give that a go. I have decent bib shorts buts I think its the sit bones thay hurt. Therefore I'll try a little extra padding of the Spoon over the cutout of the Toupe for now.

Looks like there'll be a carbon Fizik up for sale soon though.

DarrenGTi

double post!

DarrenGTi

Scratch that, the Fizik is only a 130 too, definitely a width issue I think. Although padding would be nice too!

MattC59

This : http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=50504

The padding is a little firm, but the shape is fantastic. When I first got mine, I was a little concerned at the firmness, however, I haven't noticed any discomfort from it at all. Highly recommended !!!

dw300

I measured mine recently, at 120mm. I believe that puts me more or less in the middle of average, which going by height and weight seems right. I think if you're 115-130mm you should be looking for a 143mm wide saddle. So you definitely should't be on a 130. But you could go for a 150ish i guess.

I'm looking at one of these .. http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/saddles/product/review-specialized-romin-sl-saddle-10-39342

It's got a bit of angle at the back if you like to tilt your pelvis forward. It's got a wide nose, if you like to get far forward under power. And the gap to save you bits.

giant_man

Don't think the Charge Spoon is the remedy, not everyone gets on with them. Myself included ... perhaps you could also try a Fizik Aliante if the Arione didn't suit you.

lostboysaint

giant man wrote:

Don't think the Charge Spoon is the remedy, not everyone gets on with them. Myself included ... perhaps you could also try a Fizik Aliante if the Arione didn't suit you.

I don't think anyone suggested it was. What was said was that it suits a LOT of people and that it was a cheap way of starting to findout what sort of width and shape does work, especially as it's easily sold to the many that do like them if it doesn't work.

Garry H

A lot of fizik dealers will let you try out a sample saddle for a couple of weeks, for a deposit.

arlowood

I'm one of the "lot" that can recommend the Charge Spoon.

Had a Rolls San Marco that was fine until I lost about 6 kg in weight and it started to be uncomfortable on long rides. Tried a Spesh BG Romin - that was even worse ( an £80 mistake that went on Ebay). Tried a Charge Spoon - only £22 so no real worries if it didn't work out.

Proved to be the most comfy saddle I've ridden to date. Switched bikes and it looked odd with it's tan colour against the blue and white scheme of the new bike. Bought a white Senso Velo Miles after great reviews on Cycling Plus. Rode that for about 70 miles - definitely less comfy than my old Spoon so bit the bullet and bought a white Charge Spoon.

Just completed a 60 mile sportive yesterday on the new Spoon. No discomfort whatsoever.

So go ahead and get the Spoon - not a big outlay if it's not the one for you.

s1mon

I got a TCR Advanced 2 recently which came with a Fi'zi:k Arione and I can't get comfy on it. I set it level and in the middle of it's forward and back range but found I kept pushing myself back while riding so I moved it forward a bit, it's helped in stopping moving back but it still kills my ass even after the first few miles, after 15 or so I constantly standing up to take some pressure off.

Would angling my saddle down or up help ? or get my ass measured and see what I need ? I've got a Charge Spoon on my mtb and it aint bad at all.

Sorry if I'm hijacking your thread :oops:

DarrenGTi

arlowood wrote:

So go ahead and get the Spoon - not a big outlay if it's not the one for you.

That's the advice I'm taking initially. As stated it's cheap enough if it doesn't fit right and supposedly easy to sell on.

Once sorted on a width I have been looking at the Romin, Specialized seem to be only one of a few who do wider saddles.

I have considered a proper bike fit at my LBS, who happen to be a Fizik stockist, however I can't see that Fizik's go wide enough.

giant_man

lostboysaint wrote:

giant man wrote:

Don't think the Charge Spoon is the remedy, not everyone gets on with them. Myself included ... perhaps you could also try a Fizik Aliante if the Arione didn't suit you.

I don't think anyone suggested it was. What was said was that it suits a LOT of people and that it was a cheap way of starting to findout what sort of width and shape does work, especially as it's easily sold to the many that do like them if it doesn't work.

No, I know that. Just when anyone comes on here and asks about saddles, the charge spoon is always suggested. I still have mine that I don't use, you have to try saddles imo, I am not taken in by the sit bone thing or other marketing gimmicks.

upperoilcan

This may sound like a daft question but how does one measure their own sit bones as i too would like to know what measurment i have...

s1mon

Just been out for quick ride and I put my Charge Spoon from mtb on my TCR and it was so much more comfy compared to the Arione just a shame it creeks like hell on my road bike, it's fine on my mtb. Oh well they are only £20, guess I keep looking around

APIII

Luckily my LBS is a Fizik and Specialized dealer so I was able to borrow a couple of the test saddles (bright yellow to stop you pinching them). I thought I needed a 143mm, but couldn't get on with it, switched to the 130mm Romin and it's been great. It seems slightly more forgiving than the toupe.

macerello

I use a Romin and after a couple of newbie weeks of pain, it is now really comfortable. I have read a couple of times that more padding does not necessarily mean more comfort. The Romin has very little padding but feels great so there could be some truth in it.

Mark

DarrenGTi

The Spoon turned up today, fitted and instantly felt more comfortable. Went to the LBS and asked about a tester Romin. They said they had to get rid as it was so uncomfortable they couldn't sell any! Toupe was highly recommended though.

daverollo

upperoilcan wrote:

This may sound like a daft question but how does one measure their own sit bones as i too would like to know what measurment i have...

Just found this that might help, about halfway down the article

http://www.bikeradar.com/fitness/articl ... bly-30179/