Who has bought a saddle with their eyes , rather than bum ?

Raffles

I dont mean that you rounded up some bum standing on a street corner drinking mundies out of a bottle within a brown paper bag by the way.

Dont some of the modern day sadddles look mighty pretty , I for one have been mighty impressed by some of the designs out there. One of THE sorest looking saddles I ever saw was the specialized toupe, I never sat on it,but my backside ached just looking at it.

Who has seeen a saddle that looked just fantastic and made the purchase on those looks alone ? In some cases that purchasing gamble might have turned up trumps, or in others resulted in the purchase of an ass hatchet. I thought the fizik arione looked amazing ......................so I spent £95 and bought one. I never took such a perineum pummelling from any other sadde ive ever owned, and I couldnt get rid of the arione quickly enough as no matter what i did....that saddle was agony.

I had a similar story with a fizik aliante, another purchased based upon what i saw, and i had a mighty sore backside which led to it being sold as well. The saddle purchase I made with my BUM was the san marco rolls and ive never looked back. Nowadays thats all i sit on, sure it doesnt look en vogue or up to date, but on what price do you gauge that all important comfort element ? I see club riders every week holding their ar5es after sitting on some modern but pretty mean looking saddles whilst my leather bum cushion literally disappears from under me.

Tell us both good and bad stories about saddles you purchased with your eyes , and also ones you purchased with your bum. You can tell brooks owners made their purchase with their bum, those sadddles look rank .......but you never hear their owners complaining.

ademort

I bought a specialized Toupe Red/Black to go with my frame looked the dogs dangly bits but after 3 hours of riding i could hardly stand up, def a blunder on my part. Bought a Selle Italia Gel Flow Team Edition and never looked back. The Toupe is good for a short ride but thats all and the shorter the better.It was def a case of it looks good it must be.
Ademort

Crispyapp

Tbh I think 1 of the best saddles I've ever had is the original sella italia flight. Now they have brought the original saddle back I'm considering going back to it. For the last 7 yrs I've been using a fizik arione but I always go numb with it and do get uncomfy on long rides but I thought it was just me until I recently started reading into it and see its quite a common problem...I'm also considering the flow slr carbonio if anyone has info on this?

rolf_f

I tested an Arione for 45 miles when I was buying my Look. Worked for me then and does now. I have a Selle Italia Thoork which was OK but after a while gives me saddle sores. So I just stick with Ariones now as much as possible. I recently bought a Selle Turbo for my old Raleigh. Don't know how that will turn out but it was only £9 posted and if it doesn't work I'll put a Brooks on it (I think they look great!).

tiredofwhiners

Definitely not.

I use and Adamo which is pretty much as ugly and squat as you could get - but it works perfectly as intended.

Raffles

Rolf F wrote:

I tested an Arione for 45 miles when I was buying my Look. Worked for me then and does now. I have a Selle Italia Thoork which was OK but after a while gives me saddle sores. So I just stick with Ariones now as much as possible. I recently bought a Selle Turbo for my old Raleigh. Don't know how that will turn out but it was only £9 posted and if it doesn't work I'll put a Brooks on it (I think they look great!).

if the turbo doesnt work out, ill buy it from you, please remember this rolf

Raffles

Crispyapp wrote:

Tbh I think 1 of the best saddles I've ever had is the original sella italia flight. Now they have brought the original saddle back I'm considering going back to it. For the last 7 yrs I've been using a fizik arione but I always go numb with it and do get uncomfy on long rides but I thought it was just me until I recently started reading into it and see its quite a common problem...I'm also considering the flow slr carbonio if anyone has info on this?

for me sitting on the arione was like sitting atop the rounded top of a bannister which was pummelling the soft bits whilst i pedalled :shock:

i read some sore tales about the flite classic 1990, is it a flat saddle or is it slightly rounded like the rolls ?

Gweny

Anyone seen this?!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=36341

Raffles

Gweny wrote:

Anyone seen this?!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=36341

I can only imagine the horrors of sitting on that.

Coach H

Raffles wrote:

The saddle purchase I made with my BUM was the san marco rolls and ive never looked back. Nowadays thats all i sit on, sure it doesnt look en vogue or up to date, but on what price do you gauge that all important comfort element ?

But I bought a Rolls based on looks way back, [cough] 25 years ish [cough], when it was pretty much a Rolls or a Turbo, just loved the brass strip along the back.
Rolls was an instrument of torture but couldn't afford another!

Spesh Romin for me now all day long. If only they were a bit narower in the nose.

chrisaonabike

Raffles wrote:

Dont some of the modern day sadddles look mighty pretty

Er, no.

99thmonkey

Ive had both the Arione & Toupe aswell as a few Sella's that did indeed look good and sporty, then tried the slightly plain and simple Fizik Antares and havent looked back since just perfect but looks like it shouldnt be!

Crispyapp

Raffles wrote:

Crispyapp wrote:

Tbh I think 1 of the best saddles I've ever had is the original sella italia flight. Now they have brought the original saddle back I'm considering going back to it. For the last 7 yrs I've been using a fizik arione but I always go numb with it and do get uncomfy on long rides but I thought it was just me until I recently started reading into it and see its quite a common problem...I'm also considering the flow slr carbonio if anyone has info on this?

for me sitting on the arione was like sitting atop the rounded top of a bannister which was pummelling the soft bits whilst i pedalled :shock:

i read some sore tales about the flite classic 1990, is it a flat saddle or is it slightly rounded like the rolls ?

From what I remember its quite narrow but rounded. Certainly nowhere near as flat as the arione....

Joeblack

Gweny wrote:

Anyone seen this?!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=36341

But it says, and I quote - "New 'twin-tail' version of the spyder's patened design which proves that saddles can be comfortable without padding"

So it's been proven!!! What are you moaning about?

meesterbond

I've got a Speccy Toupe on one bike and it's surprisingly comfortable.

However, I did buy one of those limited edition Fizik Arione Green jersey saddles for my R5 because the green stripe down the middle matches the colour scheme. It's not the most comfortable (nor most uncomfortable to be honest) but it looks fantastic, which is the main thing. 8)

keef66

My bike came with a Selle something or other saddle that looked too small, but felt OK on the test rides. Thought I'd get used to it, but didn't. So then I went for a Charge Spoon based on price / positive reviews / looks in that order. Wider and flatter, it was a lot more comfy than the original, but after 50 miles still left my sit-bones slightly tenderised, and the oddly placed stitching was starting to eat my shorts.

So I started reflecting on the halcyon days of my youth, of trips to the seaside, of 100 mile rides, of 24 hour epics. I remembered the rain, the headwinds, the mechanical disasters and the exhaustion, but not once did I recall the saddle being an issue. Maybe that's because I'd ridden a Brooks?

So I thought sod it, I'm 55 now and deserve a bit of comfort. So I bought myself a Brooks B17 Special in honey. Lovely copper plated rails and those big hand beaten copper rivets. The rest of the family think it looks hilarious on my lightweight modern road bike, and it's added over a pound to the weight, but I think it's a thing of beauty. More importantly, since fitting it I haven't had a millisecond of posterior discomfort.

So the Brooks was a head, heart, eyes and bum purchase, and I'm confident I'll never have to buy another saddle.

Raffles

keef66 wrote:

My bike came with a Selle something or other saddle that looked too small, but felt OK on the test rides. Thought I'd get used to it, but didn't. So then I went for a Charge Spoon based on price / positive reviews / looks in that order. Wider and flatter, it was a lot more comfy than the original, but after 50 miles still left my sit-bones slightly tenderised, and the oddly placed stitching was starting to eat my shorts.

So I started reflecting on the halcyon days of my youth, of trips to the seaside, of 100 mile rides, of 24 hour epics. I remembered the rain, the headwinds, the mechanical disasters and the exhaustion, but not once did I recall the saddle being an issue. Maybe that's because I'd ridden a Brooks?

So I thought sod it, I'm 55 now and deserve a bit of comfort. So I bought myself a Brooks B17 Special in honey. Lovely copper plated rails and those big hand beaten copper rivets. The rest of the family think it looks hilarious on my lightweight modern road bike, and it's added over a pound to the weight, but I think it's a thing of beauty. More importantly, since fitting it I haven't had a millisecond of posterior discomfort.

So the Brooks was a head, heart, eyes and bum purchase, and I'm confident I'll never have to buy another saddle.

hey keef, id love to see how your bike looks with that brook fitted, can you post a pic please ?

Grill

Gweny wrote:

Anyone seen this?!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=36341

I know a few people with this saddle, they seem quite happy with it. I doubt it's any less comfortable than full carbon saddles.

jonomc4

most expensive and comfortable saddle I bought

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... tedKingdom

Took a real risk with this one as couldn't try before I buyed

Raffles

jonomc4 wrote:

most expensive and comfortable saddle I bought

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... tedKingdom

Took a real risk with this one as couldn't try before I buyed

what circumstances lead you to buy such a radically shaped saddle ?

keef66

Raffles wrote:

hey keef, id love to see how your bike looks with that brook fitted, can you post a pic please ?

I'll brush up on Nap D's OCP photography rules, wash the garage door, and give it a go at the weekend.

TheCornishMong

Bought an Arione because it looks fast and it had some good reviews, and yes, it is comfortable, for the first 40 miles of so. sit on it too long and it becomes, Still, it looks good so I'm, not selling it yet.

Raffles

TheCornishMong wrote:

Bought an Arione because it looks fast and it had some good reviews, and yes, it is comfortable, for the first 40 miles of so. sit on it too long and it becomes, Still, it looks good so I'm, not selling it yet.

if by 41 miles and onwards your bum is taking a batterring, why keep it ? surely comfort takes seniority over looks ?

Hoopdriver

keef66 wrote:

My bike came with a Selle something or other saddle that looked too small, but felt OK on the test rides. Thought I'd get used to it, but didn't. So then I went for a Charge Spoon based on price / positive reviews / looks in that order. Wider and flatter, it was a lot more comfy than the original, but after 50 miles still left my sit-bones slightly tenderised, and the oddly placed stitching was starting to eat my shorts.

So I started reflecting on the halcyon days of my youth, of trips to the seaside, of 100 mile rides, of 24 hour epics. I remembered the rain, the headwinds, the mechanical disasters and the exhaustion, but not once did I recall the saddle being an issue. Maybe that's because I'd ridden a Brooks?

So I thought sod it, I'm 55 now and deserve a bit of comfort. So I bought myself a Brooks B17 Special in honey. Lovely copper plated rails and those big hand beaten copper rivets. The rest of the family think it looks hilarious on my lightweight modern road bike, and it's added over a pound to the weight, but I think it's a thing of beauty. More importantly, since fitting it I haven't had a millisecond of posterior discomfort.

So the Brooks was a head, heart, eyes and bum purchase, and I'm confident I'll never have to buy another saddle.

Bingo. Very similar story here although my conversion to Brooks was over twenty years ago (at an earlier age, as I am 54 now) would never go to another saddle. I have one in each of m three bikes.

pippi_langsamer-2

ademort wrote:

I bought a specialized Toupe Red/Black to go with my frame looked the dogs dangly bits but after 3 hours of riding i could hardly stand up, def a blunder on my part. Bought a Selle Italia Gel Flow Team Edition and never looked back. The Toupe is good for a short ride but thats all and the shorter the better.It was def a case of it looks good it must be.
Ademort

Although I have an Arione now, I previously had Toupes. I think if you had persevered with your Toupe for a few rides, you would have fallen in love with it.

The design of the saddle puts you directly on your sit bones rather than the squishy stuff inbetween, and it bloody hurts for the first few rides. You'll feel like your ass has been pummelled by a cricket bat. Once acclimatised, you'll experience zero numbness. I had one on my winter bike and happily rode on a 130mm Toupe for 5hrs.

GGBiker

jonomc4 wrote:

most expensive and comfortable saddle I bought

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... tedKingdom

Took a real risk with this one as couldn't try before I buyed

That looks it should be prescription only.

I used to get a bit of perineal discomfort, pain on peeing after a long ride, but once I started doing regular longish rides once or twice weekly my perineum seemed to soften and the pain is all gone.

Bordersroadie

People often refer to how painful the Toupe looks, but despite appearances it actually has a lot of flex designed into it. Of course saddles are a personal thing but the 143mm Toupe fits me perfectly and I can do 8 hour rides on it with no discomfort.

To the question: I measured my sit bones (using my daughters Play-Doh as the nearest shop is 40 miles away!) and went for the appropriate width of saddle. I for one don't believe that the Specialized Body Geometry thing is a marketing con - their cycling shoes are similarly excellent.

jonomc4

Raffles wrote:

jonomc4 wrote:

most expensive and comfortable saddle I bought

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... tedKingdom

Took a real risk with this one as couldn't try before I buyed

what circumstances lead you to buy such a radically shaped saddle ?

I really had trouble getting comfortable and used to suffer quite a bit with trapped nerve/veins to my right leg. I would say the Selle Italia saddles with a gap (i.e. their flow saddles) are a good mid way version between my saddle and a normal one - I use a selle Italia on my commuter and it is almost as comfortable, the only problem with it is it felxes too much - but I will try the team version next time.

The great thing about Selle SMP is they do a loads of varying padding, materials and widths - it is almost like getting a custom made saddle - you pay more but you get what you need!

Artful_Codger

The most comfortable saddle for me is also the best looking one - Specialized Romin.

Saddles designed to plant body weight where it should rest - the sit bones - can need time to adjust to, but the benefits soon follow.

TheCornishMong

Raffles wrote:

TheCornishMong wrote:

Bought an Arione because it looks fast and it had some good reviews, and yes, it is comfortable, for the first 40 miles of so. sit on it too long and it becomes, Still, it looks good so I'm, not selling it yet.

if by 41 miles and onwards your bum is taking a batterring, why keep it ? surely comfort takes seniority over looks ?

Not really sure, i'm yet to find the one that suits me.

sadlybiggins

My experience of the Fizik Arione is very similar to the other posts. It was fine for under a couple of hours but longer than that meant numbness and pain for a day or so afterwards when urinating. For me the problem seems to be that it's too long and so puts pressure right on my dangly bits. I got my sit bones measured (I'd highly recommend this to anyone who hasn't done it and is getting numbness/pain) and changed to the Toupe Gel and there's no discomfort or numbness at all now. The Toupe Gel is quite a bit shorter in the nose than the Arione too which helps.

Weirdly the Arione seems quite comfortable now on the turbo bike as I've now swapped it for the old Specialized Body Glove saddle, although I'm obviously not on the turbo for long enough for the old problems to develop.