Do all bike saddles need 'breaking' in....?

SMAC19

I have a new bike (Hooray for me..!), but can't seem to get comfy on the new saddle. I have covered 250ish miles since mid Dec on both road and turbo, but whatever adjustments I make, after 30mins (or roughly 10 miles), I get really uncomfortable. The perineal area seems to take most of my weight. Toward the end of a 30 miler the pain is almost unbearable and affects my cadence/speed.

My question is, will the saddle 'bed' in..?
Or, do I throw it in a deep hole and begin the search for a new one..?

Your knowledge and expertise will be greatly appreciated.
Phil

P.S. Current saddle is a Prologo Zero PAS Ti 1.4

farrina

The only saddles I know off that need breaking in are Brooke's leather saddles (and even then there is a debate as to whether its the saddle eventually fitting one's posterior or the other way around).

Saddles do come in differing widths (thinking specialised in particular) so it may be that you are non standard size for your sit bones and need a different saddle width.

Try this thread for more information

viewtopic.php?f=40013&t=12880025&p=17885657#p17885657

Regards

Alan

Ps I assume you are already using the padded shorts et al.

SMAC19

Yep, good shorts were a must from day one...

Been riding on and off for a few years now but only got serious about a year ago...

Mikey41

In my experience saddles (possibly excluding the Brookes ones) don't change shape at all, so if this one isn't comfortable, then it just doesn't fit you. Try a different one.

lotus49

Since some bike seats are completely carbon, the answer to your question has to be "no".

I find my perineum gets rather uncomfortable but it takes longer than 10 miles. I suspect that my saddle may be a bit too far back so my sit bones don't do their fair share of bearing my weight. Have you tried playing about with your seat positioning?

danlikesbikes

As others have said unless its a leather seat then no. A decent & well fitting road seat should be good straight out of the box.

If you google or call local dealers your looking for ones that can measure your sit bones (not a euphemism for something else). I know that a lot of specialized dealers offer this as its one of the manufactures options to get a better fit, though not all stores that sell their gear can do the measuring.

sungod

aside from ones made of leather etc., like brooks, no, usually it's the rider that has to get used to the saddle

if you're getting pain/discomfort, a few possibilities...

it may simply be that you need to get used to it, build up gradually, don't get bruised as that'll just extend the time it takes
the saddle may not be in the correct position, causing you to sit in the wrong place, or the angle could be wrong
the saddle may be the wrong size, too narrow and it misses the sit bones
it may be too padded, so that you sink in and increase pressure on the area you don't want pressure
what's your weight? if the saddle is too flexy it could also cause a problem

fwiw when i've got bikes off the shelf, the saddles have always been too squidgy/flexy

if saddle position/angle are correct, i think you need a different saddle, to begin, try measuring your sit bones and compare to the saddle width, check if the saddle is flexing, or if it seems like less padding is needed, get an idea what to look for in a replacement

it really is down to individual characteristics, you need to find what's best for you, some shops have test saddles that you can try out

giant_man

As farrina says, the only saddles that need to be broken in are pure leather ones such as Brooks. Most other saddles are made with man-made material, they don't need breaking in. The saddle will be the same six months down the line as the day you bought it. Just use them and enjoy them, having said that only if the saddle in question suits your ar$e. Only way of finding out, buy em' and try' em ......

Don't take too much notice of companies marketing BS such as Fizik with their 'Spine Concept' and Specialized with the 'body geometry' nonsense either. As I say, marketing BS.

pride4ever

Are you heavy? It takes an age to build an hard ass and its just something that takes some longer than others. Im 10st wet through and do 100 milers on a 92g carbon saddle but then again been doing this 30 years lol.

Mystique

What saddle did you have on your old bike - was it comfortable over distance??

EPO Delivery Man

Not in my experience and ive had a few saddles. Its more about finding a shape that fits more than anything.

Ive often found its not even the padding in the seat either, as generally you'll have padded shorts/trousers, but the shape is really important along with the width.

Ive actually got a white Selle italia gel worth £80 sitting in my wardrobe that i rode 3 times and just didnt get on with it shape wise but a lot of people do. Its mint condition, yours for £15 and postage if you're interested :-). its wasted in my cupboard.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=25467

wishitwasallflat

EPO Delivery Man wrote:

white Selle italia gel worth £80 - mint condition - yours for £15 and postage http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=25467

Bargain - can't believe your hands haven't been bitten off EPOman

Oxo

EPO Delivery Man wrote:

Not in my experience and ive had a few saddles. Its more about finding a shape that fits more than anything.

Ive often found its not even the padding in the seat either, as generally you'll have padded shorts/trousers, but the shape is really important along with the width.

Ive actually got a white Selle italia gel worth £80 sitting in my wardrobe that i rode 3 times and just didnt get on with it shape wise but a lot of people do. Its mint condition, yours for £15 and postage if you're interested :-). its wasted in my cupboard.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=25467

PM'd!

SMAC19

Thanks for info guys.

My main question has been answered. i.e. Do all saddles need breaking in..? Seems like its a resounding NO!!!
My quest for comfort has already begun, wish me luck...

P.S. Thanks EPO Delivery Man, if it were the black model I would've snapped your hand off...........