Comfortable seat?

cmhill79
cmhill79 Posts: 139
edited September 2013 in Road buying advice
Hi
I've recently upgraded my bike but I'm finding the seat very uncomfortable. It's an Arione fizik. The seat on the previous bike is worn so I don't know what band or type it was. Can anyone recommend a comfortable seat for long rides - 5 hours +

Comments

  • cmhill79
    cmhill79 Posts: 139
    Thanks. What's "very expensive"?
  • zardoz
    zardoz Posts: 251
    Any recommendations here are pointless as they may not suit you, so best advice is to find a place that can measure your seatbones and so you get an idea of which will be best fit. Alteratively find a shop that has test saddles and try a few. Expensive doesn't necessarily mean best for you either.
    http://www.strava.com/athletes/1767978
  • Phil562
    Phil562 Posts: 73
    I agree, expensive not always the way, I settled for a charge spoon and my seat bones now love me ;-)
  • cmhill79
    cmhill79 Posts: 139
    Hmm I'm not really all that enamored about having my seat bones measured and I can't see too many retail outlets willing to lend me a seat for 5 hours. Sounds like luck of the draw a bit.
  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    Get your other half to measure them for you it's very simple you can feel them. :)
  • manglier
    manglier Posts: 1,278
    Some stores will allow you to buy a saddle with a 30 day money back guarantee. If the saddle you choose first is not right you can either exchange it for a different model (with any adjustment in price) or just get your money back. The 30 day clock is reset every time you choose a new perch.
    I did this at Specialized in Harrogate: I started off being measured in store, opting for the recommended Toupe155 @ £90. That turned out to be a 40 mile saddle, i.e. it started to hurt after 40 miles. I then went through the Romin155 (50 miles), Romin Evo155 (70 miles), Romin Evo168 (40 miles) -I measured up as borderline between the two sizes, and finally ended up with the Romin Evo Gel155 (no pain at all :mrgreen: ) for £85.
  • dnwhite88
    dnwhite88 Posts: 285
    zardoz wrote:
    Any recommendations here are pointless as they may not suit you, so best advice is to find a place that can measure your seatbones and so you get an idea of which will be best fit. Alteratively find a shop that has test saddles and try a few. Expensive doesn't necessarily mean best for you either.

    +1. Also saddles aren't seats and aren't designed to be a comfy place to sit-they're designed to support part of your weight whilst riding, conditioning of your backside to take longer saddle hours will do more for improving comfort.
    "It never gets easier, you just go faster"
  • cmhill79
    cmhill79 Posts: 139
    Manglier wrote:
    Some stores will allow you to buy a saddle with a 30 day money back guarantee. If the saddle you choose first is not right you can either exchange it for a different model (with any adjustment in price) or just get your money back. The 30 day clock is reset every time you choose a new perch.
    I did this at Specialized in Harrogate: I started off being measured in store, opting for the recommended Toupe155 @ £90. That turned out to be a 40 mile saddle, i.e. it started to hurt after 40 miles. I then went through the Romin155 (50 miles), Romin Evo155 (70 miles), Romin Evo168 (40 miles) -I measured up as borderline between the two sizes, and finally ended up with the Romin Evo Gel155 (no pain at all :mrgreen: ) for £85.

    Thank you that is very helpful
  • fsman
    fsman Posts: 112
    I recently purchased the Charge Scoop. Very comfortable. Even better than the Charge Spoon I have on my commuter bike. And great price too.
  • nochekmate
    nochekmate Posts: 3,460
    ... and I love the Arione!
    We are all different (although I have to say that my ass seems to be happy on most saddles that I have used - Charge Spoon worth a try at the price because they are cheap @ £20)
  • northpole
    northpole Posts: 1,499
    Saddles are a complete nightmare to resolve comfort wise. As the OP and others have aluded to, comfort patterns seem to shift as the miles get piled on. Specialized are good to experiment with as several of their retailers will lend them to you and at least you will be able to try without incurring great expense (other than on energy bars!!). After that, be prepared to be fleeced!

    For what it's worth I seem to end up back with a Spesh Toupe with several unsuccessful ventures between times. Still haven't found 'the one' despite many ££ efforts!!

    Peter
  • mugensi
    mugensi Posts: 559
    I went through two Prologos, a selle italia and a San Marco before trying an ebay Emir saddle which turned out to be the best and most comfortable for me...and cheapest by a long shot!

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