Saddle for non padded shorts

ddraver

Hi all

I ve getting a new bike for commuting and the saddle on it is horrific so i need to replace it with something. As it will be used as a town bike I'd like one that is suitable for use without padded shorts. Does anyone have any experience of this? First thoughts are to go with one that is a tad more padded (or those new Brooks ones that are rubber) but I'm not sure..?

My other bikes all have SDG saddles

Any Ideas

Thanks guys
David

navrig2

Why should a town bike be ridden with unpadded shorts?

If you are doing enough miles to hurt your backside then padded shorts are the answer. A padded saddle is unlikely to solve the problem.

ai_1

Navrig2 wrote:

Why should a town bike be ridden with unpadded shorts?

If you are doing enough miles to hurt your backside then padded shorts are the answer. A padded saddle is unlikely to solve the problem.

It makes perfect sense to me. I wouldn't do long training rides without the best comfort available (slim & firm saddle with padded bib shorts) but for the convenience of hopping on the bike in normal clothes for short trips - why not? He's got other bikes for long rides. Soft saddles don't normally cause much discomfort until you've been in the saddle a while.

ddraver

we re talking about 45 mins into Central London, then dicking around shopping or doing whatever it is I went in for, then 45 back home...

Maybe I should have asked the communters...

marcusjb

More people should be riding bikes in normal clothes - it's a good thing for cycling and the concept that it isn't this weird mode of transport that needs you to wear flourescent yellow, Lycra and those weird face masks.

I use a charge spoon on my main commuter (14-16km into London in regular clothes for meetings etc.) without too many issues. I tend towards narrow saddles anyway.

My shopping bike (usually under 15 minute trips but occasionally it gets taken into London for a change) has an enormous padded saddle (it's a Japanese city bike and the saddle is a Marukin branded one (as is the bike)). No issues again - other than a bit of a sweaty crack sometimes - nasty vinyl covering!

navrig2

ddraver wrote:

we re talking about 45 mins into Central London, then dicking around shopping or doing whatever it is I went in for, then 45 back home...

Maybe I should have asked the communters...

Fair point. For that I would use my hardtail without shorts. Saddle is some sort of WTB with a reasonable amount of padding. I wouldn't expect to have a sore backside after that sort of time.

Good luck.

ddraver

it's a fixie if that makes any difference - Charge Spoon was where i was leaning really...

(It's a new bike and comes with a ridiculous plastic thing which is just absurd...)

Grill

ddraver wrote:

we re talking about 45 mins into Central London, then dicking around shopping or doing whatever it is I went in for, then 45 back home...

Maybe I should have asked the communters...

Errr... even my unpadded carbon saddle is fine for that sort of trip. If the saddle is the correct shape and properly supports your sit bones then padded bibs aren't as big an issue.

marcusjb

ddraver wrote:

it's a fixie if that makes any difference - Charge Spoon was where i was leaning really...

(It's a new bike and comes with a ridiculous plastic thing which is just absurd...)

My main commuter is fixed-wheel, so I can confirm that a Charge Spoon is compatible with that (lack of) technology! They're cheap and last well - mine still looks spot on after 3 years, I don't do massive mileage on that bike (4500-5000km a year) but it lives outside (under cover) and gets left out in the rain when parked up in town.

They're not a bad saddle for narrow saddle-users - I've ridden the fixed on the odd 100km trip (with shorts though) and it's pretty good. I'd have a Swift on that bike like a shot - but Brooks and leaving bikes in central London isn't a great combination.

keef66

ddraver wrote:

it's a fixie if that makes any difference - Charge Spoon was where i was leaning really...

(It's a new bike and comes with a ridiculous plastic thing which is just absurd...)

I have a Charge Spoon in grey which is surplus to requirements if you're interested. I've stopped using it because the stitching was bobbling my lycra, but for civilian use it would be perfect.

Coach H

Probably a bit expensive (but no more than the rubber Brooks I think)
http://www.selleanatomica.com/products/

cougie

Spoon is probably a good bet. Cheap and a lot of people get on with it.

If I'm out on my outdoor ride - I'll wear padded shorts.

If its say 60-90 mins turbo session and I'm already in non padded lycra from a run or gym session - then unpadded works just fine for me.

Your bum may vary.

ai_1

Grill wrote:

ddraver wrote:

we re talking about 45 mins into Central London, then dicking around shopping or doing whatever it is I went in for, then 45 back home...

Maybe I should have asked the communters...

Errr... even my unpadded carbon saddle is fine for that sort of trip. If the saddle is the correct shape and properly supports your sit bones then padded bibs aren't as big an issue.

I think this will depend on a few variables!
I can happily sit on my Specialised Romin EVO Expert for several hours in good padded shorts. I'd be uncomfortable after 25 mins or less without them. If the bike's going to be routinely used for short/casual rides without padded shorts it seems silly to use a saddle optimised for padded shorts and potentially very long rides.

Rivers_Nick

+1 for the Charge

I use both the Charge Spoon and the Charge Scoop, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend either but, I would lean toward the Scoop as it has no stitching as it is covered with a single piece of microfibre. It's a steal.

bigjim

I can ride the San Marco Rolls without any padding. Went out last week on it for two hours and forgot that I did not have padded shorts on. Never noticed till I got back and saw them still on the floor.
Leather as well, so no sweaty parts.

nunowoolmez

you could strap a small cushion to the saddle. job done

964cup

I use Selle Italia SLR Kit Carbonio Flows on all my bikes, except the one I use to cycle wearing normal clothes. That has an SLS KC Flow, which works very nicely without padding. They're about £45.

TakeTurns

Yeah, get a spoon....