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New Saddle

kevdewellkevdewell Posts: 13
edited November 2015 in Road buying advice
Sorry if this has been done a hundred times, but I need a new saddle. Every time I ride at the moment, parts of my anatomy that shouldn't ever go numb, go numb really too quickly.

I know I need to measure my sit bones and get a saddle with a pressure relieving groove etc etc.

But I'm looking for advice on where is best to buy a saddle. My guess is with something so individual as a saddle that even after measuring etc I won't know if I have bought the right saddle till after I've ridden on it a few times. Is there any where that will allow you to try a saddle and return if no good? I've heard of some LBS doing this, but there aren't many near me. Any websites or brands allow you do try their saddles?

Posts

  • hypsterhypster Posts: 1,229
    Specialized have a sitbones measuring system, offer a range of widths and you can return uncomfortable saddles for a credit. Evans Cycles will also give you a credit on a returned saddle, both obviously providing there is no wear-and-tear I'm assuming.

    ISM offer very specialist saddles which may suit and their dealers have a set of trial saddles. I was at an ISM dealer recently to borrow a saddle for my daughter and he also had several Fizik saddles to try as well so maybe Fizik dealers operate a similar scheme.
  • bbrapbbrap Posts: 610
    Most Fizik dealers have the test saddles (normally bright yellow or purple) which you can try. You pay a deposit and have the saddle for a week to try. Return the saddle and get your deposit back. I tried a number (5) before settling on what suited best (normal Arione without a groove in my case). I think some Specialized dealers run a similar scheme.
    Rose Xeon CDX 3100, Ultegra Di2 disc (nice weather)
    Ribble Gran Fondo, Campagnolo Centaur (winter bike)
    Van Raam 'O' Pair
    Land Rover (really nasty weather :lol: )
  • oxomanoxoman Posts: 11,735
    As bbrap mentions most bike shops that do fizik do test saddles to try.
    Too many bikes according to Mrs O.
  • wahla21wahla21 Posts: 96
    I had the same problem as you do.

    I must have tried 10 different types of saddles from stock Selle Italia that came with the bike to really fancy Fizik saddles. I went to a Specialized store and had my sit bones measured and got a saddle but no luck.
    I even tried my missus Gel Flow saddle (!!!!!) and nothing really helped.

    I then read up about the Charge Spoon saddle and decided to try as it only cost around £20.
    Best saddle I've ever tried. I use it on my commuter bike as well as my weekend bike.

    It might not be right for you, but worth trying. If it doesn't work, they sell for almost new money on eBay so you won't lose much...

    Cheers
  • rumbatazrumbataz Posts: 796
    Another vote for the Charge Spoon saddle. An absolute bargain at £20 - just fitted one to my hybrid and really enjoying the comfort. It does need careful fore-and-aft adjustment to set it just right.

    The Specialized Body Geometry series are good too - I have a Phenom Comp on my road bike and I've never had any pain or numbness in my nether regions after a ride.
  • hypsterhypster Posts: 1,229
    Just to add some balance to the last two posts, I tried a Charge Spoon and it didn't suit me at all, way too narrow for my big censored , like sitting on the edge of a board. Personally I would take any recommendations for an actual saddle with a pinch of salt even if they are relatively cheap.

    I know a lot of people do rate the Charge Spoon however, so it may will suit you but I would be looking to demo any saddle before I bought. It can get to be a very frustrating experience to keep buying the next recommended saddle in search of the Holy Grail. Contact some bike shops near to you and see if they do a demo or exchange scheme like the Fizik one.
  • izzaizza Posts: 1,561
    Try a Giant fitting saddle. Its a very similar system to Fizik but rather than bending over in the shower trying to take selfies, you pedal for 5 minutes and there's a clear indication of your position/needs.
  • rolf_frolf_f Posts: 16,015
    [url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19748279#p19748279]izza[/url] wrote:
    Try a Giant fitting saddle. Its a very similar system to Fizik but rather than bending over in the shower trying to take selfies.....

    Why on earth would you need to take selfies to determine your fit in the Fizik system?! :wink:
    Faster than a tent.......
  • bbrapbbrap Posts: 610
    [url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19748397#p19748397]Rolf F[/url] wrote:
    [url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19748279#p19748279]izza[/url] wrote:
    Try a Giant fitting saddle. Its a very similar system to Fizik but rather than bending over in the shower trying to take selfies.....

    Why on earth would you need to take selfies to determine your fit in the Fizik system?! :wink:

    Cos they use some marketing bollox rating people as "snakes" "bulls" aardvarks or other creatures depending on how bendy you are. Not sure about the shower bit, or the selfies come to that :P
    Rose Xeon CDX 3100, Ultegra Di2 disc (nice weather)
    Ribble Gran Fondo, Campagnolo Centaur (winter bike)
    Van Raam 'O' Pair
    Land Rover (really nasty weather :lol: )
  • mrb123mrb123 Posts: 4,486
    Yes darling, send me a picture of yourself bent over in the shower and we'll be able to determine precisely what saddle you need!
  • izzaizza Posts: 1,561
    Where's the soap?
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