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Saddle options

johngtijohngti Posts: 2,362
in Road buying advice
Given that saddles are a personal choice, I'm still having problems with mine and would appreciate a bit of guidance.

Best fit I've found that doesn't completely cripple me is the Giant contact saddle - 130mm wide, slight curve to it, standard sort of length. Problem I have is on the turbo where, within 20 minutes, I'm getting a fair amount of numbness. Obviously standing eases it but...

So, I'm wondering if something flat would help and/or a little wider. Any recommendations of a flatish saddle that's wider than 130mm? I don't mind doing an eBay trawl to get some cheaper used ones to try out but have no idea where to start!
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Posts

  • MattFalleMattFalle Posts: 10,096
    No idea on width but I'll measure one in a mo' but Selle Italia SLRs are flat and, if they fit, blimmin' comfy.

  • johngtijohngti Posts: 2,362
    Ta!
  • ballysmateballysmate Posts: 15,903
    I was gifted a Sella Italia by a gent on this very forum.
    My bum thanks him for it. :D
  • johngtijohngti Posts: 2,362
    Found a few on eBay. 131mm and 14-something are the fits. Might try a wider one, just to see.
  • johngtijohngti Posts: 2,362
    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174726223725?hash=item28ae7e976d:g:oacAAOSwIOJfIuuc

    Got to be worth a punt...
  • pblakeneypblakeney Posts: 19,912
    Might just be an overweight me, but here is an opinion on cutout saddles.
    Going over rough roads can lead to pinching.
    I have the same saddle fitted to both my road bikes and while I'd happily buy the same saddle again, it would be the version without cutouts. YMMV.

    PS - My first experience of this was on my Dad's bike fitted with a 50s cutout version Brooks when I was a teenager. I had hoped things had improved.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • First.AspectFirst.Aspect Posts: 9,725
    +1 for the Selle Italia. I've got one with a cutout but not sure it makes any difference. Fairly narrow though.

    Other flat saddle options are Specialized Toupe - but shell is prone to cracking. Still my fave flat saddle for comfort.

    Or Fizik Antares VS (they have cutout options as well but the versus has a channel between the padding that works just as well). This is the widest of the three. Came on my R3 which is a harsh bike, and I've been pleasantly surprised by it.

    Hope that helps.
  • MattFalleMattFalle Posts: 10,096
    johngti said:

    Ta!




    HTH
  • MattFalleMattFalle Posts: 10,096
    johngti said:

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174726223725?hash=item28ae7e976d:g:oacAAOSwIOJfIuuc

    Got to be worth a punt...

    yup.

    do it. do it. do it. do it. do it now. buy it. buy it. buy it. buy it. buy it now.
  • johngtijohngti Posts: 2,362
    Thanks so far, everyone.
  • johngtijohngti Posts: 2,362
    MattFalle said:

    johngti said:

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174726223725?hash=item28ae7e976d:g:oacAAOSwIOJfIuuc

    Got to be worth a punt...

    yup.

    do it. do it. do it. do it. do it now. buy it. buy it. buy it. buy it. buy it now.
    Fine! I’ll do it!!
  • MattFalleMattFalle Posts: 10,096
    johngti said:

    MattFalle said:

    johngti said:

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174726223725?hash=item28ae7e976d:g:oacAAOSwIOJfIuuc

    Got to be worth a punt...

    yup.

    do it. do it. do it. do it. do it now. buy it. buy it. buy it. buy it. buy it now.
    Fine! I’ll do it!!
    have you done it yet? have you? have you?
  • johngtijohngti Posts: 2,362
    Yes. Yes I have. But it won’t arrive until Wednesday.
  • MattFalleMattFalle Posts: 10,096
    Fine. At least you have bought it though. Top work that man.

    Remember we need picks of bike when its fitted.
  • johngtijohngti Posts: 2,362
    Tell you what, I’ll fit it, try it, and if it’s staying I’ll take pics. Although you’ve seen the bike already, of course
  • singletonsingleton Posts: 2,233
    Prologo do saddles in different widths and some manufacturers have fitting guides on their websites - some with suggested methods for working out what size you need.
  • johngtijohngti Posts: 2,362
    singleton said:

    Prologo do saddles in different widths and some manufacturers have fitting guides on their websites - some with suggested methods for working out what size you need.

    I wondered about prologo as an option. I’ll have a look - thanks!
  • ibr17xviiibr17xvii Posts: 1,004
    Selle Italia for me as well, currently on a Flite Superflow Boost which I'm loving as the new models have the larger cutout which I like.

    Tried Fizik, Pro Stealth & also had a Specialized Power for a bit but always seem to come back to Selle Italia & particularly the Flite. Tried a SLR & didn't like it as much.
  • johngtijohngti Posts: 2,362
    Got a long session on sufferfest starting in a few minutes (once I get changed). Hopefully my undercarriage will survive based on the promise of being cosseted next week!
  • pippi_langsamer-2pippi_langsamer-2 Posts: 1,436
    I've settled on Prologo Dimensions. Useless information for you there. Gratis.
  • singletonsingleton Posts: 2,233
    johngti said:

    singleton said:

    Prologo do saddles in different widths and some manufacturers have fitting guides on their websites - some with suggested methods for working out what size you need.

    I wondered about prologo as an option. I’ll have a look - thanks!
    I use Prologo Nago - it's a semi-rounded saddle available in 2 widths - the 141 width is better for me but they also do a 134 width. Also available with a cut-out (what they call PAS).
  • johngtijohngti Posts: 2,362
    Ta both. Both of those look worth a shot - I’ll see how the selle Italian works in a day or two but good to have other options to try.
  • johngtijohngti Posts: 2,362
    Here you go @Matthewfalle

    Tomorrow I’ll try it out properly. First impressions are defo wider, potentially less pressure, but the old undercarriage had a bit of a beasting on Saturday so there’s still a little residual discomfort. See what it’s like with bike shorts on.




  • MattFalleMattFalle Posts: 10,096
    johngti said:

    Here you go @Matthewfalle

    Tomorrow I’ll try it out properly. First impressions are defo wider, potentially less pressure, but the old undercarriage had a bit of a beasting on Saturday so there’s still a little residual discomfort. See what it’s like with bike shorts on.




    looks sweet. nice.

    you gonna get rid of all thatshit from under the stem? don't want to be mistaken for an audaxer
  • johngtijohngti Posts: 2,362
    Ain’tnoshit under that stem. There’s a wahoo bracket thing on the ‘bars but otherwise the only thing below the stem is the tyre and sweet deep section rim. What do you think you’re seeing?
  • johngtijohngti Posts: 2,362
    Oh I see! Spacers! Give me a chance. I’ve managed to remove 1.5 cm worth over the last few months, getting more flexible but it takes time…
  • MattFalleMattFalle Posts: 10,096
    yes - the spacers

    just take them off while its on the turbo.

    job jobbed.
  • MattFalleMattFalle Posts: 10,096
    adds 2mph top end.
  • johngtijohngti Posts: 2,362
    MattFalle said:

    yes - the spacers

    just take them off while its on the turbo.

    job jobbed.

    See how we go. My neck is as inflexible as a very inflexible thing. May never slam it, but potential for it to be a bit lower. The Domane does have quite a large stack. Fnar
  • MattFalleMattFalle Posts: 10,096
    the key to flexibility is red wine.

    the more you drink, the more flexible you become.

    trust me, i'm like a medical man.
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