Saddle lifespan?

padyjoe · 25-05-2017 2:10pm #1

I have a 14' Defy the white and red one and there's 13k kms on my stock factory saddle. I wonder it's time for change? For some reason I feel it hurts my bottom more than before, finding myself moving around on the saddle looking a less punishing spot.
Or it's me getting softer? :-)

Inquitus · 25-05-2017 2:15pm

padyjoe wrote: »

I have a 14' Defy the white and red one and there's 13k kms on my stock factory saddle. I wonder it's time for change? For some reason I feel it hurts my bottom more than before, finding myself moving around on the saddle looking a less punishing spot.
Or it's me getting softer? :-)

I've never had to replace a saddle to date.

arybvtcw0eolkf · 25-05-2017 2:42pm

Never heard of it, and both my saddles would have many times that.

Maybe time to renew your cycling shorts?.

Eamonnator · 25-05-2017 3:00pm

I have a Selle Italia saddle, That I got in 1999. It has been relegated to my "going to the shops" bike in the last couple of years, but I reckon, theres about 40,000kms on it, and still in good nick.

Johnnio13 · 25-05-2017 3:18pm

your rear is coming out of its winter hibernation. Less insulation is now adding to sore-arsed-ness

mp31 · 25-05-2017 3:22pm

I have gone through a half a dozen saddles over the last 6 years... each saddle is great to start with but after about a year it slowly turns to an instrument of torture.
Not sure if my backside is adapting to a new saddle over time which in turn leads to discomfort then pain and sometimes saddle sores.

dub_skav · 25-05-2017 3:30pm

It could be the saddle, or it could be your arse.
You should try an Occam Razr

padyjoe · 25-05-2017 3:35pm

So are you saying that my bum is big? :-) Ok, thanks for the inputs! Have to check the shorts out! I've read the advice before that no underwear is meant to be worn with the shorts. Could that cause something?
TBH I'm not happy with the thoughts of heading into a public place with no underwear. Obviously there are the shorts but I kinda would feel naked without it. They're tight fitting enough and I'm a 100kg bundle of joy. :-D

dub_skav · 25-05-2017 3:50pm

I too am up around the 100kg mark and sometimes my bottom can also be tender. Usually after a bit of a gap off the bike or a sudden increase in distances.
More time in the saddle should help, but it is possible that the saddle is no longer a comfortable fit for you.

So, it's certainly not worn out, but it might not be for you.

Eamonnator · 25-05-2017 4:11pm

padyjoe wrote: »

So are you saying that my bum is big? :-) Ok, thanks for the inputs! Have to check the shorts out! I've read the advice before that no underwear is meant to be worn with the shorts. Could that cause something?
TBH I'm not happy with the thoughts of heading into a public place with no underwear. Obviously there are the shorts but I kinda would feel naked without it. They're tight fitting enough and I'm a 100kg bundle of joy. :-D

Before you spend money on a new saddle, try going commando. Go on, just give it a go. Deep down, you know, it's the right thing to do.

OleRodrigo · 25-05-2017 4:42pm

Extra weight on your upper body with delicate skin around the contact area are two of the biggest problems finding a comfy saddle. Sit bone structure is, IMO, often a red herring.

Losing weight and regular cycling will ease the pressure on your sit bones along with toughening up your skin. Then you'll have a broader range of saddles to choose from.

Leather saddles tend to last longest but it depends on what you wear on the bike and if you leave it out in the elements. Jeans are tough on saddles that have fabric covering.

secman · 25-05-2017 4:54pm

padyjoe wrote: »

So are you saying that my bum is big? :-) Ok, thanks for the inputs! Have to check the shorts out! I've read the advice before that no underwear is meant to be worn with the shorts. Could that cause something?
TBH I'm not happy with the thoughts of heading into a public place with no underwear. Obviously there are the shorts but I kinda would feel naked without it. They're tight fitting enough and I'm a 100kg bundle of joy. :-D

The whole point of the shorts padding is for it to be next to your skin, I also use a chamois cream, well worth investing in. Vaselline is a no no.
Sweaty underwear his or hers is a major no no.

Unknown Soldier · 25-05-2017 6:49pm

padyjoe wrote: »

I have a 14' Defy the white and red one and there's 13k kms on my stock factory saddle. I wonder it's time for change? For some reason I feel it hurts my bottom more than before, finding myself moving around on the saddle looking a less punishing spot.
Or it's me getting softer? :-)

Saddles to get a tad more flexible over time & use.

It might be that you bum prefers a stiff less flexible (or new) saddle, as counter intuitive as that might seem.

Once I've broken in a saddle, I tend to raise the seatpost by a couple of millimetres.

magicbastarder · 25-05-2017 8:50pm

OleRodrigo wrote: »

Losing weight and regular cycling will ease the pressure on your sit bones along with toughening up your skin. Then you'll have a broader range of saddles to choose from.

or could it be the case that losing weight simply means that the saddle which fit best before is now no longer a good fit?

OleRodrigo · 25-05-2017 11:17pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

or could it be the case that losing weight simply means that the saddle which fit best before is now no longer a good fit?

Possibly, but there's more downward force with extra torso weight, creating more compression.

ciaeim · 26-05-2017 6:37am

secman wrote: »

The whole point of the shorts padding is for it to be next to your skin, I also use a chamois cream, well worth investing in. Vaselline is a no no.
Sweaty underwear his or hers is a major no no.

Just curious as to why Vaseline is a no no !!

secman · 26-05-2017 7:22am

ciaeim wrote: »

Just curious as to why Vaseline is a no no !!

I used vaseline for years and on long rides still got some chaffing and soreness. Switched to using proper chamois cream about a year ago and the difference is very noticeable. It's pricey , I tend to use Assos, it has a "cooling " effect , anti bacterial and bottom line is, it works much better. Haven't had any chaffing or soreness in a long time. Seems to be better for the cycling gear too.

Wishbone Ash · 26-05-2017 8:53am

padyjoe wrote: »

... I'm not happy with the thoughts of heading into a public place with no underwear...

Would you wear underwear under swimming togs while on a public beach?

As has been said, underwear is a complete no no and defeats the purpose of cycling shorts.

sy_flembeck · 26-05-2017 10:49pm

padyjoe wrote: »

I have a 14' Defy the white and red one and there's 13k kms on my stock factory saddle. I wonder it's time for change? For some reason I feel it hurts my bottom more than before, finding myself moving around on the saddle looking a less punishing spot.
Or it's me getting softer? :-)

I think the only solution is to change your bike. G'wan, you know you want to

padyjoe · 02-06-2017 12:49pm

I tried without underwear, didn't even notice it's not there. I don't see my @rse anyway! :-) There's some improvement, more cooling flow. I've managed 190k this week and hoping for more if the weather allows.

After finishing the spin my bottom is still in one piece, don't have any pain or soreness(have Sudocream in the drawer ;-) ). I might try a new saddle but there so many to choose from!

Thanks to all for their inputs!

Brian? · 02-06-2017 2:46pm

Have you had a bike fit done? I'm 99.9% sure this fixes 98% of arse soreness, 100% of the time.

ninoon · 02-06-2017 4:23pm

I have a Selle SMP Extra with 80000 km on it , still comfortable.

Juan More Time · 02-06-2017 8:47pm

I ride a specialized romin and it's hull cracked after three years of fairly moderate use.. According to people on the bike forums, the early romin saddles have acquired a reputation for failing... Would prefer to ride something more durable, but nothing cradles my hind quarters more comfortably than the original thinly padded romin..

crosstownk · 02-06-2017 10:13pm

padyjoe wrote: »

I have a 14' Defy the white and red one and there's 13k kms on my stock factory saddle. I wonder it's time for change? For some reason I feel it hurts my bottom more than before, finding myself moving around on the saddle looking a less punishing spot.
Or it's me getting softer? :-)

I've been using a Defy saddle (Giant Performance Road) for 22,000km. It's not the most comfortable saddle out there, imo but it's served me well. No change in comfort over the distance.

Saddle lifespan?

Comments