How long should a saddle last and when to change a saddle?

topcat77

Hi All,

I've been riding a Trek 1.5 2010 for the last 2 years. recently the saddle (Bontrager R1) has started to moan and groan, and the last 2 weeks my ass has starting to moan and groan with some numbness in the you know what area. This happens only after about 1 hour in the saddle (numbness), I'm around 75-80kg and never had any problems before. I know the saddle has to be change so what i need is.

1, Recommendations for a quality long lasting saddle (comfort over weight).
2, How long a saddle should last.
3, key signs when a saddle needs changing.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post.

Saddle has done about 15'000 km

kenmc

the saddle on my commute bike is the one that came with it 5 1/2 years ago. It gets used almost daily.

Raam

topcat77 wrote: »

3, key signs when a saddle needs changing.

For me it was when the rails snapped.

07Lapierre

topcat77 wrote: »

Hi All,

I've been riding a Trek 1.5 2010 for the last 2 years. recently the saddle (Bontrager R1) has started to moan and groan, and the last 2 weeks my ass has starting to moan and groan with some numbness in the you know what area. This happens only after about 1 hour in the saddle (numbness), I'm around 75-80kg and never had any problems before. I know the saddle has to be change so what i need is.

1, Recommendations for a quality long lasting saddle (comfort over weight).
2, How long a saddle should last.
3, key signs when a saddle needs changing.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post.

Saddle has done about 15'000 km

1. Comfort
2. A Lifetime
3. If its broken in a crash

As for numbness, sit in any saddle long enough and you'll get numb.

rich.d.berry

I love my Fizik Arione. It is super-comfortable and I weigh 95 kg.

That said, saddles are very personal choices. One person's comfortable saddle can be another's pain in the arse.

07Lapierre

rich.d.berry wrote: »

I love my Fizik Arione. It is super-comfortable and I weigh 95 kg.

That said, saddles are very personal choices. One person's comfortable saddle can be another's pain in the arse.

+1 the Arione is my favourite

Raam

Just for balance, I had an Arione and hated it.

Lemag

I've seen the Charge Spoon suggested here a few times as a cheap but comfortable option. I can't speak from experience though.

copperhead

i recently got a specialized roman evo and all i can say is wow its by far the most comfortable saddle iv ever had and cured all my numbness issues and its also very light if thats what your into

bogmanfan

I have a Specialized Romin myself. Super comfy. OP, I also have that saddle that came on my Trek 1.5. Changed it after about 200km as I couldn't get on with it. It is quite padded compared to the Specialized, so I can see how the padding might lose its effectiveness after a while.

Mycroft H

Brooks.


Enough said.

cdaly_

My Brooks B17 has been lovely from day 1. It's about 1 year old now but a colleague has a 20 year old one in great nick. Previous (gel) saddle lasted reasonably well for about 3 years but the cover started to tear eventually.

manwithaplan

Get the right size first. After that, do you prefer a firm saddle or something padded? There's enough padding in shorts for me but others differ. Then do you like a curved saddle or something fairly flat? I find curved saddles put pressure where it's not wanted. Finally, do you want a cut out section to lessen the pressure on the sensitive bit? The Specialized saddles fit me well - I have a Toupe on my race bike - but there's not much point recommending a saddle to anyone.

Note the fore-aft position of your current saddle before you remove it. Also, try to get the new one as level as possible - this can be a bit tricky.

Qualitymark

Try this out for me and tell me if it's comfy

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Unified-Sport-Evolve-Saddle-Black/dp/B005XZ1PLA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345270116&sr=8-1

(and also if it breaks in bits if you park the bike against a pole). It also comes in a lurid blue.

And b), how do you know what saddle is the right fit?

topcat77

Alright I've had a closer look and I've notice the saddle angle had changed very slightly (nose of the saddle was low). Gave the saddle a good push and don't you know it the fecking thing moved. Just reset with a spirit level and tightened. Going for a 90km spin on the Galway 70.3 Half Ironman cycle course tonight so I'll find out if the problem is solved. Thanks for all the replies!!

Qualitymark

Here's the Evolve bicycle saddle



in action:

http://www.unifiedsport.com/evolve-saddle-video.html

(video)

rich.d.berry

My first thought when I saw that photo was that when you stand up to power up a hill it will be tilted then when you sit back down the bits sticking up will go between your legs. It's not something on my shopping list.

Qualitymark

rich.d.berry wrote: »

My first thought when I saw that photo was that when you stand up to power up a hill it will be tilted then when you sit back down the bits sticking up will go between your legs. It's not something on my shopping list.

Ouch!

Cookie_Monster

07Lapierre wrote: »

2. A Lifetime
.

really?
Mine's already starting to fray at the edges. Doubt I'll see another year out of it, never mind a lifetime