Saddle advise.

aquanaut · 28-03-2011 08:59PM #1

Hi. Firstly, I know its each to there own but I have a standard trek 1.5 saddle and looking for something more comfortable. Probably ride no more than 3 hours at a time - im 32 waist with 'no' arse to speak of, so boney. Im only 12 stone so think maybe soft padded. Anyone with a similar physic have any recommendations? Oh yeah - budget no more than €120

Ardennes1944 · 28-03-2011 09:05PM

aquanaut wrote: »

Hi. Firstly, I know its each to there own but I have a standard trek 1.5 saddle and looking for something more comfortable. Probably ride no more than 3 hours at a time - im 32 waist with 'no' arse to speak of, so boney. Im only 12 stone so think maybe soft padded. Anyone with a similar physic have any recommendations? Oh yeah - budget no more than €120

I'm 6'3 and 76kgs and have a trek 1500. I would, based on my very very little knowledge,think that you'd be better off investing in extra chamois padded bib shorts. you can also get gel pads that fit over the saddles and may be a cheap alternative

cantalach · 28-03-2011 09:06PM

You've worded that very well. If you had actually stated that you had a sore arse, the mods might have locked the thread for seeking medical advice!

(Only teasing, mods - I understand the rationale. Most of the time anyway.)

Zorba · 28-03-2011 09:07PM

Specialized Romin €65 delivered to your door.

I'm 30" waist 11 stone and it's like sitting on an armchair.

Murph100 · 28-03-2011 09:39PM

Just curious, did you choose the size by Specializeds guidelines or just picked whatever you thought was best ?

Zorba wrote: »

Specialized Romin €65 delivered to your door.

I'm 30" waist 11 stone and it's like sitting on an armchair.

thebouldwhacker · 28-03-2011 10:17PM

Hey Aqua, how long have you ridden on it, I ask because I think I know the saddle you are on about, I have it on my road bike atm, it took me about 500+ km to get my ass used to it and though I don't particularly like it (for aesthetic reasons, I know its a stock Trek saddle, shallow I know but I got it at a bargan price so who am I to complain) I find it perfect now

The ultimate in comfort is a brooks, they are unbelievable but kinda like going to the pub on a friday evening wearing runners, it means you've given up:p

tbw dives for cover

sy · 28-03-2011 11:22PM

Zorba wrote: »

Specialized Romin €65 delivered to your door.

I'm 30" waist 11 stone and it's like sitting on an armchair.

Can you link this price Zorba

Lemag · 28-03-2011 11:54PM

"ADVICE"

The Selle Itallia Kit Carbonio fits my ass nicely.

FISMA · 29-03-2011 12:07AM

First, I doubt there is a one size fits all. However, everyone I know that spends a lot of time in the saddle does the same three things.

1) Buy a good pair of shorts with padding.
2) Use some kind of chammy creme, like Assos
3) Get a good saddle

The best saddle I have found is the Selle Italia Flite Ti.

pr-Bike_Parts_Accessories-Selle_Italia_Flite_TT_Saddles-resized200.jpg

macnab · 29-03-2011 12:39AM

Try a Toupe Spoon, at e30 they are worth a try before investing in more exotic saddles. Google will provide lots of satisfied buyers.

aquanaut · 29-03-2011 07:21AM

thebouldwhacker wrote: »

Hey Aqua, how long have you ridden on it, I ask because I think I know the saddle you are on about, I have it on my road bike atm, it took me about 500+ km to get my ass used to it and though I don't particularly like it (for aesthetic reasons, I know its a stock Trek saddle, shallow I know but I got it at a bargan price so who am I to complain) I find it perfect now

The ultimate in comfort is a brooks, they are unbelievable but kinda like going to the pub on a friday evening wearing runners, it means you've given up:p

tbw dives for cover

Yeah had it around 6 months and +500 km on it - I read a review on the Romin that said 'used to frrl like all my weight was on the pedals' which fits what im feeling. Gonna see if my lbs has a sit bone measurer today - will update if I find anything nice

aquanaut · 29-03-2011 07:25AM

And another thing while im disecting my saddle - I feel like all my weight is on my sit bones and non in between - is this right or is there such a thing as a convex saddle?

cantalach · 29-03-2011 08:05AM

aquanaut wrote: »

And another thing while im disecting my saddle - I feel like all my weight is on my sit bones and non in between - is this right or is there such a thing as a convex saddle?

I think it's supposed to feel like all (or certainly most) of the weight is on your sit bones. That is why they're called sit bones after all! If you've a lot of pressure elsewhere, such as on your perineum, it can cause serious problems in the bedroom department. As Dave Z says in relation to the critical saddle-arse interface, "protect your junk!"

smacl · 29-03-2011 08:08AM

Could also be worth adjusting your saddle position a bit and see if that helps you. You have forward backward, tilt and height that can be adjusted, and I found very small changes here helped quite a bit. Note your existing positions carefully first, so you can always go back if you screw up.

FWIW, I spent a few bob on a Selle Italia SLR and it didn't make a huge difference. 7hr spin on Sunday, and I still had a sore ass on Monday. Learning how to move about and get different saddle positions helps a lot.

The ultimate in comfort is a brooks, they are unbelievable but kinda like going to the pub on a friday evening wearing runners, it means you've given up

Thinking thats what I'm going for next, springs and all!

cantalach · 29-03-2011 08:26AM

thebouldwhacker wrote: »

The ultimate in comfort is a brooks, they are unbelievable but kinda like going to the pub on a friday evening wearing runners, it means you've given up

Hmm...I only own runners. Well apart from the brogues I have for those very rare occasions that I have to wear a suit. Then again, my years of spending Friday evening in the pub are definitely behind me so no matter.

aquanaut · 29-03-2011 09:15AM

smacl wrote: »

Could also be worth adjusting your saddle position a bit and see if that helps you. You have forward backward, tilt and height that can be adjusted, and I found very small changes here helped quite a bit. Note your existing positions carefully first, so you can always go back if you screw up.

FWIW, I spent a few bob on a Selle Italia SLR and it didn't make a huge difference. 7hr spin on Sunday, and I still had a sore ass on Monday. Learning how to move about and get different saddle positions helps a lot.

Thinking thats what I'm going for next, springs and all!

I find that im sat on the front of the saddle most of the time, and then after about 30km I have to move back for 5 minutes to get some relief - maybe I should try moving my saddle forward a bit for the next spin

slingerz · 29-03-2011 09:24AM

this interests me as i'm new to cycling and my arse does be killing me after a cycle circa 35km. I have the padded shorts and all but i still find discomfort and a certain numbness in other regions in that area. i have a felt z100 bike and standard saddle

thebouldwhacker · 29-03-2011 11:51AM

@aqua: the saddle is narrow at the back perhaps you need to use a wider one (I cant think of the measurements off hand) but there are wider shapes so that could be a consideration.

Re sitting position I think (my opinion) that the majority of the weight should be on the sit bones, anywhere else causes pressure on parts where its not natural to have pressure and also results in friction and soreness. It does take a while for your ass to get used to saddles but that said play around with the up down forward and back. Youtube has plenty of vids on how to set up a saddle, I'm still tinkering away with mine and each bike has a different set up so there is no ideal 'this is how a saddle should be'.

aquanaut · 29-03-2011 01:03PM

I was just up in spokes here in Waterford, and they can do me a full bike fit - at the same time I can try out a few different sizes / makes of saddles, so might be a plan!

thebouldwhacker · 29-03-2011 01:09PM

At the same time I was in Lidl, they have saddles which are about 8 inches wide, with springs and gel padding.... I reckon you could fit two people on it!

Remember kids, just cos its from Europe doesn't mean its Euro!!

Zorba · 29-03-2011 08:50PM

Murph100 wrote: »

Just curious, did you choose the size by Specializeds guidelines or just picked whatever you thought was best ?

No i just took a chance and ordered the 130 size and i was lucky in that it fits perfectly, actually tempted to order another to have as a spare, from what i've read though most people use the 143.

sy wrote: »

Can you link this price Zorba

http://www.mailordercycles.com/products.php?plid=m2b0s81p1288

They charge £5 for shipping which worked out around €65 ish. Think most places charge around £49.99 for the saddle but websters was the cheapest i could find for shipping most others wanted £10 to ship to ireland.

Murph100 · 29-03-2011 09:28PM

@Zorba, cheers for that !

Yeah based on all the info I should be ordering a 130, but like you I've read about people with similar measurements and getting the 155 instead, hence my question to you.

Feck it I'll get the 130 so then

Zorba wrote: »

No i just took a chance and ordered the 130 size and i was lucky in that it fits perfectly, actually tempted to order another to have as a spare, from what i've read though most people use the 143.

goldencleric · 29-03-2011 09:36PM

sorry for the hijack OP but has anyone seen any prologo scratch saddles around in 143?

FISMA · 30-03-2011 12:22AM

slingerz wrote: »

this interests me as i'm new to cycling and my arse does be killing me after a cycle circa 35km. I have the padded shorts and all but i still find discomfort and a certain numbness in other regions in that area. i have a felt z100 bike and standard saddle

slingerz,
It takes few weeks of consistently being in the saddle to get comfortable. Even when you are used to it, if you took the winter off.

Stay away from those ultra wide seats unless you are just doing the messages. They'll be useless for a serious ride or hanging with the weekend warriors.

Hopefully, you will not get saddle sores. That's why chammy creme is a must from the start!

Zorba · 02-04-2011 07:14PM

Murph100 wrote: »

@Zorba, cheers for that !

Yeah based on all the info I should be ordering a 130, but like you I've read about people with similar measurements and getting the 155 instead, hence my question to you.

Feck it I'll get the 130 so then

Well i haven't regretted it so far, not sure where u are but i asked in Richie's Bike shop in swords before about the sizes and he said best way is to bring your bike over to him and go for a quick ride with different size saddles to find which feels best, only problem was he didn't have the Romin in at the time.

Bluefoam · 03-04-2011 02:19PM

Has no one mentioned the Charge Spoon, from Wiggle or Evans? Super comfy saddle and onlt €25.

Looks good too.

redzone · 04-04-2011 12:58PM

Bluefoam wrote: »

Has no one mentioned the Charge Spoon, from Wiggle or Evans? Super comfy saddle and onlt €25.

Looks good too.

I was having saddle hassle recently and saw a recommendation here for the Charge spoon from Evans delivered for E25.

Have about 500k done on it now and its a huge improvment, no more pain!

Defo worth a try especially if your taking a chance on expensive saddles that mightn't work for you.

deise muay thai · 04-04-2011 01:43PM

To the OP, I've the same bike and was being raped by the saddle then bought this http://www.fizik.it/product.aspx?c=ALIANTE-GAMMA and lets just say I was missing out big time. I paid €90 for mine but you can pay over double the price if you like carbon, which I dont see the point really.

A good saddle is a very important investment.

Haggle in spokes thats were I got mine.

aquanaut · 08-04-2011 06:24PM

Hi everyone. Think ive narrowed it down to the fizik alliance gamma or the specialized romin sl - has anyone owned both of these or got rid of for any reason

Hail 2 Da Thief · 20-04-2011 08:13PM

Zorba wrote: »

Specialized Romin €65 delivered to your door.

I'm 30" waist 11 stone and it's like sitting on an armchair.

Went and bought a Romin after reading the post above.
Really pleased with it so far. Been for several rides on it & no arse pain.

Zorba · 20-04-2011 09:08PM

Hail 2 Da Thief wrote: »

Went and bought a Romin after reading the post above.
Really pleased with it so far. Been for several rides on it & no arse pain.

I'm the same have mine about 2 or 3 months now and have yet to have a sore arse.

Can u tell Specialized about buying the saddle after reading my post they might send me a free one

aquanaut wrote: »

Hi everyone. Think ive narrowed it down to the fizik alliance gamma or the specialized romin sl - has anyone owned both of these or got rid of for any reason

Might not be much help but, i went from the fizik arione to the romin and i thought the fizik was comfortable but it is far from comfortable compared to the romin.

Saddle advise.

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