Which saddle?

Hi,

I am thinking of changing the saddle that came standard with my Giant OCR2 to either the Serfas RX Mens performance, Specialized Milano or Specialized BG Sport. I am into touring cycling such as ATB and GVBR. Could anyone suggest what they think the best saddle is for this type of cycling?

Thanks
Adrian

all those are good, check out the selle italia Gel flow range as well. I use a "LDY genuine gel" on my trekking bike and a "Prolink Gel flow" on my road bike.

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Cheers,
George.

Hi Adrian

I have the Specialised BG on one of my MTBs. I really like the seat but be aware that it's not one of the softest saddles around. In fact, it's so hard you can barely make an indent when you press down on it with your thumb. It takes a while but you get used to it.

I have the Specialized Avatar on my mountain bike which I have had for a year and done more than 10,000 km with and used in the 04 ATB. For me, the saddle is OK for rides less than 100 km, but I had chafing at my sit bones on my butt after the ATB and to a lesser extent of rides of more than 100 km.

I have a newish flat bar road bike which came with the Specialised saddle, which I changed to the Selle Italia Max flite gel saddle and have found it to be very good (2000 km travelled). Last weekend I bought myself some Assos bib knicks (they have a good special at the moment with $50 off when you trade in an old pair of knicks) and I am hoping that I wont have any probs with this years ATB.

saddles are very personal

i think it is one of those things where you do need good advice and service

i have various seats on my bikes

i hated the WTB speed V on my VT3

whereas my Specialised BG is great

my most comfy seat is this crappy comfort seat badged with giant for $20

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Rob

www.bikenorth.org.au

'07 Giant OCR Composite 3 - R550s with Michi Prorace2

'06 Giant CRX1

'96 Apollo Himalaya commuter - Rigid Fork, slicks, fully racked

DMR Switchback Reynolds 520- Velocity Cliffhangers, SRAM X-9, Easton bar/stem


DMR Trailstar 2 4130- Mavic117, Dice Whiplash, SCUD DH bars, LX 9spd, DMR Crisis Cranks.

'04 Giant VT3 frame - SOLD

I agree wholeheartedly. Finding it is another matter. It is important to see if your bikeshop will swap your saddle if you find it uncomfortable, or have a used saddle you can test ride. It is also important how long you ride with the saddle. Some of my problems only showed up after long rides, even though I was doing plenty of riding to and from work each day.

I used to use a a Selle Italia Pro Link. It's a gel saddle (but quite heavy). I found it a good saddle for general bike riding, but hated it as a racing saddle - too cushy and it curves a fair bit up at the pointy end which just didn't agree with my boys (if u know what i mean ). I've switched to a San Marco Rever recently (very pricy though), which is an awesome saddle. It's much harder than the pro link and way lighter. I must say my first ride on it - 5hrs - left me less than impressed and i had the sorest a*se ever! I was cursing the saddle and about to go back to the pro link. 2 months on and all my 1st impressions have changed and is a great saddle for both long training rides and road racing as well - BUT you do notice the bumps in the road more. I've also heard excellent reviews on the Fiizk Arione.

My view is that saddle selection needs to be thought about long and hard. Read reviews, get feedback from others and most importantly, consider your anatomy and how you move and sit on the saddle. Spending $ on the right saddle is worth it - it's the first thing you notice on the bike and if it aint right, it's going to be a tough ride. Also, what is it about your current saddle you don't like and if you're sore what is causing the soreness - ie is it a saddle shape issue or just that you haven't got enough time on the saddle? Given the rides you've mentioned, the Selle gel saddles may go well for you.

Selle San Marco have a 'Test Pilot Programme' on at the moment where you can take one of four saddles, stick it on your bike and try it. Not sure how long for but a mate turned up yesterday with an "Arami Gelaround" which he's going to try during the week. Hope he likes it cos then I can get my mits on his Fizik Arionne

There's an ad in the winter issue of 'Ride Cycling Review' and there are quite a few bike shops involved.
Saddles listed are:

• Atola Gelaround
• Arami Gelaround
• Rever Profile
• SKN Titanium

HTH
Phil

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"I think the only rule is that if someone is a big fat bastard its fairly safe to assume they aren't going to be pwning anyone on a climb" ~ classic1

I have also been having a hard time choosing saddles.

Just how long should I give my behind to "adjust" to the saddle?

Or should a saddle be comfy right from the begining?

The saddle that came with my Giant OCR is giving me a sore behind. I am thinking of getting a Fizik Arione. Anyone here have a first hand experience with this saddle?

Thomas,

Time to adjust is a difficult one to answer - some people love it from the start, others take a bit longer. Asssuming that you've got everything set-up correctly (ie height, set-back, level, etc) then i reckon you need to give it a few weeks of riding - test it over different types of rides like hills, decents, hard interval work, races so you get a good feel across the board. It took me about 2 weeks to go from hating my San Marco Rever to loving it . I used it in seated hill climbs (long and short), on the wind trainer, in a race and on a velodrome. Basically, once my butt recovered from the 1st 5hr ride and adjusted to the much harder saddle, it's been awesome.

The Arione has got excellent reviews all over the place (Tour de France riders use it as well). One of the biggest advantages of the Arione is its surface area - it has more than any other saddle which allows for a greater number of options in terms of positioning your butt when riding (check out the Fiziik website and also www.cyclingnews.com which has done reviews on it). I'm yet to hear someone who doesn't like it, but saddles are such a personal thing so it may not be the right one for you. If you can test it before buying that would be ideal. Check out www.probikekit.com as well - you can always pick up good deals on various bike gear here (usually heaps cheaper than bike shop for this type of item - sorry to anyone out there that runs a LBS )

If your current saddle is causing grief, note it's profile, shape, material, etc and stay away from any saddles that are similarly shaped/contoured. This may help to eliminate the plethora of saddles out there to choose from.

Cheers

The worst thing about the Arione is the price

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http://jonathanlovelock.blogspot.com/

I don't know about the other two, but I heartily recommend the Specialized BG Sport saddle. It's an incredibly comfortable saddle for all around riding, and has a great price tag. I've got one on my touring bike, and my every day rider. I tried 4 other saddles, including a couple of relatively expensive ones, and happened across the BG Sport, almost by accident, in a local bike shop. It's the perfect seat for me.