Suggest a Saddle



GIH

New Member
Oct 27, 2006
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I was wondering if anyone could suggest another saddle for me to try. I currently switch of between a specialized Toupe 143 and a Selle San Marco Regal. Both tend to cut of circulation, and while it might be bike fit I have experimented a great deal with position with few results.

I used the specialized sit bone measurer to get a width of 110mm center to center. On my own, I measured the outer edge to outer edge distance of my sit bones to be 125mm (I don't know if this measurement was done correctly, or if it is even important).

I like how the Toupe is very flat and hard. I dislike the cutout, I think that is what is causing me problems. One the other hand, the regal (which is supposedly wider, but actually is curved so that the usable seating area is less wide) doesn't support my sitbones nearly as well (the Toupe supports them very well). But I think the pressure is distributed better with the Regal because it lacks the cutout.

What I am looking for is either a saddle that is hard like the Toupe, flatter and with a wider seating area than the regal, and without a cutout (although a depression would be ok if it was slight and didn't have sharp edges). I'm interested mainly in road racing and the accompanying training, but I spend most of my time on the brake hoods or on the handlebars because I train indoors quite alot.

Do you have any saddle suggestions? I was thinking a Brooks Professional, it seems like it is shaped like the Regal but wider, so it might be just right. Does anyone hear own a Professional? If so, how flat is it accross the top, and how wide is the actual seating area? Any other saddle posibillities (I have tried Toupe 143, Regal, Alias 155 too soft and too many edges, BG Sport same problem as Alias, Aliante too soft and narrow, Apside Arrowhead too narrow, Brooks B17N leather deformed too much when I sat on it, also had a prominent central ridge possibly from misuse by its previous owner)

Two final things. I mainly feel numbness and particularly pain when doing L4 or harder efforts. I often notice it starting quickly, either during the first 20 minute set or 5 minutes into the second. Does this mean anything? Also, I use standard cycling shorts, not bibs. I am about to return an Alliante for store credit, do you think bibs might make a difference (I note that I actually tried using plain non-cycling shorts one day and I had either the same or less numbness then with actual shorts). I use Craft Master training shorts and Castelli Kiss shorts.

I really appreciate any advice and suggestions,
Thanks.
 
Have you considered going in for a bikefit or at least checking out that aspect? Many folks complain about the saddle when it is often more of an adjustment issue. There is no "best" saddle. Once you get into the mid to high end it comes down to personal preference as everyone's butt is a bit different. A great saddle improperly installed will never work.
 
I always recommend the Selle SMP range. It really does do what it says on the tin..

I would love the carbon one but, being a bit lighter of pocket than needed, I stick with the Pro!
 
capwater said:
Have you considered going in for a bikefit or at least checking out that aspect? Many folks complain about the saddle when it is often more of an adjustment issue. There is no "best" saddle. Once you get into the mid to high end it comes down to personal preference as everyone's butt is a bit different. A great saddle improperly installed will never work.
I did have a bikefit. I'm considering getting another one done or at least talking to the people that originally did it. Actually I have a number of observations about what they did that might be relevant. I don't think it put me in the best position, and I have since tweaked it. I've also tried the online measurement method, but I find it doesn't take things like flexbility into account (the lbs fit does so just a little bit).

I was not asking for the best saddle in the world, just a hard flat saddle with as much useful seating area as a Toupe, eg slightly more than a regal, with no cutout.
 
I ride a Selle SKN that everyone told me I would be miserable on and love it to death. I'm just a newbie but position tends to mean more than the make.

Josh
 
GIH said:
I was wondering if anyone could suggest another saddle for me to try. I currently switch of between a specialized Toupe 143 and a Selle San Marco Regal. Both tend to cut of circulation, and while it might be bike fit I have experimented a great deal with position with few results.

I used the specialized sit bone measurer to get a width of 110mm center to center. On my own, I measured the outer edge to outer edge distance of my sit bones to be 125mm (I don't know if this measurement was done correctly, or if it is even important).

...

Do you have any saddle suggestions? I was thinking a Brooks Professional, it seems like it is shaped like the Regal but wider, so it might be just right. Does anyone hear own a Professional? If so, how flat is it accross the top, and how wide is the actual seating area? Any other saddle posibillities (I have tried Toupe 143, Regal, Alias 155 too soft and too many edges, BG Sport same problem as Alias, Aliante too soft and narrow, Apside Arrowhead too narrow, Brooks B17N leather deformed too much when I sat on it, also had a prominent central ridge possibly from misuse by its previous owner)

Two final things. I mainly feel numbness and particularly pain when doing L4 or harder efforts. I often notice it starting quickly, either during the first 20 minute set or 5 minutes into the second. Does this mean anything? Also, I use standard cycling shorts, not bibs. I am about to return an Alliante for store credit, do you think bibs might make a difference (I note that I actually tried using plain non-cycling shorts one day and I had either the same or less numbness then with actual shorts). I use Craft Master training shorts and Castelli Kiss shorts.
The BROOKS PROFESSIONAL is about 6" (15.24mm) wide at the widest part (edge to edge) and there is easily a 5" (12.7mm) platform between the riveted area where your sit bones will rest.

The saddle should, initially, be set up with the rails parallel to the ground despite what you may have read, elsewhere -- that will put the rear of the saddle slightly above the nose on most traditional, leather saddles. People who insist on pointing the nose of ANY saddle slightly upward (or, the top of the saddle parallel to the ground) and then complaining about pain have only invited it, IMO.

FWIW. The standard BROOKS B17 is a little wider than the PROFESSIONAL, and the narrow version B17 is a little narrower than the PROFESSIONAL model and perhaps slightly wider than most current saddles. When in doubt between the two B17 models, choose the standard width B17.

The rear of the leather saddles ARE fairly flat, but there is some contour.

The saddles are PORKY (count on over 500g) ... but, what price comfort?

You may need a seatpost with more setback, or not, than the one you are currently using.

Choose one of the saddles with the copper rivets ...

BTW. If you are industrious/cavalier/reckless, you can peel the leather off the San Marco Regal (I guess you'll have to "remove" the rivets off the saddle), recountour the foam, and glue it back down (3-M spray adhesive, or equivalent) ...

I don't think bibs will make a difference if your current shorts fit ...
 
Thanks. I might give one a try. I think it should have enough width.

Actually its funny what you suggested with the Regal, I've always wondered if something like that would work.
 
My two faves are Selle San Marco Era K and Selle Italia Flite. both fairly hard and flat with the former flatter than the latter.