Saddle Recommendations

Simon Cooper said:

My LBS doesn't carry Flites, which seem the most popular all round. Do
saddles like that tend to be suitable for a wide range of people sizes?

I think the Flite fits so many folks because it's a very simple saddle,
Fairly flat in back, and narrow in front with firm padding. It's not
anything wierd. There are quite a few "clones" of it around as well. I
only like mine on my go-fast bike, where the bars are 3" below the
saddle. Super comfy, but on my city bike. it's miserable.

WTB saddles fit a lot of folks as well, and are pretty cheap, so if you
hate it, no big investment.

At any rate, saddle threads are a dime a dozen, just do a search on
Google Groups and you're bound to get plenty of reading.

Seems that overall the most recommended saddles for drop bar bikes are:
Flites, Rolls, Turbos, Fiziks, and Terry if my memory of this ever so
popular subject serves me right.

Simon Cooper said:

I'm vaguely looking for a new saddle - I have a Cannondale 700 on my flat
bar bike that has me shifting around quite a bit.

Quoted message said:

I'm fairly heavy at 210, not too tall. Not looking to do huge mileage on
the thing, but ride regularly.

A heavy rider with an upright position on the bike is going to have a
lot of weight on the saddle. I'd stay away from very narrow models. For
reliability, look for solid steel (Cr-Mo) rails.

I like the Selle San Marco Rolls. The Koobi saddles seem get good
comfort reviews. And there's always the Brooks option.

Make sure your fit is correct, including a near level saddle.

Art Harris

Simon Cooper said:

I'm fairly heavy at 210, not too tall. Not looking to do huge mileage on
the thing, but ride regularly.

I'm a BIG fan of the Fizik Arione. I have this saddle on all my bikes. You
can feel the titanium rails give more comfort than those made of any other
material. Can't you try a saddle for a few weeks at the LBS? Here you can
return it within 2 weeks if you don't like it.

Gr, Derk

I switched to a Specilized Alias saddle last year, and it's the best I've
ever tried. Plus, it comes in sizes to fit the width of your ass (more or
less)!
"Derk" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Simon Cooper said:

I'm fairly heavy at 210, not too tall. Not looking to do huge mileage on
the thing, but ride regularly.

I'm a BIG fan of the Fizik Arione. I have this saddle on all my bikes. You
can feel the titanium rails give more comfort than those made of any other
material. Can't you try a saddle for a few weeks at the LBS? Here you can
return it within 2 weeks if you don't like it.

Gr, Derk

Simon Cooper said:

I'm vaguely looking for a new saddle - I have a Cannondale 700 on my flat
bar bike that has me shifting around quite a bit.

Keen on a leather surface, and I have a prediliction for bright colours.

I'm fairly heavy at 210, not too tall. Not looking to do huge mileage on
the thing, but ride regularly.

Any saddle recommendations fitting this profile?

Actually low mileage riders have the most trouble with saddles,
because they don't become as completely accustomed to them as
high mileage riders do.

The venerable Selle Italia Turbomatic seems to make everyone happy except
weight weenies. Unfortunately they've been discontinued in the US, but
because of that they're on sale:

http://www.biketiresdirect.com/productdetail.asp?p=SETM4&tnum=17704&c=23591

I prefer the non-gel model, but most people like the gel ones.

I like the original Flite a lot too.

I'm currently riding a Terry, which is fine, and well regarded. But in
combination with my well-padded shorts there's too much padding overall.
Shorts seem to be getting more and more padding, so you may not want too
much in your saddle.

Matt O.

Simon Cooper said:

I'm vaguely looking for a new saddle - I have a Cannondale 700 on my flat
bar bike that has me shifting around quite a bit.

Keen on a leather surface, and I have a prediliction for bright colours.

I'm fairly heavy at 210, not too tall. Not looking to do huge mileage on
the thing, but ride regularly.

Any saddle recommendations fitting this profile?

My LBS doesn't carry Flites, which seem the most popular all round. Do
saddles like that tend to be suitable for a wide range of people sizes?
Chalo - what do you ride?

The Flite is an excellent saddle, when positioned correctly on the bike
it can be very comfortable to many people. I don't think it comes in
many colors though.

Look online for the Flite, Performance typically has them for 59.95. If
you wait for that 20% off coupon that comes out every couple months it
can be had for $48 + shipping - A great deal IMHO. Shops in my area are
charging $89 for it.

-nate

"Simon Cooper" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm vaguely looking for a new saddle - I have a Cannondale 700 on my flat
bar bike that has me shifting around quite a bit.

Keen on a leather surface, and I have a prediliction for bright colours.

I'm fairly heavy at 210, not too tall. Not looking to do huge mileage on
the thing, but ride regularly.

Any saddle recommendations fitting this profile?

My LBS doesn't carry Flites, which seem the most popular all round. Do
saddles like that tend to be suitable for a wide range of people sizes?
Chalo - what do you ride?

I learned the hard way there really isn't any other option than to try
saddles until you find one that fits. Sounds like I'm taller and heavier
than you. When I was going through my saddle woes, people kept telling me I
needed a wide saddle because of my size.

After trying 8 different saddles I finally find one that fits like it was
custom built for my butt... the Selle Italia SLK. Go figure. Now it's on
both my road bikes, and I still love it.

If you LBS won't let you try saddles out, you can pick up used, beat up
saddles on ebay for cheap. I was able to try 4 different ones for less than
$70. Find one that fits, and then buy a new one if the trial one isn't up
to you standards.

HTH

In article <[email hidden]>,

Bestest Handsander said:

"Simon Cooper" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm vaguely looking for a new saddle - I have a Cannondale 700 on my flat
bar bike that has me shifting around quite a bit.

Keen on a leather surface, and I have a prediliction for bright colours.

I'm fairly heavy at 210, not too tall. Not looking to do huge mileage on
the thing, but ride regularly.

Any saddle recommendations fitting this profile?

My LBS doesn't carry Flites, which seem the most popular all round. Do
saddles like that tend to be suitable for a wide range of people sizes?
Chalo - what do you ride?

I learned the hard way there really isn't any other option than to try
saddles until you find one that fits. Sounds like I'm taller and heavier
than you. When I was going through my saddle woes, people kept telling me I
needed a wide saddle because of my size.

After trying 8 different saddles I finally find one that fits like it was
custom built for my butt... the Selle Italia SLK. Go figure. Now it's on
both my road bikes, and I still love it.

If you LBS won't let you try saddles out, you can pick up used, beat up
saddles on ebay for cheap. I was able to try 4 different ones for less than
$70. Find one that fits, and then buy a new one if the trial one isn't up
to you standards.

Trying one saddle after another only means that none of
them will be comfortable. Besides, when you work the
pedals hard you have other things to worry about; and,
even better, less weight on the saddle.

--
Michael Press

"Michael Press" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Bestest Handsander said:

"Simon Cooper" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm vaguely looking for a new saddle - I have a Cannondale 700 on my
flat
bar bike that has me shifting around quite a bit.

Keen on a leather surface, and I have a prediliction for bright
colours.

I'm fairly heavy at 210, not too tall. Not looking to do huge mileage
on
the thing, but ride regularly.

Any saddle recommendations fitting this profile?

My LBS doesn't carry Flites, which seem the most popular all round. Do
saddles like that tend to be suitable for a wide range of people sizes?
Chalo - what do you ride?

I learned the hard way there really isn't any other option than to try
saddles until you find one that fits. Sounds like I'm taller and heavier
than you. When I was going through my saddle woes, people kept telling me
I
needed a wide saddle because of my size.

After trying 8 different saddles I finally find one that fits like it was
custom built for my butt... the Selle Italia SLK. Go figure. Now it's on
both my road bikes, and I still love it.

If you LBS won't let you try saddles out, you can pick up used, beat up
saddles on ebay for cheap. I was able to try 4 different ones for less
than
$70. Find one that fits, and then buy a new one if the trial one isn't
up
to you standards.

Trying one saddle after another only means that none of
them will be comfortable. Besides, when you work the
pedals hard you have other things to worry about; and,
even better, less weight on the saddle.

Yea... it's better to suffer for a whole season and risk permenant damage
waiting for your butt and peritoneal area to adapt when you can tell by how
the saddle touches you you're going to have problems. I gave each several
weeks to see if things would improve. They didn't. Those saddles just
weren't going to cut it for me. However, there were two that fit so poorly
that I couldn't take more than a hour on either.

Either you have a generic butt that will fit everything, your gravity
challenged, you believe the nonsense about no pain no gain, or you're too
young to understand your body changes over time.

I rode for 13 years on Selle San Marco Regals. Then one season something
changed and those saddles just didn't work anymore. I had to find something
different. There is a saddle for everyone. It just takes some of us longer
than others to find it. Here's the list I went though:

Selle Italia Max Flight Gel Flow
Selle Italia Pro Link (Trans Am)
Brooks B-17
Terry Fly
Avocet O2
Koobe Xenon
Selle San Marco Aspide Arrowhead
Selle San Marco Aspide Arrowhead gelaround
Selle Italia SLR

The winner!
Selle Italia SLK

"Bestest Handsander" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I rode for 13 years on Selle San Marco Regals. Then one season
something changed and those saddles just didn't work anymore. I had
to find something different. There is a saddle for everyone. It just
takes some of us longer than others to find it. Here's the list I
went though:

Selle Italia Max Flight Gel Flow
Selle Italia Pro Link (Trans Am)
Brooks B-17
Terry Fly
Avocet O2
Koobe Xenon
Selle San Marco Aspide Arrowhead
Selle San Marco Aspide Arrowhead gelaround
Selle Italia SLR

The winner!
Selle Italia SLK

So, Bestest, are any of those for sale? -- Ken

"Road Man" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Bestest Handsander" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I rode for 13 years on Selle San Marco Regals. Then one season something
changed and those saddles just didn't work anymore. I had to find
something different. There is a saddle for everyone. It just takes some
of us longer than others to find it. Here's the list I went though:

Selle Italia Max Flight Gel Flow
Selle Italia Pro Link (Trans Am)
Brooks B-17
Terry Fly
Avocet O2
Koobe Xenon
Selle San Marco Aspide Arrowhead
Selle San Marco Aspide Arrowhead gelaround
Selle Italia SLR

The winner!
Selle Italia SLK

So, Bestest, are any of those for sale? -- Ken

I still have the Fly, a Regal (white), the Avocet, and the Max Flight Gel
Flow.

They are all in very used but still functional condition. I've thought about
putting them on ebay as a "Saddle Sampler Special", but never got around to
it.

If anyone is interested in any of them, how about a token payment of $10
plus shipping (you choose shipping method). I can be reached at
dougconsultatdogyahoodotcom (one must always take out the dog!)

Most everyone who tries a Brooks rides a Brooks. The WTB speed V is
nice too

I tried a B-17 and did not like the way my legs rubbed
against it. But I love my Koobi Silver.

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Most everyone who tries a Brooks rides a Brooks. The WTB speed V is
nice too

"Bestest Handsander" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Road Man" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Bestest Handsander" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I rode for 13 years on Selle San Marco Regals. Then one season something
changed and those saddles just didn't work anymore. I had to find
something different. There is a saddle for everyone. It just takes some
of us longer than others to find it. Here's the list I went though:

Selle Italia Max Flight Gel Flow
Selle Italia Pro Link (Trans Am)
Brooks B-17
Terry Fly
Avocet O2
Koobe Xenon
Selle San Marco Aspide Arrowhead
Selle San Marco Aspide Arrowhead gelaround
Selle Italia SLR

The winner!
Selle Italia SLK

So, Bestest, are any of those for sale? -- Ken

I still have the Fly, a Regal (white), the Avocet, and the Max Flight Gel
Flow.

They are all in very used but still functional condition. I've thought
about putting them on ebay as a "Saddle Sampler Special", but never got
around to it.

If anyone is interested in any of them, how about a token payment of $10
plus shipping (you choose shipping method). I can be reached at
dougconsultatdogyahoodotcom (one must always take out the dog!)

Should clarify... $10 each. Sorry about that.

Simon Cooper said:

I'm vaguely looking for a new saddle - I have a Cannondale 700 on my flat
bar bike that has me shifting around quite a bit.

Keen on a leather surface, and I have a prediliction for bright colours.

I'm fairly heavy at 210, not too tall. Not looking to do huge mileage on
the thing, but ride regularly.

Any saddle recommendations fitting this profile?

My LBS doesn't carry Flites, which seem the most popular all round. Do
saddles like that tend to be suitable for a wide range of people sizes?
Chalo - what do you ride?

Specialize has a thing called an asstometer (not a joke). It is a piece
of memory foam. You sit on it and can then measure the distance between
your sit bones. They have three seat widths with guidelines on which
works. For example a person who sits more upright and places a lot of
wait on the saddle might want a seat that is wider than the distance
between his/her sit bones. My club members tried this at a
demonstration we had and the variance was dramatic and not clearly
related to weight. Women have wider sit bones on average, but there was
enormous variation with some men having very wide distance and some
women having very narrow distance.

Alan Acock

"Alan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Simon Cooper said:

I'm vaguely looking for a new saddle - I have a Cannondale 700 on my flat
bar bike that has me shifting around quite a bit.

Keen on a leather surface, and I have a prediliction for bright colours.

I'm fairly heavy at 210, not too tall. Not looking to do huge mileage on
the thing, but ride regularly.

Any saddle recommendations fitting this profile?

My LBS doesn't carry Flites, which seem the most popular all round. Do
saddles like that tend to be suitable for a wide range of people sizes?
Chalo - what do you ride?

Specialize has a thing called an asstometer (not a joke). It is a piece
of memory foam. You sit on it and can then measure the distance between
your sit bones. They have three seat widths with guidelines on which
works. For example a person who sits more upright and places a lot of
wait on the saddle might want a seat that is wider than the distance
between his/her sit bones. My club members tried this at a
demonstration we had and the variance was dramatic and not clearly
related to weight. Women have wider sit bones on average, but there was
enormous variation with some men having very wide distance and some
women having very narrow distance.

Alan Acock

Last year on this group someone suggested doing the same thing sitting on a
piece of white paper on the steps of the front porch. That worked well
enough for me to get a measurement.

Art Harris said:

Simon Cooper said:

I'm vaguely looking for a new saddle - I have a Cannondale 700 on my flat
bar bike that has me shifting around quite a bit.

Quoted message said:

I'm fairly heavy at 210, not too tall. Not looking to do huge mileage on
the thing, but ride regularly.

A heavy rider with an upright position on the bike is going to have a
lot of weight on the saddle. I'd stay away from very narrow models. For
reliability, look for solid steel (Cr-Mo) rails.

I like the Selle San Marco Rolls. The Koobi saddles seem get good
comfort reviews. And there's always the Brooks option.

Make sure your fit is correct, including a near level saddle.

Art Harris

I second the Rolls. I have one on the tandem, where I sit a bit more
upright. I have a Flite on my race bike. Each one is perfect for the
bike/purpose.

BTW, I am 6'2" and ~220 lbs.

Greg

"Bill" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

I tried a B-17 and did not like the way my legs rubbed
against it. But I love my Koobi Silver.

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Most everyone who tries a Brooks rides a Brooks. The WTB speed V is
nice too

Funny thing...I have a SpeedV on my dirt bike, and a Brooks on the road
bike. Used to have SpeedVs on both. I'm about 400 miles into the Brooks and
just love it. The SpeedV is fine for the ATB, though, 'cause I rarely ride
more than 20 miles on it, and about 35 was the point at which it started to
bug me.

I've heard Bill's complaint about the sides of a B17, and I can see it being
a problem. Some Brooks users will drill holes along the bottom edge of the
leather and lace it up like a baseball mitt to keep it from flaring out.
here's an example:

http://tinyurl.com/jt3vz

Bestest said:

If you LBS won't let you try saddles out, you can pick up used, beat up
saddles on ebay for cheap. I was able to try 4 different ones for less than
$70. Find one that fits, and then buy a new one if the trial one isn't up
to you standards.

Your method sounds good, but has a large potential flaw. I bought a
used bike w/ an O2 saddle. That saddle was killing me after an hour. I
mean absolute teeth clenching agony. I gave it few days for me to
adapt. Of course I replaced it. A few years later I had an occasion to
ride a friends bike w/ a fairly new O2 on it for a few hours over a
couple of days. I was shocked to find it was reasonably comfortable.
After which I reattached my old O2. It was just as awful as I
remembered it. I concluded that it was a high mileage O2 just as the
bike was, & it literally had the stuffing knocked out of it. It did not
appear to be worn out. Using your method, it's entirely possible that
some of the saddles you passed over would have been fine if new.

I certainly wish it were possible, John