Finding saddle nirvana in one step?

[αdαmsκι]

My current saddle is getting to the stage that it needs replaced. Is there a way to know what'll suit my ar$e without shelling out loads of ££££ out on a selection of new saddles?

And what's the deal with Brooks ones? There are lots of models, but again I guess it's a case of buying one and seeing if it suits ones ar$e? The B17 narrow sounds like it'd suit my needs and budget, but who knows.

[Greenbank]

If your current saddle is comfy then replace like for like.

[αdαmsκι]

Hoy hum.

It's been comfortable, but it's just the bog standard saddle that came with my Ribble bike (a Selle Italia XO Alloy Transam I believe) and I'm wondering if something else would be more comfortable, especially for the >400 km audax rides that I have planned.

[Greenbank]

Saddle choice is a big gamble.

Something that's comfy for a 10km commute can become torture on a 200km ride.
Something that's comfy for 400km can become torture on the way to 600km.

The only way to find out is to bite the bullet. I'd never debut a new saddle on a long ride unless I had to.

[PaulF]

As Greenbank said it's a gamble and a personal choice.

FWIW I had the same combination as you - Ribble + Sella and swapped for a Brooks B17 mainly to see what the fuss was about . The first thirty miles I thought were a big mistake, now I've got a Brooks on all my bikes, even the MTB. But break it in (or get it to break you in ) before a serious ride

[Aidan]

I'd never debut a new saddle on a long ride unless I had to.

Wise words

[Biggsy]

My current saddle is getting to the stage that it needs replaced. Is there a way to know what'll suit my ar$e without shelling out loads of ££££ out on a selection of new saddles?

Nope.  Except that it needn't cost a lot of money if you sell the unwanted ones.  There's always a good market for slightly used saddles.  It's more the cost in time and effort and disappointment that's the issue.

You could try others in the Selle Italia range that have a similar shape to your XO - but even that's a gamble.

[Manotea]

The difference between Selle XO Transam and most Brooks is HUGE, a completely different ride.

The last time I used the Selle for a long ride it wore a second hole in my bum after 400km. Ouchy.

I changed from an XO to a Brooks Team Pro. I'm currently back on the XO whilst the Team Pro is at the menders. I really ought to get a spare Team Pro for bike #2.

[Jord]

Brooks molds to your bum

[mattc]

I'd never debut a new saddle on a long ride unless I had to.

Just carry the old one with you!

(c) Juliet, 2007-ish

[Regulator]

If you want to come round to mine I'll examine your derriere and give you my professional opinion on which saddle will suit you... 





 

[αdαmsκι]

Cheers guys; you've confirmed my fear that it's just down to luck. Hum.

If you want to come round to mine I'll examine your derriere and give you my professional opinion on which saddle will suit you... 

I wondered how long it'd take you to find this thread!

[Charlotte]

Look at the prices for secondhand Brooks on eBay.  If you really don't like them (and I know of few long distance cyclists who don't) then you won't loose much on anything you buy.

[Pedaldog.]

Iff I remember rightly St John St Cycles used to do a deal where they sent you a selection of saddles and you tried them all for size for a set cost. Sent the ones that you didn't want back to them.  I'm a bit hazy but it was something like that.

[Tewdric]

Brooks Your bum molds to your bum Brooks

FTFY

Seriously, Brooks Team Pro seems to be the weapon of choice for long audax, but be prepared for up to 2000Km of breaking in, I kid you not.  They are perfectly rideable from new, but you might not really "get it" until that point, IYSWIM.

Terry Liberators are also very good btw, but look hideous.

[mattc]

Iff I remember rightly St John St Cycles used to do a deal where they sent you a selection of saddles and you tried them all for size for a set cost. Sent the ones that you didn't want back to them.  I'm a bit hazy but it was something like that.

Hooray - first square on my saddle-thread-bingo-card!

(sorry pedaldog, I've read too many of these threads ...)

[woollypigs]

Look for chicken cycles and their saddle deals, not sure if they do Brooks on the return deals. Peli tried three out before she found one and it only cost the postal send them back.

[gene hunt]

I am using Charge Spoon's at the moment, a budget choice but seem excellent.

[Jord]

My friend has also got a Charge Spoon and says it is the most comfortable saddle he has had - titanium version.

[frankly frankie]

That Sella Italia saddle is a pretty good one to say it was supplied as OE.  Sheila has that model on all her bikes and was very happy with it last time out on PBP.
But then - neither of us would go near a Brooks with a bargepole.

[clarion]

My friend has also got a Charge Spoon and says it is the most comfortable saddle he has had - titanium version.

I've never tried one, but I note how often this saddle gets positive reviews.

[Polar Bear]

My friend has also got a Charge Spoon and says it is the most comfortable saddle he has had - titanium version.

I've never tried one, but I note how often this saddle gets positive reviews.

Not as many positive reviews as Brooks though 

[Biggsy]

Saddle recommendations and reviews are well meaning, but useless for someone with even a slightly different bum/riding position/mind than the author's.  You just have to keep trying different ones for yourself.  Or sick with the devil you know.

[clarion]

My friend has also got a Charge Spoon and says it is the most comfortable saddle he has had - titanium version.

I've never tried one, but I note how often this saddle gets positive reviews.

Not as many positive reviews as Brooks though 

Fewer negative ones

[Polar Bear]

My friend has also got a Charge Spoon and says it is the most comfortable saddle he has had - titanium version.

I've never tried one, but I note how often this saddle gets positive reviews.

Not as many positive reviews as Brooks though 

Fewer negative ones

Yeah, you do rather witter on a bit...