Author Topic: Comfy saddle with pressure relief (Read 2926 times)

riddon · « **on:** 05 February, 2020, 07:25:26 pm »

I know this is a very personal subject but I am looking to change my saddle to one with a pressure relief cut out / hole or whatever. I currently ride a Fizik Aliante shaped saddle and have done so for a number of years. I have done many audaxes on that and find it satisfactory. (I won't say comfortable) even up to a 300km ride. I have developed some elderly gentleman water works problems and tried a version of the Aliante with relief channel recently. After an 80 mile ride I found that it improved the waterworks problems but I was somewhat sore for the next couple of days. Any recommendations?

HeltorChasca · « **Reply #1 on:** 05 February, 2020, 07:30:33 pm »

Debbie at Dillglove sends out test SMP Selle saddles. She is great. I tried 3-4 on 200+km rides till I found the right one. Presently it is a Well Gel which was a surprise as I’ve never been a fan but this is fantastic. Good value too. And no issues with my perennials anymore

pdm · « **Reply #2 on:** 05 February, 2020, 07:53:56 pm »

There is also the ultimate in cutouts: The Infinity saddle (where the cost is proportional to the amount missing!)
The UK importer is http://www.ten-point.co.uk/infinity-saddles/

I have 2 and they suit me very well for long rides (but then so do the Brooks B17 and the Spa equivalent, the Nidd (the latter being better)). The Infinity is a little better for extra distance.

chrisbainbridge · « **Reply #3 on:** 06 February, 2020, 09:26:16 am »

Quote from: pdm on 05 February, 2020, 07:53:56 pm

There is also the ultimate in cutouts: The Infinity saddle (where the cost is proportional to the amount missing!)
The UK importer is http://www.ten-point.co.uk/infinity-saddles/

I have 2 and they suit me very well for long rides (but then so do the Brooks B17 and the Spa equivalent, the Nidd (the latter being better)). The Infinity is a little better for extra distance.

another vote for the infinity saddle. I tried a number of saddles but could not get past 300-400 without important numbness! So far able to get to 700km without problems.

They seem to work better with thinner pads as well.

dat · « **Reply #4 on:** 06 February, 2020, 10:48:45 am »

Quote from: HeltorChasca on 05 February, 2020, 07:30:33 pm

Debbie at Dillglove sends out test SMP Selle saddles. She is great. I tried 3-4 on 200+km rides till I found the right one. Presently it is a Well Gel which was a surprise as I’ve never been a fan but this is fantastic. Good value too. And no issues with my perennials anymore

Dealing with Debbie again as my forma broke. Good aftersales support as well.

quixoticgeek · « **Reply #5 on:** 06 February, 2020, 12:35:57 pm »

I'm running a Sella SMP Pro. I switched to it from a ISM Adamo saddle. I got it from a Dutch bike shop, they let me test one on a really long extended test. 4000km. Including RatN...

J

morbihan · « **Reply #6 on:** 07 February, 2020, 02:22:24 am »

I used a sella iltalia flite for a few years that worked pretty well, but then ended up with some pretty nasty sores on an ultra race. It was likely heat/sweat and a recent injury but as a consequence and incase it bites me again on the next race I have been testing a carved brooks cambium. Its early days but promising. The reason I mention it is that its "bouncier" than the previous saddle. Lots of give in it. I haven't gone super long as yet (10 hours tops) and the bum is being reintroduced steadily after a light year in 2019, so its hard to gauge like for like until I ramp up the hours. If you can test one though it does give a different feel than other saddles and may be the ticket.

jiberjaber · « **Reply #7 on:** 07 February, 2020, 03:10:30 pm »

Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 06 February, 2020, 09:26:16 am

Quote from: pdm on 05 February, 2020, 07:53:56 pm
There is also the ultimate in cutouts: The Infinity saddle (where the cost is proportional to the amount missing!)
The UK importer is http://www.ten-point.co.uk/infinity-saddles/

I have 2 and they suit me very well for long rides (but then so do the Brooks B17 and the Spa equivalent, the Nidd (the latter being better)). The Infinity is a little better for extra distance.

another vote for the infinity saddle. I tried a number of saddles but could not get past 300-400 without important numbness! So far able to get to 700km without problems.

They seem to work better with thinner pads as well.

Another vote here to... comfy all the way around PBP, best saddle I've ever had!
Be aware that they are still leather so need to be protected from the rain (I think they might do a none leather covered version)

quixoticgeek · « **Reply #8 on:** 07 February, 2020, 04:15:24 pm »

I'd love to be able to try an infinity saddle, but unless I am very confused, it can only be bought direct, from the US, which makes it an expensive punt...

J

pdm · « **Reply #9 on:** 07 February, 2020, 04:20:31 pm »

Quote from: quixoticgeek on 07 February, 2020, 04:15:24 pm

I'd love to be able to try an infinity saddle, but unless I am very confused, it can only be bought direct, from the US, which makes it an expensive punt...

J

" The UK importer is http://www.ten-point.co.uk/infinity-saddles/ "

(£295

)

quixoticgeek · « **Reply #10 on:** 07 February, 2020, 07:07:29 pm »

Quote from: pdm on 07 February, 2020, 04:20:31 pm

" The UK importer is http://www.ten-point.co.uk/infinity-saddles/ "

(£295 )

And the Dutch importer... :p

J

Zed43 · « **Reply #11 on:** 09 February, 2020, 08:49:56 am »

I too am intrigued by the Infinity, but the high price puts me off and esp. the fact that they have 5 models (Ten-Point only sells one) but it's completely opaque to me how to choose one.

chrisbainbridge · « **Reply #12 on:** 12 February, 2020, 06:15:28 pm »

I am not clear about the multiple versions. I have them on all my bikes and love them. They often come up on here or eBay for much less and can be resold if not happy.
They need a touch of nose down I find to use aerobars and because you sit in it you have to adjust the seat post as well.

If they need to be protected from the rain then mine are in big trouble!

I would not go back.

pdm · « **Reply #13 on:** 12 February, 2020, 07:08:07 pm »

Looking at the current website, there seem to be basically 3 models. A "long nose" version ("L1X and L2") either fully covered over the holes or uncovered. A "short nose" version ("E1X and E2") covered or uncovered and the newest more expensive short nose one ("E3") with even more missing (little groove missing in the nose and hence more expensive

), uncovered.
The basic form of the seat looks to be the same on all...

Bolt · « **Reply #14 on:** 12 February, 2020, 10:51:55 pm »

I managed to convince myself that using a saddle "with a hole" was to blame for my frequent urge to crap while cycling, based on its vague similarity to a toilet seat. I was so convinced in fact that I relegated the Brooks C17 carved to a little used bike. It eventually transpired that it was actually my diet that was to blame

...but I do have to ask after looking at the pictures of the Infinity what's with that strange projection at the rear of the cut out

it makes me think that there may still be some truth in my original diagnosis.

chrisbainbridge · « **Reply #15 on:** 14 February, 2020, 08:45:13 am »

I always have assumed that the small projection at the back is to extend along your coccyx.

Nightmare-1 · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 February, 2020, 05:26:56 pm »

Just like everything nowadays "The less there is the more it costs".

Less than half a saddle for more than I pay for a whole bike!

zigzag · « **Reply #17 on:** 16 February, 2020, 11:56:02 pm »

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mzjo · « **Reply #18 on:** 17 February, 2020, 03:46:54 pm »

I just googled "selle Infinity en France" 'cos I'm in France and I got a whole load of saddles for riding horses. Not cheap though, I saw €2590 without even clicking through the links. Nothing for bicycles

bludger · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 February, 2020, 03:53:27 pm »

I was on the phone with a chap a while ago who was very keen on this 'manta saddle'.

https://mantasaddle.co.uk/video/

https://youtu.be/DmgwULtUxVY

I've not yet seen one in real life and I'm always wary of things like this but since this was a real person being an unprompted evangelist maybe there is something in it.

mattc · « **Reply #20 on:** 17 February, 2020, 08:15:49 pm »

For a LOT less money, Selle Italia do various "flow" branded versions with gaps. I've been very happy with mine. It's possibly this one:
https://images.app.goo.gl/9B5XMAPs2mYSHPr96

"gel flow"? Summat like that. They have billions of variants ...

pdm · « **Reply #21 on:** 18 February, 2020, 02:18:52 pm »

The best deal for unused "previous generation" Manta saddles is on eBay:

See: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Comfort-pain-free-and-pressure-free-unisex-MANTA-MS9-noseless-saddle/283454913638?hash=item41ff3abc66:g:AlkAAOSwmT1bO58Z#shpCntId

At that price, I think I will try one myself - esp for the static trainer!

Though there is some argy-bargy between these suppliers and the Manta:
See: https://mantasaddle.co.uk/grey-product-sales-on-ebay/ and the notes on the eBay page.