Recommend me a new seat
Discussion
So on the commute home last night I managed to snap the seat off the frame, leading to it falling onto the road, 9 miles into the 15 making the last leg rather slow & uncomfortable.
As I want to get back in the saddle ASAP can somebody please recommend me a replacement as I'm not at all clued up about it...
The bike is an 18 month old Bianchi Via Nirone (2011 model year) in black & white, used on average 3-4 times a week for my Orpington to City commute, rarely for anything else. I have had the standard saddle to date which i rate as adequate but nothing much more.
Whats the best thing to go for? - cost is a factor - cheaper the better but ideally no less quality than the saddle that was on there from new. I am happy to go to wiggle/JE James/Evans/halfords etc so whatever people thing is most appropriate.
In case it affects things:
Height - 6" + 1/2 inch
Leg - 32'
Build - company director type - weight fluctuates between 90 & 110 kg's
As I want to get back in the saddle ASAP can somebody please recommend me a replacement as I'm not at all clued up about it...
The bike is an 18 month old Bianchi Via Nirone (2011 model year) in black & white, used on average 3-4 times a week for my Orpington to City commute, rarely for anything else. I have had the standard saddle to date which i rate as adequate but nothing much more.
Whats the best thing to go for? - cost is a factor - cheaper the better but ideally no less quality than the saddle that was on there from new. I am happy to go to wiggle/JE James/Evans/halfords etc so whatever people thing is most appropriate.
In case it affects things:
Height - 6" + 1/2 inch
Leg - 32'
Build - company director type - weight fluctuates between 90 & 110 kg's
Usual answer to this is either...
a) Charge Spoon
- or -
b) Find a shop that allows you to try saddles before you buy, so as not to waste cash on something that doesn't fit. Specialised stockists often have a trial fleet of saddles to suit most budgets, there may be others who provide similar service.
- or -
c) Ignore the bit about budget in the OP, and recommend something expensive, all real leather and brass rivets, with "Brooks" written on it.
Because of what it does, in terms of comfort, a saddle is really not the kind of thing you want to be buying 'blind' off t'internet. The wrong fit will be a costly, and potentially painful mistake. Unless you can identify the model that was fitted to your bike, which you described as "adequate", and replace it online. If it wasn't causing you problems with your 'undercarriage' then it would be OK to go with 'same again', maybe?
a) Charge Spoon
- or -
b) Find a shop that allows you to try saddles before you buy, so as not to waste cash on something that doesn't fit. Specialised stockists often have a trial fleet of saddles to suit most budgets, there may be others who provide similar service.
- or -
c) Ignore the bit about budget in the OP, and recommend something expensive, all real leather and brass rivets, with "Brooks" written on it.

Because of what it does, in terms of comfort, a saddle is really not the kind of thing you want to be buying 'blind' off t'internet. The wrong fit will be a costly, and potentially painful mistake. Unless you can identify the model that was fitted to your bike, which you described as "adequate", and replace it online. If it wasn't causing you problems with your 'undercarriage' then it would be OK to go with 'same again', maybe?
With all the pointers it looks like the spoon is the way to go, likely pop over to evans at London Bridge to take a look in a bit.

Since April I've gone from 110 - 92 (July) - 105 (now)....
The aim of the cycling is to get it back off! - I like my food too much though!
okgo said:
Lose weight and you won't break saddles 
This is the aim, as soon as I get down to 90kg's (below that I look gaunt) I start eating again 

Since April I've gone from 110 - 92 (July) - 105 (now)....
The aim of the cycling is to get it back off! - I like my food too much though!
zasker said:
S10GTA said:
I have Sella Italia SLR on both my bikes. Love them.
Plus one for the Sella Italia SLR, got one on my road bike and on both my mountain bikes and they are great.Different seats for different people, LBS should be able to loan you some.
I really didn't like the Charge Spoon, I don't like hammock style saddles so no surprises there.
I've been through a fair few in my quest to get comfy, Specialized Toupe, Fizik Aliante (hammock style), Fizik Arione and now a Specialized Romin Pro.
Most of the big saddle manufacturers have a fitting system, some are based on flexibility, others on the width of your arse, try and get a few testers to try out, they're normally a bright colour to dissuade you from nicking them.
I've been through a fair few in my quest to get comfy, Specialized Toupe, Fizik Aliante (hammock style), Fizik Arione and now a Specialized Romin Pro.
Most of the big saddle manufacturers have a fitting system, some are based on flexibility, others on the width of your arse, try and get a few testers to try out, they're normally a bright colour to dissuade you from nicking them.
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