The sore subject of seats
Discussion
Since buying my bicycle, Strava tells me I've done 100km. Woo! My 12km loop has become a 20km loop and my legs feel fine with that. My butt cheeks (sorry, sit bones) don't. I'm now doing an hour in the saddle each ride and I'm feeling it. I've got some GCN/Santini shorts which help, but I think the seat my bike came with could be improved?
So, what's recommended by Pedal Powered to aid in my comfort. I don't need anything racy. Comfort is a priority whilst I get used to being on a bicycle for longer. I've read many online reviews and there are some options, but I'd like some advice from here as well.
Thanks!
So, what's recommended by Pedal Powered to aid in my comfort. I don't need anything racy. Comfort is a priority whilst I get used to being on a bicycle for longer. I've read many online reviews and there are some options, but I'd like some advice from here as well.
Thanks!
Asking for saddle advice is like asking for the best ice cream flavour, everyone has a different opinion, and it might even change depending on the situation. I'll tell you want I think but others won't agree and there is no guarantee that it will be the best option for you.
Having said that there are a number of companies that will let you return a saddle for an exchange for a certain time, I know specialized and bontrager will so it might be worth going to your nearest specialized or trek dealer too see what they have to offer. If they don't work out you should be able to exchange for another width or model or even get your money back. They should be able to measure your sit bones and recommend a width, again this isn't an exact science but is a good starting point. I measure in the middle of two sizes and prefer the narrower, others would go up.
Now, my preference. I fit specialized saddles, I run a Power on my road and xc bike and a Henge on my trail bike. The difference is due to the position I am in on the current bikes with the Power working well in a lower more flat back position and the Henge better in a more upright position.
Or you could just buy a charge spoon since that's what a bunch of people will tell you to do, not that they are bad but as I have said, everyone is different.
Having said that there are a number of companies that will let you return a saddle for an exchange for a certain time, I know specialized and bontrager will so it might be worth going to your nearest specialized or trek dealer too see what they have to offer. If they don't work out you should be able to exchange for another width or model or even get your money back. They should be able to measure your sit bones and recommend a width, again this isn't an exact science but is a good starting point. I measure in the middle of two sizes and prefer the narrower, others would go up.
Now, my preference. I fit specialized saddles, I run a Power on my road and xc bike and a Henge on my trail bike. The difference is due to the position I am in on the current bikes with the Power working well in a lower more flat back position and the Henge better in a more upright position.
Or you could just buy a charge spoon since that's what a bunch of people will tell you to do, not that they are bad but as I have said, everyone is different.
Scabutz said:
I went with a charge spoon, only cost about 20 notes. Very comfortable, even with my s
tty pair of worn out shorts. Done 5hr+ rides.
It is also something that you get used to. The more you ride the less it will hurt over time.
Same here plus a bike fit and no issues what so ever.tty pair of worn out shorts. Done 5hr+ rides.It is also something that you get used to. The more you ride the less it will hurt over time.
Yes its very personal, some people rave about Specialized saddles but I've always found them awful. Years ago I was a fan of the original Selle Italia Flite and the Charge Spoon is a very similar shape so have used them recently, great value and made by Velo in Taiwan who make loads of saddles for the bigger names anyway. They are quite flexy and do go saggy over time but they are so cheap it doesn't really matter 
If you;ve only done 100km total though it's probably more a case of your arse needing time to adjust....
If you;ve only done 100km total though it's probably more a case of your arse needing time to adjust....
lufbramatt said:
If you;ve only done 100km total though it's probably more a case of your arse needing time to adjust....
It depends on what's sore. If it's your sit bones then you need time to toughen up and/or better or more padding on the seat or in your chamois. If it's the soft tissue in the middle they you need a new seat. This won't toughen up and you can do some damage.As others have said, they are very personal. I'd been through 5 or 6 before I had a bike fit and found the one I ride now.
Get to a shop and get them to measure your sit bones.
Then get them to recommend a saddle based on how you ride, your physiology etc.
I went from a narrow saddle to the "correct" width for me and the difference was huge.
I also found one with less padding was more comfortable.
Get to a shop and get them to measure your sit bones.
Then get them to recommend a saddle based on how you ride, your physiology etc.
I went from a narrow saddle to the "correct" width for me and the difference was huge.
I also found one with less padding was more comfortable.
Thanks, all. It's interesting reading.
Interesting you mention the chamois. The shorts that I've got recently, to me, don't go as far back around my bum as I thought they would. The chamois seems to stop at right about my sit bones, and is obviously not as massively padded at the outsides.
However, I agree with the many approaches. I need to get used to it. Charge Spoon, Actual dealer measurements (I've just read about the sit bone measuring machine!) and a 'correct' saddle. I'm happy with them all, but is there a better order? I'm happy to try and get used to it, but I feel I can go for further distances in my legs, but my sit bones are just done at an hour which stops me going for more.
Floor Tom said:
It depends on what's sore. If it's your sit bones then you need time to toughen up and/or better or more padding on the seat or in your chamois. If it's the soft tissue in the middle they you need a new seat. This won't toughen up and you can do some damage.
It's my sit bones. My seat as a channel in the middle which I think is meant to stop that pressure, but that's not my problem.Interesting you mention the chamois. The shorts that I've got recently, to me, don't go as far back around my bum as I thought they would. The chamois seems to stop at right about my sit bones, and is obviously not as massively padded at the outsides.
However, I agree with the many approaches. I need to get used to it. Charge Spoon, Actual dealer measurements (I've just read about the sit bone measuring machine!) and a 'correct' saddle. I'm happy with them all, but is there a better order? I'm happy to try and get used to it, but I feel I can go for further distances in my legs, but my sit bones are just done at an hour which stops me going for more.
What saddle do you currently have? I'd tried a charge spoon with little success - happy to send you one if you would like?
I went through a bike fit the other year, tried plenty of brands - brooks, fizik, selle, smp etc, and borrowed numerous. I ended up with a Fabric.
Have a look through the saddle manufacturers, bike position and your flexibility with make a difference, couple of bits below.
https://fabric.cc/findyourfit/
https://www.fizik.com/uk_en/spine-concept-evo-anim...
I went through a bike fit the other year, tried plenty of brands - brooks, fizik, selle, smp etc, and borrowed numerous. I ended up with a Fabric.
Have a look through the saddle manufacturers, bike position and your flexibility with make a difference, couple of bits below.
https://fabric.cc/findyourfit/
https://www.fizik.com/uk_en/spine-concept-evo-anim...
It takes me ages to find a saddle that actually works for me. When I do find one, I buy a couple of them, as manufacturers have a nasty habit of ‘improving’ designs. My current favourite is a Fizik Arione. I’m one of those who just can’t seem to ever get comfortable on Brooks saddles, or anything that’s ‘contoured’. It’s a shame, because the Brooks saddles look lovely.
GOATever said:
It takes me ages to find a saddle that actually works for me. When I do find one, I buy a couple of them, as manufacturers have a nasty habit of ‘improving’ designs. My current favourite is a Fizik Arione. I’m one of those who just can’t seem to ever get comfortable on Brooks saddles, or anything that’s ‘contoured’. It’s a shame, because the Brooks saddles look lovely.
Brooks saddles improve the more you ride. There is an ideal saddle for everyone out there
It isn't the same saddle for everyone
In the case of new riders like you OP, time on the bike will help your body get used to it
I'd start looking at saddles right now, but you do need to make allowances for the fact that your body is still adapting to perching astride a bike
Go get your sit bones measured (by sitting on a Specialized cushion for instance) and try a couple of saddles appropriately sized
Also, check that the saddle is in the right position for you - flat and appropriately positioned height & fore/aft
keep pedalling
It isn't the same saddle for everyone
In the case of new riders like you OP, time on the bike will help your body get used to it
I'd start looking at saddles right now, but you do need to make allowances for the fact that your body is still adapting to perching astride a bike
Go get your sit bones measured (by sitting on a Specialized cushion for instance) and try a couple of saddles appropriately sized
Also, check that the saddle is in the right position for you - flat and appropriately positioned height & fore/aft
keep pedalling
FWIW, my bicycle has a Bontrager Paradigm 3 - according to the expired evans tech spec - bike is a 2016 model.
And yes, I'm happy to concede that my body just needs to get used to sitting on a saddle more. My neck is also getting used to looking up, as it's a road bike, rather than upright MTB, so yes - absolutely.
However, from the above it's clear I can try and help myself out by seeing whats out there. There's a Trek dealer (the bike is a Trek, not that it matters, but I want a MTB soon, so...
) near me so I can see if the Bontrager stuff can help. They do fittings and are a Triathlon shop, so I can't be the first person with my particular discomfort they've helped out.
I have read about the above sites regarding speccing a seat based on flexibility and postion, etc, which is too interesting, so I'll have a play on those later on tonight.
Thanks - really enjoying riding, to the point where I've signed up to next years LtB ride, if for something to aim for - but the sit bone pain is about the only negative.
And yes, I'm happy to concede that my body just needs to get used to sitting on a saddle more. My neck is also getting used to looking up, as it's a road bike, rather than upright MTB, so yes - absolutely.
However, from the above it's clear I can try and help myself out by seeing whats out there. There's a Trek dealer (the bike is a Trek, not that it matters, but I want a MTB soon, so...
) near me so I can see if the Bontrager stuff can help. They do fittings and are a Triathlon shop, so I can't be the first person with my particular discomfort they've helped out. I have read about the above sites regarding speccing a seat based on flexibility and postion, etc, which is too interesting, so I'll have a play on those later on tonight.
Thanks - really enjoying riding, to the point where I've signed up to next years LtB ride, if for something to aim for - but the sit bone pain is about the only negative.
I have a Brooks C13 Cambium on one - lovely but firm and I still need to get used to it (Not ridden in a year so will start again this weekend)
I have fat pink Hungarian thing on my Csepel fixie - surprisngly comfortable and have done 40 odd miles on it ok, no bib shorts...
Last week I swapped the (fubared) Boardman saddle from my CX Team for a Fabric Scoop Shallow Elite. Promptly went and did a 200km ride and had no issues. Br far the best saddle I've used, and I'm sure many will agree.
If I don't get the same level of comfort from my Brooks I will be swapping it for a Fabric ALM Shallow Ultimate (like the new one, just better)
I have fat pink Hungarian thing on my Csepel fixie - surprisngly comfortable and have done 40 odd miles on it ok, no bib shorts...
Last week I swapped the (fubared) Boardman saddle from my CX Team for a Fabric Scoop Shallow Elite. Promptly went and did a 200km ride and had no issues. Br far the best saddle I've used, and I'm sure many will agree.
If I don't get the same level of comfort from my Brooks I will be swapping it for a Fabric ALM Shallow Ultimate (like the new one, just better
)WinstonWolf said:
Brooks saddles improve the more you ride.
I know that’s the ( not actually always true ), often repeated ( usually by a man with a woollen Jersey and a beard, doing an Audax) commonly held belief, but if on the intervening 300Km ride, I get a sore backside, due to the ‘green’ Brooks saddle, I’m not happy. If it’s not comfy from the off, it’s not going to get a chance to ‘wear in’. I have given Brooks saddles a go, but they don’t make one that works for me.Edited by GOATever on Wednesday 26th September 15:07
bigdom said:
What saddle do you currently have? I'd tried a charge spoon with little success - happy to send you one if you would like?
Thanks for the offer, dom. I'm tempted, but once I've covered the seat and postage, it's probably cheaper getting it from the Cycle Republic down the road from work cheesewotsit said:
bigdom said:
What saddle do you currently have? I'd tried a charge spoon with little success - happy to send you one if you would like?
Thanks for the offer, dom. I'm tempted, but once I've covered the seat and postage, it's probably cheaper getting it from the Cycle Republic down the road from work As JPJPJP mentioned, get a spirit level out, it should be flat, or even a couple of degrees down at the front.
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