Seatpost or saddle?
Discussion
Now I'm back on the road bike (lightweight tourer, 700c, drop bars), there's a few things to sort out... excuses for spending money 
I've just swapped out my old USE Alien Shokpost (so old, this is the only decent pic I could find of one!) for the original rigid ally seatpost. A decade ago, the USE post was smooth and lovely, but the miles and, I guess, the years of storage have not done it any favours - it has a fair bit of stiction, a fair bit of lateral movement, and has developed a strange habit of feeling like it "drops" at times when on the road... not sure if vertically or goes a bit nose down... it's fine when checked afterwards, and fine on the turbo trainer, but a bit disconcerting on the road.
The saddle is a San Marco Rolls - I bought it with the bike, so on the order of 25 years old. It's kinda OK, I used to do many many miles on it. However, I'm finding it harder work now; it requires a well padded pair of shorts to feel comfortable past 10/15 minutes.
I'd like a bit more comfort than the Rolls + rigid... I mean, I obviously felt the same 20-odd years ago, hence the suspension seat post - to be fair, I was doing many many more miles in those days (and I may again, in time) - also, I haven't got any younger in the meantime
So, as a first move, the title of the post: a new suspension seat post, or new saddle?
On the post front, the Suntour NCX takes my fancy, especially as it gets good reviews, is not too expensive, and has a "hard" spring option for powerfully built company directors like myself (6'4", 16 stone).
Saddles, of course, are an endless range. Probably best to get a cut-out one these days, I do sometimes get numb bits when on the turbo; less so on the road. Happy to spend money on something that works for me; not so keen to waste it on a succession of less comfortable ones...
So, rather than exact recommendations for a saddle, can anyone tell me if finding the "right" one is likely to make the sort of improvement I'm looking for?
If the answer is "yes" to saddle, then I'll probably put off the change until I can reasonably travel to try a few out before spending.
Thanks in advance for the help
I've just swapped out my old USE Alien Shokpost (so old, this is the only decent pic I could find of one!) for the original rigid ally seatpost. A decade ago, the USE post was smooth and lovely, but the miles and, I guess, the years of storage have not done it any favours - it has a fair bit of stiction, a fair bit of lateral movement, and has developed a strange habit of feeling like it "drops" at times when on the road... not sure if vertically or goes a bit nose down... it's fine when checked afterwards, and fine on the turbo trainer, but a bit disconcerting on the road.
The saddle is a San Marco Rolls - I bought it with the bike, so on the order of 25 years old. It's kinda OK, I used to do many many miles on it. However, I'm finding it harder work now; it requires a well padded pair of shorts to feel comfortable past 10/15 minutes.
I'd like a bit more comfort than the Rolls + rigid... I mean, I obviously felt the same 20-odd years ago, hence the suspension seat post - to be fair, I was doing many many more miles in those days (and I may again, in time) - also, I haven't got any younger in the meantime
So, as a first move, the title of the post: a new suspension seat post, or new saddle?
On the post front, the Suntour NCX takes my fancy, especially as it gets good reviews, is not too expensive, and has a "hard" spring option for powerfully built company directors like myself (6'4", 16 stone).
Saddles, of course, are an endless range. Probably best to get a cut-out one these days, I do sometimes get numb bits when on the turbo; less so on the road. Happy to spend money on something that works for me; not so keen to waste it on a succession of less comfortable ones...
So, rather than exact recommendations for a saddle, can anyone tell me if finding the "right" one is likely to make the sort of improvement I'm looking for?
If the answer is "yes" to saddle, then I'll probably put off the change until I can reasonably travel to try a few out before spending.
Thanks in advance for the help
Edited by defblade on Wednesday 6th May 23:37
Just took delivery of a pair of the Suntours SP12 NCX https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0789PPFS4/r... to fit to a pair of CUBE MTB's coming tomorrow. Will let you know what the ride is like - I can say not 'light'.
But we've got the Hybrid / Batteries to compensate
But we've got the Hybrid / Batteries to compensate
Your sit bones will toughen up the more time you spend in the saddle, good pair of padded shorts or bibs will help massively
For the comfort thing, perhaps ditch the suspension seatpost idea and look at higher volume tyres run at lower tyre pressure, and more comfy bar tape to help reduce vibrations
For the comfort thing, perhaps ditch the suspension seatpost idea and look at higher volume tyres run at lower tyre pressure, and more comfy bar tape to help reduce vibrations
+1 for the suntour. Fitted to my cube hybrid and makes a world of difference even with the standard seat. Suntour come in a combination of post widths and stem lengths so order correct post width, can add a shim if needed, stem length can’t be cut down. …don’t ask me how I know. Try the bay , I purchased from cervusbike.
itsnotarace said:
Your sit bones will toughen up the more time you spend in the saddle, good pair of padded shorts or bibs will help massively
For the comfort thing, perhaps ditch the suspension seatpost idea and look at higher volume tyres run at lower tyre pressure, and more comfy bar tape to help reduce vibrations
Agree with all this.For the comfort thing, perhaps ditch the suspension seatpost idea and look at higher volume tyres run at lower tyre pressure, and more comfy bar tape to help reduce vibrations
Try a few saddles out (not easy at the moment) as everyone's backside is different. Padding should be in the pants and not on the saddle. Seatposts that flex rather than with any real suspension are far better on road bikes
indigostr said:
+1 for the suntour. Fitted to my cube hybrid and makes a world of difference even with the standard seat. Suntour come in a combination of post widths and stem lengths so order correct post width, can add a shim if needed, stem length can’t be cut down. …don’t ask me how I know. Try the bay , I purchased from cervusbike.
Thanks - and what I hoped to hear 
I have the 30.9mm posts to suit (I hope!)
Gren said:
itsnotarace said:
Your sit bones will toughen up the more time you spend in the saddle, good pair of padded shorts or bibs will help massively
For the comfort thing, perhaps ditch the suspension seatpost idea and look at higher volume tyres run at lower tyre pressure, and more comfy bar tape to help reduce vibrations
Agree with all this.For the comfort thing, perhaps ditch the suspension seatpost idea and look at higher volume tyres run at lower tyre pressure, and more comfy bar tape to help reduce vibrations
Try a few saddles out (not easy at the moment) as everyone's backside is different. Padding should be in the pants and not on the saddle. Seatposts that flex rather than with any real suspension are far better on road bikes
Tyres are 28mm which are the widest I can fit with guards on.
Bar tape already doubled up.
And, yes, I think any new saddle choice will have to wait until after lockdown, realistically.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff