Saddle upgrade

[Spacekadet]

I am not sure if this is covered somewhere else…could not find a thread.

 

I am looking at upgrading my saddle.  I am currently on a 29er hardtail with the stock saddle.  The time has come to give my largest contact point some well-deserved assistance.  I am a heavy rider (100kg+) and from time to time feel some numbness in areas that should not get numb.

 

I am thinking of getting a wider saddle (143mm or something in this range) and with a pressure relief channel. Current saddle is something like 135mm (I think) with no channel. Some recommendations from riders that have or had the same problem will be greatly appreciated.

 

I know a saddle is important, but do not want to take out n loan the finance it. I am thinking of spending R1000, is this sufficient or must I reconsider?

 

I am not from a big city that has a lot of bike shops, and the ones we do have, have limited stock.  I am close to JHB and PTA and travel there on a regular basis.  Which shops do you recommend to visit next time I am in the area?  Any shops that can do a proper fitment, and possibly loan me a saddle or two for a week to test?

[lechatnoir]

Your best bet is to get a proper fitting. If that's not possible, there are a few way to measure your sit bones to get a good idea of what width will fit you best. Google it and you'll find some way.

 

http://www.artscyclery.com/learningcenter/measuresitbonewidth.html

http://bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/9815/is-it-possible-to-measure-your-sit-bones-at-home

 

once you know the correct width, shopping online becomes a far less risky proposition.

 

anti-numbness saddles will have a channel to alleviate said numbness. I think Fabric make a few, as well as the Versus range from Fizik. Spez also make a few.

[tombeej]

The best saddle ever made:

 

http://www.selleitalia.com/en/prodotti/road/pagina_flite/

 

145mm wide, perfect for larger riders and long days in the saddle.

 

Have one on my road bike and mtb. My bum thanks me for it.

 

The central cut-out option is called the 'Flow'.

 

One small thing is that you'll have to bump your budget up a bit. But honestly, your saddle is Not where you want to be making budget cuts on your bike.

 

Check Chain Reaction Cycles. Delivery right to your door.

[cpelser]

Saddles are very rider specific.

 

Going expensive by no means guarantees more comfort.

 

As an example - the most comfortable saddle I've ever been on was a stock 2014 Silverback Sola 1 saddle and I've ridden Phenom, Fizik Arione vs, Selle Italia Gel Flow, Fizik Tundra, Fizik Gobi

 

So my advice would be to find a shop with a range of saddles that you can try out and see which one you like most.

 

I'm also 100kg+

[NISI]

You can also look into the Rapide saddle less than R400.I ordered from Kiwi and within 2 days delivered.

The saddle is very comfy and value for money.I have been using it on my idt(bike) and find it very comfortable.

I am going to order one for the mtb as well.

[Butterbean]

For my 110kg ass I love the spez Romin pro. The cutout is great. I'm on 155 wide and it's the best saddle I've tried of the many I have tried!!

[Spock]

You can also test various saddles at some shops. Phone around and ask who has test saddles. Sit bone width important though. Mine is 155! I really struggled to find something (I am also a heavy weight). After testing various saddles I bought a Selle SMP Extreme which is fantastic FOR ME...Priced cheap - 55euro from Deporvillage.com (shipped to UK)

http://www.deporvillage.com/sillin-selle-smp-extreme-medium-negro

 

ps local importers of SMP don't bring in this model...hence bought overseas

Edited April 26, 2016 by Spock

[Spacekadet]

Thanks for the input.  To sum it up, get measured for sit bone width, test a couple of saddles and the cost does not matter. 

 

I have heard good things of the Selle SMP saddles, any idea of who stocks them in JHB? would like to give them a test.

[Spock]

http://www.cycloworx.co.za in Petervale

 

They have SMP test saddles. Selle Hell and Hybrid both very nice

[Cannonized]

Go to a Specialized dealer (no I'm not a Spez fanboy) and sit on the spongy sit bone measuring device -that should point you to the correct width. Then get one of their saddles. I would recommend a Power saddle - I've got 3 of them on my different bikes. Not sure what the cost of the cheapest one is though.