What saddles are the big boys riding??

[Longbarn Killer]

Thanks for all the input especially the findings from personal experience. I must say that a bike fit is something I must look at as I've never done one. Also, I don't think my sit-bone measurements were very accurate so I'll get another reading. Maybe this will go a long way to resolve my comfort issues. If it doesn't, I guess I'll keep looking for "the one".

 

Thanks!

I'm going to be tied to a pole and flogged by the BikeHub for saying this, a bike fit is so over-rated.

 

A bike fit measures you up to the last milimeter. The old fashioned, let say "manual methods" are accurate enough. If these manual methods are a few mm or degrees out here and there, our bodies will adapt without you even knowing it.

 

With saddles, you need to differentiate between a saddle that just requires getting used to and a saddle that doesn't suit your body geometry. Most of the time, you just need to spend time on it just to get used to it. 

[Jonesy]

the Ryder swift 2. I just find it very comfy and they even have a 30 day return if you are not happy with it.

Wow... thanks. Then I'll definitely give that a go!

[Jonesy]

I'm going to be tied to a pole and flogged by the BikeHub for saying this, a bike fit is so over-rated.

 

A bike fit measures you up to the last milimeter. The old fashioned, let say "manual methods" are accurate enough. If these manual methods are a few mm or degrees out here and there, our bodies will adapt without you even knowing it.

 

With saddles, you need to differentiate between a saddle that just requires getting used to and a saddle that doesn't suit your body geometry. Most of the time, you just need to spend time on it just to get used to it.

 

 

This makes a lot of sense. Thanks!

[Ashchest]

Not a big guy -  but I am going to switch to a different type of saddle.  Yesterday I tried my old RFR saddle with a slight groove in the middle and it made a significant difference on a 75 km ride, with much less pressure than my more expensive Selle Italia SLR XP.  

Dunno what changed in the last 5 years because the Selle was always awesome and comfortable, but it seems my behind is now asking for a proper groove along the middle?   Maybe some things have increased in size and now needs more room?

 

I ordered a FABRIC Line saddle for the new bike so hope it will be more comfy for those 2 hr + rides. 

[Fat Boab]

So does anyone have a sure-fire DIY approach to measuring seat bone width?

 

 

Funny everyone saying that getting the fitment done worked wonders. I trust that it did, but when i had mine done i was recommended the narrow 127mm seat, and it was only till i got a syncros xr 143mm seat that everything felt so much better. Its not very padded at all but the shape seems to work just fine for me. Someone else mentioned a fabric scoop - i would absolutely give that a go. Most comfortable seat ive ever been on, also the wider version. But as has also been mentioned, noone can tell you what seat to get as everyone is different.

[Fat Boab]

So does anyone have a sure-fire DIY approach to measuring seat bone width?

 

 

Funny everyone saying that getting the fitment done worked wonders. I trust that it did, but when i had mine done i was recommended the narrow 127mm seat, and it was only till i got a syncros xr 143mm seat that everything felt so much better. Its not very padded at all but the shape seems to work just fine for me. Someone else mentioned a fabric scoop - i would absolutely give that a go. Most comfortable seat ive ever been on, also the wider version. But as has also been mentioned, noone can tell you what seat to get as everyone is different.

[Letum911]

I'm not a big guy at all, my weight fluctuates between the 85kg-90kg mark, with the odd occasion up to 92kg's.

 

I do however have an extremely sensitive butt!! Went through a couple of saddles which included the Arione, a couple of Spaz models and the Rapide. Rapide wasn't bad but still got uncomfortable after about 2 hours in the saddle. Friend of mine convinced me to get a Brooks 17 Narrow, have not looked back!!!!

 

It took about 2 months of "breaking in" (not sure who broke, me or the saddle), but now I love it and it only gets better!!! Can easily go out for a quick hour ride in whatever I have on without the need to change to bibs. 

 

I come from a horseriding background, and the leather just makes sense. I used to spend hours a week, probably about 20, on a saddle, and the saddle shaped around me. If someone else got on it would not be comfy at all!!!

[Ashchest]

So does anyone have a sure-fire DIY approach to measuring seat bone width?

 

 

 

I used the tin foil on a soft surface method.    Take a thick soft like piece of carpet or something similar and put it on a low standing flat surface like a coffee table so when you sit on it your knees can easily move upward.  Put a large piece of tin foil on the carpet and sit on it.   Move forward and sidewards and lift you knees slightly.  Your bones should make 2 clearly visible dents / circles in the foil.   Get the center point of each dent / circle and measure the distance between the 2 points.   You then need to add 10 to 15 mm to get close to the estimate seat width (according to the know hows). 

 

I did it 2 weeks ago and measured 130 mm width.    So my ideal saddle width must be in the 140's  ??

[PhilipV]

So does anyone have a sure-fire DIY approach to measuring seat bone width?

 

 

 

I went to the spez store and asked to sit on their sitbone measuring pad and to be shown appropriate saddles.

They complied, measured and showed me options. I then went and tested a mates saddle that was in one of their options, and now I ride it on all my bikes. Spez Henge 144m if my memory is correct.

[Stockman]

Between 87 and 92kg.

 

Bike and @ss fit are essential.

 

My preference is Spez Power, by far the most comfy saddle I've ever ridden. Long (Joberg2C) and short (local trails) distances. Had a Fizik, too much pressure on soft tissue.