ChrisF Posted June 22, 2020 Posted June 22, 2020 Been struggling with this myself too lately Are there any LBS's with a wide variety of test saddles in Cape Town? Tried CWC but they have a super limited number available Go to Irma for a proper bike fit - https://www.facebook.com/Irmaflex/ Getting YOU sorted is the first step .... Much later in your first session do you get to start setting up the bike ... Try these setting for a few rides, tweak if\as needed. If after all this you have a specific saddle issue, Irma has a drawer full of saddles. Super nice being able to chose a saddle based on how it "feels" rather than a brand name or price. Yes, this process can take a few months .... ideally you should ride your bike with the new setup and tweaks before considering new saddles. BUT, it still cost a lot less than one expensive saddle ....
Chris_ Posted June 22, 2020 Posted June 22, 2020 I just got the San Marco Shortfit. (So I'm glad it made this list!) I wanted to check out the new Fabric Line S but as with the rest of the range theres barely a spattering of them in every shop I go to so it was getting a little tiring.
Wayne pudding Mol Posted June 22, 2020 Posted June 22, 2020 I thought Brooks saddles are only used by Hipsters and Postmen.What’s a postman ?
philip.maree Posted June 22, 2020 Posted June 22, 2020 Again, saddles are personal and no one can give you the answer for what will work for you. You will have to buy and try unfortunately. I have been struggling for years with finding a saddle that works and have gone through quite of lot of variations with some to no success. I have been riding SQ Lab saddles for the last couple of months and have found them to be brilliant. They are quite different in their approach to saddle design and for me, it works better than any other option I have tried. They are note cheap but they have a 30day return policy (if the saddle isn't damaged). They actually suggest ride as much as possible in the first month and see if it works. http://sq-lab.co.za/Saddles/
DieselnDust Posted June 22, 2020 Posted June 22, 2020 Lance also used one...........Go Fabric it just works. Ask your dealer for a test saddle. Pretty sure he used a Selle Royale Concor
TNT1 Posted June 23, 2020 Posted June 23, 2020 Pretty sure he used a Selle Royale Concor From the beginning of his time at US Postal, Lance always used a San Marco Concor Light, both on his road and time trial bikes. I believe he briefly experimented with a San Marco OV in one off-seasDuring his early years at Motorola he used a Selle Italia Flite, because they sponsored the team and he didn't yet have the clout to use what he wanted or to force the team to take his preferred supplier as the team's supplier.
etienne_jordaan Posted June 23, 2020 Posted June 23, 2020 I can recommend the Fabric range. They do have test saddles, but it’s a matter of finding a bike shop that have test models. As mentioned earlier in this discussion go for long rides to test, because the real pressure points only come out after 2-3 hours of riding.
TIB Posted June 23, 2020 Posted June 23, 2020 What’s a postman ? It is the dude that rings twice, but a youngster like you would would probably not know that...
WW87 Posted June 23, 2020 Posted June 23, 2020 Thanks Chris! I've been doing incremental tinkering on my position over the years and done a lot of research on bike fit. I agree that most issues are down to the rider position rather than the component itself, but the saddle is more a case of trial and error. I've been riding a old Spez with no issues, but thought I'd try to the Pro Stealth after seeing some amazing reviews...NOPE...doesn't suit me on road or TT position I just wish we had more test saddles available at bike shops Go to Irma for a proper bike fit - https://www.facebook.com/Irmaflex/ Getting YOU sorted is the first step .... Much later in your first session do you get to start setting up the bike ... Try these setting for a few rides, tweak if\as needed. If after all this you have a specific saddle issue, Irma has a drawer full of saddles. Super nice being able to chose a saddle based on how it "feels" rather than a brand name or price. Yes, this process can take a few months .... ideally you should ride your bike with the new setup and tweaks before considering new saddles. BUT, it still cost a lot less than one expensive saddle ....
RobertWhitehead Posted June 23, 2020 Posted June 23, 2020 I have just about the same experience as what Philip said. I have also tried a list of saddles in the past. If you buy a Spaz saddle new they normally have like a 1 year warranty on it. I bought one of which the rails made a massive racket, they replaced it after over a month of use Just confirm with the LBS on my above statement Again, saddles are personal and no one can give you the answer for what will work for you. You will have to buy and try unfortunately. I have been struggling for years with finding a saddle that works and have gone through quite of lot of variations with some to no success. I have been riding SQ Lab saddles for the last couple of months and have found them to be brilliant. They are quite different in their approach to saddle design and for me, it works better than any other option I have tried. They are note cheap but they have a 30day return policy (if the saddle isn't damaged). They actually suggest ride as much as possible in the first month and see if it works. http://sq-lab.co.za/Saddles/
philip.maree Posted June 23, 2020 Posted June 23, 2020 I thought it was just my Specialized saddles that made a racket . Out of the various Specialized I have used (Power, Phenom, Taupe, Romin) the Romin worked the best for me for quite a while. I have just about the same experience as what Philip said. I have also tried a list of saddles in the past. If you buy a Spaz saddle new they normally have like a 1 year warranty on it. I bought one of which the rails made a massive racket, they replaced it after over a month of use Just confirm with the LBS on my above statement
RobertWhitehead Posted June 23, 2020 Posted June 23, 2020 We have similar experiences then . I have used: Phenom x 5 or possibly 6, Power x 2, Romin x 1. I found the Romin to be quite narrow and fairly hard. The Power hurt me right off the bat, the "lovers-groove" was also too big to my liking. The Phenom to me was / is the sweet spot. I bought the one brand new, sold it on for the power and then ended up buying and selling until I got some models in the phenom range I like. Now I just have the same saddle on all the bikes I thought it was just my Specialized saddles that made a racket . Out of the various Specialized I have used (Power, Phenom, Taupe, Romin) the Romin worked the best for me for quite a while.
rudi-h Posted June 23, 2020 Author Posted June 23, 2020 Thank you for the responses... Any recommendations for good shops (I live in Rosebank, JHB) that have a good variety of saddles and who can possibly facilitate with some form of measurement / fitment methodology?
RobertWhitehead Posted June 24, 2020 Posted June 24, 2020 I would go to Cyclelab in Fourways or if there's a Spaz shop, maybe: https://www.complete-cyclist.com/ Thank you for the responses... Any recommendations for good shops (I live in Rosebank, JHB) that have a good variety of saddles and who can possibly facilitate with some form of measurement / fitment methodology?
eddy Posted June 24, 2020 Posted June 24, 2020 It is the dude that rings twice, but a youngster like you would would probably not know that... He may have rang twice, but IIRC he knocked more often than that.
eddy Posted June 24, 2020 Posted June 24, 2020 Thank you for the responses... Any recommendations for good shops (I live in Rosebank, JHB) that have a good variety of saddles and who can possibly facilitate with some form of measurement / fitment methodology?Go to your local. If you are in Rosebank that means Dunkeld Cycles (and as it happens, Richard Baxter has a fitting studio there with all the measuring and fitting technology that entails) and they have all sorts of options. Or go and see Grant Usher at Sprocket and Jack who have moved to 6th Avenue, Parkhurst. Just down from the Shell garage.
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