MTB saddle for longer rides

[Musashi]

I've been MTB'ing again for the last 3 months and enjoy getting back into it.  Most of my rides are 3+ hours so I spend a lot of time in the saddle.  After a while, and usually on long climbs, I become uncomfortable (a bit of numbness "down under") in the saddle, even if I stand up every now and again.  I suspect the problem is the saddle as it is quite a narrow, hard saddle.

 

What saddle would you recommend for long distance MTB rides (my LBS wasn't very helpful with advice)?

 

[HammerHed]

Specialized Phenom SL looks hard as nails but is actually comfortable.

[Goodbadugly]

Gobi xm

[turtlek]

do you ride with decent quality shorts because often you go spending thousands on saddles and the shorts are still your problem

[AndreZA]

Get a SDG Bel-Air. Cheap as chips and very comfy. BUT it's over 300g. The Ti version is more expensive but weighs about 260g.

[jugheaddave]

Second Gobi XM, although try before you buy, I dont think its for everyone

[Daxiet]

 

1st - check the seat angle it may be a little nose high.

 

2nd - I am a firm believer in using a seat with a cut away to keep the vital pipes/veins unobstructed. I ride with a Sella Italia C2 Gel Flow - been good for me, but doesn't mean it will work for everyone.

 

Saw a couple Specialized saddles on Tuesday, they seem to be very well priced compared to Fizzik/Sella and apparently have been designed in conjunction with Urologists, etc. (Good sales pitch at least).

 

What seat do you currently have, in many if not most cases the orginal seat put on by the manufacturer is just for show. Very light to make you feel happy about the bikes weight but at the cost of comfort (Plastic with a thin cheap covering  ).

 

Daxiet2009-07-23 00:50:22

[manbearpig]

Seat angle is important. try ride with the nose a little down.  Also try ride your tyres a little softer. Say 1.8 - 2.2, forget about rolling resistance.

[Musashi]

I think the saddle is still the original Scott Racing saddle.  There is basically no cut away which I suspect is the problem.

 

I'll play around with seat angle while checking a few of the recommendations above.  Turtlek, I have brand new pants so I think it is either the saddle or the bike set-up. 

 

The handle bars feel about 3 cm's too low.  Can that be the problem?

 

[Matchstix]

Low handle bar will cause back pain generally. The seat angle might have an influence due to this. I have been riding my selle italia flite trans am for 8 years now with no problems.

Be careful as soft saddle is also no good.

 

[Daxiet]

 

 

 

I think the saddle is still the original Scott Racing saddle.  There is basically no cut away which I suspect is the problem.

 

I'll play around with seat angle while checking a few of the recommendations above.  Turtlek' date=' I have brand new pants so I think it is either the saddle or the bike set-up. 

 

The handle bars feel about 3 cm's too low.  Can that be the problem?

 

[/quote']

 

Do not pass begin - BUY a new saddle! The Scott seats are know to be a mechanism of torture! The forward portion of the seat applies pressure to areas best left without pressure.

 

Anyway take a pic of you bike and post it, should be able to pickup on a 3cm bar height issue. In most cases your seat should be higher than your handle bars. Thus the seat should be perfectly level or slightly nose down. But with the Scott, it might be best to cut the nose off .

Daxiet2009-07-23 01:38:38

[Reghard111]

I second that...those scott saddles are torture. I use a Gobi now and love it, I did the sani nonstop on a hardtail with the Gobi and survived. Even my wife uses one now.