Saddle/Seat recommendations

[Java001]

After many years of not cycling, I recently on the hub bought a nice 2005 RC 6000 - it arrived fiited with a RavX Race-X seat on an Elite seatpost. I could not determine the manufacturing year of the seat, but it shows some wear and has clearly done a bit of distance as the gel sections seem very soft and worn.

 

I will have to look at something new, but the variety seem huge and even if I knew what I was looking for, it might take me 12 months just to research, before I visit my lbs's to see what they stock ! 

 

I am 1.74 m with an inseam of 83 cm - leg length "normal", but short upper body - weight wise 105 kg.

 

.............. anyone of similar weight and more experience - what can you recommend as saddle options that have worked for you especially in terms of comfort ?

 

I know this is a personal choice and certainly not a one-size-fits-all science, but I am looking for a realistic starting point .................

[Lukep]

GO to a Specilized dealership and get a saddle fitted for you, I am 1,74m tall and arounf 90kgs and I only ride the Spesh saddles .

[Mish100]

I had a few saddles and Fizik Arione is the best in comfort for me - 98kg

[100Tours]

Fizik make great saddles, slightly wider and slightly squarer than most, and very comfortable. I'm 1.81 with a 88.5cm inseam.

[Kiwi]

Hi Java001,

 

I have Planet X Superlight Team Saddles for R309.99 very comfortable!

 

More here: http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.za/category.aspx?categoryID=61

 

 

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.za/images/products/VL1184UA.jpg

[Christopher Brunsdon]

I weigh 90kg and have the Planet-X saddle. Will not buy anything else. My butt loves it.

 

 

 

My previous saddle was a BelAir and it was crappy - was 103kg when I got it.

[Renier82]

first thing u need to do is determine what width seat u need... i learnt this the hard way..

i also had the racex seat on my ralleigh.. and the thing killed my butt... only to find out i require  aseat thts 14#mm wide, and the racex is 130.

 

bike shops have a seat cushion u sit on to determine if u have child bearing hips like me ;-)

when u know the size of saddle, then u look at the options in tht lineup.

i have since changed tht seat for a 143 selle italia flite gel and i can spend the whole day on the bike without thinkin of being at prison.(sore ass)

 

 

[Java001]

Thankx all for the recommedations so far i.e. Specialized, Planet X Superlight Team, Selle Italia flite gel & Fizik Arione.

Have not yet visited our Specialized dealers, but my nearest LBS had a seat cushion for Bontrager fitment and as feared I am looking at minimum 146 width. 

Any other options in this lineup to consider price wise that perhaps is not quite 1/2 or equal to the market value of a RC 6000 ?

Kiwi, pm sent about width of the Planet X option

[Sloggy]

i heard the seat thing is a gimmik whats everyone thoughts on that (sorry if this is a hijack) 

[Guest Big H]

As you have now seen above a saddle is a verrrry personal thing. I was always lucky and a saddle with a cutout in the middle suited me best. Every saddle form the cheapies to the more expensive leather Selle Italia Gel Flow Pro-Link is the best I have ever used. Even my spinning bicycle here in Nigeria has the saddle fitted. I have one on each of our three tandems as well. I am 1,84m tall and weigh more than you do.

[Ha Ha Kieran]

As you have now seen above a saddle is a verrrry personal thing. I was always lucky and a saddle with a cutout in the middle suited me best. Every saddle form the cheapies to the more expensive leather Selle Italia Gel Flow Pro-Link is the best I have ever used. Even my spinning bicycle here in Nigeria has the saddle fitted. I have one on each of our three tandems as well. I am 1' date='84m tall and weigh more than you do.[/quote']

 

Well put Big H! A saddle is very personal. Me personally. I like the Selle Italia SLR and it is HARD!  But it works for me

[Java001]

i heard the seat thing is a gimmik whats everyone thoughts on that (sorry if this is a hijack) 

 

I was also a bit dubious about it, but it seems to pass the "logic test" i.e. if your sit bones are measured to be 145 mm apart and the max seat width is 130 mm, your sit bones are hanging down the sides of the seat and not sitting on top of it ? Or are you suggesting that the whole seat measurement process is a gimmick aimed at selling a particular brand or type of seat?  

[Java001]

As you have now seen above a saddle is a verrrry personal thing. I was always lucky and a saddle with a cutout in the middle suited me best. Every saddle form the cheapies to the more expensive leather Selle Italia Gel Flow Pro-Link is the best I have ever used. Even my spinning bicycle here in Nigeria has the saddle fitted. I have one on each of our three tandems as well. I am 1' date='84m tall and weigh more than you do.[/quote']

 

Well put Big H! A saddle is very personal. Me personally. I like the Selle Italia SLR and it is HARD!  But it works for me

 

Guys, I get the personal thing, but before I start bonding with a saddle in a very personal way, I need to narrow down my options. My LBS's are not keen on letting me try too many of their saddles and I simply do not have the time to test 100 possible options.   

Having now figured out that I am looking at no less than 145 mm width, many Fiziks, Selle's etc. are automatically eliminated due to being too narrow. 

Kieran, I agree with you ................. I also like the hard option - did a short ride this weekend on a 2nd hand 145 mm Selle Success V2 carbon seat - it is rock hard but comfy, if that makes any sense ?