Road Bike Saddle and Pedals and Cycling Shoes

[TimmyBoston]

After taking a long ride on my Trek 1.5 today I realized I desperately need a new saddle for it or I may never walk right again. Weight is not an issue, comfort is.

What saddle do you guys recommend I get?

Thanks!

 

[soapbox]

How important is weight versus comfort? How important is price?

To some degree, you just gotta ride enough to get your butt used to it, but there's no point riding on a sheet of titanium either, and there are some nerve-health issues associated with hard/ill-fitting saddles.

If you're counting grams, and have a little $$ to spend, that's one thing. If you're willing to lose the ounces off your love handles rather than your bike saddle, there are more economical options that still offer great performance.

 

[kongjie]

I love my saddle from Terry. I can't remember exactly which model it is, but it is very firm. I assume you're wearing chamois-padded bottoms.

 

[King of Kailua]

If you're all racey like that Fi'zi:k:

 

[TimmyBoston]

How important is weight versus comfort? How important is price?

Weight is not important to me at all. I'm not a competitive rider, I'm only out to get exercise. I'd like to keep the seat under $100 if possible preferrably in the $50-60 range.

 

[Rughi]

Brooks B-17
It's the classic. It's firm and supports your ischial tuberosities, where lesser saddles distribute weight evenly across your whole crotch - certain...ahem... parts of which shouldn't be bearing your weight.

Available at
Rivendell
Wallingford Bikes
Velo-Orange, etc.

Roger

 

[perry]

Saving my pennies to try out a B-17 on my new bike, I think. I know I need something different, just waiting to figure out exactly what I need different. Everyone that has one on Bike forums seems to like the B-17 though. Wallbike.com says they have a 6 month satisfaction guarantee on Brooks saddles.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html gives you a good education on saddles. The rest of his site has excellent info, too.

 

[Rughi]

Saving my pennies to try out a B-17 on my new bike, I think. I know I need something different, just waiting to figure out exactly what I need different. Everyone that has one on Bike forums seems to like the B-17 though. Wallbike.com says they have a 6 month satisfaction guarantee on Brooks saddles.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html gives you a good education on saddles. The rest of his site has excellent info, too.

I really miss Sheldon.
He made a huge contribution to practical cycling and the diy spirit. I still use his tutorial whenever I build a wheel; it's much more concise and user-friendly than Jobst Brandt's book.

Roger

 

[Mysterion]

There's very little I could add to Sheldon Brown's input on virtually any cycling related subject. But I can give you some insights based on my own years in the biz:

Nose contour is critical; some manufacturers tend toward a more rounded profile, others are more squared-off. Between the two most popular high-end Italian brands, Selle Italia makes very rounded profiles; Selle San Marco makes a flatter saddle. Folks who like one, will never, ever like the other. (I ride a variety of San Marco saddles.)

Saddles with cutouts work better for some folks than others. There is no miracle cutout that suits everyone.

Titanium rails do save a few grams; they also absorb a tiny--but perceptible--bit of shock. Whether that's worth an additional sixty bucks...

Without any knowledge of your weight, build, riding position, and so forth--I'll second the recommendation of something from Terry, for one simple reason: I've seen Terry Saddles work for more people in more instances than anything else. I've sold more saddles than I care to think about, typically with a 30-day "tester" guarantee. Terry saddles didn't come back. Average riders loved them, and a lot of serious riders really dug the higher end offerings. I had many repeat Terry customers. I didn't see many warranty claims, either. (Are you listening, Fizik?) I can't guarantee you'll like a Terry, but I'd favor the odds.

As for a Brooks...They're very hip right now; riding a Brooks in the 21st century is like joining a fraternal organization. Please don't. It's really not appropriate for you--it's kind of the straight razor of the saddle realm. (Note to enraged hipsters: I rode a B17 from 1976-1995. I ride a Grant Peterson-designed frame, I rock top-mounts on my commuter... But it's just not right the right saddle for everyone.)

Finally...nothing will make help more than miles. You'll build up muscles that will provide some cushion; more importantly, your legs will get stronger, and you'll put less weight on the saddle.

 

[Brodirt]

Forget the Brooks, its big bucks and big hours to break it in...and its old tech. I have mine that I broke in the early 80s and it sits on a shelf in my garage. It has been surpassed in too many ways to discuss.

Go to your LBS and try some out. I recommend that you go with a saddle that comes in different sizes if you don't know what you are looking for. In this regard the Specialized Toupee cant be beat. Specialized is big on comfort along with performance and they do a great job trying to get both to work. The Toupee is a performance saddle that comes in 3 different sizes that work on a wide (no pun intended) variety of asses.

I don't ride the Specialized saddle, but I do use their gloves, shoes and foot beds and they all work on the same principle...adaptability, comfort and performance.

I am a Selle Italia guy. Their saddles fit my butt, no other way to put it. I have them on all of my race bikes.

If you want to try an old broken in Selle Italia Flite ti, I would be glad to send you my old, first race saddle for you to try out. It is one of the standards in race saddles and is broken in quite well....its white and beaten up though, so be forewarned. Postage on me.

 

[Dewaine]

I have had a couple of WTB saddles and they were both very comfortable for long distances. The WTB Rocket V is what I currently use, and it has been my favorite saddle so far. There are more expensive saddles available, many of which are much lighter, but I doubt they are more comfortable.

[Edit] P.S. I did get mine for under $100. If you look around there is probably a vendor offering it for less than Performance.

 

[Legion]

I have a Brookes Professional on my fixie that I was lucky enough to find in really good condition but broken in by someone else s butt. That's the main problem with Brookes, Although they are really great when they are well used and "Molded" to your rear end, they are pretty unpleasant while you are getting them there. Also you can't leave them in the rain. Also they stand out and are expensive so you will always be worried about it getting stolen.

As someone pointed out, they are kind of like the saddle equivalent of old school shaving. Ultimately rewarding if you are prepared to put in the hard yards, but probably too much trouble for the masses.

I have a WTB Laser V on my mountain bike. It's OK and pretty well priced.

 

[TimmyBoston]

I assume you're wearing chamois-padded bottoms.

If you mean the padded shorts or bibs, No, I've never used any of those. Are they useful? And if so, any recommendations on a cheaper pair?

 

[Stubblefield]

Specialized Alias.

 

[Brodirt]

If you mean the padded shorts or bibs, No, I've never used any of those. Are they useful? And if so, any recommendations on a cheaper pair?

Tim! You must wear a bike short, or some sort, with chamois! You cant judge your saddle until you do...they are all meant to be sat upon with a chamois.

See the thread on bike shorts just started.

If modesty is your concern start with a pair of mountain biking shorts, lots of people do, they have the chamois as well.

Once you get your butt padded you will see a huge difference.

Oh, and just in case you didn't know...NO UNDERWEAR.

 

[perry]

If you mean the padded shorts or bibs, No, I've never used any of those. Are they useful? And if so, any recommendations on a cheaper pair?

Gotta get some! I got some of the mountain bike / baggy shorts when I got my bike. They look more like board shorts than bike shorts.

Check out www.love2pedal.com or www.aerotechdesigns.com. Here's a review of the Love2Pedal ones. When the wallet recovers from the bike purchase, I'll get some one of those places.

 

[moonshine44]

Definitely get padded bike shorts. My favorites are Nashbar Appollos, which unfortunately they discontinued...

As for saddles, the only saddle I'll buy is the Specialized Men's Body Geometry...

 

[Rughi]

...Note to enraged hipsters...

Oh, so that's the way it's going to be.
Dismiss the product, and discredit its users as just "enraged hipsters."
Smooth, real smooth, Mysterion with the many years in the "biz."

You may have some valid points, but you can propose the products you're used to selling without slinging mud, if you don't mind.

Roger

 

[Stubblefield]

If you mean the padded shorts or bibs, No, I've never used any of those. Are they useful? And if so, any recommendations on a cheaper pair?

That is half your problem right there. If you are doing any kind of miles you need padded shorts. I personally prefer Pearl Izumi, but shorts are a bit like razors, and have a high YMMV factor. Best to try on a few brands at your local shop or REI.

As for a Brooks...They're very hip right now; riding a Brooks in the 21st century is like joining a fraternal organization. Please don't. It's really not appropriate for you--it's kind of the straight razor of the saddle realm. (Note to enraged hipsters: I rode a B17 from 1976-1995. I ride a Grant Peterson-designed frame, I rock top-mounts on my commuter... But it's just not right the right saddle for everyone.)

Hilarious (and true). The B-17 is cycling equivalent of the Rolls razor. And don't get me started on urban hipsters. But the correct term is "run" as in "I run Hadleys on my Turner," or "I'm runnin' a King on my Pista." "Rock" is somewhat outdated, like the B-17. "Run" sounds less "poseur" (which of course it isn't)

 

[Brodirt]

Oh, so that's the way it's going to be.
Dismiss the product, and discredit its users as just "enraged hipsters."
Smooth, real smooth, Mysterion with the many years in the "biz."

You may have some valid points, but you can propose the products you're used to selling without slinging mud, if you don't mind.

Roger

Im gonna have to agree with Mysterion on this one...the Brooks saddle is an image product in the 21st century. Your suggestion above that Tim put a Brooks on his Trek is completely out of place.

Also, note that as I stated above, I have a well worn B-17 that sits in my garage as a reminder of times gone by.