saddles and sit bones

[newierider]

hi guys, i am looking into trying out another saddle and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations as to what brands have been good for you, i know everyone is different but it would be interesting to know.

i just measured my sitbones at around 138mm.

are fizik seats known to be a comfortable brand? or more for hardcore race guys?
according to their spine concept i am a "chameleon" (medium spine) and they recommend the antares vsx model for best comfort.

selle italia are quite well priced..

i am a heavy rider at 102 kilos but am losing weight fast. i want the seat to be used for rides of up to 8hrs, when i try to get low, i do feel perennial pressure on my current seat which is a syncros RR2.0 (came with my bike)
https://www.evanscycles.com/syncros-rr2 ... e-EV184571

any info is much appreciated

thanks in advance

[idler]

I spent many many dollars on a wide range of saddles until I measured my sit bones and realised I have quite narrow sit bones. I now have Selle SMP saddles on all my bikes. Here's a link to Steve Hogg's guide to SMP saddles
https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/bi ... bout-smps/

[ft_critical]

Hi newierider. You are asking lots of questions which is great and normal.

1. Getting a professional bike fit is a sound investment. The fitter can answer your questions, trial and error things and use their experience with other riders. It is expensive upfront but saves you in the long run on - physio as a result of poor choices you make yourself, ineffective training from using the wrong muscles and buying the wrong equipment and having to resell it.
2. On saddles specifically, I have experimented with several by not following point one of my own advice. Ooops. Actually I have been fitted by Steve Hogg. What I found (experience not expert advice) is that when I try to get a wider saddle I get improved comfort (perineum) on rides but experience poorer performance and pain in the hips. So what I am saying is that some decisions result in a trade off - you should know those trade offs ideally before making the decision. e.g., Selle Italia Flite Gel Flow to Selle Italia Max Flite and back. And to ISM PN 1.1 and back.
3. Hip rotation and flexibility are things that you should consider working on to ease comfort on the saddle.

[newierider]

thanks guys, yeah i think i should look at another bike fit, i did get one when i first got my bike a couple of years ago but it seemed very rushed plus i had never ridden a road bike at that stage so i didnt have my position established.

really interesting point about possible hip issues with cutouts, i had not thought about that.

does anyone know of a good place in sydney or newcastle nsw to get a bike fit and preferably stock a good range of saddles?

[Duck!]

are fizik seats known to be a comfortable brand?

Like all saddles, it depends who you ask.

If they're the right shape they are awesome, if they're the wrong shape they're awful. I have three different Fizik models on three bikes. My good roadie has an Aliante (for the less flexible according to their design brief), which I don't mind. I've done huge rides on it, but I think because I ride mostly MTB now I'm a bit out of shape on that saddle now. My lead MTB has a Gobi, which is roughly equivalent to the Antares road model, for the moderately flexible. This thing, for me at least, is awesome. My spare MTB (wet weather bike mainly) has a Tundra (Arione equivalent), and I tolerate the thing because it's only my spare bike, but it's an implement of torture on longer rides - might as well have a plank on top of the seatpost!

Quite a few saddle manufacturers have a test program through their dealers, which is a really good idea, as it allows you to try as many as you need until you find the right one, without the cost of buying multiple saddles that just don't suit you.

[li2099]

I've gone through numerous saddles myself.
In the end, it's harder to find one that will be suitable for everyone so you'll need to look into every brand.
I find the Selle SMP excellent comfortable and they also have a large selection of shapes and sizes.
They are dear but you won't be complaining if you don't get a sore ass.

[Xplora]

I thoroughly recommend the SMP saddles, I've ridden 300+ on a Forma and 350+ on a Composit twice, no pain. I was experiencing really bad pain with a Bontrager that was either worn out or something wrong with it, despite being fitted by Hogg, but I'm clearly fine with SMP.

The only problem with them is that they are VERY brutal if they aren't fit properly because they are designed to work well with your pelvis IN THE RIGHT PLACE. If it's wrong, the thin padding ones will cut you to pieces.

I'd like to get the carbon one but I damage things too often to justify it, because it will get broken eventually.

[DG1984]

I think that is the hardest part - finding someone with specific experience in fitting SMP saddles. I really need a cut out but I don't want to go back to the same shop over and over to trial multiple saddles and figure out mini tweaks here and there to make one fit. Anyone aware of somewhere in Sydney that specialises in SMP fitment?

[rodneycc]

A fitter won't get your shiny new SMP saddle exactly right. Its a trial and error thing as everyone is different. Its usually the tilt/angle which is the problem. What a fitter can do is guide you to the right model saddle for your sit bones. Also each model is slightly different which also can affect the angle so you still need to do the fine adjustment yourself.

But a lot of tiny little adjustments is my recommendation. Also get familiar with a level (or a smartphone clinometer/bubble level App where you can see the degree of angle and a solid piece of wood or wide ruler.

The Steve Hogg site is wonderfully good for SMP advice but I still disagree with some of the assumptions on the angle of each model (*I'm more of a level to 0.5deg each way kind of guy rather than 2deg down for instance on the drakon/lite209/dynamic - but coming from Brooks where they are usually nose slightly up that's probably normal!).

Edit: *that of course is unless my level is out 1 degree which I don't rule out the possibility!

[idler]

Totally agree with the need to get the tilt the angle right with SMP saddles. I have two Dynamics and an Evolution and for me tilting the nose up slightly works best but only at a specific angle (and this goes against Hogg's views on the correct tilt as he advocates tilting the nose down). ActuallyI think I just got lucky when I fitted my first saddle to a bike - the first time I sat on it I couldn't believe how comfortable it was.

When you get it right the saddle is supremely comfortable. I used a spirit level app on my ipad to position the other saddles with the same tilt.

[DG1984]

I did have a good read of Hogg's website, which made me question my decision to even buy an SMP due to the extra set up it'd require. I guess so long as I get positioning right, adjusting tilt until it's perfect shouldn't be too hard over a few weeks of riding.

I was going to try a Forma due to the fact he said it generally fits a wide range of riders. I'm pretty sure bikebug do a trial system (and if they don't, wheelhaus definitely do) so I can probably try that and the Composit out.

Faith slightly renewed towards getting an SMP.

[ironhanglider]

I did have a good read of Hogg's website, which made me question my decision to even buy an SMP due to the extra set up it'd require. I guess so long as I get positioning right, adjusting tilt until it's perfect shouldn't be too hard over a few weeks of riding.

I was going to try a Forma due to the fact he said it generally fits a wide range of riders. I'm pretty sure bikebug do a trial system (and if they don't, wheelhaus definitely do) so I can probably try that and the Composit out.

Faith slightly renewed towards getting an SMP.

All saddles require the same amount of care with their setup. A great many people don't take the time to experiment and may well dismiss a saddle as uncomfortable, when a couple of degrees of adjustment could have been the solution they were looking for all along.

My saddle at the moment is on a post with ridges, and I'm coming to the conclusion that my ideal position is in between two 'clicks'. It is a tiny difference but noticeable.

Cheers,

Cameron

[rodneycc]

I'd be hesitant on the forma first up. A little hard for mine. If you are a medium sit bone type of person and used tk a normal padded saddle I'd try a Drakon or Dynamic before the Forma. Just saying.. You could be totally right but these two in particular are a safer bet.

Edit: the experts will tell you fit over padding but I'm a bit impartial to fit with padding!

[foo on patrol]

I have an IDAMO ISM on my Road bike and one coming for my Track bike. This is the first time that I have ever, had a seat that has not sent all of my gear numb.

Foo

[Bentnose]

I have SDG Bel Air saddles on every bike, my roadie has the Bel Air 2 which is lighter and more slimline, as far as I remember my sit bones are about 137-138mm when I had them measured. I've tried Specialised, Fizik, Selle Italia's and they don't fit well with me.

[g-boaf]

hi guys, i am looking into trying out another saddle and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations as to what brands have been good for you, i know everyone is different but it would be interesting to know.

i just measured my sitbones at around 138mm.

are fizik seats known to be a comfortable brand? or more for hardcore race guys?
according to their spine concept i am a "chameleon" (medium spine) and they recommend the antares vsx model for best comfort.

selle italia are quite well priced..

i am a heavy rider at 102 kilos but am losing weight fast. i want the seat to be used for rides of up to 8hrs, when i try to get low, i do feel perennial pressure on my current seat which is a syncros RR2.0 (came with my bike)
https://www.evanscycles.com/syncros-rr2 ... e-EV184571

any info is much appreciated

thanks in advance

It was the Specialized store in Sydney CBD who got me sorted out on a decent road-bike saddle. They have a padded thing you sit on, and then after that, they measure where you were sitting on it and select a saddle based on that. I ended up with a Specialized Romin Pro (I can't remember the width off the top of my head) and it is fantastic. It looks like it'd be completely awful, it is absolutely rock hard to the touch, but very comfortable even after a long time on the bike. Though I'm only 60kg and pretty flexible.

Saddles will depend on your flexibility, your position on the bike and the the type of riding you'd be doing. The better stores will often let you test the saddle and return it if it the saddle doesn't turn out comfortable, and you can just keep swapping them until you find one that works.

I have an IDAMO ISM on my Road bike and one coming for my Track bike. This is the first time that I have ever, had a seat that has not sent all of my gear numb.

Foo

Do you want another one? I have a barely used ISM Adamo TT saddle. Would love to get rid of it and never see that damned thing ever again. I have a Specialized Sitero now, but that's not very good either.

[foo on patrol]

Do you want another one? I have a barely used ISM Adamo TT saddle. Would love to get rid of it and never see that damned thing ever again. I have a Specialized Sitero now, but that's not very good either.

Give me a price to consider.

Foo

[g-boaf]

$100 and it is yours. It's one of these (just so you are aware):

https://www.amazon.com/ISM-TT-Time-Tria ... B00FOX0VUM

It has pretty thick padding so you'll need to drop the seat post a little bit to compensate.

It seemed okay at first, but it has proved to be uncomfortable in the long run. I'm avoiding riding the TT bike because both saddles are not that good. I'm honestly thinking about trying a normal road bike saddle on it. First however is to recover properly from injury.

[foo on patrol]

I'll see how the one that I have coming goes, first. It should be here this week.

Foo

[newierider]

hi guys, just thought i would update this post, i ended up going to a specialized reseller as they have a try before you buy system. the downside is it costs $120, if you decide to buy one of their saddles, the money is deducted.. however if none of them work for you, you lose the $120.

so i tried a 155 and a 168mm ROMIN EVO, i did a 70k ride with it and it didnt feel great, only about 10-15% more discomfort though it didnt feel like much of a step up in comfort, this seat has a cavity down the middle for perennial relief / bloodflow etc..

however..

..it did the opposite for me, half an hour after the ride was finished i was home and went to the toilet, started peeing and found myself in a LOT of pain, all i could get out was less than a teaspoon, as you can imagine i was getting pretty worried but tried to stay positive hoping that it was just temporary swelling and it would go away,i was just so glad i had dehydrated myself on the ride as if i was dying to pee, this would have been a much worse experience. i had a shower and tried again 10 minutes later, i managed to get it all out but with a fair amount of discomfort, but it had gotten about 20% better. it basically got better throughout the day.

pretty scary experience though. it goes without saying though, this seat would be perfect for some people, just not me.

not sure what to try next, i have heard a lot of good things about the specialized "phenom" and i might also try the "henge" both of these are classed as mountain bike seats but apparently a lot of roadies use them.

[foo on patrol]

You need one that doesn't apply pressure to you perineum area = no numbness at all and all will be good.

Foo

[CKinnard]

I have no idea where you live. But one of my recommendations to my local cycling club was, rather than pss money up against the wall with various flea brained ideas that came up...to build a store of saddles for testing by members and their families.

If Cycling Qld and Cycling Australia are genuinely concerned about getting more people riding, they'd realize how big a problem rider discomfort is, and how the free market (LBS's) don't have a financially viable solution. They'd then have a range of initiatives cycling clubs could engage their communities with. Some would argue this is cutting into LBS profit, but LBS's need to wake up to themselves about this issue.

Re you, sounds like you have a BMI over 30. I'd encourage you to keep losing weight. Presuming you are somewhere between 5'6" and 6'2", until you are under 85kg, you are unlikely to be comfortable on most road bike saddles.

You may need to raise and shorten your stem too, and get your spine more flexible. These things can cause you to tilt your pelvis more forwards and thereby compress the perineum on the saddle.

I'd also suggest you tilt the front of your saddle downwards slightly to reduce pressure on your perineum.

As others have alluded, comfort on a bike is a compromise. It's an unnatural position for the body. We weren't designed with aerodynamics foremost! so the forward lean takes sometimes years to get comfortable with.