road riding seat

[Taco-Tim]

Looking for suggestions:

I've been riding my MTB on the road and although I never have any issues with my seat on the trails, when I ride on the road, my rear end gets really sore. Even after only 15 or so miles.

Does anyone have any saddle suggestions/brands to help alleviate this problem?

[captainchefdave]

I've been using Specialized Body Geometry for years and I've had no problems out of them. I think fizik is another good brand too.

[TryFour]

I found that a firmer saddle helps a bunch! On my road bike I ran a Selle Italia Signo Gel Flow, and it was really comfortable on longer rides, even thought it doesn't look or feel, (by touch), like it would be comfortable!

I'm not trying to pitch here, but I don't have the road bike anymore and I do have the saddle, so I would sell it if you were interested. Here's a what the saddle looks like: http://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...ls.php?id=5394

I'd obviously sell mine for a lot cheaper, but MSRP on that saddle is right around $165.

[Chewieez]

Selle An-Atomica

mmm get you some! Leather gives where it's supposed to. There is a tension screw to let you set the leather tension how you'd like it.

I went through 4 different saddles before settling on this one. I tried a WTB Rocket V, Laser V, and 2 Selle Italia saddles. This one was the one that didn't cause numbness for me.



The design is very similar to a Brooks saddle, except it incorporates a cutout down the middle. The cutout is supposed to help alleviate any perineum pressure and also allow the two halfs of the saddle to give slightly independent of each other. (if that makes sense)

You can purchase all the colors at Rivendell's online shop. (pricey but worth it: $175)
http://www.rivbike.com/products/list...s#product=none

[RedFSR]

Greg, are there any local places where I can try out that saddle? I may be interested in getting one of those. My Selle Italia Prolink cost almost as much as those but starts to get uncomfortable on rides over 40 - 50 miles.

[Chewieez]

I don't know of any local shops that stock them but you are welcome to ride my bike whenever. I have the clydesdale version. It was recommended since I'm 175-180, but even if you're a little smaller, they recommend it.

I bought mine from Rivendell's site and they only stock the clydesdale version. They do have a great return policy of like 90 days no questions asked if you don't like the saddle.

[202cycle]

Bontrager inform saddles come with a 90 day comfort guarantee. You get yourself measured, and buy the saddle that matches your sit bones. No one has ever returned one to our store.

[Accumbens]

Even though those roadie spandex shorts are expensive - they are well worth the money (get a good brand with nice chamois).

I have what is practically a road saddle (I affectionately call it the Taint Hammer) on my rigid single speed because the shorts work so well.

[kindacreeky]

As a neophite roadie, I have tried the specialized saddle that came on my Robaix Pro (numbness and pain), then Grant Castle loaned me a saddle, may be a Selle Italia (numbness, less pain)(Grant, been driving around with it in my truck for almost a year. hoping to see you soon at a trail). Then installed the same WTB Laser V that I have on my mtn bike. Better, but still numbness after a while. Some have said that you just have to stand up more frequently. And that does help. But I too, would like to find a saddle that I could really love. Chris, that leather saddle sure looks cool. Makes me want to give it a try.

[Chewieez]

For me the more leaned over position that I am in on my road bike puts pressure on different areas than when I ride my mountain bike. Your posture on your bike can make a difference too. I get lazy on my road bike and am not always holding my back in the right position. I think this exacerbates the problem if you have an ill fitting saddle.

I was in your boat Bob with the numbness. It was enough to be scary. :\ Every butt is different so unfortunately there will be some trial and error finding the right fit. I like the Specialized idea with the different widths.

Harpeth Bikes has the Selle Italia test saddles too which you can borrow and use on your own bike for some rides.

Personally for a non-race bike, I'm pretty sold on the suspended leather type saddle, ie Brooks, Selle An-Atomica. The Brooks B-17 is the most popular model for them and is more affordable than the Selle An-Atomica. The saddles are heavy with the leather and cromo rails. No weight weenies here! But I believe the comfort trumps the weight. If you have big bucks you can look into Brooks Ti railed models which go for around $350.

[kindacreeky]

I read the long lists of posts and thought Accumbens had posted up about the Selle An-Atomica. I just finished reading all the hype from them about the saddle. heck, makes me want one right now. Wonder why they do not say a word about offering the narrower version? It would appear that a little guy like me at 160 lbs would want the smaller version. But even their own direct sell shop has only the larger size. I assume that must work for most people. Is your the laminated version, I assume? Notice that they will modify a brooks saddle too for 50 bucks. Those action shots from underneath the saddle are at first quite rude looking, as it looks like you are looking at someone's bare but, with a string bikini on, but then you see that is the natural leather with the slot cut in it, and what they are really trying to show you, the independent movement of the sit bones. I had no idea there was that much motion going on. I wonder if anybody ever uses one for dirt? I would like to ride your bike around for 10 minutes and see what I think.

[graham722]

Even though those roadie spandex shorts are expensive - they are well worth the money (get a good brand with nice chamois).

You definitely need biking shorts for distance road riding. You also need to spend time in the saddle and build up distances gradually. My Trek Pilot is considered an old man bike because of the upright "plush" geometry, but it feels great, and the stock Bontrager saddle has never left me hurting after 100 mile rides. :cyclist:

[RedFSR]

Greg, I'll take you up on a test ride. I'm pretty sure I'll end up with one of those. They are pretty pimp looking too.

[Chewieez]

Wonder why they do not say a word about offering the narrower version? It would appear that a little guy like me at 160 lbs would want the smaller version. But even their own direct sell shop has only the larger size. I assume that must work for most people.

Ironically they don't actually make a narrow version. I think they planned on it, made some and then found that just about everyone preferred the regular width one. The width is very similar to the Brooks B-17 which has been found to be a good width for most riders.

Their website isn't the fanciest, up-to-date site it could/should be. They also don't offer any real return policy through their site which I thought was annoying. That is why I purchased through Rivendell. The Rivendell guys seem real top notch and cool. I called to double check that their saddles were included in their return policy and they flat out told me..."Yes, ride the saddle wherever you want, for as long as you want. If you don't like it for any reason just let us know within 90 days and you can send it back." Granted... I didn't need the policy in the end at all. But they seem like a great company.

Is your the laminated version, I assume?

Yep, laminate (waterproof) clydesdale edition.

I wonder if anybody ever uses one for dirt?

Some posters on MTBR use them for their mtn bikes. I have not used mine for off road use yet, other than some gravel grinders.

You do need to make sure you use a quality seat post with the saddle that has long rails to support the seat rails. This is VERY important if you plan to use the saddle on a off road bike. Some early saddle rails bent for a lot of people. They recommend you get a post with a set back that will let you position the saddle in the middle of the rails. Some people were using straight posts and pushing the saddle all the way back on the rails and then the saddle rails would bend. The rails are super long which is kinda of a bad thing as it gives you the impression that you can run the saddle that far back. It puts too much leverage on the rails and if you land hard on the saddle, which happens a lot when mtb biking, you could possibly bend the rails. Again though, I've had no trouble with the rails on my saddle. I use a Thomson setback post.

I would like to ride your bike around for 10 minutes and see what I think.

sure thing! Anyone is welcome to give my bike a test ride... I've heard that the more butt sweat a saddle has the more it's worth on the used market!

John, you're welcome to ride as well! Please don't think I'm pushing this saddle on you guys though. I do recommend you all try it out before you buy since it's a heafty price and 1 saddle won't work for everyone.

[Chewieez]

It won't let me edit my post for some reason.

Check out Rainman on MTBR if you want some reviews of the saddle on a mtn bike. He has compared the Brooks B17, Brooks with cutout and Selle An-Atomica.

[kindacreeky]

about the Selle An-atomica. Big problems with bending of seat rails, especially with heavier riders and off-road use. In most cases, the rails bent due to seat being pushed too far back on the post. Mfr wants the rails to be centered, and this sometimes takes a layback post. All agree that the seat is the most comfortable, some just can't keep form bending rails. uncertain whether this is a problem with the type of steel, or the heat treatment (or lack thereof). Want to research the Brooks seats that have a cutout added. Also, Brooks is supposed to be coming out with a cut-out model called the Imperial. Very interesting reading.

[Chewieez]

You should take all those posts with a grain of salt, or pepper.

The adage goes... people will complain more than they will boast.

I know some of the saddles had rails that bent. It happened, but I don't think it's the emergency that these posts make it. I mentioned it in my earlier post.... just run the saddle in the middle of the rails, or close to it. I don't have my perfectly centered in the rails, but it's in the middle, with a layback Thomson.

I emailed the designer, Tom Milton and talked about the bent rails and asked which seat post I should use to avoid it. The designer said flat out... "less than 1% of the saddles we've sold have had to come back for repair, including any bent trails or saggy leather." The issue really isn't as 'wide-spread' as online posts make it appear.

Tom Milton actually recommended against using a Thomson post and said to try to find one with longer rails and an offset design, not just a bent post. I went against that recommendation and have been using a layback Thomson for a few months now with no ill effects. Some seat posts have longer saddle rails than others so you should try to use one that has rails on the longer side. Thomson's rails aren't short... other companies make longer rails, but the Thomson's are in the middle.


oh and I was incorrect with the Rivendell return policy. It is a 60 day return policy, and if you buy from the MCM website (direct) there is a 30 days return policy

[rb_daniel]

I have a Brooks B-17 on my road bike, and I'll be getting another Brooks for my next road bike after I sell the others. I rode on that saddle from Cincy to Cleveland for four straight days, and my butt was never sore or numb at all. Every other part of my body was, though.

[Accumbens]

Not that I'm an expert in road biking or anything, but I'm wondering if you are spending enough time pedaling. If you are pedaling most of the time (in a decently difficult gear), it may take some of the strain off of your hands and butt. Not sure if this is an issue, but just something I;ve learned after spending a little more time on a road bike.

[Chewieez]

Not that I'm an expert in road biking or anything, but I'm wondering if you are spending enough time pedaling. If you are pedaling most of the time (in a decently difficult gear), it may take some of the strain off of your hands and butt. Not sure if this is an issue, but just something I;ve learned after spending a little more time on a road bike.

I thought road riding was all about drafting the guy in front of you and only pedaling about 30 rpm.

[Taco-Tim]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I am going to wait on the new seat.

I plan to purchase a road bike in the spring and since my saddle does fine on the trails, I'll save some cash for lights.

I suppose I can toughen up my rear-end by continuing with this saddle on the road. You'd think my @ss would already be tough though from all the @ss-chewing my wife has given about buying bike stuff.

[kindacreeky]

My butt will get numb, and then I will say, ok, I better stand up and pedal some. so I change up a few gears on the next rise, and I pedal a long as I can standing. Then if not at top of hill, I have to switch down a few gears and sit down and pedal. this is a bunch of trouble, and if I had a seat that did not require this, i would enjoy the ride more. I am pedaling 100% of the time I am riding.

I talked to a buddy that is a riding coach for road racers, Joey Holland. He said that he does not tolerate a bit of saddle discomfort. he said that I should be able to get comfortable without the standing rig-a-maroll.

I am still fascinated by the leather saddles. I have been reading on Cycling Forums about the new Brooks Imperial. Brooks gave out about 50 saddles to folks that are reporting on their experiences with them. Most are reporting good comfort, but only after about 150-200 miles. This is a cut-out saddle like the Selle An-atomica. There are about 50 pages of posts on there, so only part done looking at it.

[Taco-Tim]

Not that I'm an expert in road biking or anything, but I'm wondering if you are spending enough time pedaling. If you are pedaling most of the time (in a decently difficult gear), it may take some of the strain off of your hands and butt. Not sure if this is an issue, but just something I;ve learned after spending a little more time on a road bike.

When I ride on the road I never stop pedaling. So, I don't think that is the issue here. It's either a bad seat or a tender arse. :wink: