Saddles - Whats the difference?

[mcfchris]

Hi all

I'm new! - 1st question straight away though

Just cracked my saddle (fell off again) It was/is a low priced £30 job. I will need a new one. I have done the usual and visited wiggle, and the prices range from £15 to £300 .... I can't for the life of me understand why??? Materials possibly other wise how can that be???!?!?

Thanks in advance to any responders

C

[xerxes]

Generally, with bicycle components, the lighter it is, or the more exotic the materials, carbon, titanium etc., the more expensive it is, with the exception of leather saddles like Brooks, where even the lightest is still quite heavy, but some people swear by them for long distance and long lasting comfort.

Saddle comfort is very subjective, so you may find a £15 saddle that is more comfortable for you than a £200 one, someone else will find the opposite.

Then of course there's all the usual marketing and hype you get with all products, so some brands are just more expensive than others because they have more cachet or a better image etc.

[mcfchris]

(06-03-2010, 10:47 AM)xerxes Wrote:  Generally, with bicycle components, the lighter it is, or the more exotic the materials, carbon, titanium etc., the more expensive it is, with the exception of leather saddles like Brooks, where even the lightest is still quite heavy, but some people swear by them for long distance and long lasting comfort.

Saddle comfort is very subjective, so you may find a £15 saddle that is more comfortable for you than a £200 one, someone else will find the opposite.

Then of course there's all the usual marketing and hype you get with all products, so some brands are just more expensive than others because they have more cachet or a better image etc.

mmn so i guess it's a case of borrowing a few from club riders and seeing. One of the guys has offered to lend me his saddle which has a spring on the post (no idea what it is called) are they any good? I suspect they are quiet heavy? Also I have never understood why some saddles have that big cut out from the back? Any reason for this?

Cheers

[xerxes]

Some people like sprung saddles or seat posts, but as you say, they are heavier.

The cut out in saddles is supposed to relieve pressure on the perineum, so that your "sit bones" rest on the rear of the saddle. I have a couple of "holey" saddles on my bikes and I like them.

In any case here's a couple of articles that will probably leave you more confused than when you started:

http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com/The_Saddle_Fit_System.html

http://www.jimlangley.net/crank/bicycleseats.html

[mcfchris]

Good stuff that xerxes.. I like the phrase "the nose may irritate genitalia" classic. I now see why there are holes in some saddles though, so, I'm just going to take a gamble and order one online from http://www.wiggle.co.uk and see what happens

[xerxes]

These are the two I have:

Selle Italia SLR XC Gel Flow Saddle: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/saddles/product/slr-xc-gel-flow-saddle-10443 - very light and I find it comfortable.

Brooks B17 Imperial: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/saddles/product/b17-imperial-saddle-33234 - I found it reasonably comfortable from the outset and it gets better with use. At nearly 600g, it's definitely not lightweight, but it should last a lifetime if looked after.

If you intend to do some longer rides where you're in the saddle for some hours, it's worth investing in a decent saddle, if you're sore and uncomfortable it will spoil your day out. Bear in mind also, that to some extent, you yourself will toughen up if you ride frequently. I find that I can get a bit tender on the first few rides if I've had a bit of a lay-off.

Wiggle prices are generally very good, but when you decide on one it's worth shopping around, you might find a particular model for less elsewhere.

[mcfchris]

Top replies all. I borrowed a saddle with a seatpost with the spring in it (no idea what it is called) WOW really enjoyed my ride, only has 40mm of travel. But I am well impressed with it. So I think I may get one of those with a cheapish saddle on

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Post_Moderne_Solace_Comp_Suspension_Seat_Post/5300001879/

is the one. Thoughts please?

[xerxes]

I've never tried one myself, my only experience of them was the one on a friends bike that drove me nuts with its incessant squeaking.

I'm sure that's just a maintenance issue though, and the people at Wiggle seem to like it.