You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I've been perfectly comfortable for a while on my Charge Spoon saddles (on all three bikes) but recent longer road rides, especially recent rides facing into the headwind, have left me shifting around a lot due to perineal discomfort.
The saddles are already tilted forward a little on the recommendation of a bike fitter, so I'm tempted to try something with a cut out, or pressure relief channel.
Options appear to be Fabric Line, Fizik Aliante VS or Bontrager Montrose.
I *think* I can get a trial of a Fizik Aliante, the local shop has demo models but not the VS with the pressure relief channel.
Fabric offer a 30 day comfort guarantee but I think it just means if the saddle is uncomfortable you can swap it for another Fabric, so not ideal.
Likewise the Bontrager. I wouldn't have looked at Bontrager but the edges of the cut-outs look more rounded than the others, seems like it could offer more comfort.
I realise everyone's bum is different but does anyone have any experience/comments on the above?
Ta
have you had a look at the ISM ones too ?
Specialized? Had a random Specialized hire bike and the saddle was so supremely comfortable compared to my Fizik that I bought a replacement when I got home. They do a variety with more aggressive cut-outs / notches.
Hmm, hadn't looked at ISM. Finding it hard to see past the price, the weight and the looks, but do agree they're probably very comfortable.
Might treat that as a last resort, if I can't find a lighter, cheaper normal looking saddle which is also comfortable... 😉
Noticed the Selle Italia Flows also but they're suspiciously flat-topped looking, I like a more hammocky shape to a saddle.
One of my local shops does Fabric and Specialized, will take a look at the current crop of Romin's see what they look like.
Ta
There are often well priced second hand ISM ones around (I know as I am selling one ! )
I have found similar so I ordered one of these (being a cheapskate).
Not arrived yet but I can update when it does, possibly posting a traditional "snapping carbon in the nude" video like cycnic-al did if its rubbish.
I have one of these going spare https://www.ismseat.com/saddle/adamo-breakaway/
I love the Aliante but hated the VS, I found the edges of the cut out were too hard and it was just uncomfortable.
I've (like most people) have tried dozens of saddles. But the one i really like and use on my longer ride bikes is a Selle SMP TRK.
Like you i loved the Spoon and still use it on my MTB, gravel bike and commuter. But needed more comfort for longer rides. 100 mile plus.
I saw Mark Beaumont used Selle SMP on his round the world bike so looked into them.
It has a press relief channel, the nose drops away and you also sit in it like a hammock. so well worth a look.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/selle-smp-trk-saddle/rp-prod23428
I also really liked that it has all curved edges so the cut away doesn't feel "sharp" or hard.
I've got a Romin on one bike and the uglier snub nosed Specialized (forget name) on the other - the ugly one is way comfier in terms of pressure on the old taint. I've ridden Concors all my life, since I started riding, but got to 40 and just can't bear the pressure any more... Ugly saddles all the way now.
If your saddle is already tilted forward, I'd suggest something with a dropped nose or at least a soft nose as well as a channel. I have a Cosine saddle with a good channel in it but the nose is quite hard, so as a result it only really relieves pressure when I'm sat quite upright and back on the saddle. I have just bought a Bontrager Montrose and that has a softer nose and seems a bit comfier all round.
I couldn't get on with the ISM saddles, either felt like I was falling off the front or I had to ride knees out if I sat further back.
Why are you sitting on the nose of the saddle ? Get back a bit so the sit bone area is supported.
are you reaching too far on the bike ?
....Had a random Specialized hire bike and the saddle was so supremely
....Noticed the Selle Italia Flows also but they’re suspiciously flat-topped looking, I like a more hammocky shape to a saddle.
Saddles are so personal I think it's hard to take recommendations. I've hated the Specialized saddles i've ridden. My perch of choice is a Selle Italia SLR but the saddle that came with my Giant, which looked like the same shape and was the same width and length I found unbearable. Katie rides the SLR max flow with a big cut out.
I reckon eBay is the way to go for trying out saddles - buy saddles other people have rejected, then it won't cost you much at all if you don't get on with them and need to sell on. Once you find what you like buy at full price if you need to.
Was thinking about it on the ride home yesterday, although my saddle is already rotated forward a tiny bit, I think might experiment rotating forward a little more, most of the discomfort is when I'm trying to tuck down out of the wind so when I'm rotating hips forward.
I'm sure the ISM/Selle SMPs are comfortable, but until I rule out the cheaper/lighter/more normal looking saddles I'm just not quite ready to take the plunge.
My local Edinburgh Bike does a comfort guarantee where they will allow you to swap for any other saddles they stock, within 30 days.
However my local Alpine stocks Fabric and Bontrager, and I think it's between those two brands.
I think eBay might be the way to go for now, especially if I end up needing two of whatever saddle I settle for!
Take a look at bike fit advisor on YouTube. A smart bloke and explains why saddle issues may not be due to the saddle.
Worth looking at at before you drop the nose even more.
I'm just about to sell my Valenti VS , it took a bit of getting used to as it doesn't feel comfy to the touch. I never got numb doo da's on it but I've realised I need a wider saddle.
Let me know if you want it
I’ve got a pair of the Selle trk smp thingies, the ones with the broken nose.
yes, ludicrously comfortable. Can even wear jeans on my commute with no ill effects.
downsides? 1) Very high tail, so annoying on an Mtb when you get off the back.
2) this would affect all cut out saddles, but my goodness, on a very cold day the icy wind through the channel straight onto your nethers begins to create its own problems after a few miles 😳😕💨❄️🚑
Oh well, as intrigued as I am by the SMP saddles, I impulsively picked up a Fabric Line at my local Edinburgh Bike.
Positives: It definitely removes the (mild) discomfort I was getting betwixt sack and crack.
Negatives: It's hard! Didn't think the Charge Spoon that I was used to was particularly soft but my sit bones are feeling it on the Fabric and I've only been doing short rides so far.
Hoping I get used to it but in the meantime I've got one of the new Fizik Aliante 'Open' saddles on order. Am hoping it's got a bit more padding, but also Fizik's website suggests, based on my weight, average speed and flexibility, that I should be a large, e.g. 152mm width. All other saddles I've been riding have been a 143mm width. Will be interested to see if it makes a difference.
If not I cut my losses and order an SMP...
I ride a Fizik Aliante VS K:IUM on my trail bike. I find it very comfortable. much more so than my old non VS Aliante