1st performance bike saddle - measuring my sit bones.

slipd · 19 Apr 2015 at 13:08

Hi guys,

I'm in the market for the above, I need something decent for my new Scott road bike - I've got a 100k ride up at the end of the month and I want to be comfy :cool:

The thing that's on there now is awful! Not just my opinion, a couple of 'expert' friends have also said the same. I like the look/feel/reputation of the Specialized Body Geometry range but I'm unsure on the measuring of my sit bones for the fit. I've done the whole sitting on a sheet of tin foil on the stairs and I believe my measurement to be 11.5cm (115mm) but don't you also have to add 2cm or something to that before you decide on your right saddle size? The Specialized sizes don't start until 143mm.

Any advice would be appreciated

semi-pro waster · 19 Apr 2015 at 15:56

Have you tried just asking your local bike shop to test the saddles you want to try? Even if they won't then the chances are they'll be able to give you some advice.

One More Solo · 19 Apr 2015 at 16:23

I'd definitely recommend the trial saddle route, or failing that buy them off eBay and sell if you don't like them. Most people seem to like the 143 Romin of the Specialized saddles so that's probably a decent starting point.

Asprilla · 19 Apr 2015 at 16:46

I hate the Romin. Second saddle I had and easily the worst.

I'd recommend the eBay route although finding the right one in a month will be a push.

slipd · 19 Apr 2015 at 16:56

Thanks guys! I've tried something similar to a Romin and I thought it was alright... what else should I consider Asprilla?

semi-pro waster, unfortunately my local shop aren't a lot of use. Plus, they don't carry a lot of stock. They seem to cater more for the weekend rider and help out with the overflow from Halfords

Evans are my preferred choice but they can only advise you so much remotely. I'm happy with my measurements, I can't seem to find any saddles that match it! Going back to the Romin then, I guess the 143mm would be the obvious starting point?

Vonhelmet · 19 Apr 2015 at 17:16

Buy a charge spoon. Loads of people like it. It's only £20 and if you don't like it you'll get a decent amount selling it second hand so you'll only lose like £10 at most.

Berger · 20 Apr 2015 at 08:38

There is a saddle sell/swap forum.

Might be on bike radar....

slipd · 20 Apr 2015 at 21:20

Vonhelmet said:
Buy a charge spoon. Loads of people like it. It's only £20 and if you don't like it you'll get a decent amount selling it second hand so you'll only lose like £10 at most.

I've just done exactly that. For 20 notes you can't go wrong really, can you? Seems very highly regarded for the money...

I can always look at the Romin if I'm not happy later.

[Damien] · 21 Apr 2015 at 08:49

Vonhelmet said:
Buy a charge spoon. Loads of people like it. It's only £20 and if you don't like it you'll get a decent amount selling it second hand so you'll only lose like £10 at most.

Yeah, can't go wrong with the spoon. Even my fat ass fits on it.

FrenchTart · 21 Apr 2015 at 08:52

Having used the Chinese knock-off of the Tioga Spyder on a few long rides I'm actually going to go out on a limb and say it is more comfortable than the Charge Scoop and Madison Flux saddles I've ridden on in the past :eek:

For the price it is an amazing saddle.

lordrobs · 21 Apr 2015 at 10:00

After an initial honeymoon period with the Charge Spoon I found that while an improvement over what I had it isn't right for me. I think I need to try something with a huge cut out for pressure relief

My best saddle so far has been the well padded one that came on my cheap GT MTB

Asprilla · 21 Apr 2015 at 10:19

lordrobs said:
After an initial honeymoon period with the Charge Spoon I found that while an improvement over what I had it isn't right for me. I think I need to try something with a huge cut out for pressure relief

My best saddle so far has been the well padded one that came on my cheap GT MTB

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/selle-itali...qA8JkFGH_dc|pcrid||pkw||pmt||prd|5360305266uk

lordrobs · 21 Apr 2015 at 13:00

Asprilla said:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/selle-itali...qA8JkFGH_dc|pcrid||pkw||pmt||prd|5360305266uk

Thanks for that

I was considering a couple of similar saddles - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/selle-italia/max-sls-flow-ec051731 and http://www.evanscycles.com/products/selle-italia/xo-flow-saddle-ec051688 but if the one you have recommended is generally regarded as being the one to go for I'll give it a punt.

Asprilla · 21 Apr 2015 at 13:29

It's the one I go for. I have it on both my Road and CX bikes.

It's narrow, flexible, well padded in the right places and has a decent cut-out.

If you want to try a bigger cut-out then look here:

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/...riteo&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=criteo2

lordrobs · 21 Apr 2015 at 15:09

Well, I've opted for the Flite so thanks for the recommendation. Really hope it helps as after 15 miles today I was ready to rip the saddle off completely and sit on the seat post as it simply couldn't have been any less comfortable than the saddle was!

slipd · 23 Apr 2015 at 19:16

My Charge Spoon arrived today and I've just done 8 miles on it. Wow! Thanks so much for the recommendation, it was so different, even from the off compared to my (premium) stock saddle.

It's early days I know and I've got a 100k run just around the corner where it will be put through its paces but so far, so good...

Thinking about getting one for my MTB too

lordrobs · 23 Apr 2015 at 20:49

lordrobs said:
Well, I've opted for the Flite so thanks for the recommendation.

First ride didn't bode well but again I felt like I was too far forward on it so I've shoved it forward a fair bit and see what tomorrow brings.

Maybe I need a girls saddle

Asprilla · 23 Apr 2015 at 20:54

I hang my arse off the back of it.

lordrobs · 23 Apr 2015 at 21:00

Asprilla said:
I hang my arse off the back of it.

Yeah, I must have had it way too far back.

I think it is the same problem with my hybrid because I can ride gently for hours but as soon as I start getting the hammer down I think I naturally position myself closer to the bars for some reason and that is when the problems start.

In fact I remember when I got my Charge Spoon for the hybrid it was awful until I shoved it forward a bit and only recently has it been giving me gip. Maybe I need to take it further forward as well.

EDIT - Shoved forward all the way to the limit marker and now all is well

Also oiled all the points of contact between the saddle and the rails and the clicking has stopped too.