Okay, I realize this is highly subjective, but can anyone suggest some very comfortable saddles for a bike put together with comfort in mind first and foremost? It's for general tooling around at moderate speeds but will occasionally get used on long tours and charity rides, meaning up to 10 hours in the saddle at a time. I tried the Brooks route many years ago and didn't care for it. Currently running a Selle Royal Avenue Gel on this bike. Has anyone had experience with the Tricosports Ultralounge or other Tricosports gel saddles?
As you said yourself, it is highly subjective. Softer doesn't necessarily mean more comfortable either - To my experience the correct shape (also subjective) is most important. The most popular single model on the market for many years has been Selle Italia Flite, so if you have absolutely no idea, I think it would be a good starting point. It works well for many, but not all riders.
As you said yourself, it is highly subjective. Softer doesn't necessarily mean more comfortable either - To my experience the correct shape (also subjective) is most important. The most popular single model on the market for many years has been Selle Italia Flite, so if you have absolutely no idea, I think it would be a good starting point. It works well for many, but not all riders.
Also try a San Marco Rolls. It was the standard saddle in the pro peloton for a long time.
As you said yourself, it is highly subjective. Softer doesn't necessarily mean more comfortable either - To my experience the correct shape (also subjective) is most important. The most popular single model on the market for many years has been Selle Italia Flite, so if you have absolutely no idea, I think it would be a good starting point. It works well for many, but not all riders.
Also try a San Marco Rolls. It was the standard saddle in the pro peloton for a long time.
In the last saddle test in TOUR magazine the Rolls saddle came out as .....worst saddle and I agree with that conclusion. Best saddle: Fi'zi:k Aliante and I also agree with that. (Very) expensive though. A cheaper alternative is Selle Italia Flite titanium.
As you said yourself, it is highly subjective. Softer doesn't necessarily mean more comfortable either -
Thing is I'm just a weekend rider and don't have the time to build up the toughness Sheldon Brown refers to in his article. I ride a couple of centuries a year, but that's as long as I go. Most rides are under 25 miles....
There is a type of seat that is comfortable for the occasional rider, even on long rides, but it is politically incorrect to mention it on this forum.
-- Tom Sherman - Earth (Downstate Illinois, North of Forgottonia)
For road, love my Rolls, also love Sella Italia Turbo (do they still make it?) For off-road, nothing beats WTB SST (getting hard to find). No "toilet seat" models for me!
Thing is I'm just a weekend rider and don't have the time to build up the toughness Sheldon Brown refers to in his article. I ride a couple of centuries a year, but that's as long as I go. Most rides are under 25 miles.
Not sure which of my articles you're referring to, but be assured that my advice was not solely directed to high-mileage randonneurs or racers.
Most of my rides also are also under 25 miles, and it has been many years since I rode a century. Last year I put on 2700 miles, which is a big jump from the average yearly mileage I was running before my kids left the nest.
Sheldon "Not An Athlete" Brown +-------------------------------+ | It's never too late to have | | a happy childhood | | --Jacek Rudowski | +-------------------------------+ Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041 http://harriscyclery.com Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide http://captainbike.comhttp://sheldonbrown.com
Also try a San Marco Rolls. It was the standard saddle in the pro peloton for a long time.
Another vote for San Marco Rolls. When I got first bought a road bike with a harsh, generic seat, I posted the same query on a user group, and numerous people recommended the San Marcos Rolls. I then went to a hi end road bike only shop and asked the owner to recommend a comfortable saddle. He pulled 10 off the wall, laid them out in two rows. Roll 1 was in order of comfort if "the plumbing" was a problem, row 2 was in order of comfort for the backside. The San Marcos Rolls was #2 in the backside row.
No problems on numerous century rides, double century and full Death ride. I like it so mucb that when I recently bought a lightweight bike and swamped parts to even make it lighter, I traded in the saddle and got another Rolls Due (ti rails)--the only part I swamped out that added weight.
