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Picking a new saddle for my road bike (Fausto, you there?)

C

Cheetah8799

Diamond Member
OK gang. I still haven't bought those pedals I asked about a month ago, but now I'm looking at replacing my saddle. The pain and numbness this year has been unbearable. I start to go numb on fast rides where I don't shift my weight much... you know what i mean...

Anyway, I currently have a Selle Italia Flite

Here are a few I've looked at:
Selle Italia SLK
Tricosports Split Rail Saddle
Selle San Marco Aspide Arrowhead
Selle Italia Max Flite Gel Flow

I want something similar in shape, since I like that saddle, but with the split down the middle. Maybe the Selle Italia Flite Gel Flow would be best, since it's the same shap, but I'd like to look at other models as well since I chose the Flite without any prior knowledge at the time.

Any suggestions? Most shops I go to around town don't have much in stock for me to look at, and I don't belong to a cycling club, so don't get much chance to test anything out....
 
Are you wearing a chamois on your rides? Because a good pair of riding shorts with a shammy will make a HUGE difference, regardless of the saddle you're using...

Oh, I have a Selle Italia Flite Titanium on my Cannondale R600...love it. No numbness or pain after a long ride (but I'm also wearing a chamois when I ride)
 
A chamois? Is this something in addition to my bike shorts? I normally wear a my Hind cycling shorts. They are normal 8-panel shorts with the usual padding, but kinda worn down. I think that's part of the problem, and have been looking for new shorts, but haven't picked any yet. I'd like to find the ones I currently have, but fear they are not made anymore.
 
Hmm....I'm not sure what to tell you. Saddles are such an individual thing, it's really hard to recommend something as your ass != my ass. I've been using a Turbomatic for years now and it's about all that works for me on the road. A tad heavier, but much cushier than a flite.

Two bits of advice:

1) Buy the saddle from somewhere with a really liberal return policy (like Nash or Performance) so you can exchange if something's not working.

2) Make sure your bike fit is correct. Try tilting the nose of the saddle down very slightly (not too much or your arms will crap out on long rides) and/or lowering your saddle a bit.
 
Originally posted by: Cheetah8799
A chamois? Is this something in addition to my bike shorts? I normally wear a my Hind cycling shorts. They are normal 8-panel shorts with the usual padding, but kinda worn down. I think that's part of the problem, and have been looking for new shorts, but haven't picked any yet. I'd like to find the ones I currently have, but fear they are not made anymore.
Click to expand...

It's not anything separate...if you're wearing padded bike shorts, then that's what I'm talking about--just different terminology for the same thing.

Okay, so the shorts aren't the issue...you might want to check on your riding position and in particular *where* on the saddle you're sitting. The nose of the saddle will put the most pressure on your prostate, so sitting back a bit will probably help. If you feel like you're sticking your butt out too much, slide the seat forward on its rails to help you maintain proper riding position. The other thing I know I needed to correct after the first few months riding was the proper seat angle. If the nose of your seat points too far up, it'll really cause you pain. Try to lower the nose angle down more to see if you can find a more comfortable position without feeling like you're gonna slide off the thing.
 
Thanks Fausto. I realize it's hard to recommend a saddle. I'm just curious as to what ones have been known to work well for other cyclists.

Maybe I should first find a new pair of shorts. I tried on some the other day, but hated the leg grippers... stupid rubber feeling stuff. Very uncomfortable. They were also a bit short. I prefer my shorts to reach down to about 2" above my knees while riding. This is a little longer than what most people like I think, but I like it.

I own an older pair of Pearl Izumi shorts, but they have an old style seam which is very uncomfortable... Not the best padding either. They were a gift, so I just keep them for emergencies.

I'm a real cheapskate, and don't want to spend more than $30 on shorts... probably why I have a hard time finding ones I really like....
 
Originally posted by: Cheetah8799
Thanks Fausto. I realize it's hard to recommend a saddle. I'm just curious as to what ones have been known to work well for other cyclists.

Maybe I should first find a new pair of shorts. I tried on some the other day, but hated the leg grippers... stupid rubber feeling stuff. Very uncomfortable. They were also a bit short. I prefer my shorts to reach down to about 2" above my knees while riding. This is a little longer than what most people like I think, but I like it.

I own an older pair of Pearl Izumi shorts, but they have an old style seam which is very uncomfortable... Not the best padding either. They were a gift, so I just keep them for emergencies.

I'm a real cheapskate, and don't want to spend more than $30 on shorts... probably why I have a hard time finding ones I really like....
Click to expand...
Check out www.velowear.com. They have good deals on shorts from time to time and their stuff is very nicely made IMHO. Pretty much all I use for training clothing when my team stuff's in the wash.
 
Okay, so the shorts aren't the issue...you might want to check on your riding position and in particular *where* on the saddle you're sitting. The nose of the saddle will put the most pressure on your prostate, so sitting back a bit will probably help. If you feel like you're sticking your butt out too much, slide the seat forward on its rails to help you maintain proper riding position. The other thing I know I needed to correct after the first few months riding was the proper seat angle. If the nose of your seat points too far up, it'll really cause you pain. Try to lower the nose angle down more to see if you can find a more comfortable position without feeling like you're gonna slide off the thing.
Click to expand...

Ya, I've been thinking of pointing the nose of the saddle down a notch or two. For some reason it seems to be pointing up, but I don't recall ever having it point up. Maybe it got bumped last winter and I never noticed....

I've also tried riding further back on the seat, but always find myself pushed up towards the front. My legs rub on the back sides of the seat, which I think causes me to push myself forward.

I'm also thinking of getting a shorter stem, since it may be a tad long. I've never been properly measured, and am seriously considering it, or figuring out how to do it myself.
 
Originally posted by: Cheetah8799
Okay, so the shorts aren't the issue...you might want to check on your riding position and in particular *where* on the saddle you're sitting. The nose of the saddle will put the most pressure on your prostate, so sitting back a bit will probably help. If you feel like you're sticking your butt out too much, slide the seat forward on its rails to help you maintain proper riding position. The other thing I know I needed to correct after the first few months riding was the proper seat angle. If the nose of your seat points too far up, it'll really cause you pain. Try to lower the nose angle down more to see if you can find a more comfortable position without feeling like you're gonna slide off the thing.
Click to expand...

Ya, I've been thinking of pointing the nose of the saddle down a notch or two. For some reason it seems to be pointing up, but I don't recall ever having it point up. Maybe it got bumped last winter and I never noticed....
Click to expand...
Saddle should never be tipped back past level. I've always set mine pointing very slightly down for increased twig/berries comfort. 😛

I've also tried riding further back on the seat, but always find myself pushed up towards the front. My legs rub on the back sides of the seat, which I think causes me to push myself forward.
Click to expand...
Maybe check out the new Fizik Arione saddle? It has flexible areas on the wider part of the saddle that might help you feel more comfy back there since they will give your legs some room to move.

I'm also thinking of getting a shorter stem, since it may be a tad long. I've never been properly measured, and am seriously considering it, or figuring out how to do it myself.
Click to expand...
Maybe worth a shot. You could rotate the bars back a bit (brings the brake hoods closer) and see if that helps in the meantime. You'll notice the TdF pros have theirs up pretty far as they spend a LOT of time in the saddle and need to be comfortable.
 
Maybe worth a shot. You could rotate the bars back a bit (brings the brake hoods closer) and see if that helps in the meantime. You'll notice the TdF pros have theirs up pretty far as they spend a LOT of time in the saddle and need to be comfortable.
Click to expand...

I noticed that the other day while watchin the TdF. I tilted my bars back a little, more to horizontal, but not quite. I think mine were bumped down a tad bit from last summer.

When sitting with hands on the brake hoods, what is a "proper" arm position? I notice the TdF riders have their elbows bent quite a bit. i find that mine are bent, but definately not as much as them. Is this wrong? I'm not sure... If wrong, then my stem length idea may have some merit.
 
Originally posted by: Cheetah8799
Maybe worth a shot. You could rotate the bars back a bit (brings the brake hoods closer) and see if that helps in the meantime. You'll notice the TdF pros have theirs up pretty far as they spend a LOT of time in the saddle and need to be comfortable.
Click to expand...

I noticed that the other day while watchin the TdF. I tilted my bars back a little, more to horizontal, but not quite. I think mine were bumped down a tad bit from last summer.

When sitting with hands on the brake hoods, what is a "proper" arm position? I notice the TdF riders have their elbows bent quite a bit. i find that mine are bent, but definately not as much as them. Is this wrong? I'm not sure... If wrong, then my stem length idea may have some merit.
Click to expand...
Arms should always be at least slightly bent since they're the "shocks" for your upper body.
 
Arms should always be at least slightly bent since they're the "shocks" for your upper body.
Click to expand...

Figured that. I probably need to have them bent more than I currently do.

Here are some old pics of my bike from when I put it all together. A few years ago now for sure. I've changed a few things, like bar tape color, tires, chain, etc. But for the most part it's the same now as it was then. click here
 
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