Saddles Thread?

[jags]

Man your having a laugh,
what the hell is that thing


jags.

[il padrone]

Gaaahhh! Such obscenities are one of the Five Horsemen of the Cycling Apocalypse 

Far too many don't seem to appreciate that the nose of a saddle serves a very important role. Firstly it supports the length of the saddle to give spring and resilience. Secondly it is an arm that your outside leg lies against when turnng, to help better control and regulate your turning motion.

Ignore this at your peril.

[Andre Jute]

Pity about the colour of that Manta, or I'd have one in a flash.

It would look good on my wall.

[energyman]

The mind boggles !  Let alone other parts of ones anatomy.

[onebikeoneworld]

I've done about 3000km on it so far, and it's really incredibly comfy!

[JWestland]

Ignore the haters you're a trend setter 

Report on the Selle SMP TRK: 5 days of 40-50 a days and it kinda works for me.

Kinda, as I developed some mild rubbing saddle sores. Not to an extent that I could not cycle but I guess the nose may be slightly too wide for me.

The rear is however fine and comfy, and the shape where there's a depression to sit in is great and the weird nose is fantastic riding out of the saddle. And the cutout is perfect, the saddle is very supporting for the hip bones but the cutout ensures the Prides and Joys (of whichever type you have) don't get nipped.

So I think I should get an SMP Hybrid which I read is a bit narrower/harder. This is fine for town though, the issue only started to happen about 3 days.

So definitely a worth to try saddle.

[JWestland]

Made a change from Selle SMP TRK to Selle SMP Pro and really like it, the nose is narrower so no more chafing and I can feel sitbones better.

It's 148 wide it still is wide enough for my hips/sitbones (as it turns out, you don't just sit on the sitbones, but also on the middle of pelvis)

They're expensive, so go used first. If you have narrower hips you will need another model. For reference a 143 Specialised is too narrow for me, if you need 155 this may work.

[JWestland]

One note on SMP: There are fake models on e-bay/other sites, so check carefully before buying.

Probably more of an issue with new ones at very good prices, but FYI. Asian shipping locations are riskier.

[Audax hopeful]

Musings of a returning cyclist!

Over the last four years my cycling miles have been pretty much zero – mostly due to depression and consequent motivation and confidence issues. I live in North Devon so almost any route is guaranteed to involve serious hills. The only flat route – the Tarka Trail – though scenic and good for bird spotting is never going to boost my lapsed fitness!
 Well I’m finally facing these issues and back on my bike. I’ve got a 12.3 mile circuit with 1000 ft of climbing which I’m riding regularly and really enjoying. Part of this is due to my new found affection for and embracing of low gears – the granny ring is my friend! I could quite happily do away with the big outer ring altogether!

I’ve been using two bikes – my self-built Thorn Audax mk111 and Claud Butler Dalesman. The later has four panniers attached (with very little in them!) and 32mm Marathon tyres and gives a very smooth ride. Poor road surfaces are noticeably evened out and the touring image helps me to NOT race. I love it – but contact points have all given grief! Numbness in feet, hands and groin have all had to be tackled by careful fine tuning of position. Why a well broken in B17 narrow, or previously perfectly placed spd cleats should need so much attention is frustrating – and the saddle is still not perfect! This bike is not new and I have b&b toured on it through Brittany very happily 5 years ago. The B17 narrow does date back to my club and time-trial days some 35 years ago (on my winter/training bike, often with fixed) and still looks fine (I tightened – gently – the leather for the first time recently!) but I am considering a Team Pro to replace it.

I treated myself to a new saddle on the Audax – a Brooks Cambium, very much an impulse buy in the LBS. This has needed very careful setting of longitudinal tilt (very slightly nose down) – helped by the fine adjustment on my Thompson seatpost – but is now very comfortable. The Audax has a much sportier ride to the Dalesman, helped by lighter wheels and 28mm TopContacts as well as only carrying a saddlebag. Road chatter is much more evident but it’s definitely quicker over the same route. Again I’ve not been shy of using the granny ring, though generally ~ 1 gear higher than the Dalesman!

It’s not escaped my notice that a Rohloff hub would be perfect for my present riding style and future aspirations – and that both bikes could be collectively replaced by a suitably specced Mercury!! For now my two bikes are giving me much pleasure and I’m dreaming of ever longer rides and even a spot of cycle camping before the winter.

[Bill C]

Hi there Audax Hopeful
I'm just outside Barum 1 mile from the Tarka and use it on a daily basis, 60 odd miles of carfree trail (Braunton meeth braunton) and you reckon it won't get you fit? how fit are you intending to be?
the torrington to meeth section is a fair ride, true it's flatter than the local roads but the unmade surface makes it a challenge to keep up a good speed,
have you done ilfrascum to plymouth yet? that's a decent ride and it's much easier since they put the bridge in at grenofen, i had to dismantle the klien from bob and luggage and carry it all up in sections. before the bridge it was like an assualt course, though tbh it did make the trip that much more memorable

pic is just after Yelverton on the mtb trail, should of used the road but i saw some cyclists and followed them 

back on thread i have 3 brooks flyers love them, a brooks conquest loved it before i had flyers now it seems odd, also have a brooks b67 aged, I really really can't get on with it, even sat bolt upright it's way to wide for my butt, 10 miles and i could easily lob it in the Taw

i'll keep my eye out for you on the thorn audax, i'll prob be on a black sherpa or more likely a raw xtc if it's nice weather
atb Bill

[JWestland]

Ah, a fellow XTC owner

So Le Manfriend, who has a Brooks B17 didn't cycle for a while, got back on it and isn't as comfortable as he used to be.

So, I guess the changes in our bodies (weight, flexibility...) can also influence saddles. Just to make things easy.

I'm still very happy with my SMP Pro, it's on a Gazelle 531C track, so I sit reasonable forwards and very forwards in the drops.

The SMP TRK is too wide/soft, so I am trying to find another used SMP (these things are MEGABUCKS) for Thornie.

[Audax hopeful]

Saddles - they're just so important! I've read everything I can find on the net, of which this thread was very interesting:

http://swhs.home.xs4all.nl/fiets/tests/zadels/index_en.html#zadel-zitbot-breedte

So I measured my sitbones (or rather my wife did!) and I also got the local bike shop to do so on their Specialized gizmo. The two were 2mm different (122mm and 120mm). An injection of cash in the form of Bike Shed vouchers for my birthday, and I've decided on the traditional B17 in brown!!

I've yet to put serious miles on this (maybe 100 in total so far) and it definitely still needs to be broken in some - but I can certainly feel the support for my sit bones from the first ride. I'm hoping I've made an excellent long term choice!!

Nich

[Danneaux]

I'm hoping I've made an excellent long term choice!!

I think you most likely have, Nich; congratulations!

Be patient, be willing to make adjustments, and be willing to adjust your mileage at first and address any hotspots if you have them. These will all go far toward success.

Chances look good! All encouragement your way.

Best,

Dan.

[jags]

bill thats some track you rode down or is it up.


jags.

[Bill C]

Hi Jags
it was down, the pic was just before a hairpin
i still have Bob but it doesn't get as  much use now as I broke a quick release skewer for it, bike was unrideable so it all got left at a house until we could organise transport to get it home
I bought spares and always carry a spare skewer now,
Bob is the only reason i think/thought about a Rohloff
but try as i might can't see a thorn i'd use it with, don't want or need another touring bike ,
i suppose i'll bite the bullet and get a Surly Troll frame n forks one day as it seems to be the best option
I really like the idea of a dedicated trailer mount, v's for brakes and an avid bb7 as a drag brake, if i could only weld or silbraze i'd put a brake on Bob as i had it jackknife a few times on really steep off road descents
could just buy a solid axle rear wheel and some Bob nutz and save a fortune but then i'd still be kicking rear mechs   big feet and i like hiking boots lol
it's nice to drag everything to a basecamp and then ditch all your kit and set out for day rides without all the weight and crap bolted to the bike, especially down here as it's hills everywhere you go