Hey all-

I have a Giant hybrid (upright) city bicycle. I use it for the occasional ride along with the wife and kid.
The original seat is very hard and very narrow. I need something better.

I would like something slightly wider and softer. I do not want something resembling a couch with a La-Z-Boy logo that screams "An old, fat woman owns this bike".
I just want something that won't make riding asphalt feel like reading high-speed Braille with my perineum.

Any suggestions?

Bruce

I’ve long been partial to the Brooks B-66, made of heavy leather which eventually conforms to the shape of your butt.

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This message has been edited. Last edited by: arfmel,

It's not what people want to hear but your sit bones will get used to it. You might have a bike shop locally that can measure your sit bone width and get you in a better saddle but soft and plush will only cause more discomfort. Brooks B17 is another commonly loved saddle.

Where to start..?

In gun terms a seat is much like a holster in that different body types and riding position change recommendations. Seat height is a starting point in that with seat raised properly you have much of you weight on pedals moving you forward. If you have asked for low seat position to ease getting on and off and just coasting you've complicated your position and may need something closer to the sofa seat. Seat angle can be wrong pushing higher into the groin than anyone should want to know about.

Seats also have relief areas that can help, and different widths to match pelvic bones. Its not about how plush it feels to your thumb. Leather seats are old school in that they are bit heavier and expensive if good, but work because they break-in to your shape. Not bashing them, have a b-17.

If you have a friendly local shop someone with experience is worth a visit.

The biggest issue (I think, my humble opinion) is how often are you riding?

If you aren't riding regularly it is unlikely that you'll become accustomed to a bike saddle. If that is the case you may want to go for the super cushy "old lady" seat.

When I was riding multiple times per week (mountain bike) I went through an adjustment with my seat. After a month or so I was used to the fit and didn't think much more about it. Now that I only ride once every month or so I get sore butt. I've decided to just keep my saddle because a fat cushy seat would look silly on my Specialized Epic.

I'll add two examples of styles meant to be better than some OEM. Of course most things are in short supply, but you get the idea.

WTB comfort

Sunlite relief saddle

quote:

Originally posted by rsbolo:
The biggest issue (I think, my humble opinion) is how often are you riding?

If you aren't riding regularly it is unlikely that you'll become accustomed to a bike saddle. If that is the case you may want to go for the super cushy "old lady" seat.

When I was riding multiple times per week (mountain bike) I went through an adjustment with my seat. After a month or so I was used to the fit and didn't think much more about it. Now that I only ride once every month or so I get sore butt. I've decided to just keep my saddle because a fat cushy seat would look silly on my Specialized Epic.

I won't suffer so I haven't been riding often, at all. Either I don't hurt or I don't ride.
I like the Brooks saddles mostly because I have a fetish for "bespoke" type quality. Pricey, though.
I will try something cheaper and more comfortable and then look to upgrade if I ride more.
I wonder how comfortable the rubber Brooks offerings are? They advertise "no break in".

Bruce

quote:

Originally posted by mark60:
It's not what people want to hear but your sit bones will get used to it. You might have a bike shop locally that can measure your sit bone width and get you in a better saddle but soft and plush will only cause more discomfort. Brooks B17 is another commonly loved saddle.

You are right. People don't want to hear that.

Bruce

quote:

Originally posted by mark60:
It's not what people want to hear but your sit bones will get used to it. You might have a bike shop locally that can measure your sit bone width and get you in a better saddle but soft and plush will only cause more discomfort. Brooks B17 is another commonly loved saddle.

I think you would be well served to go to a bike a shop. How wide your sit bones are is the most important thing, but other factors are important too.

A lot of cyclists go through saddles until they find the one that works. But a good bike shop should be able to help you get closer to what will be best for you.

Yours may or may not be too narrow. And usually, you don't want much softness at all, which is a little counterintuitive.

Mine is definitely a too narrow. The rest of the bike is sized for an adult man but the seat looks more appropriate for a 10 yr old girl.
Visiting a bike shop is a good recommendation. I wonder what they measure. And how?

Bruce

quote:

Originally posted by RNshooter:
I wonder what they measure. And how?

Bruce

Here is a great website with details of what is measured, and how to do it yourself. They also sell saddles, but I can’t speak for how comfortable they are.

quote:

Originally posted by Phred:

quote:

Originally posted by RNshooter:
I wonder what they measure. And how?

Bruce

https://sqlab-usa.com/pages/free-sqlab-fit-kit

Here is a great website with details of what is measured, and how to do it yourself. They also sell saddles, but I can’t speak for how comfortable they are.

I intended to edit my previous post, but somehow quoted myself…

Bike has been gone for several years but still have my Brooks "Buttbuster" Saddle that was on the road bike. Simular to the photo that arfmel posted but without the rear spring support. When purchased (1980"s) was told to put on bike and do a "centry (100 mile ride) and at the completion the saddle would be form fitted to my butt. And they were correct ...Biggest and easiest is to adjust the saddle height to place ball of foot over axle of pedal with a slight bend of the knee when leg extended and no rocking back and forth on saddle while pedaling. Toeclip pedals as well as clipless pedals can be more energy efficent use of the pedal power because the trailing foot is actually pulling up on the upstroke instead of just floating on top of the pedal. ..............If you can find a small mom and pop shop you might get better service than a large chain store to get good service who might be looking for a big one time payday............................................................... drill sgt.

Nexride noseless saddle. Check them out. They’re great.

Go to a bike shop, get a bike fit.

This is more than raising and lowering the saddle.

once you have a bike fit look at cut out saddles so you don't have pressure on your perennial area.

If the saddle is too soft and cushioned it will cause injury on longer rides.

Saddles just like shoes have a break in period; also you have to toughen up the butt a bit.

Measuring the sit bones is important because if the saddle is too wide you throw your hips out, and too narrow and you will be very uncomfortable and even causing blistering and such.

I ride a very narrow saddle (Selle SMP Evolution), and this is in the $250.00 range.

Some bike shops will let you borrow a loaner saddle so you can make a better choice in what works for you.

Saddles much like underwear are a very personal choice so what works for me might not work for you.

I would caution you to stay away from Gel saddles.

I would recommend bike bib shorts with chamois cream or Noxema on the pad to help with chafing and to keep your genitals and buttocks pimple free, and chafing free.

I went to a small local bike shop. They did a good job fitting the frame to my size and the seat to pedal relationship.
The seat it a stock Giant.

I hope to fix this issue with a new seat and stop short of Noxema on my butt.
That is a bridge too far, I am afraid.

Bruce

I have 20k to 30k miles ride on my selle antomica

https://selleanatomica.com/

They are made in the USA
Leather that flexes under you
You can tighten or loose in to fit your desires with an Allen wrench.

I've ridden a lot of saddles for a lot of miles. Once I tried a Selle I never looked back.

Yes, Brookes has come out with a similar model in their lineup. But they are not made in the USA.

To be honest I'm pretty darn confident in them. if you give one a try at least 7 times going at least 3 miles each time, I'll buy it off of you.

One thing to note, I sold bikes. Your but is going to hurt the first several times you ride. The problem is none of us are as young as we used to be. It takes at least 3-5 trips to numb your but.

Another vote for the traditional Brooks leather saddle. There are a few styles to choose from.