Riding on Air

[neptune]

After helmets, few bike topics are as controversial as seats or saddles. Ask a few cyclists which is the best saddle, and opinions differ widely. Quite a few favour the traditional leather saddle, of the Brooks type, and there are numerous theories about "breaking in" such saddles. Just as many favour various types of modern "Gel" seats.

To me, the logical seat would be an inflatable one. Theory suggests that it would spread the body weight over a wide area, and reduce peak pressure. Inflatable seats have been around since the 1880s, and some are still made today. They have yet to become mainstream. On my pedal cycle, I have used the seat originally fitted, a gel seat by Selle Royal. It has been very good, and has served for 14,000 miles. Sadly, it is starting to crack and break up. This model is, I am told, now obsolete. I bought the one designed to replace it, and alas, it is not the same.Has anyone ever tried an inflatable seat?

 

[superDove]

Have never used an inflatable saddle. I do use a leather Brooks (they have a new material now as well) which causes some discomfort after about 25 miles on a unpowered Brompton so for the time being I make sure I'm home by 30 miles.

Sitting bones aka ischial tuberosities seem ideally designed for weight bearing to me. I'm sceptical about anything that moulds to the weight bearing area that would cause compression to the soft tissues and potential nerve impingement.

I thought saddle discomfort would come up more often on an ebike forum. Generally ebikes are more upright posture and require less torquey pedalling both would mean more weight bearing on saddle and potential for issues.

Hope you find an agreeable solution.

James

 

[wissy]

my brooks saddle is soooo comfortable,... No real breaking in needed either.

 

[Croxden]

I have an inflatable saddle on my Gary Fisher, bought it from Lidl. Watch out for their next biking batch.

My Brooks is improving, I coated it with Proofide Leather Saddle Dressing but forgot to polish up the next day so it got done via my jeans. I think it softened the interfacing parts that day. Must do it again.

 

[RobF]

My Brooks is improving, I coated it with Proofide Leather Saddle Dressing but forgot to polish up the next day so it got done via my jeans..

Ride comfort is so personal, anyone should be wary of taking well-meaning but possibly non-applicable advice from others.

With that caveat, I'm bound to say riding in jeans is reckoned to be a no-no.

Denim doesn't breathe well, and the hard seams of jeans are reckoned to grind into one's skin when pressed against a saddle.

The jeans may certainly explain why Croxden had a problem with tears in the fabric of the original saddle on the Delite.

 

[D C]

Buying a new saddle is a bit like buying a new mattress, there is no possible way you can tell in the shop if it will suit you and recommendations from other folk are tricky as no two backsides are alike .
I use a Brooks B17 which is perfect for me and like wissy it was fine from the start though even better with use.
Brooks don't suit everyone though which I guess is why there are usually lots for sale on ebay, they seem to get good/high prices even second hand.
Could you get the old saddle re-covered at an upholsterers or is it to far gone?
Good luck with the search.
Dave.

 

[Croxden]

The jeans may certainly explain why Croxden had a problem with tears in the fabric of the original saddle on the Delite.

I wasn't wearing jeans for the first three tears, jeans are current due to the warmer weather, I have none suitable legs for shorts.

 

[neptune]

In my original post, I said that seats are a controversial subject. I like the idea of the Brooks seat. I bought a new one, and tried it, but it did not suit me. Fortunately i was able to send it back and get a refund. I agree that the sit bones should carry the weight, but being a skinny bloke, my sit bones have little natural padding.

I liked the shape of my old seat, because the horn was very narrow, compared to the rear part. The new seat has a wider horn, causing chafing of the inner upper thigh area. I am thinking of trying to re cover my old seat, and I shall be looking at Aldi. Incidentally, I nearly always ride in jeans, with no problem. Most days I bike ten miles, but do occasional longer trips of up to 45 miles.

 

[jackhandy]

I do use a leather Brooks (they have a new material now as well) which causes some discomfort after about 25 miles on a unpowered Brompton so for the time being I make sure I'm home by 30 miles.

I've come to the conclusion I'm blessed with a 30-mile arse:
Having tried several saddles, I'm resigned to being uncomfortable after about 25 miles

 

[pn_day]

Another thing to throw in to the mix is that if you have a rigid frame adding a suspension seat post can help with comfort as well. I recently bought the sun tour one, but haven't done enough long runs to give definitive feedback.

 

[D C]

Just a word of warning to anyone who wants to add a Suntour SP12-NCX suspension seat post to a Brooks saddle.
I had to widen the seat runners on my B17, no simple task, to give clearance for the mechanism.
Well worth it but not for the faint hearted.
Dave.

 

[Croxden]

Just a word of warning to anyone who wants to add a Suntour SP12-NCX suspension seat post to a Brooks saddle.
I had to widen the seat runners on my B17, no simple task, to give clearance for the mechanism.
Well worth it but not for the faint hearted.
Dave.

I had a struggle getting my Brooks to fit the existing fitting and it was only a few millimeters. They are made of strong stuff.

 

[MikeyBikey]

The 'Sit' bones seem logical for best weight bearing structures in ones rear. But maybe the "Gluteous Maximus" (a fine upstanding Roman, as Frankie Howard would say :-D) there, supposed to be the largest muscles in the body, have a role to play?
Strangely, when I had a saddle break away at the front mounting point, it felt quite comfy balancing on the 2 rear springs, for a while. Well it lets your rear tilt side-to-side and front to back, if that's a good thing!

 

[neptune]

There are of course various saddle designs that are designed on that principle. Many of these may work well for a sit up and beg style bike, but maybe not so good if you use drop handlebars. I feel that the ultimate saddle would have to be hand made for each rider, as we are all slightly different in shape, and have different riding styles.

 

[superDove]

If you are weight bearing on your glutes it means your pelvis is tilted backwards (posteriorly) and your thoracic diaphragm and pelvis diaphragm are no longer in the same plane causing a less stable pelvis.
I found this youtube clip of Heinz Stucke's leather saddles after 40-60k mileage interesting.

 

[Pete Keeffe]

It might be counterintuitive but the steak-house-dinner-plate 'my big bum- sized' saddle on the Ezee Sprint is, to me; the most comfortable bike saddle I've ever used.
Those dingy grey new 'eco' Brooks saddles with 'organic' cotton bonded over the top of goodness knows what look awful compared to the old Brooks leather saddles.

 

[MikeyBikey]

Am currently using a Selle 'Big Bum' saddle to test the 'bigger is better' model.
Find the horn of saddles a potential 'sore point' . Yes, locates rider, but at a vulnerable place!
A waterproof, breathable fabric on a springy, mesh body, be cooler?

 

[Pete Keeffe]

If you are weight bearing on your glutes it means your pelvis is tilted backwards (posteriorly) and your thoracic diaphragm and pelvis diaphragm are no longer in the same plane causing a less stable pelvis.
I found this youtube clip of Heinz Stucke's leather saddles after 40-60k mileage interesting.

Just looked that Heinz Stucke guy up.
Now there's a lad with a tale to tell about cycle touring.