Saddle recommendations

[JohnClimber]

After loosing 2 stone in weight I'm finding that my Brooks Cambium C17 are not as comfortable as they were when my bum had more padding.
So, please can those with skinny bums please tell me which saddles fit your bums for comfortable, long mileage rides on your hard tail bikes?

[gecko76]

If you're in Edinburgh I discovered the Porty Community Energy Saddle Library today, which I'll be taking daughter number one along to when they open in January.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C97Lc0UI ... dteG14MQ==

Probably best to overlook this bit on their leaflet, but it made my wife very upset (I didn't even notice, to my shame).

[fatbikephil]

Oops, bit of an editing error there! Great idea though

I once did the whole Ergon bum measurement, 10 page questionnaire thing and ended up with a seat like a bowling ball.

WTB speeds or rockets, all day, everyday for me.

[Johnallan]

I've wouldn't like to think exactly how many saddles I've tried over the years.

I thought the c17 was great for a while, so fitted them to 3* bikes, then started finding them too hard, leaving me bruised after long rides.

I'm now riding Fabric/Charge/Cannondale Scoops on road, gravel and hardtail, and Charge Spoons on the rigid/SS bikes. The 'classic' shape seems similar to the C17, except narrower, cheaper and more comfortable.

Fwiw, a charge spoon was the first aftermarket saddle I ever bought about 12 years ago and after trying out many, many others, some costing 10* the price, it's still the most comfortable. They're currently available for about £15 online

[JohnClimber]

I did start off with Charge Spoons/scoops but moved to Brooks.
For £15 they have to be worth a shot again I guess

[jameso]

There are a number of brands using the Velo VL1205 saddle that is used for the Charge Spoon, if that helps find one cheap to try. Genesis OEM saddles for ex have been VL1205s for a really long time. If it looks like a Spoon it's probably that VL1205 model. I like them for shorter rides but the WTB Volt and Fabric Scoop Flat shape ~145mm width are better for long rides. Getting the width right was the main thing for me, I used 135mm saddles for a long time before trying a wider saddle and finding a 142-145mm much comfier.

[yourguitarhero]

I've been getting on well with the Fabric saddles. They have a quite easy to understand system for whether you are more leaned over or upright etc.
They are also pretty cheap, lots of OEM as-new on eBay for about £20

[HUX]

Madison Flux on all bikes, happily spend all day on them!

[jameso]

Madison Flux is another Velo VL1205 model

[trob6]

Leather Brookes saddle, once it's broken they are hard to beat which took me 500 miles .

I've had it for 7 or 8 years now and had to have it re riveted, I live near the factory so arranged it and they ungraded it to the copper rails and rivets and gave me a tour of the factory for an hour, it was really great.

I have two carved Cambium saddles on other bikes and really like them but they are not as good as the leather one.

I have just been trying an Infinity Elite saddle, similar design to Brookes but American and cost a fortune, it was my mates but he has gone back to his Brookes as well so it's for sale.
It is a very comfy saddle and lots of people swear by them but it just didn't quite fit me.

Tim.

I am skinny with a bony ass too!

[boxelder]

Pro Turnix on raod and gravel bikes, Ergon SM on MTBs. One of those Madison Flux 'Spoonalikes' on the SS I ride for work.
Have you tried lowering your saddle a smidge, if you're sat on less lardy padding?

[HUX]

If you're not using a dropper try a carbon seatpost aswell. If you've never tried one I think you should. That little bit of flex makes all the difference .

[Zane]

Second the fabric scoop(shallow), have them on all bikes, got used one with titanium rails for about £20 and bonus Welsh flag printed on it

[Valerio]

Second the Fabric Scoop (had it with an italian flag, although it felt slightly disrespectful to put my ass on it).
However I ended up selling it with my old bike and moved to WTB SL8. Liked it but it was never quite perfect.
I'me now trying a couple of Selle Italia Boost saddles, I quite liked the one that came with my Ribble and I've bought another 2 for cheap on ebay/FB marketplace.

[restlessshawn]

Madison Flux is another Velo VL1205 model

I find the padding on the flux a wee bit softer and more comfy even though the shape is the same as a spoon (based on a sample of 2 spoons and 2 fluxs)

[belugabob]

If you're in Edinburgh I discovered the Porty Community Energy Saddle Library today, which I'll be taking daughter number one along to when they open in January.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C97Lc0UI ... dteG14MQ==

Probably best to overlook this bit on their leaflet, but it made my wife very upset (I didn't even notice, to my shame).

I always found the righty tighty thing very ambiguous, for those who need help remembering - what exactly is going to the right?

[gecko76]

Righty tighty = clockwise, so think of the hands at the top of a clock moving from 12 towards 1.

Doesn't help if you're accessing a bolt from the wrong side or upside down or whatever.

[whitestone]

I always found the righty tighty thing very ambiguous, for those who need help remembering - what exactly is going to the right?

It usually refers to the thing you are trying to move, i.e. the nut. Where it doesn't apply is when there are bearings between the fixed and moving parts because if the moving part is going clockwise then the bearings rotate counter-clockwise and impart that motion to the outer - think bottom brackets where the shell on the right hand side tightens counter-clockwise.

I always get confused with barrel adjusters for gear cables - is the direction looking down at the derailleur or back up towards the cable?

[Lazarus]

Saddle rail bolts ....is it my direction looking down or lying on the floor looking up ( i know the answer but always makes me stop and think

[whitestone]

Saddle rail bolts ....is it my direction looking down or lying on the floor looking up ( i know the answer but always makes me stop and think

The latter. For bolts without an associated nut such as those that fix water bottle cages think of them as being like a woodscrew so you turn clockwise to tighten them. The mindf*** is when you are standing, looking down at the saddle and have to think "in reverse" as it were, but really all you are doing in that instance is mentally rotating the saddle clockwise.

[BridlewayBimbler]

Has anyone had any experiences woth Ergon saddles?
They seem to have a good rep?

[belugabob]

I always found the righty tighty thing very ambiguous, for those who need help remembering - what exactly is going to the right?

It usually refers to the thing you are trying to move, i.e. the nut. Where it doesn't apply is when there are bearings between the fixed and moving parts because if the moving part is going clockwise then the bearings rotate counter-clockwise and impart that motion to the outer - think bottom brackets where the shell on the right hand side tightens counter-clockwise.

I always get confused with barrel adjusters for gear cables - is the direction looking down at the derailleur or back up towards the cable?

Looking along the axis of the bolt, which part of the nut is moving to the right...?

[thesloth]

Has anyone had any experiences woth Ergon saddles?
They seem to have a good rep?

I use an Ergon on the hardtail MTB. It's worked well for me. No discomfort when used on long multiday rides. Recommended.
A friend that I ride with also uses one (he recommended it to me).

On the road and gravel bikes I favor Specialized Romin Evo. I ride a fair bit of audax, so it does get put to the test.

Always a bit wary of saddle recommendations, it's so personal the only way is to try them. A long extended try out.
....I did not get on at all with Brooks Cambium, Fizik's or Infinity (despite others I ride with being happy with them).