Two flat saddles that I'm keen to try are the Brooks Cambium and the Ergon (don't know the model name)

Both look comfy to me!

ianfitz wrote:Two flat saddles that I'm keen to try are the Brooks Cambium and the Ergon (don't know the model name)

Both look comfy to me!

I wouldnt mind a try on a cambium too.

I use bel air's and also like sdg Falcon, its flatter and a bit more racy than a bel air but still comfy

I had a little spin on a Cambium and thought it had potential. First ride great, second ride not as comfy, then I had to return it to the shop (it was a loan). The hammock design (like Brooks other saddles) definitely has something going for it.

Finding a comfy saddle and padded shorts is a real problem for me for some reason. I had a Brooks B17 for a while, even on my mountain bike, which didn't do badly but wasn't perfect and was heavy. I find on my full susser things are much more forgiving, but on the rigid, I really notice any issues. I bent the nose in a crash and then lost a bit of confidence in it lasting a long ride. I also hated having to remember the cover when it was raining.

After playing around over the last few months with a WTB Speed V (too narrow), a Specialised Henge that was recommended after having my seat bones measured in the Specialised shop in Covent Garden (ok but ... just....not right?) and more recently a Charge Scoop (really not bad but still sore at times), I've just ordered a Selle-Anatomica Titanico X in their watershed leather. I've come across a few long distance bikepackers who say that saddle has enabled them to ride without padded shorts. It arrives soon (once customs have done their thing), so I'm waiting in anticipation...

I've just ordered a Selle-Anatomica Titanico X in their watershed leather. I've come across a few long distance bikepackers who say that saddle has enabled them to ride without padded shorts. It arrives soon (once customs have done their thing), so I'm waiting in anticipation...

Looking forward to hearing how you get on. Looks very nice but they're quite an 'investment'.

s8tannorm wrote:

I've just ordered a Selle-Anatomica Titanico X in their watershed leather. I've come across a few long distance bikepackers who say that saddle has enabled them to ride without padded shorts. It arrives soon (once customs have done their thing), so I'm waiting in anticipation...

Looking forward to hearing how you get on. Looks very nice but they're quite an 'investment'.

Yeah, they are, but then so is another Brooks (including the Cambium), and so is buying 3 cheaper saddles in a few months and not being happy with any of them. A year or so ago I came to the conclusion that my B17 was too wide for me, and bought a narrower Brooks that was stolen from the bike. Bought a replacement which was again stolen within the space of a month (bloody London). So I thought I'd have a go with cheaper saddles but have tried 3 in the last 9 months or so and am just not happy with any of them. [This does mean I will have virtually unused Charge Scoop and Specialised Henge to sell... ]

I'm genuinely amazed when some people say that any saddle is fairly ok for them and they don't really have any problems. How can our anatomy be so different... I find it varies between rides as well, and wonder if some of my problems are due to padded shorts. I seem to be between Medium and Large in both Gore and Endura. The Large ones feel like I'm wearing a nappy and are really uncomfortable walking, the Mediums cut off the blood supply to my thighs... Praying I can find a saddle that lets me just ride in merino boxers...!

Will let you know how I find the Anatomica, and pop some pictures up.

wonder if some of my problems are due to padded shorts

I've often wondered that myself. I have suffered a couple of times in the past but not as badly as some people and I do wonder whether the fact I don't wear any type of padding actually helps.

s8tannorm wrote:

wonder if some of my problems are due to padded shorts

I've often wondered that myself. I have suffered a couple of times in the past but not as badly as some people and I do wonder whether the fact I don't wear any type of padding actually helps.

I sometimes ride in town without padding and it feels so much freer (!). A bit of a revelation each time, and not that uncomfortable at the time. I'm just not sure how I'd get on on longer rides, and day after day.

Perhaps I should be experimenting with that rathern than buying more bloody saddles

This does mean I will have virtually unused Charge Scoop and Specialised Henge to sell

Oh can I have first dibs please? I'm in market for new saddle and been eyeing up these too as possible options.

Brothersmith wrote:

This does mean I will have virtually unused Charge Scoop and Specialised Henge to sell

Oh can I have first dibs please? I'm in market for new saddle and been eyeing up these too as possible options.

Yes of course. The Scoop is currently on my commuter but I'll probably swop it off when the Titanico gets here tho may want to hang on to it for a little while as I see how that goes. The Henge is just sitting in the hall at the moment so could be sold any time... I'll drop you a PM.

PM sent

So the Selle Anatomica Titanico X turned up last week. First impressions are mixed - the rivets don't seem quite as flush with the leather as on the Brook's I've had, and the saddle seems to want to default to a slight twist on the front end, but I'm hoping that will disappear with a bit of use... It certainly seems a bit more comfy to sit on that an unused Brooks. Will try to take it out this week. Am going to go sans padded shorts right from the start with this, and see how it goes.

Noticed from your pics (nice saddle btw) that you're using a Thomson seat post. Although a quality post they are very stiff, with not much(if any) give in them. I had one on my hard tail & found it unbearable over long distances, even after trying out different saddles.
After a bit of research i swapped it for a Syntace Hi-Flex & it made a big difference. It takes a lot of 'buzz' & square edge hits out of the trail & i don't feel anywhere near as battered as i did with the Thomson after even shortish rides.
A cheaper option could be to try a cheapie alu post, as these should be less stiff than the Thomson to see if you can notice any difference.

Interesting... I hadn't given all that much thought to the seat post for this bike in terms of comfort, but I probably should as its rigid and for a long trip. My default for robustness was to get a Thompson (although I'm pretty sure I need an in-line post rather than this lay-back one). My only fear about the Syntace (apart form the cost) is how robust it would be on a long self supported trip where a broken seat post would be a bit of a pain the ass... in more ways than one

InspiredRamblings wrote:Interesting... I hadn't given all that much thought to the seat post for this bike in terms of comfort, but I probably should as its rigid and for a long trip. My default for robustness was to get a Thompson (although I'm pretty sure I need an in-line post rather than this lay-back one). My only fear about the Syntace (apart form the cost) is how robust it would be on a long self supported trip where a broken seat post would be a bit of a pain the ass... in more ways than one

I thought the same, l have deep mistrust of Carbon posts since I saw one snap. But the syntace has a really good rep and a 10 year guarantee. It is a bit pricey though. Alternatively Van Nicholas do a really nice ti post which is a bit cheaper. I have one on my Krampus, it rounds bumps of nicely but might be a bit too flexy for larger riders. Clamps a bit of a bugger though.

Hmm... I really shouldn't be looking at Ti seatposts...!

The Van Nicholas sounds awful to get on and there are quite a few accounts of people having bent them... I'm not massive but I am 85kg... The Lynskey one sounds good but is expensive...

I had previously wondered about a Cane Creek Thudbuster, but they are heavy. And ugly. Anyone use them...?

InspiredRamblings wrote:Hmm... I really shouldn't be looking at Ti seatposts...!

The Van Nicholas sounds awful to get on and there are quite a few accounts of people having bent them... I'm not massive but I am 85kg... The Lynskey one sounds good but is expensive...

There is a knack too it for sure, but not sure how people manage to bend it?

InspiredRamblings wrote: had previously wondered about a Cane Creek Thudbuster, but they are heavy. And ugly. Anyone use them...?

I was considering the ST before deciding on the Syntace P6. Had the original back in the day and it was OK. Main problem is getting a seat pack to work with them and that ruled it out for me. I found this article from Velo helpful in choosing.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/12/ ... _267560/3/

InspiredRamblings wrote: Am going to go sans padded shorts right from the start with this, and see how it goes.

no padded shorts.... make sure that central section dosnt flex open and grab anything.....

I'm a bit of a lump (+92kg) but i've had no problems with my 27.2 Hi-Flex & that includes riding with fully loaded seat & back packs (180mm of post showing).

Also got a 31.6mm one on my SS which i've not put as many miles on, but doesn't seem quite as 'flexy' as the 27.2.

Had the 27.2 a couple of years, bought when they were quite a bit cheaper than they are now, & picked up the 31.6 on fleabay at nearly half price, but was like new.

FLV wrote: no padded shorts.... make sure that central section dosnt flex open and grab anything.....

Owwwwww.... just the thought makes me wince!

Used it for 14 miles into town and back today with just merino boxers and baggys and it wasn't bad. It feels kind of ...short... in that there was a very definite point of comfort and not much room for manoeuvre, but perhaps the angle needs adjusting and it may all loosen up a little bit with some use...

Ray Young wrote:Sorry to drag this thread up but I have a new saddle and it's 133 mm wide replacing the 140mm one I was using. I am hoping this will stop me getting pain in the nether regions that I was getting on multi day rides. I am thinking that the 140 was too wide for my skinny butt and was pushing me forward onto the nose of the saddle which meant I was not getting supported properly. If I checked the back end of the saddle whilst riding I always seemed to have about 1cm of saddle not being sat on no matter how far forward I moved it or how often I pushed myself further back onto it. A two hour ride today on the new saddle is looking promising, I actually sat on the whole saddle for the whole ride, no gap at the back and no conscious effort to sit back into it, only a multi day ride will tell if it works but here's hoping.

New slim saddle seems to be working, 80 miles over two days and no nether region pain.