Guess I might as well put my bike photos here too as two of them show off the present saddle basically its uncomfortable, hard on the bum and thin.







Had it for two years and havent managed to break anything yet dispite it being a cheapie. But then gain I havent done any off road stuff either.

/touches wood

Wire chain cost me Ã,£3 including the padlock. The hooge triangular back reflector was 50p at a poundshop thats closing, it has five flashing leds that light it up quite well, ATM its held on with some string so will have to sort out something more permanent.

Saddles are very personal, but if you want plushness without too much numbness, WTB Speed-Vs are cheap and fit most butts. Ive noticed that a lot of mid range bikes are starting to spec these instead of the usual miserable house brands.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=5947

Ive got one on my utility bike, and its fabulous for shorter trips. Total Cadillac of a ride without being overly squishy. I was going to switch to a Brooks in the parts bin, but it blows the Brooks away.

Its got a bit of a hollow for your bits, which actually works, and the sides have some tough material in case you lean the bike against brick schoolhouses and the like.

15 Queenie points at Chain Reaction.




Your handlebars are high enough to rule out my usual faves like Turbos and Rolls--as such perches are great when you put more weight on your hands and legs. I tried my Flite on the city bike, and was amazed that something that was invisible and comfy on a road bike, became miserable when upright.

Very nice site maxi

Quote*

Anonymous writes... from Unknown  20 October 2004 20:04
This is a really bad saddle if you leave your bike out in the rain.
The water tends to soak into the saddle like a sponge.
Its a shame really, Id give it 5 stars if it came with a hair dryer!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Reviews.aspx?ModelID=2293


Only one star out of five, I wonder why?

Quote from: maximusotterYour handlebars are high enough to rule out my usual faves like Turbos and Rolls--as such perches are great when you put more weight on your hands and legs.

Im going to have to lower the saddle at least an inch as its too high for me, which probably means lowering the handlebars too.

Most crap saddle reviews for usually well regarded models are due to crap setup. Ive read stuff like "I slide forward too much" People are such morons. Side forward? Adjust tilt. I use a level and have all my saddles perfectly horizontal.

The V series reviews on mtbreview.com are much more in depth. http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Saddle/product_88940.shtml

I agree with the posters, in that, its not good for technical off roading or distance, as its a bit bulky for such stuff. It is perfect for a tootle across town wearing street clothes. Its also one of those perches we regularly recommend on Usenet for clydesdale riders that need something a bit more supportive.

If you leave your saddle out in the rain, cover it with a shopping sack. Alternately, you can seam seal it with some goop from a camping shop.

I generally have several plastic shopping bags in my pack along with a bottle of water for just that purpose I would expect to spend a couple of hours at least on a ride. The photies were taken tonight in North shields and Tynemouth during an our and a half first outing for this year.

Got a few nice photies too

Ive done a couple hours on mine in cycling clothes and it wasnt awful, just felt a bit more inner thigh rub compared to my usual racing saddles. Mind, Ive got big thighs from doing a lot of interval training and standing climbs, so most folks should have less of an issue.

There are very few saddles for your particular bar/saddle relationship that are worth recommending. Good ole Brooks B17s can be nice when your hands are 2" above your ass. I got tired of the side skirts on mine, though I may trim it down.

Get a WTB saddle with a raised nose.
Very comfy when you get used to it.

Quote from: maximusotterThere are very few saddles for your particular bar/saddle relationship that are worth recommending. Good ole Brooks B17s can be nice when your hands are 2" above your ass. I got tired of the side skirts on mine, though I may trim it down.

My old racing/road bike had a Brooks leather saddle from new, it was never replaced - they seem to go on forever if you take care

They do last, but in all honesty, theyre a spotty fit for most folks, and quite expensive. I got my last Flyer for $50 which was cheap enough to get on an impulse. If I got another one, it would likely be a "chopped" ti b17, and Id keep any leather conditioners away from it. Ive mildly treated my last two Brooks, and they barely make it to two years before they get lateral sag that adjusting the bolt does nothing to fix, and makes them miserable.

ATM Im looking at the SDG Freestyle Saddle

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=3618

or DMR Dirt Jump Saddle

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=2293

OK theyre jump saddles and not what I would have gone for in the past but Im thinking of my hip joints

Quote from: maximusotterThey do last, but in all honesty, theyre a spotty fit for most folks, and quite expensive. I got my last Flyer for $50 which was cheap enough to get on an impulse. If I got another one, it would likely be a "chopped" ti b17, and Id keep any leather conditioners away from it. Ive mildly treated my last two Brooks, and they barely make it to two years before they get lateral sag that adjusting the bolt does nothing to fix, and makes them miserable.

I wuld never use any conditioner on a brooks leather saddle, your natural oils do the job quite nicely  and the movement polishes it properly

Jump saddles are quite hard, and stubby.
Designed for people who dont tend to sit down and only want something to stop a nut or two dissapearing down the seat tube.

Quote from: maximusotterSaddles are very personal, but if you want plushness without too much numbness, WTB Speed-Vs are cheap and fit most butts. Ive noticed that a lot of mid range bikes are starting to spec these instead of the usual miserable house brands.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=5947

Ive got one on my utility bike, and its fabulous for shorter trips. Total Cadillac of a ride without being overly squishy. I was going to switch to a Brooks in the parts bin, but it blows the Brooks away.

Its got a bit of a hollow for your bits, which actually works, and the sides have some tough material in case you lean the bike against brick schoolhouses and the like.

15 Queenie points at Chain Reaction.

(Image removed from quote.)


Your handlebars are high enough to rule out my usual faves like Turbos and Rolls--as such perches are great when you put more weight on your hands and legs. I tried my Flite on the city bike, and was amazed that something that was invisible and comfy on a road bike, became miserable when upright.

My Mongoose came with one of those, not the best saddle ive ever used, but comfortable enough for day-to-day usage.

Heres a picture of the WTB and a Flite together so you can see the differences:



The WTB is surprisingly light for its bulk, btw, not that weight is that big of an issue.

Quote from: SeriousATM Im looking at the SDG Freestyle Saddle

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=3618

or DMR Dirt Jump Saddle

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=2293

Might as well keep your current saddle, as those two arent designed for the type of riding you do.

I didnt see much more than the WTB at Chain Reaction as a saddle Id recommend for casual riding. Terrys and Fiziks are also well thought of in the comfort department, but a little more dear in price.