Saddle

Saddle

• Most likely, the bike seat that came with your bike is perfectly fine

  • For bike touring and High Adventure, you will start to notice your seat more, especially if its not one that is a good fit for your butt

Recommendation

• Try out the saddle that came with your bike

  • Most likely it will be fine

• Expect "Bike Butt" on the first 3-4 long rides that we do

  • Your butt will get used to biking and it gets better

• You should use padded bike shorts, especially on longer rides

• If you really don't like your saddle

  • You can read the following notes and go try out a bunch of different seats

  • Ideally come Talk to our Bike Team before you go out and try a bunch of different seats and/or covers

Sizing

• • Every seat and every butt is sized differently

  • Men and Women have different shaped and sized anatomy 

  • A properly sized saddle is important

    • You want a saddle that is ide enough for good support, but not so wide that it causes rubbing and chafing

    • You can get your "sit bones" sized at REI or Gregg's Cycles 

  • Try before you buy

    • Gregg's Cycles will size your pelvis and recommend a seat for you

      • You can bring several seats home and try them out

      • Carry Specialized brand and a few other branded saddles 

      • Return the ones that don't' work for you within 14 days

    • REI

      • You can try out seats and return the ones that don't work for you

Riding Position

• • Depending on your bike and riding preference, your riding position will vary

  • Various seats are designed for different riding positions in mind

    • Athletic - 45°

      • Pressure more forward

    • Moderate - 60°

      • Pressure more back

    • Relaxed 90°

Rail Material

• • Saddles can be made using different metals for the rails

  • Steel - economy version

  • Chromoly - steel alloy that is generally stronger than plain steel

    • Stronger than steel - better for long term use

    • Can be lighter, especially if hollow tubing is used, but these won't be as strong as rails made from solid bars 

  • Titanium 

    • Lighter and more expensive than chromoly

    • Claimed to smooth out vibrations

    • This is NOT necessary for Scouting Outings

  • Carbon Fiber

    • Lightest weight material

    • Very stiff

    • Very Expensive 

    • Use oval shaped rails to maximize strength and stiffness

      • Requires special seat post clamp or adapter

Saddle Material

• • Some say that a  Leather bike saddle is a must of serious riders

    • Leather tends to be very expensive, is sized funny and may not hold up well in the rain - which we have a lot of

  • Synthetic saddles will last longer in the rain and cost a lot less than leather

    • • Green Materials - some saddles are made with recycled materials

Examples of Saddles Recommended by others

• • WTB Pure

    • Medium width saddle

    • Favorite for BikePackers

    • Pure Chromoly Saddle sold at REI

    • Steel version is far less expensive at jensonusa.com

    • A titanium version is also made if you can find one and have lots of extra cash to spend on silly things

  • WTB Volt Chromoly

    • Not an expensive saddle

    • Mountain bike use

    • Steel, Chromoly, Titanium and Carbon versions are available 

  • Prologo Dimension Tirox

    • Great for aggressive, forward-leaning position

    • Not so great for sitting up position

  • Wittkop 5-zone

    • Commuter and hybrid use

  • Selle Royal Respiro 

    • Respiro Athletic Saddle

      • Use for racing riding position

    • Respiro Moderate Saddle 

      • Use for more moderate riding position

    • Respiro Relaxed Saddle

      • For Sunday riders in a sitting upright position 

  • Selle Italia Model X Green Superflow

  • Brooks B17 

    • Handmade Leather

    • Narrow Carved used by Tristan Ridley - global biker

      • He also lives in the UK - so a handmade English saddle makes more sense

    • Cambium C17 sold at REI - Wide

    • Cambium C15 is synthetic option  

    • Imperial B17 is another option sold at REI

Tricks to Avoid Chafing and Soreness

• Wear padded Bike Shorts!

• Use a seat that is sized for your butt

• Anti-Chafe Cream

  • Chamois Butt'r