What's the best Saddle for Road Cycling? - BikeFitTuesdays

Bike Fit Tuesdays is back. Classic, TT, Snub nosed... What's the best saddle for road cycling? Thanks to @bikefitjames and Bicycle in Richmond for hosting.



The following companies (that you'll see in my content) support me either financially or with free stuff, so huge thanks to these guys for helping the channel thrive:
Jam Cycling,
Attacus Cycling,
Wilier Triestina,
MET Helmets,
Shimano,
SpinOnThese Wheels,

[Andy_ATB]

Will we ever see the day when bikes are sold without a 'stock' saddle - i;e, part of the buying process involves being fitted for a saddle to suit each individual? It seems such a simple than spending ££££££ on saddles until one fits.

[danielellis]

Had this exact issue, was getting sores on one side, numbness, pain etc. Went through several saddles, different widths, shapes and brands. Ended up with a fizik Aliante R1 open in a 155mm thinking I had really wide sit bones. So when I finally saved up for a bike fit they dropped my saddle height, reduced my reach and put me on a narrow Pro falcon and it solved everything! Although it could have been a Montrose or a toupe but the Pro was cheaper. Everything I thought I knew about myself was completely wrong. GET A BIKE FIT

[rk]

Problem with BikeFitTuesdays is that... it's not every day.

[seattlegrrlie]

I got saddle sores on both sides (along with heat rashes) due to riding a 155mm saddle. Adjusting to 140mm completely got rid of the sores. In my case, the saddle was definitely the problem... I can't even imagine a man walking into a bike shop and being told a 155 or 165 saddle will fit his body

My extra padding might go up and down, but those actual hip bones aren't that wide

[benelliott]

I really appreciate these videos but am starting to struggle with the bike fit industry in general. I've had fitters recommend both ISM for road and speedplay for me (and in general). And maybe James would also recommend these two products in my case too. But how on earth are we as consumers meant to sort through the marketing chat and find who truly is a "good" fitter (maybe these other fitters were pedalling snake oil, maybe James is, most likely there are just honest differing opinions, who knows). I've had three fits over last few years, all with different prescriptions, philosophies and end results to the point (when combined with James's opinions) I have turned right off the idea of future fits. Of course there is no one fit which works for anyone, but how is any consumer meant to evaluate value for money in such a nebulous service and such a scope of opinion? If we are told to just find a fitter we like the whole system seems like an exercise in confirmation bias vs optimisation. Anyway, still love the videos.

[Knud]

So the two big questions remaining after watching this video 1) what to change in your position if you get discomfort with a cut out saddle? 2) How to find the width of your saddle, if sit bone width is not a good indicator? Keep up the great work!

[TacoHurHurHur]

This was a fantastic episode, and loved the comment regarding marketing with professional cycling - hit it on the head. Hopefully I can source just as good as bike-fitter as James here in Sydney. Loving the series Francis!

[jvlian_r]

Hey James, thanks for taking the time to answer this question. I've been using a traditional saddle like the one you showed on the video. However, I've noticed that whenever I have a demanding day on the bike, some numbness on the perineal area appears. I have my saddle height and reach fitted so I thought changing the saddle was the next thing to do. What to do? Thanks a lot. Hope you have the time to come next year to Colombia with Francis.

[nickmannerings]

Great Video,
I find a Fizik Antares perfect. It wasn’t always so. I had the normal issues, saddle sores in one side, foot discomfort in one foot, shoulder & neck aches. I listened to James’s videos and lowered my saddle. Magic. It wasn’t simple as I’d had two bike fits and my saddle was set about 50mm higher than I now had it. I had no issues on a ride of an hour or two but after longer rides the problems would show themselves.

I did some research- pro rider height vs saddle height corrected for crank length. The best fit of this led me to believe that my saddle was about 50mm to high. I lowered it gradually and each time, after I got used to it I had reduced problems.

I made the assumption that leg length would be approximately the be proportional to height.

I ride a fair bit (9000 miles this year) so have plenty of time to check the results of my experiment on a sample of one. I now have no issues- even on 6+ hour rides and multi day rides.

I don’t claim this is a cure for all but I see lots of riders complaining of problems and if not rocking they are cycling with fairly pointy toes.

Before questioning anything else check the saddle height.

Nick

[markreams]

I’ve found the fabric scoop shallow saddle plus lowering saddle height a little to solve my problem with saddle sores! The flex that’s designed into this saddle seems to really work! I don’t get along well with specialized saddles and changed it out on my Specialized Roubaix!

[hookmaster]

Selle SMP. The end. Forma for me. Fixed everything.

[kenblahetka]

I ride an ISM on a road bike and love it BUT, I did ride strictly a tri bike for like 8 years. And so its what I'm used to. Also I would say 95% of road bikes with an ISM have them set up wrong. ISM has a commercial for the saddle in your hand and if you look at it on the bike it is slammed all the way back. Not to the max line on the saddle, all the to where the rails bend up to the nose. If you put this saddle next to a regualr saddle and look at where your sit bones line up and think about where you want your hips in relation to the BB it makes sense. Mine is fairly close to that. What I see is most people have the saddle mid way on the rails, and then up to get their leg extension which puts their weight on the bars, they then tilt the saddle to deal with the drop.

[tirsoluis]

As you well said, saddle selection is a very personal choice to make, governed by riding style and body shape, among other things. Personally, after going thru an array of saddle models from different manufacturers, I’ve found the Bontrager Hilo RXL Speed Dial triathlon saddle to be the most comfortable bike saddle for me and the one that adjusts better to multiple riding positions. I am not a triathlon athlete, just an old (literally) road cyclist and I suspect that many younger fellow riders will disagree with my selection. But, then again, it’s a “butt” decision that’s different for us all...Ride safe and comfortable!

[CormacMcHugh]

Francis Cade, What are your thoughts on SQ Labs saddles?

[dpastore]

Love the videos! Can you do a future video on how to identify optimal saddle angle? Also, include how start the process of finding the proper saddle angle with flat saddles vs whale tail saddles.

Thanks again for the amazing content. Cheers!

[matthewbenger]

"If you're watching this video its probably with the intent on finding which is going to be the best saddle for you" - WRONG! I already have my saddle sorted (and been fitted on it by James to confirm this) purely watching because I could listen to the man talk about bike fit everyday 😂 like the new bike fit Tuesdays intro Francis!

[ginkotree]

After trying lots of saddles I must say that a I completely agree with James. A bike fit is the most important item to get right. The bike fit must be a bike fit on a jig to find your optimal fit dimensions rather than trying to get the bike to fit you. I’ve learnt the hard way at great expense but now see the benefit of getting an accurate bike fit and then buying the correct bike size, shape and style that matches your fit dimensions, ride types, and objectives 👍😁

[robmartin]

Brilliant. Such a fantastic segment. Really appreciate you guys taking the time. James is an absolute wealth of knowledge. I rode a specialized toupe with great success for a couple of years. New bike, New saddle... Saw an episode last year where James made mention of the Specialized Romin. Picked it up, terrific saddle. Look forward to more of these insightful and myth busting, in some instance, episodes. Best, Rob

[IanB]

Selle Italia Flite with L2 cutout has always worked for me. I’ve tried a lot of saddles but always seem to come back to that. The best pair of shorts / tights you can afford is also critical IME. Great video again guys 👍🏻

[jimbojet]

Loved what you had to say. Unfortunately I’m the one seriously struggling to get comfortable who you described. I’ve tried so many saddles and been in so much discomfort caused no end of health problems to myself and still. I’m uncomfortable. No, I’m still in pain! A Bikefit didn’t help, at all. I’m buying again, where to next? Trying a Selle Italia slr on Ti rails? The L3 size. Oh well.