Is the avatar the right size for you? Are you using a chamois?

I have a toupe on my road bike... it's great so far.

Heya John. Several years ago, I bought a Selle An-Atomica Titanico and have not looked back since then. I have them on all my bikes. They are pure leather, no plastic layer anywhere, and they conform to your body and "break in" over the years and the miles. I swear by them, and so do a few of my friends who use the same saddle. But buying--and liking--a saddle are very personal choices it seems. I have another friend who tried it and decided it just wasn't for him. If you can get your hands on one to try before you buy you might like it, or do what I did and just take the plunge. For the first 500 miles or so it may seem a little bit too firm, but maybe not. For me it was, because I was coming from riding a recumbent, lol.

Their website is http://www.selleanatomica.com/.

I just cannot say enough about this saddle. Most of the reviews you read if you google it will turn up tremendously positive. I absolutely love mine. Good luck and happy riding no matter what you choose man!

If you go to a Specialized dealer they can "measure" your sit bones to see what size saddle fits you correctly. I don't know many people who are sitting on the same saddle that came on their bike. Saddles are such a personal thing.

There are two basic saddle shapes, pear and T- shape. Many of Specialized's saddles are T-shaped. Actually, I explain this all in a blog post I did!

http://www.mudandmanoloscycling.com/how-to-find-the-perfect-bike-saddle

You don't need a good saddle - you need a good bike shop, with lots of saddles to demo...

You don't need a good saddle - you need a good bike shop, with lots of saddles to demo...

Except when that bike shop doesn't carry the saddle that works best for a person. :bigsmile:

Bought a Reactive Serfas saddle about two weeks ago. So far, I really like it, only about $35. I realize there are real nice leather saddles for a lot more money, but this one works well for me.

Not only are saddles a very personal thing (in fact it's hard to think of anything on a bike apart from the chamois in your shorts that gets MORE personal) but what suits can be a bit of a moveable feast. For years, my saddle of choice was the old classic Cinelli "Unicanitor" - pretty much the first plastic bodied leather covered saddle out there.



Then, I swapped for a Concor san marco...



which was on my Harry Quinn 753 that was stolen from my van... Next bike had a Flite Titanium which I pretty much standardised on for all my road bikes for quite a while...



Though the touring bike got a "belgian sofa" - otherwise known as the "Rolls"



Probably the most comfortable saddle I've ridden on, providing I'm riding mainly on the tops. If I need to get down and "dig in" a bit, it's fine for a while, then starts to make it's presence known

So recently, when I came back to riding, I started with the rolls, Until I started giving it "the beans" a bit more. So - I tried a Specialised Alias 143 - which I hated - kept getting things caught in the hole in the saddle. I was glad when I hit a pothole and the rails bent. Badly. So that's scrapped. Then I fitted a fizik Arione, which again I quite liked at first, but the nose of the saddle was very sharp, and when I had a "over the bars" moment last year, the pointy bit made contact with my back and scratched a lump out, before kissing the tarmac, and snapping the nose clean off... I did however like the overall shape, and purchased a planet-x Arione clone, which was 95% the same shape, but not as sharp at the front.

However - since this purchase, I've lost 120lb, and the upholstery around my backside is somewhat changed. I'm now finding that the Planet-X is less comfortable, and I'm thinking very seriously about climbing up into the loft and seeing if I can dig out a Flite from somewhere...

The BF had a Fizik Arione and absolutely loved it until he bought a new Rido saddle. He's done several 100 mile plus irdes since he bought it and he thinks it's the best thing ever. I tried loads of saddles and finally went with a Sella Italia Diva saddle, specially made for the ladies and it's worth every single penny. Not cheap but worth it's weight in gold.

It's a bit like the princess and frog thing, you have to try loads before you find the saddle of your dreams (Unless you're very, bery lucky and get one first time of asking) xx

I'm going to have to bump this thread so I can find it later and take a close look. I am thinking of changing out what I have.

I rented a Fizik Aliante and after four rides I have decided to purchase one. I have ridden saddles with cutouts for several years and I am amazed at how comfortable a saddle without one is. I'm having no issues from the lack of a cutout and the saddle seems so supportive and comfy. But my recent saddles were less expensive than the Aliante so it is something of an apples to oranges comparison. But whatever, I really like the Fizik Aliante and am looking forward to enjoying it for a while. Thanks to all for all of the thoughts and input!

I have a fiziks, I didn't like it on the road bike but for some reason it is quite comfy on the mountain bike

Charge Spoon's are supposed to be excellent!

I moved over to an ISM Adamo Road. One of the best upgrades I've made.

That looks funky... What benefits have you noticed since swapping over?

I moved over to an ISM Adamo Road. One of the best upgrades I've made.

That looks funky... What benefits have you noticed since swapping over?

Adamo saddles drop the nose in favor of split rails. The split rails make the seat a bit wider to relieve pressure on the Perineal nerve and support improved circulation. I do not have enough experience to truly judge the difference (I have only been riding 8 months), but I can attest that I had a very narrow (and uncomfortable) saddle on my "stock" road bike. I moved to an Adamo on the recommendation of a friend and glad I did.