You are a crazy detail obsessed nutjob. Thank you so much! All of us lazy sods really really appreciate all the work you put into this sort of thing for us. I'm happily running waxed chains now thanks to you. I now look forward to finding the perfect saddle with your help.
What I found was once you do find the perfect saddle....go out and buy multiples so you have them for the future because like running shoes the manufacturers always change design and "fit".
I'm only about 10 minutes in, but already I can see just how much care and attention you have taken over these saddle videos. I really appreciate it and I think these will be really useful to me, just like your amazing chain waxing videos. Well done mate!!!
Thanks very informative. I also measure from the front of the saddle to the back of the hoods, as tilting the bars/hoods can shorten the reach and raise the torso.
the name of that saddle is Arione (R5 is just the specific variety of material selection). It's flat and good for cyclists with strong power, high flexibility and stability to keep you from sliding back and forth. The curved up back of the saddle is good for people who need some assistance with the stability. If you like the curved up one, Fizik has one called Aliante. If you only need a modest curve, Antares could be the right shape
I am always so impressed with how well-made, informative and interesting your videos are. Whenever I need to know something about cycling, I always go to your channel first. Excellent work and thank you for sharing all of this.
Mines34.88 inches measured from bottom of the stroke to top of saddle. This however led me to hyper extending of my knees so I set it a little lower to ease any hyper extension issues. I also no longer ride with cleats. They chew up your knees and for the slight gain in power are not worth ruining my knees. The best cycling shoes were Onitsuka Tigers and you placed them in a set of Lyotard pedals with Christoffe toe clips and I had the comfyest bike ride immaginable. That was then this is now. I now ride with logging boots and flat plastic pedals without toe c lips. My saddles been biting me in the ass. So im still fussing with saddle positioning on my mountain bike. I grew up on an orange crate then a lemon peeler then supersport. Then motobecane then peugeot. Out of all of them peugeot was the most comfortable and encouraged me to ride. There arent many bicycles that can do that!
Best I've ever had, the Selle Italia Turbo which I got in 1991. I've tried others, but keep going back to this. In my opinion, the ones that try to make the saddle as lean as possible by cutting out all of the seemingly unnecessary areas... those are the most uncomfortable. There's a reason the Turbo has sides to it, and a rounded nose, and that fantastic curve over the middle which runs down the side... it's sits perfectly between my bones and allows me to ride all day long and ample yet firm padding, and good flex to it as well. When looking for your most comfortable saddle, look for one that your seat bones and resting on the insides of the pubic bones or pubic arch, or inside of the ischium -- there are many names for the area. You don't want a saddle that is so wide that the bottom part of your ischium is sitting on the saddle, that will create a lot of discomfort and eventually pain. At one time, the Turbo was the cheap saddle they put on all bikes -- I'm glad I didn't have enough money to upgrade it when I purchased my bike as it turned out to be great, it's a workhorse and still using it after nearly 30 years.
I had a peugeot px10 a latter model that had a Sella I thought it was decent. Still not as comfortable as the brooks professional racing saddle though. People didn't know enough to soak them in neatsfoot over night in a paint tray. I LEARNED THIS FROM EUGENE A. SLOAN. I NEVER DID SOAK MY SADDLE THOUGH. I ALWAYS RUBBED STUFF INTO IT. SOME SWORE UP AND DOWN YOU HAD TO WHACK THE SADDLE WITH A ROLLING PIN OR BASEBALL BAT. IF YOU PUT TOO MUCH OIL ON THE SADDLE AND IT WAS OLD IT WOULD RIP OUT OF THE IRON FRAME. IVE HAD THAT HAPPEN ON A RIDE. I STILL BELIEVE IN BROOKS SADDLES THEY WERE COMFORTABLE. THE RACING WAS MORE COMFORTABLE THAN THE TOURING FOR SOME STRANGE REASON. IT DIDNT MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME BUT THAT IS WHAT MY BOTTOM TOLD ME ANYWAY. YOU CAN SAVE WEIGHT WITH A PLASTIC SADDLE BUT YOUR HIND END PROBABLY WILL BE AT WAR WITH YOU ON A LONG RIDE. ADGA WAS ANOTHER GOOD SADDLE.
Very informative video.... One thing though, I wince every time you clamp your Canyon by it's top tube in the repair stand.... Any carbon bike should be put in a repair stand that holds the bike by its front fork drop outs, and bottom bracket....
Saddle number one appears to be exactly the same as the "stealth" saddle from Pro (Shimano). The $20 version (made in China) is no longer available. Possibly it was withdrawn because of pressure from Shimano or maybe the Chinese manufacturers make them for Shimano Pro brand. Looking at all views it appears to be exactly the same and as he says "it seems like they got the price wrong ". If you want to try this saddle you will have to buy the Pro Stealth.
I recommend using a turbo trainer so you can experiment with different adjustments at home. This will help you get the set up right much quicker. Make notes of the various setting on your tablet for quick reference and comparison.
Dang, you are cute. You remind me of my cycling fam. dr. who has been trying to get me to exercise forever. Bad runs of plantar fasciitis have sent me to cycling. Trying to figure out what to do to make it more comfortable and sustainable. Sadly, since he is retiring, I am losing one of the best persons I have ever had in my life to help me. Watching your vids has helped lift a heavy heart. I am amazed at and appreciative of your enthusiasm and knowledge. Thanks for the effort you put into them.
I think I have always had difficulty to get saddle right, because I have long arms. Wing span 181, body height 173. And shoulder width is.. difficult to measure, but I got 38cm when measuring from shoulder bone to bone, when choosing handlebar(witch I then bought 40 cm wide, and they seems perfect fit for me). Anyways I always been struggling to get saddle to correct position, until I change to shorter stem. It seems that by default most bicycles have handlebar too high and too far away. After I changed the stem on my current bike to 1cm shorter, I was able to lower handlebar 2.5 cm and now I can ride also on hods too. Previously I could only ride on drops and also tops, but was not comfortable. I was moving saddle fore aft all the time and swapping different saddle models too. Distance from the saddle widest part as you showed in this video to middle of handlebar is now only 71 or 72 cm... But somehow I feel inferior and weakling because of that.. Though I think my position in bike is not too bad, not that upright.. Handlebar is 5cm lover than saddle too. But all strong riders have handlebar stretched out so so far away, with long stem.. I guess it's same thing as chain ring size. You won't feel like being real man, if your distance from saddle to handlebar is too short.. My chain rings are 36/46. :D Some silly website was suggesting, that people with positive ape index should buy rather one size bigger frame than smaller. Which is completely wrong, because ape index does not account torso height and shoulder width/actual arm length. Anyways, great video. Thanks. PS. It would be nice, if I could grow bicycle saddles on field, like potatoes. ^_^
WOW! $20 saddles! What a great starting point - guaranteeing ( in my opinion ) failure. I am 67, grew up in the 50's. As most kids of that era, we lived on our bikes. I rode tell my mid to late 40's. Tee shirt races ( charity events were you got one for entering), triathlons even helped to organize bicycle club events, Mountain bike rides ( longest 50 miles road -5-10% to get to the NOT ROAD sections). Even did one century ride - all road. In our single digits we started on tricycles ( they got banded as unsafe), then 20" two wheelers - which in the 60's we converted to "stingrays". By 14-15 I moved to an "English Bike" with 26" skinny wheels - I bought a single speed - not enough $ for the "3 speed". It came with a seat I hated. Went back to the bike shop, and they had one they said I might like, but it was $12-$13, big money then, but I had it, so I got it. In July of this year I finally had to give it away with my "racing Bike" a Trek 560 w/mods I sold ( bought it in 84) wanted something that work better ( trails and pavement) . It was a Brooks B-72, I could not adapt it to fit my new bike's seat post ( starting to ride again after 18 year layoff). Everything I owned from the "English Bike" bike on, it went on, as what ever the bike came with, did not work for me - the Brooks always did. Except once I tried a "Double Century", but my legs gave out! The new bike ( TREK FX3) is no different, seat is good for about 16-18 miles. So I have ordered another Brooks to fit it. B-72 no longer made - replacement is called "B-17 Standard". I looked at all the reviews about it. Most everyone loves it. I am hoping it fits like my "72". I know they can take 50 or more miles to start the "break in" but it comes with all you will need to make it fit YOU. BUT BROOKS HAS ONE FOR YOU. Believe me you do not need to try a basket full of cheap ( inexpensive) $20-$40 seats.
Yeah, well, plenty of people can't use a Brooks too. So really the question is, risk a bunch $20 amounts on cheapies or risk $150 on a Brooks. At least you could resell the Brooks (for a $20 loss). Personally, I know what a B17 feels like (before it was stolen), I may go back to it, the 4x2 lump of lumber vibe from the current selle is getting a bit old..
Great video! I just recently bought a giant TCR coming from a giant contend. And although the saddles are identical. I was having a lot of pain/saddle sores on my inner thighs with the new bike. I just bought an Ergon Sr pro saddle, but I think my body has been getting used to the new position on my bike and I am gradually having less and less pain. So I'm debating on returning my new saddle now lol. No returns if used so don't have the luxury to try it.
Holy cow are you me? I've settled into the ergon sr pro for now. My 2021 TCR came stock with a giant fleet SL saddle. Same soft tissue soreness you experience. Still not 100% comfortable on the ergon. Hoping to work it out with some adjustments because specialized does not make the toupe anymore.
Great advice. Critical! For comfort. Made my 500km weekly commuting a painters experience GET FITTED SPEND SOME COIN AND TIME ON AN IDEAL SEAT FOR YOU!don't use a Mr garrison it style saddle unless you're reaaaaally committed...
Id like to see a saddle that was like a modular system so you could buy a different rails length for eg as im finding this to be an issue the rail size on some newer 2023/24 saddles are just an inch or so to short! The SDG V3 bel air being one of these saddles!
Hello Mr. Oz. One more time other great, great video. I am looking forward to the next ones. Thanks a lot one more time and regards from Sao Paulo, Brazil Francisco Alonso Colom PS.: When are you going to ride with your bicycle here in Brazil?
The fizik Arione R5 kills me, almost as bad as the Selle Italia X1, but worst of all is the classic Selle Italia Turbo... it cracks my nuts. Funnily enough I really like the Selle Italia Flite Classic, in general this kind of saddle fits well. It's just a little too expensive for me. The Merida Saddle Comp CC that came standard with my Scultura I also get along relatively well, but after 60 minutes it gets a bit numb down below... is probably too soft. At the moment I am looking at the UP Toseek EVA, for the price I could definitely try it.
Ahh, the saddle crisis - what a terrible place to be! I know it so well. So after many trials and especially errors, I have a fine saddle on my road bike: Velo Speedflex 135. Nothing fancy, but does the perfect trick. On my touring bike I initially had a Selle Italia Qbik which gave my an ache after about 5 hours riding, then I tried a Brooks B17 standard which was very nice but too wide (would choose B17 narrow probably blindfolded), but for the moment I put on an old Cannondale saddle which is similar to Velo, as it is narrower as all the others. I have another 4-5 saddles hanging around unused at the moment. One is a Fizik Antares, I used to have an SMP Dynamic, none worked for me.
In the same line of thought. I’ve used most a Selle Italia C2, for something like 4 years. A bike fitter later told it would be “for a teenager”. I was about 30 at the time so... :)) and in my MTB days I’ve also used for years a WTB laser. Shapewise that was my favorite saddle. It looks very similar to the Fizik Aliante.
That first shot is from the Fizik factory in Italy, I know because I have been. We sell Fizik saddle in our shop and we use a spine concept system to match the saddle to the user. If you use the wrong fizik saddle it won't feel good, but I have been using a Arione for years and it's perfect for me. We fit our customers to the saddle and we let them test them as well. So far we have had a 100% success rate with men and women. Please don't talk badly about the Fizik saddles because you clearly don't understand how the Fizik fit system works, you called it an R5? That just the level of the saddle. Name of the saddle is important, if you are not a flexible rider then the Arione will not be good for you but a different Fizik saddle will work for you. Saying "this Chinese saddle is better than a fizik is just misleading" also the Chinese seat are undercutting and copying European saddles, the Fizik saddles are hand made in Italy. The more you promote china made copies the more you damage legitimate businesses still employing people in Europe.
I concur with the butthurt comment. I have been riding a Canyon Endurace CF SL 8.0 since January. It came stock with a made in Italy Fizik Aliante R5 saddle. I tried to work through the discomfort for the first three weeks but it was just too much to bear. I had severe numbness even after short rides of 20 miles or less and I started to get two saddle sores. The sores were not under the sit bones but rather on the inside of my crotch area, one on each side. I am skinny, 5'8", 130 lbs. so you would think this narrow Fizik saddle would work for me. I have been using Specialized saddles on my hybrid bike for years with no issues. I talked with my son and he recommended the one he uses on his road bike, the Specialized Power Expert saddle. I chose the 143mm width. No numbness on long rides and my saddle sores have healed. Saddles are definitely an individual thing. One that works for you may not work for the next man, however, those Fizik Aliante saddles are uniquely sadistic. It's interesting to note that the first saddle Oz reviewed in this video (which he seemed to have liked) looks a lot like a People's Republic of China clone of the made in Taiwan Specialized Power saddle.
I think its myth that your saddle should be flat. For a start the vector of force is not straight down but pointing backwards. Therefore you should tillt your saddle forwards so that the force vector is at 90 degrees. This also has the added benefit of clearing your soft tissue at the front. I also like my saddle more forward. I ignore the knee over spindle idea. The first thing I do with a new bike is to buy a none layback seat post. Considering tilt and level ground; all you need to do is use your spirit level on your smart phone. You just need to turn the bike around so that its pointing the opposite way. It should read the same. If not put something under a wheel. Also with the ruler method, why dont you just measure from the tip of the saddle down to the top tube.
there is (was) a guy in the NYC area who rode with out a saddle (and seatpost i HOPE!!!). he would do 100 miles at a clip... all because his wife was convinced that he was going to go soft, and unable to perform his husbandly duties. ran through a few BBs per season.
Excellent didactic and videos..congrats How did you get your initial measure (783 mm) to start with..what kind of method did you use to get your saddle height..? Thanks again
783mm is my personal best height from decades of riding. This video isn't to find your height or length but to find your best saddle fit. Sorry I haven't done a bike fit video as there are plenty of them on CZcams already.
PRO Stealth Saddle(Orginal) What he got is a fake one but with same shape and same width compare to the real. I actually jsut receive the real one few days ago and they feels relly comfortable to me. BUT, It still depends on your position while riding and how your seat bone shaped. The best solution to this is to try it by yourself in the local retail bike shop. Your butt never lie.
I would love to visit you in your Workshop - don't panic I live in Europe. I was in bad pain with the saddle on my bike, tried a millon different saddels, positions and pants. I want one of your tools :)
I will say this in order to test seats you need to be naked in order to try the seat. The reason is if you wear shorts or pants with paddings that padding will be squished down so it is useless. The best seats with the split seam seats are the best due to man having different size testicles the v channel is like a soft rounded pocket for them. This is why you should always get a seat for you not someone else. V split seats in my opinion at the best for comfort.
What´s your inseam height? Just to correlate it to your seat height and see if it follows any rule or formula, as I have set mine. Thanks, such a nice video.
This comment might be a bit premature but I’ll ask any way. So far I’ve truly enjoyed the video and extremely glad you made it and the detail in which you did, however you mentioned the lengths but never how to measure to find these lengths. Where you insinuating that one should keep experimenting with adjusting these numbers to find your comfort level?
Good video on finding the saddle height. What happened if you changed the crank from 172.5 to 170 or even 165. Is this measurement have to changed, right?
Thanks for the info - interesting and informative. I like the look of that fancy saddle height tool, it has been on the 2DO list to make, but if it is already made then that saves time. Where did it come from?
oz cycle You tricky devil! I was wondering the same as I am picking up my 'first' dedicated road bike this weekend...the seat that's on there is horrid (too wide). I'll have to wait 😱🌎👌
I still have and use it Roberto, its great. Just remember to turn it back to zero before storing away each time which is dine with most torque wrenches anyhow.
Great video as always. Can you post the saddles that you used for the tests? I would like to try one you tested. I have had good experiences with cheap saddles from Aliex trying different styles to test out the ones that fit best before getting a better quality one with same shape and materials. I have found however some of the cheap saddles are excellent quality. I got a leather one with real Ti rails for $30.
@@stevenleffanue Hi! Thank you so much for this video. Very helpful. Can you recommend some good 168 saddles? I'm a really big rider 6'3 110 kg with a lot of power (325 ftp) and very wide sit bones (ex-american footballer). I'm coming from the specialized power and finding there are not a lot of options other than the Specialized Romin Evo Comp Gel. The power gives me a lot of chafing when I'm putting down a lot of watts.
You are a crazy detail obsessed nutjob. Thank you so much! All of us lazy sods really really appreciate all the work you put into this sort of thing for us. I'm happily running waxed chains now thanks to you. I now look forward to finding the perfect saddle with your help.
What I found was once you do find the perfect saddle....go out and buy multiples so you have them for the future because like running shoes the manufacturers always change design and "fit".
Over 3k miles on my AliExpress EC90 saddle (less than $20) and it still looks and performs like the day I installed it. My best saddle to date.
I'm only about 10 minutes in, but already I can see just how much care and attention you have taken over these saddle videos. I really appreciate it and I think these will be really useful to me, just like your amazing chain waxing videos. Well done mate!!!
Thanks very informative. I also measure from the front of the saddle to the back of the hoods, as tilting the bars/hoods can shorten the reach and raise the torso.
the name of that saddle is Arione (R5 is just the specific variety of material selection). It's flat and good for cyclists with strong power, high flexibility and stability to keep you from sliding back and forth. The curved up back of the saddle is good for people who need some assistance with the stability. If you like the curved up one, Fizik has one called Aliante. If you only need a modest curve, Antares could be the right shape
Brilliantly Practical - you are a great Teacher!! Thank you from South Africa!
Best video I have found on saddle choice and positioning by far.
Very good explanation . I never saw someone in a bicycle shop doing these measurements . Sure thing every centimeter counts. Thank you .
What a great video. I watched this with a cup of coffee. I had no idea I would find it so interesting, but I did. Cheers.
Impressive content! Thank you for sharing your knowledge
Years ago I got a cloud 9 wide and thick foam padding saddle. Being a cruiser with high rise front handlebars, that seat has been the best for me.
I am always so impressed with how well-made, informative and interesting your videos are. Whenever I need to know something about cycling, I always go to your channel first. Excellent work and thank you for sharing all of this.
Me too, also feel the same 👍😀
Mines34.88 inches measured from bottom of the stroke to top of saddle. This however led me to hyper extending of my knees so I set it a little lower to ease any hyper extension issues. I also no longer ride with cleats. They chew up your knees and for the slight gain in power are not worth ruining my knees. The best cycling shoes were Onitsuka Tigers and you placed them in a set of Lyotard pedals with Christoffe toe clips and I had the comfyest bike ride immaginable. That was then this is now. I now ride with logging boots and flat plastic pedals without toe c lips. My saddles been biting me in the ass. So im still fussing with saddle positioning on my mountain bike. I grew up on an orange crate then a lemon peeler then supersport. Then motobecane then peugeot. Out of all of them peugeot was the most comfortable and encouraged me to ride. There arent many bicycles that can do that!
Very well put together organized and presented.
Makes a lot of the known bits usable and helped me track my changes.
Best I've ever had, the Selle Italia Turbo which I got in 1991. I've tried others, but keep going back to this. In my opinion, the ones that try to make the saddle as lean as possible by cutting out all of the seemingly unnecessary areas... those are the most uncomfortable. There's a reason the Turbo has sides to it, and a rounded nose, and that fantastic curve over the middle which runs down the side... it's sits perfectly between my bones and allows me to ride all day long and ample yet firm padding, and good flex to it as well. When looking for your most comfortable saddle, look for one that your seat bones and resting on the insides of the pubic bones or pubic arch, or inside of the ischium -- there are many names for the area. You don't want a saddle that is so wide that the bottom part of your ischium is sitting on the saddle, that will create a lot of discomfort and eventually pain. At one time, the Turbo was the cheap saddle they put on all bikes -- I'm glad I didn't have enough money to upgrade it when I purchased my bike as it turned out to be great, it's a workhorse and still using it after nearly 30 years.
I had a peugeot px10 a latter model that had a Sella I thought it was decent. Still not as comfortable as the brooks professional racing saddle though. People didn't know enough to soak them in neatsfoot over night in a paint tray. I LEARNED THIS FROM EUGENE A. SLOAN. I NEVER DID SOAK MY SADDLE THOUGH. I ALWAYS RUBBED STUFF INTO IT. SOME SWORE UP AND DOWN YOU HAD TO WHACK THE SADDLE WITH A ROLLING PIN OR BASEBALL BAT. IF YOU PUT TOO MUCH OIL ON THE SADDLE AND IT WAS OLD IT WOULD RIP OUT OF THE IRON FRAME. IVE HAD THAT HAPPEN ON A RIDE. I STILL BELIEVE IN BROOKS SADDLES THEY WERE COMFORTABLE. THE RACING WAS MORE COMFORTABLE THAN THE TOURING FOR SOME STRANGE REASON. IT DIDNT MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME BUT THAT IS WHAT MY BOTTOM TOLD ME ANYWAY. YOU CAN SAVE WEIGHT WITH A PLASTIC SADDLE BUT YOUR HIND END PROBABLY WILL BE AT WAR WITH YOU ON A LONG RIDE. ADGA WAS ANOTHER GOOD
SADDLE.
Very informative video.... One thing though, I wince every time you clamp your Canyon by it's top tube in the repair stand.... Any carbon bike should be put in a repair stand that holds the bike by its front fork drop outs, and bottom bracket....
Always a pleasure to follow your experiences and tips. Good job! Thank you for this.
I always enjoy watching your videos, always entertaining and informative at the same time, thank you
His chain lube videos are also very good.........
Your videos are just awesome and really instructive :) thank you !
Best video on saddles I’ve watched so far, thank you so much 😊,
thanks ,grazie è una risorsa importante per me ....vi seguo Andrea from italy
Saddle number one appears to be exactly the same as the "stealth" saddle from Pro (Shimano). The $20 version (made in China) is no longer available.
Possibly it was withdrawn because of pressure from Shimano or maybe the Chinese manufacturers make them for Shimano Pro brand.
Looking at all views it appears to be exactly the same and as he says "it seems like they got the price wrong ".
If you want to try this saddle you will have to buy the Pro Stealth.
Love your work just need to make sure I watching the latest version like your waxing the chain.
I recommend using a turbo trainer so you can experiment with different adjustments at home. This will help you get the set up right much quicker. Make notes of the various setting on your tablet for quick reference and comparison.
ton of info in this great video...thanks.
i love the educational stuff. well made sir.
second day i am seeing your channel ,,,, unbelievable !
That was really a nice teaching, I like long videos ,thank you
Dang, you are cute. You remind me of my cycling fam. dr. who has been trying to get me to exercise forever. Bad runs of plantar fasciitis have sent me to cycling. Trying to figure out what to do to make it more comfortable and sustainable. Sadly, since he is retiring, I am losing one of the best persons I have ever had in my life to help me. Watching your vids has helped lift a heavy heart. I am amazed at and appreciative of your enthusiasm and knowledge. Thanks for the effort you put into them.
The best video that makes sense 👋👍💥🥳😍🚴♀️ as all other videos bravo and kudos 🤩🙏
Great tips and very detailed video ..Thank you ...
I think I have always had difficulty to get saddle right, because I have long arms. Wing span 181, body height 173. And shoulder width is.. difficult to measure, but I got 38cm when measuring from shoulder bone to bone, when choosing handlebar(witch I then bought 40 cm wide, and they seems perfect fit for me). Anyways I always been struggling to get saddle to correct position, until I change to shorter stem. It seems that by default most bicycles have handlebar too high and too far away. After I changed the stem on my current bike to 1cm shorter, I was able to lower handlebar 2.5 cm and now I can ride also on hods too. Previously I could only ride on drops and also tops, but was not comfortable. I was moving saddle fore aft all the time and swapping different saddle models too. Distance from the saddle widest part as you showed in this video to middle of handlebar is now only 71 or 72 cm... But somehow I feel inferior and weakling because of that.. Though I think my position in bike is not too bad, not that upright.. Handlebar is 5cm lover than saddle too. But all strong riders have handlebar stretched out so so far away, with long stem.. I guess it's same thing as chain ring size. You won't feel like being real man, if your distance from saddle to handlebar is too short.. My chain rings are 36/46. :D
Some silly website was suggesting, that people with positive ape index should buy rather one size bigger frame than smaller. Which is completely wrong, because ape index does not account torso height and shoulder width/actual arm length.
Anyways, great video. Thanks.
PS. It would be nice, if I could grow bicycle saddles on field, like potatoes. ^_^
WOW! $20 saddles! What a great starting point - guaranteeing ( in my opinion ) failure. I am 67, grew up in the 50's. As most kids of that era, we lived on our bikes. I rode tell my mid to late 40's. Tee shirt races ( charity events were you got one for entering), triathlons even helped to organize bicycle club events, Mountain bike rides ( longest 50 miles road -5-10% to get to the NOT ROAD sections). Even did one century ride - all road.
In our single digits we started on tricycles ( they got banded as unsafe), then 20" two wheelers - which in the 60's we converted to "stingrays". By 14-15 I moved to an "English Bike" with 26" skinny wheels - I bought a single speed - not enough $ for the "3 speed". It came with a seat I hated. Went back to the bike shop, and they had one they said I might like, but it was $12-$13, big money then, but I had it, so I got it. In July of this year I finally had to give it away with my "racing Bike" a Trek 560 w/mods I sold ( bought it in 84) wanted something that work better ( trails and pavement) . It was a Brooks B-72, I could not adapt it to fit my new bike's seat post ( starting to ride again after 18 year layoff). Everything I owned from the "English Bike" bike on, it went on, as what ever the bike came with, did not work for me - the Brooks always did. Except once I tried a "Double Century", but my legs gave out! The new bike ( TREK FX3) is no different, seat is good for about 16-18 miles. So I have ordered another Brooks to fit it. B-72 no longer made - replacement is called "B-17 Standard". I looked at all the reviews about it. Most everyone loves it. I am hoping it fits like my "72". I know they can take 50 or more miles to start the "break in" but it comes with all you will need to make it fit YOU. BUT BROOKS HAS ONE FOR YOU. Believe me you do not need to try a basket full of cheap ( inexpensive) $20-$40 seats.
Yeah, well, plenty of people can't use a Brooks too. So really the question is, risk a bunch $20 amounts on cheapies or risk $150 on a Brooks. At least you could resell the Brooks (for a $20 loss). Personally, I know what a B17 feels like (before it was stolen), I may go back to it, the 4x2 lump of lumber vibe from the current selle is getting a bit old..
This is pure gold
Looking forward to more of your videos!!!
That was very nice video , sir , i like ur jersey .. tnx & god bless ... keep safe ride oz cycle ...
Great video! I just recently bought a giant TCR coming from a giant contend. And although the saddles are identical. I was having a lot of pain/saddle sores on my inner thighs with the new bike. I just bought an Ergon Sr pro saddle, but I think my body has been getting used to the new position on my bike and I am gradually having less and less pain. So I'm debating on returning my new saddle now lol. No returns if used so don't have the luxury to try it.
Holy cow are you me? I've settled into the ergon sr pro for now. My 2021 TCR came stock with a giant fleet SL saddle. Same soft tissue soreness you experience. Still not 100% comfortable on the ergon. Hoping to work it out with some adjustments because specialized does not make the toupe anymore.
The problem with these videos is they are from the perspective of a road bike user and not a commuter where we don't wear the padded shorts.
The One to rule them all... It's more likely the saddle position that's at fault and not the saddle itself.
Amazing video. Thank you.
Interesting video and very informative...what is the name model and brand of the first seat please? Thanks
Great advice. Critical! For comfort. Made my 500km weekly commuting a painters experience GET FITTED SPEND SOME COIN AND TIME ON AN IDEAL SEAT FOR YOU!don't use a Mr garrison it style saddle unless you're reaaaaally committed...
Id like to see a saddle that was like a modular system so you could buy a different rails length for eg as im finding this to be an issue the rail size on some newer 2023/24 saddles are just an inch or so to short! The SDG V3 bel air being one of these saddles!
That bike is so sexy, I cant get my eyes of it. The details, the color combinations..... Super nice!
Where did you buy the short seat?
I am a mountain bike trail rider. Can you do a video about that too?
Good video btw.
I prefer just a seatpost.. Engourages you to sprint a lot.
You're gonna have to do a bike size buying guide, getting into bike fit matey, hope you're braced and ready for impact.!!!!
Also, the seat too far back will put a lot of strain on the psoas/groin muscles. Very very tiring on a long ride.
Great to see this new video! Very informative, thanks Steven. :D
Glad you like it Leo. Parts 2 will be uploaded in 1 week. The R6 is seen in Part 3 mostly.
Thanks , by the way this Campagnolo shirt looks great on you.
Got it at this years TDU. One year you gotta come for it Leo!! 😎
Hello Mr. Oz. One more time other great, great video. I am looking forward to the next ones.
Thanks a lot one more time and regards from Sao Paulo, Brazil
Francisco Alonso Colom
PS.: When are you going to ride with your bicycle here in Brazil?
Glad you like the vid Francisco. Id love to ride with you in Brazil but I dont travel much...never been out of Australia. 😎
Put them all together you got ageing !
10:48 Yeah.. let me drink this 6 months old gravy I have in here..Yep you never have enough water.
The fizik Arione R5 kills me, almost as bad as the Selle Italia X1, but worst of all is the classic Selle Italia Turbo... it cracks my nuts. Funnily enough I really like the Selle Italia Flite Classic, in general this kind of saddle fits well. It's just a little too expensive for me.
The Merida Saddle Comp CC that came standard with my Scultura I also get along relatively well, but after 60 minutes it gets a bit numb down below... is probably too soft. At the moment I am looking at the UP Toseek EVA, for the price I could definitely try it.
My measurement is 772. Eddie Merckx is 780. I like the nose of my saddle pointed a few millimeters to the left of center. I hope you discuss this.
Yes, The ventisit for recumbent bikes. I add rubber mats below for more comfort. Have you ever presented any recumbents?
Ahh, the saddle crisis - what a terrible place to be! I know it so well. So after many trials and especially errors, I have a fine saddle on my road bike: Velo Speedflex 135. Nothing fancy, but does the perfect trick. On my touring bike I initially had a Selle Italia Qbik which gave my an ache after about 5 hours riding, then I tried a Brooks B17 standard which was very nice but too wide (would choose B17 narrow probably blindfolded), but for the moment I put on an old Cannondale saddle which is similar to Velo, as it is narrower as all the others. I have another 4-5 saddles hanging around unused at the moment. One is a Fizik Antares, I used to have an SMP Dynamic, none worked for me.
Thanx for relating your saddle experiences Tamas. Goes to show its all about riding the saddle.
In the same line of thought. I’ve used most a Selle Italia C2, for something like 4 years. A bike fitter later told it would be “for a teenager”. I was about 30 at the time so... :)) and in my MTB days I’ve also used for years a WTB laser. Shapewise that was my favorite saddle. It looks very similar to the Fizik Aliante.
I'm one of those 17 %, my right leg is 2cm shorter than my left due to Perthes disease.
what is that first saddle? Ergon? what are similar brands?
Nice one thanks
That first shot is from the Fizik factory in Italy, I know because I have been. We sell Fizik saddle in our shop and we use a spine concept system to match the saddle to the user. If you use the wrong fizik saddle it won't feel good, but I have been using a Arione for years and it's perfect for me. We fit our customers to the saddle and we let them test them as well. So far we have had a 100% success rate with men and women.
Please don't talk badly about the Fizik saddles because you clearly don't understand how the Fizik fit system works, you called it an R5? That just the level of the saddle. Name of the saddle is important, if you are not a flexible rider then the Arione will not be good for you but a different Fizik saddle will work for you. Saying "this Chinese saddle is better than a fizik is just misleading" also the Chinese seat are undercutting and copying European saddles, the Fizik saddles are hand made in Italy. The more you promote china made copies the more you damage legitimate businesses still employing people in Europe.
butthurt?
I concur with the butthurt comment. I have been riding a Canyon Endurace CF SL 8.0 since January. It came stock with a made in Italy Fizik Aliante R5 saddle. I tried to work through the discomfort for the first three weeks but it was just too much to bear. I had severe numbness even after short rides of 20 miles or less and I started to get two saddle sores. The sores were not under the sit bones but rather on the inside of my crotch area, one on each side. I am skinny, 5'8", 130 lbs. so you would think this narrow Fizik saddle would work for me. I have been using Specialized saddles on my hybrid bike for years with no issues. I talked with my son and he recommended the one he uses on his road bike, the Specialized Power Expert saddle. I chose the 143mm width. No numbness on long rides and my saddle sores have healed. Saddles are definitely an individual thing. One that works for you may not work for the next man, however, those Fizik Aliante saddles are uniquely sadistic. It's interesting to note that the first saddle Oz reviewed in this video (which he seemed to have liked) looks a lot like a People's Republic of China clone of the made in Taiwan Specialized Power saddle.
I think its myth that your saddle should be flat. For a start the vector of force is not straight down but pointing backwards. Therefore you should tillt your saddle forwards so that the force vector is at 90 degrees. This also has the added benefit of clearing your soft tissue at the front. I also like my saddle more forward. I ignore the knee over spindle idea. The first thing I do with a new bike is to buy a none layback seat post.
Considering tilt and level ground; all you need to do is use your spirit level on your smart phone. You just need to turn the bike around so that its pointing the opposite way. It should read the same. If not put something under a wheel. Also with the ruler method, why dont you just measure from the tip of the saddle down to the top tube.
there is (was) a guy in the NYC area who rode with out a saddle (and seatpost i HOPE!!!). he would do 100 miles at a clip... all because his wife was convinced that he was going to go soft, and unable to perform his husbandly duties.
ran through a few BBs per season.
Myths and legends eh.
Excellent didactic and videos..congrats
How did you get your initial measure (783 mm) to start with..what kind of method did you use to get your saddle height..? Thanks again
783mm is my personal best height from decades of riding. This video isn't to find your height or length but to find your best saddle fit. Sorry I haven't done a bike fit video as there are plenty of them on CZcams already.
a real life alfred 😄😁
So you spend all this time telling us how great that first seat is and you never tell us what it is. ;)
PRO Stealth Saddle(Orginal) What he got is a fake one but with same shape and same width compare to the real. I actually jsut receive the real one few days ago and they feels relly comfortable to me. BUT, It still depends on your position while riding and how your seat bone shaped. The best solution to this is to try it by yourself in the local retail bike shop. Your butt never lie.
I know it's been a year, but maybe it will still help and/or help others... search for the "toseek pro143" the Ec90 brand has one like it too.
@@fudman124 Thanks a lot!
From Aliexpress. I just bought a bunch of seats in my dimentions and a few fitted nicely
I would love to visit you in your Workshop - don't panic I live in Europe. I was in bad pain with the saddle on my bike, tried a millon different saddels, positions and pants.
I want one of your tools :)
Polo Compagnolo is great!)
I will say this in order to test seats you need to be naked in order to try the seat. The reason is if you wear shorts or pants with paddings that padding will be squished down so it is useless. The best seats with the split seam seats are the best due to man having different size testicles the v channel is like a soft rounded pocket for them. This is why you should always get a seat for you not someone else. V split seats in my opinion at the best for comfort.
Great and useful video! You will up your production value a lot if you get a simple lav mic you can record to your phone etc. cheers
What´s your inseam height? Just to correlate it to your seat height and see if it follows any rule or formula, as I have set mine. Thanks, such a nice video.
What about women's saddles these will be different
This comment might be a bit premature but I’ll ask any way. So far I’ve truly enjoyed the video and extremely glad you made it and the detail in which you did, however you mentioned the lengths but never how to measure to find these lengths. Where you insinuating that one should keep experimenting with adjusting these numbers to find your comfort level?
Answer is in the other related videos Marvin
excellent grand merci.
Good video on finding the saddle height. What happened if you changed the crank from 172.5 to 170 or even 165. Is this measurement have to changed, right?
No, you shouldn't have to change the saddle height. The centrepoint remains constant
hi! can you share the link for the first saddle. its the saddle that came with the box
So these are the step for after you’ve found your comfortable setup? Is this info that would be found should you do an actual bike fit?
Yes a bike fit is recommended
As with the set height, is there a formula (that you know of) for estimating your reach?
Thank you Sir!
Thanks for the info - interesting and informative. I like the look of that fancy saddle height tool, it has been on the 2DO list to make, but if it is already made then that saves time. Where did it come from?
greta video but some spelling needs correcting. Shoulders is teh correct spelling not sholders.
Would you include links to where we can find the saddles you tested?
Its in part 3 Adrian... about 2 weeks time
oz cycle You tricky devil! I was wondering the same as I am picking up my 'first' dedicated road bike this weekend...the seat that's on there is horrid (too wide). I'll have to wait 😱🌎👌
13:18 lists all the signs of possible mis-fit. Yeah ok got all of those signs. Dont we all? Thought it was normal after 2 hour rides.
Mine is Brooks B17. 😁 But they are heavy. 🙄
All my bikes have b17's on them
Good video. Thanks. How would this work with the Selle SMP TRK?
Same rules apply to all pear shaped saddles. More on that in part 2.
I want to thank you again. I really enjoy your videos.
The Selle SMP TRK took me from being unable to do more than about 60km of discomfort, to being able to ride across Japan. My highest recommendation.
The first seat looks like a copy of the PRO stealth
Will there be a saddle pressure analysis video?
Never caught the name or model of the first seat. Any ideas?....
But the sitbone center is not where the saddle width measures 7.2 cm? Where did you make the mark, aren't you too backward?
Sitbones are where they make an indentation on the saddle
So where do i buy the first one?
What about the length of the crank? 170, 172, 175. Why don’t you count that?
Slightly shorter crank facilitates higher RPM yes but less leverage.
Great video, what was your experience using venzo torque wrench? Is it worth to buy this cheaper tool?
I still have and use it Roberto, its great. Just remember to turn it back to zero before storing away each time which is dine with most torque wrenches anyhow.
Great video as always. Can you post the saddles that you used for the tests? I would like to try one you tested. I have had good experiences with cheap saddles from Aliex trying different styles to test out the ones that fit best before getting a better quality one with same shape and materials. I have found however some of the cheap saddles are excellent quality. I got a leather one with real Ti rails for $30.
Yes there are some great saddles from Aliexpress Charles. I will put up links to saddles on the 3rd video.
@@stevenleffanue Hi! Thank you so much for this video. Very helpful. Can you recommend some good 168 saddles? I'm a really big rider 6'3 110 kg with a lot of power (325 ftp) and very wide sit bones (ex-american footballer). I'm coming from the specialized power and finding there are not a lot of options other than the Specialized Romin Evo Comp Gel. The power gives me a lot of chafing when I'm putting down a lot of watts.
I see a lot of specialized power saddle out there
So what was saddle number 1?
A Specialized Pro Stealth copy from Aliexpress
It doesn’t make sense how they have $75 saddles. what type of special engineering do they think they are doing to justify such a price?
Paying for developing the technology rather than copying however I agree with you,a lot of namebrands are far overpriced.
Everybody had the same banana seat...
You state that you like a 143 mm saddle width. What is your measurement of your IT’s?
All my bikes have brooks b17's on them.
Any tips for measuring full-suspension bikes to take sag into account ?
6:34 - not tighten that much