Do these THREE things before changing SADDLE! //Ultimate Saddle Comfort
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- čas přidán 3. 07. 2022
- Choosing the right saddle... but before you have a search across the gazillion saddles out there have you tried these three simple and easy set up tips from Phil Burt.
These are the shorts Phil talked about at the end of the vid:
www.sigmasports.com/item/Endu...
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I'm not spending a small fortune on a saddle. Got a lower to mid range saddle went on half dozen rides adjusting tilt, height ect. Finally found a sweet spot now I'm good. Can ride forever!
I once chose a saddle based on pressure map. It looked good the first hour, but not after 4. Thing is, not all spots on your bottom have same sensitivity. Pressure may be higher in certain spots.
Thanks for another brilliant video Katie. So glad you’ve got Phil as a mate! The Master!
I've been using Endura Hummvee II, been using this for many years. Love them.
Great video. I recently got an SQLabs 612 saddle. Have only put about 100 miles on it, but really liking it so far. I don't even notice it when I'm riding, which is more than I can say about almost every other saddle that I've ridden over the past 20 years. The Fizik Arione is also surprisingly comfortable (flat saddle, no cut outs or relief channels and minimal padding), and rode the same one for about 4 years. Wish we had a Phil here in San Francisco.
A very relevant topic especially now we're hitting the summer season. I actually changed my saddle a week ago. Won't name the Brand but it was say mid to high range. Best thing I've done to the bike.
Nice informative vid. Really helpful set up tips. Thanks 🙏 😊
Thanks for this great video. Learned a lot. Can really use these advice.
Another tip before setting up your saddle, make sure the saddle / rails are not damaged or bent. Spent forever trying to set up a Selle saddle, I could never get equal comfort, then I noticed it had a manufacture fault 🤦
Good shout!
I had this happen to a Specialized Ronin saddle. The saddle itself broke where it joined the cutout. Wondered why it felt tilted. Replaced it with a Power Mimic Women's. Much better.
I did the pressure mapping process as part of a full bike fit back in 2020. Made ALL the difference to optimize my seating position on a new saddle that is much better suited to my riding position. I can't recommend this entire process enough for any rider. - Bob
Changing the saddle tilt did a massive change to my saddle comfort.
Another great video Katie. 👍
wonderful info, thank you very much!!!
This is a brilliant video, Katie! Thank you! I wish I had a Phil Burt to go to for bike fitting and saddle fitting! I'm almost always fettling with my saddle position until I get it just so. I'm currently tweaking my Fizik Arione saddle on a relatively recently built bike (self-build).
@Frankie Swimbladder1 hallelujah! Ahmen...😀
Yet another helpful video nice colab, it makes me wanna look up a bike fitter. Or even go to the UK :)
I am using the WTB Silverado with titanium rails saddle and the Easton EC70 carbon 20mm setback seat post. It rides like silk on the road, very comfortable. I am happy. Nicer than the car.
Super-sound advice that'll save a lot of uncomfortable trial & error -- thanks for posting this.
No bother at all :) glad it helped x
Recently ( last 12 months) changed from a saddle with no cut out, to one with a cut out and a slightly shorter nose, cause I was have pressure ( thus a sore developed ) cause well of increased cycling activity. So whilst healing I looked for a new saddle, including consulting a bike fitter, Price was a consideration , so I ended up with a Bontrager Saddle for $AUD 300 ( bout 200 pounds) . Considering some saddles I looked at were double even 3 times that price. First rides on the new saddle were difficult, cause getting used to a new saddle, wondering if every thing was good etc...
Ooo this is ace! I'm actually booked in to see Phil this Wednesday Katie!
No way!!! Ahhhhh tell him I said hello :) He will sort you. Phil's just blummin' ace!
@@KatieKookaburra I will!! It's all thanks to your videos! I've been really impressed and going to travel over and see him, excited is an understatement 👍
So bloomin useful. Purchased a Reise and Muller Charger 4 nearly a week ago. I have pain and soreness in areas that I didn’t know existed. I will be trying out some of the repositioning tips in the video.
Amazing let us know how you get on :)
Very helpful video 👍
Remember to charge your saddles often since the battery can get damaged if it is left drained for too long. If you have problems, always try restarting it first.
I defo need to charge mine up.
Remember to unplug it then press and hold the power button for 30 seconds before restarting.
I've tried several saddles over the past 2 years on a mountain bike. I found that even though I buy Large frame bikes, the saddles that come with them are only 142mm - medium. So, after measuring my sit bone gap, I bought a 150mm saddle which was much more comfortable. But even so, I found that adding a bit of 3mm sticky back foam helped decrease the pressure so it was spread more over the saddle. But you have to bear in mind that the comfort changes with how high the dropper post is.
I splashed out on the specialised mirror. The only saddle i've found comfortable out of five. For me, worth it!
This video has come to me at exactly the right time! Suffering from a bad saddle sore and about to start treatment from the doc. Just saw you comment Katie, about your Selle Diva Flow which is exactly what I have. Can't wait to get home and see if that's the issue as had it 4 yrs with no problems up until the past few months.
Yeah push it down and see if it gives a lot. If it is, get a new one!!! I replaced it with a Bontrager - they stopped making that one so next fave is Specialized Power Mimic!
@@KatieKookaburra Thank you! I’ve taken a wee video & sent you it on Instagram. I think maybe you’ve hit the nail on the head!
Tried the Specialized Romin Evo Comp before going to Bontrager Aeolus and O boi I love that saddle I'm never going back.
I'm a double hip replacement guy. I'm slowly putting together a touring mountain bike. And my limited saddle experience is that the old spring saddles are the best. I had a B17 that beat my poor bum to death. Then I got the same saddle but with springs and it was really a great saddle. I'm doing so much work, I'm sure my bike project will be finished just in time for my first heart attack.. (wink).. Nice video. thanks
Well i had a open heart surgey little over a year ago so you can come back from heart problems as well!! We have to remember to rest more tho and maybe not do to many km per day. Happy vibes to you!
Very helpful video, I was about to change my saddle but I’ll try moving it around first, great vid
Yesss try it!! What’s the worse then could happen? Let me know if it works :)
@@KatieKookaburra will do, looking forward to getting it sorted I’m usually pushing towards the back of the seat so some adjustments are definitely needed
That pressure mapping is a really nice set up. Would other fitters have this, or is it custom?
[I am not in the UK, so stopping in is not an option]
Surely the best video on this. You've said in one video what I've seen others create an entire series on. Thanks. (Oh and PS - I think you solved my saddle problems. Thanks!)
This comment has made my day!!! Thank you Jo! So glad you have found it helpful and it's made a difference to you :) Happy cycling my friend x
Wish you could do a video on Mtb saddles
Omg Katie
I went to see Phil last Monday due to saddle discomfort and aiming to do Mallorca 312 April 2023
Ended up with one of the new Fizik saddles after he checked my bike fit which was pretty much ‘bob on’
But my existing saddle pressure was so uneven on that ‘horsey’ bit of software
Much happier now
Top man that Phil - not sure he would like me to say he knows everything about bums!
Hi David. Where is he based?
Super helpful
I hate having to put a new saddle I find it hard to get the right one. Great vlog skinny k x
Great video
What is the reason that the padding is put into the shorts instead of having the saddles contain more padding so that padded shorts won't be needed?
Super helpful video! Current saddle used to be super comfy, could ride for hours no problem then it moved by a tiny amount and can't figure out what happened but it's now the reason I don't want to ride. Will try this and see, thank you!
it can only move in 3 planes. Height, tilt or fore/aft. sometimes the saddle filling breaks down or the rails start to fail
Also if you have had it years the padding does wear down. Also, it's not a Diva Gel Flow by any chance? I had one and it collapsed and all of a sudden was super painful to ride!
@@markrushton1516 Not quite, there's also right and left, providing you have a round post. I usually have to nudge mine a little to the right - one sit bone seems to be a little different than the other; friend of mine had to move hers too.
You can try a cellulose sponge in your cycle shorts this may relieve some of your pain. Your inseam x 1.09 should give an approximate correct saddle height from the center of the peddal spindle to top of saddle. If it seems too high lower a bit untill comfortable. Based on Eugene A. Sloans complete book of cycling. Happy cycling!
Endura do indeed have something interesting chammy wise for next year... I can't say anymore!
I have found recently that installing the bike saddle with it's RAILS (underneath) set level to the ground is quite often a very good idea as it helps to get the nose of the saddle down (and away from your sensitive area) allowing the back of the saddle to be raised and help you perch more on your sit bones. Hence it stops you sitting on too much soft tissue. Give it a try 👍
I'm going to give that a try as it seems how the designer would intend it to be fitted, initially at least. My bike mechanic, who prefers to sit towards the forward part of the same saddle, set mine so that the front, straight section, is level. I had to adjust it afterwards so that I can sit more evenly on the rear padded part, which makes more sense from a saddle designer's perspective but it is a question of trial and error trying to guess where the longitudinal centre of sitting gravitates over longer rides of 3+ hours. I have found a comfortable position but I want a reliable reference if I need to replace or to reposition the saddle and your suggestion is an excellent datum or starting point from which it is easy to record how many millimetres the saddle needs to be raised or lowered at the nose.
Absolutely, 100% right. Especially Specialized Power saddles are so odd that when you try to level the top surface, rails are tilted up 2-3 degs. So - counterintuitively - you need to level the rails. Big jump in comfort after discovering this. Having said all of that - Spec Power saddles are pretty though to set up...
I can see at least 2 other types of rails, some are not straight but curve and when you move the saddle forward it raises the nose up, raise the rear when you slide it backwards. This is the case with my Specialized Phenom.
Some come with a 15-20° with the saddle, obviously build so that when you slide the saddle forward or backwards, it compensates for the difference in height and you don't have to adjust the seat post...
Glad you have gained more comfort! It certainly helped me too@@Jarek.
Yes you may need to be careful with some saddle rails and how they are shaped, but generally if they have a 'flat' section, try get that level to the ground which will raise the rear of the saddle to get a better perch for your sit bones.@@DR_1_1
Good info
Phil Burt = treasure. I'll buy any book he writes.
Nice video!
Ha! Ordered a new saddle just yesterday! I tried the 3D printer Fizik Antares for a few weeks, but it wasn’t perfect. I’ve ridden the regular Antares for years without problems, but the 3D printed surface caused some unwanted friction. It’s trial and error really, next up is a Selle Italia SLR with some light padding 🤞
Good to know. My Antares is starting to creak and the saddle moves backwards and forwards a few mm on the rails. I was going to replace it with the 3D version, but might now just go with the same model and wait for the next generation of 3D .
Big fan of Endura products
Have used Endura Pro SL shorts, and their previous generation for years. Never had any issues and wouldn't use anything else.
Seat mapping is king. I had saddle discomfort and seat mapping confirmed it.
Set up my new saddle from Lidl (£9.99!) it's blooming brilliant!
Sometimes a very old system like the full thick hamic leather brooks leather that molds after a few long rides to the riders bottom.
i been messing with my saddle after seeing you with That guy lined you up on the bike, i thought mine is fine my bike is to long again then my mate made me an inch then went for a ride and thanks now my bike is the rite size LOL Thanks Katie still bloody hate hills though
good stuff
Hi Katie hru good on the saddles true you must have a good pair of knicks take care
Keeping the saddle exactly horizontal works very well for me
Does the sworks mirror fit everyone?
My bike was set up similarly to yours, Katie, with a short stem and the seat all the way forward on the rails (except mine has a lay back seatpost). I have long legs and a short torso so the reach has also been a stretch, literally. After years of saddle and fit issues, and after trying many different saddles and lowering my saddle to remedy sit bone pain, I finally had a professional bike fitting done and the fitter ended up turning my seatpost around to allow the "lay back" to put me even closer to the bars. Needless to say a custom frame is in my future as there is no stock frame that will fit me. But turning the seatpost around on my current bike and raising the seat has made a world of difference. The seat that was killing me a week ago is now working just fine. Great video and great advice!
Ahhhh a fellow ‘T-Rex’ on the bike haha. Same, long legs and short torso and reach. A custom frame sounds awesome though so that’s exciting :) but sorry you couldn’t get comfy on a shop bought one!
Where are you based? Might be worth seeing Phil before forking out loads on a custom frame! Or maybe just asking his opinion on email perhaps? ;)
@@KatieKookaburra - I'm in the states. No worries, the bike fitter I went to came highly recommended and I trust him. I have an 84 cm inseam at 5'6" so essentially I need a 56 cm frame for my legs and a 52 cm frame for my reach! After 40 years of riding and 6 different bikes that never really fit me I'm giving myself a gift of a custom frame. No more super short stems (and the squirrely handling they cause) and no more feeling stretched out. ;-)
Try Liv instead of a male / unisex bike frame. Made for shorter torsos / longer legs.
FOR THE YOUNG WOMAN, TRY THE BROOKS PROFESSIONAL RACING SADDLE MADE OF SADDLE LEATHER. USE THE PROOFIDE CONDITIONER AND SEE IF YOU ARE NOT MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE. I RODE A BROOKS PEOFESSIONAL RACING SADDLE FOR YEARS AND I THINK THEY STILL ARE ONE OF THE.MOST COMFORTABLE SADDLES FOR BICYCLES OUT THERE. YES THEY ARE EXPENSIVE BUT THEY LAST A LONG TIME IF YOU KEEP THE LEATHER CONDITIONED. HOPE THIS HELPS!
Have you tried noseless saddle?
VSEAT or a Spongy Wonder?
Or a Spiderflex Split Saddle?
If you go for a saddle fit do be clear on your style of riding with the fitter. I think somewhere along the line the fitter thought I wanted to be more aero and I ended up with a split nose PSM. As Phil states , it doesn’t work for road riding. I hated it and it was a waste of money -which was lesson number 2 …..
Katie when you coming to Scotland for a 100 miler around the Trossachs .with my club.
New saddles are like lottery and you never can know how (un)comfortable it will be. Thats why I'm thinking about bikefitting session but for a total amateur like me it's quite expensive so I'm not fully convinced yet.
Yeah and then you still have to be lucky enough to find a bikefitter who will actually optimize your position on the bike properly. Not only measure knee angles and stuff.
I have a Brooks Cambria saddle that is definitely better with the nose tilted slightly up. Have read this is a thing with all Brooks?
If it works go for it!
4:35 haha i'm having exactly that issue. Thank you ;P
No mention of Brooks B17's then...😎 seriously, the Cambium C13/15/17 range is magnificent on any style of bike.
Can’t say I’ve tried them.
I tried all types of saddles with my new bike. I ended up saying sod it and bought the carbon S works mirror for 400 quid, but ultimately what made the biggest difference was a proper biomechanical bike fit. I probably would have been ok with the original saddle after all
But if you’re comfy now that’s all that matters! Enjoy :)
I’ve been having issues with saddle sores on only one side because only one of my sit bones is on the saddle. Only problem is, I’m riding a specialized Romin Evo mimic in a 168mm size. Any suggestions on what to do?
One side could be having one leg longer than the other - I had that. So might be worth looking into and looking a shim to build up the shoe on the shorter side :)
Curious, why not a set back seatpost so saddle is not slammed all the way forward? Even out pressure on rails, add a bit of flex.
A set back seatpost would make reach even longer
@@KatieKookaburra right, mine was opposite. Custom build why is reach so long? It obviously works for you w it being second build from same company, just struck me as odd.
Only slightly unrelated... A million CZcams videos, and I have yet to see one that explains how to wash bib shorts that have a white top and straps. I have a nice set of Rafa shorts in a similar design to these in your video. After one wash, the white parts were all dingy Gray. Any suggestions? Thank you,!
Nah I don’t have that with mine - just wash on 30C :)
No doubt having max pressure on the sit bones is ideal for many guys/gals, but for those with little 'natural padding' I'm not sure that's optimum. I remember a couple of years ago suffering tremendous raw pressure blisters directly beneath the sit bones. Took 3+ weeks to clear. Eventually discovered an Infinity worked for me for distance rides, though set-up is fussy. A pity there aren't any Infinity-clones at a better price.
Eat more burgers.
@@playmoreguitar5393 agreed. Sounds like the perfect reason to reduce the km/cake stop ratio
You look so gorgeous today.... ❤️. Thanks for the tips today
Why should i get nose down when i got front pressure..
I always stick to little nose up, will release pressure front because you get forced to sit at your back of pelvic bone
I love my £30 Charge Spoon did a amazon blind gamble and it paid off
Nice video, when Will You Make a video about cleat position, mtb and road? Thanks!!
they've been done. see Phil Burt or Bikefit James as well
We did actually film this a bit back but the SD card corrupted :( It's on the list to do! :)
@@markrushton1516 i have been looking for but nothing
@@KatieKookaburra ok thanks, i'll be waiting for!
@@julianmojica2719 czcams.com/video/xum6W3pk59A/video.html
Timely vid, just about to get a new saddle, thanks.
£300 ? Yikes !
Stay safe Katie ☀️ 🐑
I’m going to try it!!! What you think?
@@KatieKookaburra Go for it Katie, could be instrumental for all the km's you put away !
I like the idea but if it's not broke does it need fixing? If you can borrow one that might be the way to go.
Should have provided more details on women's saddles vs men's saddles in addition to height, angle and front/back distance. If women are not comfortable you will hear about it!
Just bought a mimic saddle and found it to be super uncomfortable for long rides for the sit bones. Hope the bike shop takes it back.
Have you set it up as per this vid?
What width and was it the correct width? No magic bullet with saddles.
@@KatieKookaburra yes. I did before the video. This video just enforced what other videos mentioned as per tilt etc. I took a level too. Sit bones measured as well. Use the saddle app as well. And after 2 hours I stopped enjoying the ride and had to take breaks. So unfortunately it doesn't work for all women .I like the idea of having soft recessed coverings. My problem was sit bones discomfort.
@@Sirissssss I also had sit bone pain with the specialized power mimic, and I think the reason was actually because the sides of the saddle cut into the back of my thighs. It took me a surprisingly long time to look in the mirror and realise I had two symmetric bruises on my thighs! I think saddles are so personal -- what works well for one person might be awful for another. I'm not sure what I should try next, because I think the width of the power mimic at the point underneath the sit bones was good, but the shape of it meant it stayed wide too long --- I think maybe I need something that is wide at the back but then narrower at the front. Maybe. Posture and flexibility and core strength also plays a role, I think.
I found that Speclized Power mirror saddle to be extremely uncomfortable now on Romin world of difference more comfortable
Romin Evo Mirror (3-D Printed) saddle. Problem solved. It feels the same at the end of the 3rd hour as it does at the end of the first. But I hear that not ever saddle is good for every rider. I've just found mine. And since it's not made of gel or foam it won't break down and I think I might never need another saddle again. I assume that years from now all avid cyclists will have a 3-D printed saddle when they become more affordable as they mature in the product life cycle.
In the end over analysis and trying to reach perfection can become a complete mind fuck to the point that no matter the position , even if it's 99.999999999% spot on you still won't feel comfortable... Common sense always prevails if you can relax into it.......🙏
Phil always talks about a bike fit window - so some wiggle room. But if you are having massive pain then something can be done in almost all cases to ease that
@@KatieKookaburra YEP and I suppose I can only comment personally.... I just remember fighting for years trying find the right position on the bike in every way, saddle height, reach, frame size, crank length etc etc .....until in the end I had a frame built by ROBERTS CYCLES in Croydon, London (no longer running) whose measuring techniques where none like I had experienced before and kinda amusing.....however when the frame was built and all the pieces added, after a few tweaks here and there it fitted like a glove ...... But I wondered afterwards was it because of the build or just because I totally trusted in there method which psychologically helped me relax into the position....
Maybe buying a 3D printer would be cheaper but somewhat uncomfortable but if you rigged up a dynamo to the printer as you’re ridding you could print a nice seat to go on top of the printer, now this could catch on printing on the go. As you know always add a song to my comments, which I know you love ha ha, song = ( Printer = Tim Jones ).
I am a 70-year young male and I ride different styles of bikes, road, MTN, gravel, and touring, and have been through a lot of different saddles. I realize the different riding styles will require different saddle adjustments and saddles, however, I am always experiencing numbness. Tilting the nose of the saddle down always just seems to put more pressure forward on the handlebars. Could the time and expense of saddle pressure mapping help me?
You try a saddle with a cutout?
@@Shadowboost Also the logic here is flawed!. forget the computer imagery. if you're uncomfortable with a saddle tilt the nose UP slightly! This puts pressure on your bum which can easily take it. the precious uncomfortable bitz are at the front!!! and male or female ARE the crown jewels in so much of life x Much like women's specific saddles, the nose should be slim & although not non-existant like some great ladies saddles) and certainly, a pressure-reducing channel will also help massively. I feel a complete idiot saying this and also rather embarrassed that the whole bicycle/bike fitting industry has it wrong BUT I run an ebike shop aimed at the over 50's and people with health conditions. And because of get people so comfortable I'm a triple millionaire within three and a half years of opening. PEOPLE ARE HUMAN NOT SPREAD SHEETS !!!!
@@smilebikes346 I think you mean"...tilt the nose DOWN slightly!." This will put more weight on the sit bones, thus relieving pressure on the delicate tissue in the pubic bone region.
While all the science says you should sit on your "sit bones", many average joes (like me), with low spine flexibility and weak core muscles, don't actually do this. When they are seated, they keep their back straight by rotating their pelvis forward at an angle and sit more on the 2 skinnier bones forward of the "sit bones". This makes a cut-out mandatory and, subject to pelvis width, may mean a curved saddle with a v-shape works better than a flatter saddle with a T-shape. The T-shape ones can chafe in to the back of the legs due to the pelvis rotating forward and pushing the back of the riders legs into the front edge of the saddle.
This sounds relevant to me, because I've had bruises on the back of my legs from the edge of the saddle, but I am not sure from your description which way is "forward". Also can you give the names of some example v-shape or T-shape saddles so I can look at some pictures?
@@GeorginaWilcox . Re Pelvis rotating forward, imagine a diagram of hip bones (and body) side on, facing to the right and sitting on a bicycle seat. As that person leans forward to reach the bars, their spine stays straight (due to above mentioned weak core and poor flexibility) which forces their pelvis to rotate clockwise to the right . This results in the weight sitting on both the "sit bones/ischial tuberosity" (which is normal) but also the smaller bones infront which are called Pubic Ramus. I have personally found that saddles which are rounded, taper gently from front to back, and have a decent cut out are much better than ones that are flat, flare out abruptly, are not deep on the sides or have a relatively sharp interface between the top and sides of the saddle (which cuts into back of my legs/thighs.
Some good round/curved v-shape saddles are: specialized power-ARC, Romin-EVO, Prologo Scratch PAS, PRO stealth curved, Supacaz Ignite. Look at the side angle photos of all of these and you will see deep sides which flow gradually from the top of the saddle.
The most important thing to do is to know your sit bones width. Female hips and sit bones are typically wider than males. For me, I have skinny hips so have accepted (after much expense...) that that saddles of 135-140mm wide work best. The Prologo Scratch example I gave above comes in multiple widths, as do most of them. I think the wider one also has slightly more padding.
try the everve system ;)
When I moved to ISM saddles it was a revelation. I disagree with they are for TT only as I use them on my road bikes and I love it.
Glad it’s working for you :)
I've always got on well with the Charge Spoon saddles (costing less than £30), so much so that I have 3 identical, one for each bike I own. I never had any issues with saddle sores on these, until last weekend when I rode my first double century (200 miles)...over 12 hours of riding. I began to feel sore in the last 25 miles and actually had like a friction burn in a sensitive place. To be fair, probably any set up would be uncomfortable after riding that long, I guess! Even so, I've now bought some chamois cream (Muc-off) to try out. Curious if others have any experience using chamois creams.
I have charge spoon on my road bike and it’s great. Position and set up, I think, makes more of a difference. I have a Brooks B17 on my Galaxy and it’s not perfect whereas the last one I had on a different bike, was the most comfortable thing I’ve ever sat on. Still trying to get to that point! Did two days of 6hrs riding back to back on the charge and no problems at all.
@@nuttycommuter3718 I recently “upgraded” to a Selle Italia saddle, but after 3 rides I’ve gone back to the Charge! 😉
@@stevegeek Just taken my Brooks B17 off my Galaxy and put on a Charge that I had lying around. Don’t care that it doesn’t look the part; I can actually get comfy on it!
Pressure mapping without the hands seems a bit incomplete.
Human body is so adoptable - ride more and you don't need bikefitting if you don't have any super weird anatomy.
Get a saddle with a flexible shell and flexible titanium or carbon rails and get a good bib. Flexy carbon seat post helps as well.
You know what's a great saddle for comfort? A well-broken in Brooks Team Pro. Get the one with the big copper rivets. I'm not sure the scientific and expensive new saddles can be the old standard. But they are much lighter.
Is it the saddle or your a55 that gets broken in? 😀
I have to completely disagree with not having some tilt and keeping saddles flat, as you suggested. I used to race bikes professionally in my late teens and have been riding bikes of all styles and purposes for oner 50 years and continue to ride daily recreationally. I have never found comfort in a saddle that is not tilted slightly to the rear, this was also verified by customers at all the three bicycle stores that I worked at during my youth. They would come in looking for a new saddle but once I would tilt the saddle back for them, they would change their mind on the spot and keep their existing saddle. A pressure map IS NOT a human and no amount of graphical pressure point technology equals real life experience. I do agree with the distance between the saddle and handlebars (setback), and as far as height, this is mainly to keep your legs from premature fatigue and has little or no effect on comfort. After owning dozens of saddles over the years, I have not found a more comfortable saddle than a Brooks saddle. It molds to your body, and you are practically sitting on a small hammock that will last decades if properly maintained with leather conditioner.
Glad it’s worked for you
entirely personal but the selle italias Flite has been my most comfotable saddle by far. I've been through many Specialized saddles with cut outs, Bontrager ones, and Giant saddles. I realised after about 10 years that I had always been riding with too narrow a saddle. When I did a sit bone width measurement and chose my saddle after this it made all the difference.Many position tweaks and uncomfortable rides beforehand . it's such a hard part to get right!
I have a flite and it's nothing compared to slr.
The amount of riders i see with the saddle nose up is boggling. I've always had a nose down between 1 and 2 degrees depending on the bike type. I've gone for the short fit Selle on my MTB as i have the saddle forward.
Seeing the Sky jerseys in the background: has Phil ever worked with Geraint Thomas? I've never seen a rider sit so far forward on a saddle
He has.
I'm sure it's all down to G, but....blimey....it looks like it's right up his rect.......😯
Trouble is as far as I know I’ve never seen a bum mat like that to see what you need in the first place. So how do you know what type of saddle to get without the expensive kit and software?
You can text sit bone width at home loads of methods online how to do that and then follow Phil’s tips of getting it in right place
@@KatieKookaburra thanks for the advice
Most leather saddles including Brooks, Selle Anatomica, etc. should be set up nose up (not flat).
Check out OZ cycles on same subject !
5:50 Gents Birthing Saddle (GBS). Never tried one, maybe I should.
Think I'm gonna need to get a professional arse fitter for my China trip!
What happened to the rider in the background? Was that saddle related?
I have a hard time deciding if I want 25 bucks saddles
I’m enjoying the bike so far czcams.com/users/postUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA My only real complaints are the brakes and the pedals. I feel like a bike designed for bigger people should have much larger pedals and more heavy duty brakes. I’ve only gotten two really good rides out of it, minimal downhill action, and the brakes feel like they’re already going out. A larger person has more momentum, so I think this wasn’t thought through very well. Also, I wear size 13-14 wide shoes. My feet cramp up on these pedals that are clearly made for smaller feet. Since I’m not a pro rider (and I don’t think many are who purchase this bike) I don’t think that the straps on the pedal are necessary at all. None of this takes away from the enjoyment I get from riding, however. I’ll just head to a bike shop to improve on a few things.
2 pair of padded shorts. Yup.
My sitting bones (120mm) are still killing me...