Durable Saddle for my Commuter Bike?

[LooseFur]

It seems like commuting every day I blow through a saddle every year or two. They get mushy, noisy, and lose shape. My commuter vehicle is an excellent conventional road bike (Giant OCR2) and I like a good conventional road bike saddle. I went though my stock saddle in a couple of years, maybe one or two others, and then through a Specialized split saddle in about 8 months — that was a waste. I ride a Bontrager now — not sure exactly but maybe it’s an Affinity that I spent maybe $60 on a year ago. I’ve liked it but it’s about done.

What about durability? I’d probably buy another Bontrager but it would be nice to find something that lasts. Any suggestions?

Topic

[NicDiesel]

Have you consider a Brooks B17? Not great for road riding but they’re pretty great for touring and commuting once you get them broken in.

[cyclingfool]

I can’t NOT suggest a good Brooks saddle, so… I suggest a Brooks! If properly cared for, they last years to decades, and the fit is perfect since the leather breaks in to the shape of your sit bones. If you’re worried about rain, which is really only an issue if you’re not on the saddle yourself, a plastic shopping bag tied around the saddle is more than adequate protection.

The standard Brooks saddle is the B17. There’s also a narrow version of the B17 and several other models/options. Check out their extensive website for more info. The B17 is available on Amazon for a little under $100 or at an LBS near you for anywhere between there and probably about $125. It’s well worth every penny, farthing, schilling, pence, you spend on it.

I loved the Brooks saddle I had on my old bike, and a new Brooks saddle is on the list of upgrades for my “new” bike over the next few months.

[cyclingfool]

@NicDiesel 64358 wrote:

Have you consider a Brooks B17? Not great for road riding but they’re pretty great for touring and commuting once you get them broken in.

I’d say “jinx” but your reply is timestamped 3 minutes earlier than mine. We must have started typing around the same time, though. So that’s 2 votes for Brooks, zero for other ideas. The choice is clear. It’s a consensus!

[Drewdane]

Brooks, Schmooks. Get yourself a REAL MAN ™ Bicycle Seat – guaranteed to last!

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[americancyclo]

I think you’ll find some people on the forum that put in a lot of miles like the Fizik Arione, Specialized Toupe, and Specialized Romin.

[LooseFur]

Thank you both for the Brooks suggestion. I’m a bikesnobNYC fan so I know he loves his Brooks, and I guess I’m drawn to the idea of a leather seat. What do you mean not a great road saddle? Why would this be good for my commuter bike? And my question was about durability — I can see where a leather seat might mold well, but will there be durability to the framing and is it worth this investment?

And I guess it’s unanimous on the B17 as well.

In any event, thanks again.

[LooseFur]

@americancyclo 64369 wrote:

I think you’ll find some people on the forum that put in a lot of miles like the Fizik Arione, Specialized Toupe, and Specialized Romin.

I love the Fizik on my weekend bike, but as I had noted I had a pretty rotten Specialized seat (perhaps my mistake for buying the split seat out of caution for my nether areas).

[TwoWheelsDC]

I have a B17 on my commuter and it’s fine…not really the revelation I was expecting, but it’s perfectly comfortable and I expect it to last for years. Honestly though, the Fizik Aliante Vs on my road bike sees just as many miles as the B17 (but in one or two sittings, rather than spread over the course of the week) and is just as comfortable. The main advantage of the Brooks is that it’s more comfortable during the extremely rare rides where I don’t wear padded shorts.

[rpiretti]

+1 on the B17 Narrow. Tis what I have and it’s a great road saddle for I. I don’t ride with padded shorts but everyone is different. I don’t however do more than 70 miles on my bike for this reason. Plan to do a lot longer rides next year with padded shorts and maybe some brevets. Saying that, try it with no padded shorts and it will mold better to your bum.

Go here and order for free shipping… http://www.therandonneeshop.com/products/category/2-saddles

Put saddle care on it underneath initially and a couple of initial thin coats when receiving and it’s good to go. I have the seat cover from Rivendell to battle against rain. http://www.rivbike.com/product-p/s91.htm

Oh, if that wasn’t enough…watch the saddle in the rain. If you don’t have fenders well, the seat will suffer with road spray.

[cephas]

I use a Serfas Rx that I love. It’s held up extremely well, except for the tear I put on when I dropped it against a brick building. It’s still a very respectful, loving, and good looking saddle, but will need to be replace in the next few years. I’ve had it 2 or 3 years already, and it replaced another of the same, such was my love for them. I can’t say enough good thigs about it. The ergonomics were a huge plus, it’s well ventilated, and just enough cushion without being too much.

[NicDiesel]

@LooseFur 64373 wrote:

What do you mean not a great road saddle?[/quote]

It’s kind of heavy and isn’t stiff. Brooks makes a road saddle but the B17 is definitely not really the ideal saddle for that style of riding. Having said that, I do all of my riding (road, commuting, and touring) and on B17 and haven’t had any issues. Once you get them broken in they’re a really comfy ride and give some, which is nice when you ride on bumpy MUP or broken asphalt.

@LooseFur 64373 wrote:

Why would this be good for my commuter bike? And my question was about durability — I can see where a leather seat might mold well, but will there be durability to the framing and is it worth this investment?

When I got my first Brooks B17 it last for over a year and half and almost 2,500 miles before it died a hero. Keep in mind that when I first got it I weighted over 420lbs and rode it every day commuting on roads and trails sweating like a fiend. I’m actually sending that saddle back to Brooks to see if they can repair it since the leather is fine, the supports just gave out under my weight and abuse.

[jabberwocky]

I have a B17 on my touring bike. Once broken in it is reasonably comfortable, but I find I have to have it at a weird angle to actually stay on the damn thing because its so slippery. And it weighs a million pounds, if you care about that sort of thing. Its definitely built to survive the nuclear apocalypse though.

I’m personally a fan of the Specialized Toupe; the one on my road bike is 2 years and 6k miles old and is still doing fine.

[LooseFur]

This is all very useful info. Thanks to all.

[KLizotte]

I love my Selle Italia. One yr and 2K miles and still like new.

[DismalScientist]

I love my 40 year old Belt saddle from the Fujita Saddle company. It came off an old Fuji S-10-S. I bought it off Craigslist for $75. Oh yeah, it came with the aforementioned Fuji.:rolleyes:

[Author]

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