New saddle question

Manxman_in_exile

I’ve just bought a new saddle that is posing problems. There’s a 30 day money back guarantee and I’m not sure if I should persevere with it or get my money back.

I’m a 65 year old male and do a bit of fitness and recreational cycling. Although I’m mostly a runner I try to do at least one weekly 2 – 3 hour ride at about 12 – 15 mph. My bike’s a 30 year old Dawes BackStreets hybrid with flat handlebars.

The old saddle was a Vetta LiteGel that I really liked but should have been binned years ago(!). The new saddle is a Bontrager Commuter Comp. I selected it in-store myself on the basis that (1) it had a full cut-out and (2) was recommended for a “Fitness” riding position as opposed to “Commuter” or “Performance Road/MTB”.

This is it online but I bought in my local bike shop https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/equi ... Code=black

I’ve only tried it a few times but the Bontrager gets really uncomfortable after 10 minutes or so.

It’s slightly wider than the Vetta (although I’ve got relatively wide sit-bones for a male) and the flare (is that the right term?) from nose to rear seems to start a bit earlier than on the Vetta.

I’m wondering if the saddle flare starts too early or is too wide as the discomfort feels as if it’s being caused by my thighs and/or crotch just to the front of my sit-bones knocking or rubbing against the front of the flare on each pedal downstroke. If that makes sense.

Because I have bar-ends fitted (and I use them a lot) I’m also wondering if I should have gone for a more forward “Performance Road/MTB” profile rather than the more upright “Fitness” profile?

Just to add, because I have a history of lower back problems I have my saddles positioned slightly nose down to facilitate a forward pelvic tilt. I haven’t quite got that right on the new saddle yet and it’s still pretty much level. I’m still working on it.

Should I persevere with the Bontrager and continue adjusting it, or should I accept that I’ve chosen the wrong saddle and get my money back? (It only cost £40 which I suppose is a false economy…)

If it is the wrong saddle, what should I be looking at?

Thanks for any advice.

The_Unready

Yes, take it back now. You don't want to realise after the 30 day return period that you can't actually get it to work for you after all.

As for what to choose instead: saddle choice is very personal, and what suits one person is no guarantee that it would suit another.

Your only option is to keep trying out various models until you find one that suits, although make sure you continue to buy them from outlets that provide the 30 day (or whatever) money-back guarantee.

Johnmcl7

It's a really difficult one to answer but the fact it gets uncomfortable so quickly suggests to me it's not a suitable design for you assuming your angle isn't too far out.

I bought a Bontrafer saddle a few years ago where I went through the whole process of having my rear measured and then chose the one that suited my use exactly and it was quite honestly the worst saddle I've ever ridden.  I was in so much discomfort on the way home I just couldn't sit at all on the saddle so I returned it under their 30 day promise which was no issue.  Oddly when I put my original saddle back on it was much better and realised that the original saddle had been too far tilted back which I'd levelled out with the new saddle so when the original saddle went back into the flatter position it was fine.

I have a fairly pricey endurance bike and on its first ride my rear was completely numb after about 16 miles so swapped to another saddle and it was way better.

Saddle recommendations are really difficult because everyone is different and I'm wary of making changes after the problems I had with the saddle I'd so carefully chosen.  I am considering trying a change on the endurance bike as the saddle pain gets quite bad on super long rides but then I think sitting on anything for very lengthy periods of time is going to be uncomfortable no matter what it is.

I think this is the range a friend recommended who used to do a lot of endurance cycling, it's at least fairly cheap:

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Charge-Spoon-Cromo-Saddle_65215.htm

The other one that's been recommended is this Bontrager one:

https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/equipment/cycling-components/bike-saddles/performance-bike-saddles/bontrager-verse-comp-bike-saddle/p/32222/?colorCode=black

I've not ridden a saddle with a cut out so I've been toying with trying one, they seem to work for some people but not for others.

Manxman_in_exile

Thanks both.

Funnily enough I seem to be getting more used to it.  I've still got a couple of weeks left on the money back offer.  I'm going out for a couple of hours this afternoon so see how that goes.

The cut out is not a problem.  My old saddle had a longer nose so was narrower as it got to the rear of the saddle before it started to flare out for the sit-bones.  I think it's the flare out starting earlier (ie more towards the front) that's causing the problem at the top of my thighs.

The problem is that there used to be several good bike shops locally but not so much any more.  I've been round them all this weekend and I can't find anything more like my old saddle than the one I'm complaining about.  I really can't be a***'d (literally in the case of a bike saddle) to try and get one on t'internet as too hit and miss.

Thanks again

Keep_pedalling

Saddles are very personal things and what suits me may not suit you. Your backside does need to get used to a new one and it need a good few miles to find out if suitable or not. I am old schools and stick to unpadded leather saddles, which do need some breaking in but once achieved provide comfort over long distances and hours in the saddle. P

Manxman_in_exile

Johnmcl7 said:

... I've not ridden a saddle with a cut out so I've been toying with trying one, they seem to work for some people but not for others.

I also posted on a cycling forum and I've only just read their replies.

One poster made me think that maybe the cut-out is the problem.  They pointed out that if the cut-out is too narrow it can cause discomfort itself.  For it to be wide enough not to cause discomfort, the nose of the saddle may become too wide for comfort.

Something to think about if you're considering trying one...

Wyndham

Also think about what you are wearing. I'm a fan of cycling shorts, which I never thought I would get on with, but which I now always use for longer rides. I also have a cover for my saddle - may not work for you, but works for me and does make a difference.

(I'm female, so the biology is different, of course!)

BikingBud

I love old school, I have three of these seemed like a better solution than having problems on different bikes:
 
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2510209.m570.l2632&_nkw=san+marco+rolls+saddle&_sacat=7294

BikingBud

Wyndham said:

Also think about what you are wearing. I'm a fan of cycling shorts, which I never thought I would get on with, but which I now always use for longer rides. I also have a cover for my saddle - may not work for you, but works for me and does make a difference.

(I'm female, so the biology is different, of course!)

Cycling shorts only, nothing underneath to bunch and chafe. That can make any combination hellish.  

Manxman_in_exile

Thanks everybody.

I'm actually coming to the conclusion that the saddle is fine and I wan't used to it.