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Mtb Saddles?
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
XC and marathon racing saddles - I am looking to replace the Scott branded saddle on my spark 40. I would like to save some weight and also something which is narrower.
The thing with a saddle is how do you know unless you put it on your bike and ride for a few hours?
I am a lightweight and find the scott saddle gets in the way a bit when I move forward and back. On my road bike my saddle narrow with almost no padding and I find this is comfortable.
I am very close to buying a fizik tundra but there are a lot of different opinions about this - can anyone suggest an alternative or give some feedback on the tundra.
Thanks for any help,
Alan
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The only solution is to buy one and ride it and be prepared to go through a few till you find one just right. We all have different shaped bums etc so no point anyone sharing what works for them. I replace bikes usually twice a year but my shiny rides always have my 5yo well worn saddle.
I run a tundra on my Anthem and i love it, but if your planning on riding marathons or particularly rough trails i would go for something more like the fizik gobi, If your happy with your roadie saddle why not try something from the same brand, often there are similarities between models from the same company. Another narrow alternative may be the Selle Italia SLR, they come in a huge range of styles and some are stupendously light, but your wallet will be feeling pretty much the same
lol
regarding the Fizik some bike shops have a test saddle that if you like the price comes off the hire of the saddle or you can get the saddle you like cheaper second hand on other stores or internet shopping even ebay it is a trial thing . You know u have opened a can of worms here & it has been said before your ass et is your own everyone is different I wewnt thru 4 before I got what I like ,a WTB rocket
Another vote for Fizik Gobi. Nice and narrow at somewhere +/- 130mm, my inner thighs don't go anywhere as purple as they used to from being thumped on the way through on techy descents.
They are a bit on the firm side, though... take some getting used to. Having good knicks helps, with bibknicks worn under mtb shy shorts being best of all.
Currently using a Specialized Henge Expert at 143mm that came with the new bike, and which has been unexpectedly comfortable. A 130mm wide version is available. Surprised me that I don't seem to be suffering from bumps on the inner thigh with this one either.
Yes, saddles are a can of worms - everybody's sit bones are a different width. As much as it pains me to say it (cough cough
) I think Specialized are onto a good thing in offering different width models for a range of their saddles, and their system that allows buyers to work out what they need without (it would seem) the trial and error.
Would like to see other manufacturers develop something similar.
+1 for the fizik gobi the only saddle i'll use.
another + for Gobi.
Avoid the XM with carbon rails.... I snapped mine @ the Mont and had no saddle for 3/4 of a lap.
some bike shops around as I'm sure I heard some have saddles you can test/try for a few days if you leave a deposit?
In the back of my mind it was one of the Northern beaches ones, but couldn't be sure as it was second hand info.
Selle SMP has my vote. I have the stratos for my mtb and lite 209 for the road. The statos seems a better fit and I'll eventually have these on all my bikes. The only thing is they're not cheap
http://www.smpselle.com/smp4bike/en/products/sad...
I have seen a bunch of bright green Fizik demo saddles in CBD. I've thought about trying a few out but never got round to it
CB
The idea of leaving a deposit on a test seat is a bit, well, awkward.......... :0
funny
HA! Brown adrenalin
I will go with the gobi ...a bit more padding than the tundra but still pretty narrow. My ass spends more time than i like to admit sitting on it, esp for longer races, so some padding is good.
The more exotic brands cost more, which could be a problem if there is trial and error involved
Thanks for the help, the comments were exactly what I needed.