Custom Bicycle Saddle Recommendation?

Question

I am having a custom road bike made and need to find out
a good saddle since it is almost impossible to consider
saddles when you haven't been able to sit on them!

Does anyone have anything to say about Terry versus Selle,
for example Selle Italia SLR looks like a good fit and I can get
it at a very light weight but it may be too uncomfortable on
relatively long rides.
Any advice?

Answer 1

The SLR is a great saddle if if fits you. I will tell you that many riders like it and many riders don't. It just depends how you are shaped down there. The Fisi'k line of saddles are popular right now. Their products are comfy and pretty light as well. They are speced as orginal equipment on all of the high end Cannondales right now.

Answer 2

If you're not into the lightest stuff but you want the most comfortable, you should get a Brooks leather saddle (B17 is a good choice).

Get a tension wrench and some Brooks ProofHide leather conditioner. Mount the saddle on a cheap seat post and clamp it in a vice.

Tension the saddle, rub some ProofHide on (top and underside) and let sit for several days. Use a large round dowel (I prefer an old wooden billyclub) and beat the saddle to flex the leather. Repeat this for several weeks and then just let it sit for a few days.

Back off the tension and you'll have the softest seat out there with no hard objects underneath to bounce into your vital parts. It's like sitting on a soft sling all day. You may have to maintain some level of tension just to make sure you don't bottom into the seatpost (that's how soft it can get).

Think this is crazy? I've always used a Brooks saddle and I met a couple in Costa Rica in 1997 who had finished a 25,000 mile tour of North and South America. Guess what they each used for a saddle? That's right -- a softened Brooks.

Answer 3

1) If you are spending big bucks on a custom bike, start shopping some highend bike shops for the latest Specialized Body Geometry saddles (lots of new ones this year), and other high end brands like Selle Italia, Selle San Marco, etc. Terry and WTB are also good. SLR?? You should not use an SLR (and its low weight -non padded competition) unless you are a hardcore Hammerhead. wait until you have built up your glutes and are trying to drop 10 more seconds on your PR in a Tri/Crit. 2) Man or woman, get a saddle with a hole/ deep groove in the Taint(perienium) area. I prefer holes (better ventilation & zero pressure in that spot.) 3) Terry is as good as is the other brands listed... but not always as light but thats a BFD. Brand name is a BFD, design is more important. 4) BEST CURE for butt pain? ...RIDE MORE. I am an out of shape, 50yo mountain and road rider - but after I got my butt and taint in shape from several centuries and weekend 40-60mi rides, my butt does not start hurting until about 50 miles (w/o a break). 5) Soft saddles (full of gel) are great for under 30 miles - but will make you numb thereafter. You *may* need the gel saddle until you get your *** muscles in shape and then you can convert to a sleeker saddle. 6) Ride your cheeks and 'sit bones' on the very end (wings) of the saddle. 7) Stand up every 15 or 30 minutes (like on a climb or sprint) to relieve pressure and numbness. 8) Use Udder-Butter or Chamois Cream to reduce inflamation and abrasion.