Remove your seat post from your bike 2. As you progress through the materials, they get lighter and more expensive. Their perches come in several styles: the Flat models are ideal for those who sit in a more aggressive position; the Shallow versions suit more endurance orientated riders; and the Radius is ideal for those in an upright position. The length provides plenty of room for a rider to move around, but the width means it won’t suit everyone. It’s recommended to change your saddle for a new model every 400-600 hours of riding and it’s also important to use the right type of saddle to suit your riding style. There is no one size fits all solution to any aspect of bicycle touring, particularly when it comes to choosing a saddle. We found it provides excellent support and is durable, but the honeycomb design can be hard to clean dirt out of. two dollar saddles picked up at street markets in Africa, Milos to Sifnos Ferry Connections, Schedules, and Travel Information, Milos to Sikinos by Ferry: Schedules, Times and Travel Tips, Milos to Folegandros Ferry Schedules, Services, and Travel Info. $21.98. >>> Saddle sores: how to prevent and treat them. Here's a few of their recommendations: For anyone that doesn't like a wide saddle such as the Brooks B17, the Charge Spoon is a good choice. Modern mountain bike saddles have to be all things to all riders too, because each have specific requirements when it comes to shape and fit, but ultimately we’re looking for the same thing – an armchair ride with a bar stool build. Thick, soft padding may initially seem like a good idea to alleviate saddle discomfort, but often a squishy saddle will just compress down under the sit bones and push up in the middle, shifting the pressure from you sit-bones to the soft tissue in-between. A slightly wider saddle with a curved profile, such as this Fabric Scoop, is often the choice of riders who sit more upright. Narrower, flatter saddles such as the Fizik Arione tend to suit more aggressive riders with a lower position (such as Bradley Wiggins). The Anteqi Vader is without a doubt the most comfortable road bike saddle. Most Comfortable Bike Seats for Men + Women. Of course, Brooks aren't the only company who make bike touring saddles. Each side of the saddle is engineered to provide greater flexibility, improving comfort as you move around on the bike. This was often the saddle of … The Pioneeryao bike seat is an extremely comfortable and durable road bike saddle. The shape gives full support to the … The Bikeroo Comfortable Bike Saddle is the favorite of over 10,000 bikers (and counting). Good bike shops, and some brands, offer test ride programs so you can try before you buy. Buy now: Fizik Adaptive 00 VS EVO saddle from Tredz for £324.99, Read more: Specialized Romin Evo Pro Saddle review. Carbon rails are the most expensive and the lightest. Buy now: Specialized Romin Evo Pro saddle from Cycle Store for £129.99  or from Competitive Cyclist for $160. In fact, it was this price issue that put me off of buying a Brooks saddle for so many years. Fizik are famous for categorizing their saddles based upon flexibility and riding style. Buy now: Fabric Scoop Flat Pro Saddle at Wiggle from £90 or from Competitive Cyclist for $180. If so, use those to determine what needs to change. It's also pretty wallet friendly, and is made of synthetic leather. Whey would I spend 50 pounds more on a saddle? A comfy cycling saddle can make the difference between a dream ride and a nightmare. These are devices that you can sit on and feature a memory foam. Most modern bikes conform to the same standard, so any reputable saddle will fit any reputable bike. This saddle from Selle Italia is great for riders who are new to road cycling and are looking for a comfortable ride while in new a position on a bike. It’s finding the one that actually suits you which is the problem. To many riders, the saddle is, in fact, the most crucial part of the bike; after all, if you are not comfortable, you won’t enjoy as strong or enjoyable a cycle, and can trigger long-term injuries in some cases. Using the best bike saddle ensures that you remain comfortable throughout your cycle, so it’s something taking time to find. Since you’re encouraged to sit in a static position, the set up can take a little longer but it’s well worth the effort. >>> Looking for the best women’s saddles? At least, I am led to believe so. Also, bear in mind that the perceived width of your rear end has little to do with the actual bone structure. The ‘perfect perch’ varies dramatically from one cyclist to the next – and is determined by a number of factors: anatomical differences, riding style, discipline and everything in between. Most local bike shops will typically offer a saddle fitting service or at the least have test saddles available for you to try before you buy. And to be honest, every single one I tried during those trips was literally a pain in the butt! We're all built differently, have different riding styles, and want different things. It was only a few years later that I tried a Brooks saddle when cycling from Greece to England. They aren't cheap. Their are dozens of manufacturers out there to choose from. It’s easy to install and it doesn’t require any special tools. In addition to the bike seats mentioned above, you might want to spend some time researching these other saddles which may be suitable for touring: Do you have an opinion about the Brooks B17 versus the Flyer? The best mountain bike saddles. WESTGIRL Bike Saddle, Comfortable Wide Bicycle Saddle Seat for Men women, Anti-slip Waterproof By westgirl 7.1 View Product 7.1 You May Also Like The 10 … And I've made plenty of dumb rationalizations in my life. Thanks, Peter. How Does this mount? As such, I decided to ask some cyclists in a Facebook group which non-Brooks touring saddles they were happy with. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; Some bike saddles feature relief channels. ISM saddles are renowned for serving time trial riders and track riders particularly well, since the noseless design reduces pressure when you’re riding on the rivet. It’s not as truncated as other ‘short’ saddles and still has a fairly classic shape and proportions. One last thing: when you try a saddle don’t wear a pair of jeans! Triathletes and time trialists tend to favour special saddles that have effectively had the nose chopped off, like the Fizik Tritone. Many saddles are pitched as being discipline specific. The saddle. First: try to determine what it is you don’t like about an existing saddle – are there key aspects that don’t seem right? Leave a comment at the end of the article! The reality is that padding deforms and creates more contact, so on longer rides, it can be less comfortable. So you’ve measured your sit bones, you’re happy that your saddle is flat enough and the padding is good, but you still feel discomfort. A Fizik Arione saddle with carbon rails. They can work well on the road too. amzn_assoc_title = "My Amazon Picks"; When I was in high school, I started racing in our local competitions. Your email address will not be published. Probably ten times that every single penny! Throw into the mix considerations about weight, the ethical uses of leather, and a hundred other factors, and you can see why it's a tough job finding the best touring saddle! This is an alternative to a full cut-out and is very popular with some people. Rock Rider Extreme Comfort Bike Saddle. This is very useful for testing a few options. If you’re up too high or too far back, the chances are that your optimal saddle won’t be working the way it should. I’ve been cycling from my childhood. This was often the saddle of choice for Bradley Wiggins. Read more: Fizik Adaptive 00 VS EVO saddle review. At that point, I realised I had found the Holy Grail and could stop searching! Can a saddle be too firm though? Buy now: ISM PN 3.0 saddle at Wiggle from £143.99 or from Amazon for $139.98. With each product is a ‘Buy Now’ or ‘Best Deal’ link. We’ve got a post for that here. I've tried a few myself over the years when cycling from England to Cape Town, and Alaska to Argentina. The rails of a saddle create a frame under the seating area that fits into the clamp at the top of your seatpost. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; No other bike part is as important for your overall comfort as your bike saddle. If this were the case the people who spend the most time on bikes – Tour de France riders – would be using very veritable lazy-e boys. – but it remains comfortable even on longer riders. "Copyright Dave's Travel Pages (c) 2005- - 2020 ". Alternatively, if you don’t have access to a bum-ometer you could always improvise with some Playdoh and a sheet of paper or a piece of cardboard. Ideally, seek out brands that offer a proper fitting process such as the Selle Italia ‘idmatch’ that you’ll find in all stores that stock their models. Its ergonomic design targets the most sensitive pressure points. It’s made of artificial leather, which lasts for years of riding. The MIMIC range, designed to alleviate soft tissue pressure some female riders experience when using saddles with large cutouts, has proved extremely popular among male riders too. One of the bicycle’s most understated components. It … I thought it was far inferior to the B17 saddle, and so swapped back. #3 Race Face Affect MTB Bike Saddle. Buy now: Fizik Temp Argo R1 saddle at Tredz for £179.99 or from Competitive Cyclist for $215. It’s a unisex option that comes in two widths and will suit time trial riders as well as regular roadies. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; The most common places for your bike saddle to impact the ground in the event of a crash is on the wings or the tail, and the highest scoring saddles in our durability metric have abrasion resistant materials sewn in to protect them from potential damage. A weight weenie’s dream at 114g, this saddle will suit a rider who wants a flat, narrow saddle. Our tester gave this one 10/10 – though be aware that setting up an ISM saddle will be different to setting up a standard saddle, so check the instructions. Buy now: Pro Stealth saddle from Wiggle for £125  or from Jenson USA for $179.99. Buy now: Selle San Marco Mantra Superleggera Open saddle at ProBikeKit for £242.49 or from Pro Bike Kit USA for $157.50. Simple to mount and effective to use, the Rock Rider Bike Seat is the best choice for casual or leisure biking. If you click on this then we may receive a small amount of money from the retailer when you purchase the item. Cut-outs and relief channels come in all shapes and sizes, and the best way to see if you’ll benefit is to try one. Whatever your riding position, even aggressive on-the-nose styles, this saddle allows you to sit exactly how you wish without any obstruction or lack of comfort. Subscribe to Us for Fantastic Deals. First, you’ll need to make sure you have the correct saddle height and position in relation to your pedals. One cyclist mentioned that they felt the synthetic leather top wore out too quickly though. You’ll next need to check how your bike fit is dictating your pelvic positioning by going Bike touring involves long hours in the saddle, so you've got to be kind to your butt! Furthermore, the seat allows the skin to ventilate. Your saddle is arguably the most important component on your bike. Fizik’s TT saddle allows the rider to set the saddle as far forward as is within the rules. As great believers in ‘saddle comfort is personal’, our Tech Ed gave it a spin and it was love at first sit, gaining a 10/10. The flat shape and relatively solid padding on the Affect make it suitable for experienced riders with good flexibility. Saddles come in a plethora of different shapes, designed to support different riders and different styles of riding. Top 3 Most Comfortable Road Bike Saddle Reviews 1. If you repeatedly experience discomfort this might be for you. It is hands down the most comfortable road bike saddle I’ve ever used, making it the best saddle for long rides in my opinion. Personally, I find their sheer range a little overwhelming when it comes to choosing which Selle Italia saddle is the best for long distance cycling. Is it bad to have a cut-out if you don’t need one? There’s a center hole that allows air to reach your skin. With a wide profile and sizable pressuring releasing cutout, this best suited to those who ride in an aggressive position, or spend a lot of time in the drops. I know this is not a typical gel or foam made a comfortable saddle. ANTEQI Saddle Vader. Rails are one of the main areas that affect saddle price. The use of more affordable materials mirrors the fit of high-end versions without the sky-high price tag. Personally, I don’t get on with the Flyer, but it’s all a matter of individual choice. Fabric offers low weight saddles, thanks to their unique method of gluing the padding and cover to the base. Bikeroo Most Comfortable Bike Seat for Men - Padded Bicycle Saddle for Men with Soft Cushion - Improves Comfort for Mountain Bike, Hybrid and Stationary Exercise Bike 4.3 out of 5 stars 2,306. Traditionally marketed as a men’s saddle meant that the Specialized Romin Evo Pro Saddle has only had chance to serve one side of the cycling population. If you get a new saddle, it is worth reassessing your saddle height. amzn_assoc_asins = "B000HZA918,B075H8N5ZF,B004YWGA7C,B000YIS4ME"; What I would say, is that each of these saddle manufacturers is likely to have women's ranges of saddles as well, so take a look at them if you wish. It takes most of your weight and therefore it is crucially important to have a comfortable seat if you want to enjoy long rides. Discipline specific. But it doesn’t come cheap. This doesn't mean that everyone rides one though, and one of the reasons for that can be price. We’ve got a detailed guide to choosing the right saddle for you here, and it’s well worth a read before you make your purchase. I've personally never gone for the cut-out type saddle these guys seem to specialize in, but they might be a good choice for men with prostate issues. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "davstrapag-20"; If you’re happy with the Flyer, stick with it! With just the right amount of gel for cushioning, this is probably the most comfortable mountain bike seat you can buy. Shape is the most important aspect of saddle comfort. Most dealers offer test saddles want to try one out before you buy. A light, supple saddle like this one is designed to keep bike tourers, charity riders, and multiday adventure riders comfortable on their road or gravel bike for consecutive days. As such, my personal recommendation of a good saddle for touring on a bicycle is the Brooks B17 Saddle. If you fall into this category of person, you might prefer to try their Cambium saddle instead. Never underestimate the importance of bike seat comfort. Many people who don’t need a cut-out comfortably ride saddles with cut-outs with no problems. With bike saddles coming in all shapes and sizes, it can be hard to know which type will suit you best. Buy now: Specialized Power Expert saddle at Tredz from £81.89 or from Competitive Cyclist for $160. Especially if you’re thinking of having kids… Still, it's worth a try if you don't want a leather saddle for bike touring. This guide to the best saddles for touring will help you on your quest to find a comfortable bike seat for cycling long distances. Check Price On Amazon. It’s also a good idea to check that the saddle is sitting at the correct position on the rails – getting this wrong can lead to discomfort elsewhere, such as knee pain. But when you are planning for long-distance rides or sports touring or a cross-country (XC) cycling, you must consider the durability and performance of your saddle. Find Latest Price. Finding the perfect saddle for you can take a little work. It supports your sit bones so well that it feels comfortable in any riding position. Your email address will not be published. The Ignite is Supacaz’s take on the modern short and stubby saddle. Check out my full review here: Cambium C17 Saddle Review. The important thing to remember is that the basic steel railed model will often have the same shape as the top end carbon-railed version. Cut-outs and channels can relieve stress on soft tissues in your delicate areas. The ischial tuberosities are the parts of your body designed to bear your seated weight. The solution? Buy now: Supacaz Ti Ignite Saddle from Westbrook Cycles for £124.99  or from Amazon for $185, Read more: Fizik Antares R3 saddle review. An uncomfortable bike saddle can turn cycling into a miserable experience – and can even lead to long term injuries if you find you’re sitting strangely in search of comfort. … Especially when compared to other bike saddles that seem to offer just as many benefits at a fraction of the price. BiSaddle make’s your bike saddle feel invisible! Bikes.com.au - Melbourne Bicycle Centre Prahran *EXCLUDES BIKES & LARGE ITEMS. Fizik’s latest saddle incorporates an innovative new construction process and aims to create a custom, fit-to-body feel. This also enables pro riders to push the saddle further forward on the rails, as there is a current (arguably outdated) UCI rule that limits how far forward the nose of the saddle can go. You may need a cut-out. As I'm a guy, this guide to touring saddles is written from my perspective and experience. We all have different-width ‘sit-bones’. If you decide to buy items through these links, you will be helping Dave to fund this site and perhaps the next adventure. The Specialized Power was the saddle that kicked off the short and stubby trend that has since seen just about every saddle brand launch their own version. This doesn’t affect the amount you pay. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; Discomfort in the saddle varies between riders, but is often the result of a saddle that is too narrow. A stubby saddle, a lot like the Specialized Power, the Pro Stealth has a wide pressure relief channel that suits riders who like to sit in an aggressive position and stay there. With a very different flexible base, and vacuum bonded customized rail, the bike seat offers utmost comfort, balance, and performance while riding. Riding in a time trial position requires most riders to be ‘on the rivet’. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. amzn_assoc_linkid = "785ed47c3e01d70fa326638cadeb89ed"; The Fizik Aliante and Specialized Toupé are also examples of saddles designed for a more upright position. We hope you will love the products recommended here, FYI we may get a small share of the sale if you buy through our links and it will not affect product price in any way . This doesn't mean that everyone rides one though, and one of the reasons for that can be price. At Reid Cycles, we have a large collection of bike saddles in a number of styles and shapes, with additional options perfect for any rider.We have comfort saddles as well as high performance racing styles, so whether you just need a soft place to sit for your ride to work, or you want to challenge your speed and endurance, we have the bike saddle for you. This has been designed as a long distance touring saddle, but made from vulcanised rubber with a cotton top. An Italian company with a similarly long heritage as Brooks, Selle Italia make a range of saddle, some of which may be more suited to long distance bike touring than others. I can't pretend to say what type of saddle would be best for women. Last updated on April 7, 2020 By Dave Briggs 2 Comments. Dion Lewis. Advertised as the most comfortable bike seat, the Rock Rider Extreme Comfort Bike Saddle is a wide seat making it ideal for women. Terry Bike Saddles – Complete Selection of the Best, Most Comfortable Cutaway & Gel Bicycle Seats: Free Shipping, Love It Or Return It Guarantee. If you are regularly suffering from discomfort on the bike, make sure that you’ve invested in a good quality, properly fitting pair of cycling specific shorts before you blame the seat. In order, here are our favourite mountain bike cranks. Win win – we like that! The lightweight Fizik Antares R3 saddle provides a great balance of comfort and freedom of movement. In order to help you find the best saddle for your commuter bike, we’ve reviewed five of the most comfortable seats on the market today. $37.99. In reality, assuming it’s comfortable for you, nearly all saddles will work on all types of bikes. Most Comfortable Road Bike Saddles (Visited 2,065 times, 1 visits today) Last update on 2021-01-03 at 01:30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Their remarks brought back a mixed bag so to speak. Remember, changing your saddle can change your saddle height. Available via Amazon: Charge Spoon Saddle. Over time, the saddle on your bicycle will wear out, becoming less comfortable and less ergonomic. Most modern bikes conform to the same standard, so any reputable saddle will fit any reputable bike. POSTCODE EXCLUSIONS … One of the most crucial parts of your bike, the best road bike saddles will be comfortable and supportive without being bulky or heavy I tried this saddle out for a few months, but didn't really get along with it. But with so many bike saddles available to buy, knowing what one is the best for you is not always obvious. Many bike shops have what we like to call ‘bum-ometers’ (we just made that up). Hi Here are the usual steps to mount this wide bike saddle: Mounting instructions: 1. So, we have created a helpful buying guide for bike saddles, giving you all the information you need to know to find the right one for your needs. COMFORTABLE BIKE SADDLE - Due to thick padding and dual spring suspension, the Bikeroo bicycle saddle is considered one of the most comfortable and soft bike seat since it improves comfort it and helps you feel awesome on your bike Bike Saddles . It’s another saddle that technically falls into the male camp, but our female tester found it really comfortable, so don’t rule it out for either sex, especially as there are two widths available. Fizik and ISM both provide this service. Riders who spend a lot of time in an aggressive position often want a pressure relief channel, while those who desire the freedom to move around a lot will favor a longer nose. Available on Amazon here: Brooks Saddle for Bicycle Touring, Check out my full review here: Brooks B17 Saddle. However, some people find that cut-outs can increase pressure at the edges, or pinch delicate skin. We tell you what to look for in your quest to find the best bike saddle for you, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, Best winter cycling gloves: Keeping hands warm in the coldest months, The best cycling overshoes: toasty toe covers for autumn and winter riding, Best cycling computers: the best bike computers on test, Supacaz Ti Ignite Saddle from Westbrook Cycles for £124.99, Fizik Antares R3 saddle from ProBikeKit from £91.99, Specialized Power Expert saddle at Tredz from £81.89, Fizik Temp Argo R1 saddle at Tredz for £179.99, Selle San Marco Mantra Superleggera Open saddle at ProBikeKit for £242.49, Fizik Arione Saddle at Wiggle from £82.99, Fabric Scoop Flat Pro Saddle at Wiggle from £90, properly fitting pair of cycling specific shorts. There’s not many saddles that we’ve sat upon that offered us so much comfort. A Fizik Arione saddle with carbon rails. As such, my personal recommendation of a good saddle for touring on a bicycle is the Brooks B17 Saddle. Entry-level saddles have steel rails, and the further up the price bar you move, the more you encounter manganese, titanium and carbon. Next: shop around, look for models that are suited to your style of riding, level of flexibility and anatomy. It’s not totally perfect – such lightweight has to compensate in at least something, right? The saddle is a key contact area of the bike. This saddle is made of a high quality faux lether although, we recommend you to put a rain cover or it for extra protection. It’s not always easy to tell whether you’ll get on with a saddle by looks alone (or weight, for that matter), and considering the intimate nature of the relationship between rider and saddle, it’s important to take the time to see if you work well together and feel comfortable after long periods in each other’s company. Don't wait any longer to ride further and faster. Your sit bones leave an impression in foam, the width of which can be measured. Versatile. In comparison to genuine leather, it also holds up to wet weather and sweat a lot better and won’t leave you with the feeling of being stuck to the saddle after a few hours of riding. This is a good saddle for anyone that doesn't want to maintain a leather saddle, and prefers not worrying about what happens when the saddle gets wet. SGODDE Comfortable Bike Seat-Gel Waterproof Bicycle Saddle with Central Relief Zone and Ergonomics Design for Mountain Bikes,Road Bikes,Men and Women 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,742. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; A quick note – Men and women will have different needs when it comes to bicycle seats. Brooks B17 Saddle For Touring The classic Brooks saddle is by far the most popular saddle for bicycle touring. Giddy Up Bike Seat Overall Best Commuter Saddle. 99 Bikes has a huge range of Bicycle Seats and Saddles from brands like Selle Italia, Pro, Profile Design, Ascentia, and more.Options to suit any rider, from gel comfort saddles for recreational riders, to Road Bike Saddles with carbon fibre rails for road racers. A short-nosed saddle which might feel a bit strange if the stubby genre is new to you, but we found the design incredibly comfortable. Our tester found it one of the best in terms of all-around comfort and loved the loud colorways. Subscribe *EXCLUDES BIKES & LARGE ITEMS. To maximize comfort you should aim to get a saddle that is the right shape for your style of riding and sit bones. However, depending on … I think they’re essentially the same except the addition of the springs on the Flyer. As most of your weight is support by your saddle rather than the handlebars, it is most important that the back-end of the bike is comfortable. What I would really love though, is feedback from any female cyclists about their opinions on the best saddles for women. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; What's comfortable in a bike saddle for me could be a nightmare for you, and vice-versa. If you buy a women’s specific bike then chances are it will already be fitted with a women’s specific saddle but it’s not necessarily the right one for you. The big variance in what riders need means that there’s a huge amount of choice on offer. Carbon and titanium are also slightly more forgiving than steel, allowing for more comfort. Buy now: Fizik Antares R3 saddle from ProBikeKit from £91.99 or from Competitive Cyclist for $131.25, Read more: Specialized S-Words Power Saddle review. Shop for the best and most comfortable adjustable bike saddle, bike seat, and cycling saddle. This can mean the rider has a forward rotated pelvis, with the sit bones typically up, off the saddle surface. Hopefully, it goes without saying, but the shorts you’ll wear on the bike make a difference to your overall comfort, too. My name is Dion Lewis. We provide you with the adequate cycling saddles and bicycle seats for sale. Specialized and Bontrager both produce devices like this to measure your sit bones and these are often available to try in your local bike shop. That might be an extra 5 days budget on a long distance cycling tour! I for one wished I had done this earlier. More importantly, it doesn’t cost you anything extra. Like many manufacturers, they have a variety of bicycle saddles made of different materials, some of which may be more suited to bike touring than others. A comfortable bike saddle makes your ride an enjoyable and painless experience. Dave’s Travel Pages has a number of affiliate links placed within the travel blog. Alternatively, hunt out the brands that offer test saddles from dealers. In this forward position, the pubic bone and other soft tissues become weight-bearing. Bradley Wiggins has a very flat back and aggressive position and favours a flat and narrow saddle. The Specialized Romin is another example. One of the biggest factors in saddle comfort is bike fit and positioning. The Arione is suited to flexible riders and is quite a narrow perch. So, is there a reason to swap out the flyer? Though the Brooks saddles (like any other leather saddles) have a longer … It’s an important thing to remember is that a bigger derriere doesn’t necessarily mean you have bigger/wider sit bones…, >>> 31 things you always wanted to know about cycling, but were afraid to ask. The Scoop Radius Elite Bike Saddle is designed for all types of cycling adventures and bike packers. A common misconception is that more padding equals a comfier saddle. Let our buyer's guide for all price points steer you in the right direction. Buy now: Fizik Arione Saddle at Wiggle from £82.99 or from Competitive Cyclist for 131.25. EVA padding helps to relieve pressure while a carbon composite shell. There might be a small weight advantage to having the B17, but comfort is the main thing in my eyes. Most cases of saddle-related discomfort arise because the load is carried on the soft tissues between the sit bones rather than by the bones themselves. My recommendation – If you are starting out on your journey to find the best bicycle touring saddle, try a Brooks B17 and see how you get on. Any returns policy on offer is important, too – some companies will allow you to buy a saddle to try it out and swap it for another if you are not happy with it within 30 days. Some riders (male and female) ride bare carbon saddles and get along fine. Womens Saddles are available, which are typically wider to accommodate wider hips and anatomical differences. A general rule of thumb is that the saddle width should be sit bone width +2cm. The classic Brooks saddle is by far the most popular saddle for bicycle touring. Take it from me, that was possibly the dumbest rationalization I've ever made for not buying one earlier. Required fields are marked *. This US saddle brand was also mentioned by a couple of cyclists. I can't honestly say I've tried them all, but I've been through quite a few, including two dollar saddles picked up at street markets in Africa!