Save my perineum!
June 19, 2010 9:43 AM Subscribe
How can I pick a good, safe bicycle saddle for men that doesn't cost too much?
Lately, I've been biking for about an hour or so a day, and I feel like I'm generally feeling better. However, downstairs I feel a little numb to sore afterwards, and I'm worried it might be effecting my libido (although that could be caused by many other variables in my life right now, pardon the TMI). I wear padded bike shorts, but my bike is equipped with one of those big, squishy foam seats. From what I read online, that's pretty much the worst type of bike seat because they move pressure from the sit bones to other parts, like the testicles and the vein to the genitals, and there's now some concern that can lead to long term reproductive health issues. Yikes!
What's a good bike seat that costs under $50, preferably in the $35 area? Other pluses would be shipping via Amazon free shipping, as my local bike shop only carries a really cheap plastic seat and $100 and up deluxe saddles.
And yes, I know that part of being comfortable on a bike is getting used to whatever bike seat you have, so I won't instantly fall in love with the new one until I develop the muscle tone and posture. I just get the feeling my extra-thick squishy one has obvious faults for my anatomy.
Lately, I've been biking for about an hour or so a day, and I feel like I'm generally feeling better. However, downstairs I feel a little numb to sore afterwards, and I'm worried it might be effecting my libido (although that could be caused by many other variables in my life right now, pardon the TMI). I wear padded bike shorts, but my bike is equipped with one of those big, squishy foam seats. From what I read online, that's pretty much the worst type of bike seat because they move pressure from the sit bones to other parts, like the testicles and the vein to the genitals, and there's now some concern that can lead to long term reproductive health issues. Yikes!
What's a good bike seat that costs under $50, preferably in the $35 area? Other pluses would be shipping via Amazon free shipping, as my local bike shop only carries a really cheap plastic seat and $100 and up deluxe saddles.
And yes, I know that part of being comfortable on a bike is getting used to whatever bike seat you have, so I won't instantly fall in love with the new one until I develop the muscle tone and posture. I just get the feeling my extra-thick squishy one has obvious faults for my anatomy.
Response by poster: What's the thoughts on noseless saddles, by the way? Good idea?
posted by mccarty.tim at 10:32 AM on June 19, 2010
posted by mccarty.tim at 10:32 AM on June 19, 2010
Noseless saddles take away your body's ability to keep the bike stable. They seem extremely unsafe to me, but I have never ridden one myself. Cut-outs are hit and miss, from what I've read. If the cutout hits you in the wrong place, you may have an edge hitting you where you really don't want one. (FWIW, I ride a Selle San Marco Aspide, a women's racing-type saddle.)
Saddles are one of those very individual choices. What one person may love, may cause you unbearable pain and discomfort. Your best bet is to go to a local bike shop that will let you try out saddles.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 10:58 AM on June 19, 2010
Saddles are one of those very individual choices. What one person may love, may cause you unbearable pain and discomfort. Your best bet is to go to a local bike shop that will let you try out saddles.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 10:58 AM on June 19, 2010
Best answer: Just my opinion, do not go hornless. Your thighs and the horn of the saddle have a much greater effect on controlling the bike than you would think. I've had non-cut out seats that didn't lead to numbness but, for me, cut-outs are the way to go. I think Terry was pretty much the cut-out pioneer. I've ended up on the somewhat radical Selle SMP Evolution but I think it just happens to fit my "sit bones" to a tee. Otherwise, it's a bit harder than most would prefer. Just about every manufacturer has a cut-out model these days.
In your price range I'd try finding something like a used Terry Fly on eBay. Looks like Nashbar may have some Terrys under $100 in their discontinued store. Here's a Terry Fly for $52 new.
posted by Carbolic at 11:32 AM on June 19, 2010
In your price range I'd try finding something like a used Terry Fly on eBay. Looks like Nashbar may have some Terrys under $100 in their discontinued store. Here's a Terry Fly for $52 new.
posted by Carbolic at 11:32 AM on June 19, 2010
All the usual disclaimers about saddles being a very personal matter and having to experimant to find one to suit your own backside apply...
but the WTB Rocket V (starting around $30) is quite popular among some distance cyclists who choose not to use leather (Brooks, etc.) saddles, and a good a place as any to start.
posted by normy at 11:49 AM on June 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
but the WTB Rocket V (starting around $30) is quite popular among some distance cyclists who choose not to use leather (Brooks, etc.) saddles, and a good a place as any to start.
posted by normy at 11:49 AM on June 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Tipping the seat forward a notch or two helped me with this. Part of this can also be attributed to form, so be sure you're not letting your spine sag, pulling your pelvis forward and, to coin a phrase, "mashing your taint." Moving forward and back is normal, but you should be able to keep just your sit-bones on the seat body for long periods.
Bike Nashbar has some decent options, which even with shipping come in well within your budget.
posted by rhizome at 11:59 AM on June 19, 2010
Bike Nashbar has some decent options, which even with shipping come in well within your budget.
posted by rhizome at 11:59 AM on June 19, 2010
Nthing what was said above about adjusting your saddle as needed once you get it.
I found that a cheap Schwinn women's saddle from Canadian Tire was incredibly comfortable over long distances (up to 120 km so far). Check Amazon and Craigslist for a cheap Schwinn with cutouts that isn't too soft. This might work, but you have room in your budget, so you don't have to go that cheap.
posted by maudlin at 12:09 PM on June 19, 2010
I found that a cheap Schwinn women's saddle from Canadian Tire was incredibly comfortable over long distances (up to 120 km so far). Check Amazon and Craigslist for a cheap Schwinn with cutouts that isn't too soft. This might work, but you have room in your budget, so you don't have to go that cheap.
posted by maudlin at 12:09 PM on June 19, 2010
Get a used saddle, preferably a Selle Italia Flite. The Flite gel saddles are well regarded but I don't have experience with them. I have the regular Flite and it is extremely comfortable, and light. You should be able to pick up a used one for under $50.
posted by caddis at 3:19 PM on June 19, 2010
posted by caddis at 3:19 PM on June 19, 2010
Best answer: I got this Velo Plush saddle a couple of years ago, and have really liked it. It's proven more durable and more comortable than others I've paid twice that much for. I've done up to 125 miles in a day on it and my grundle had no complaints. I also like it for commuting because unlike other saddles in its price range, the covering is impermeable, so if you have it parked outside during a rainstorm, you don't come back to a soaked sponge.
Of course, what everyone else says about adjustment and individuality is true. Everyone's taint is a special snowflake -- a lot of local bike shops will let you ride a saddle for a few days and then exchange it for credit for another one for just this reason.
posted by dr. boludo at 3:37 PM on June 19, 2010
Of course, what everyone else says about adjustment and individuality is true. Everyone's taint is a special snowflake -- a lot of local bike shops will let you ride a saddle for a few days and then exchange it for credit for another one for just this reason.
posted by dr. boludo at 3:37 PM on June 19, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks for the tips, everyone! I'm not sure if it's the bike seat that's causing my problems, but I will definitely appreciate a more comfortable ride! I'm going to try Dr. Boludo's suggestion first, as I needed some other stuff from Amazon as well.
posted by mccarty.tim at 5:55 PM on June 19, 2010
posted by mccarty.tim at 5:55 PM on June 19, 2010
I use Brooks B17 but its probably outside your price range. I've always found that too much padding is a real problem on long rides and the bare 'sit bones' on leather helps a lot for me once I got used to the hardness of the saddle.
are the padded shorts also causing a problem?
posted by mary8nne at 1:40 AM on June 20, 2010
are the padded shorts also causing a problem?
posted by mary8nne at 1:40 AM on June 20, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Finding the right saddle is one of those things that can be tough for people. I have a friend who burned through 4 or so before she found one her dainty ass was happy with. That said, something like this will probably be a good starting point. (ProBikeKit is in the UK, but ships free to the USA).
I think you've got the right idea in general, except for this: you shouldn't try to fit your saddle, it should fit you.
posted by adamrice at 10:17 AM on June 19, 2010