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Bike Saddles

Over the years since uploading my free plug for chamois cream I have received a fair number of emails from people wanting to know which bicycle saddle I would recommend.

Embarrassingly I had to explain that the concept with bicycle saddles is least uncomfortable, rather than most comfortable. I was beginning to think I would never find a bike seat that I really liked. I rode with a leather saddle for years, believing it to be the best, because various older more experienced cyclists told me so. I put up with sores, numb nuts, and even brusing etc. because anything worse by definition must be really uncomfortable. In fairness it was better than my last non leather saddle, but I’m not tempted to try another. My previous favourite saddle was quite a cheap Italia and I would have bought another when it became damaged but I couldn’t so it was back to square one.

Bought a not very cheap Viscount, but price is no guarantee of comfort and this was/is the most uncomfortable saddle I have ever tried. Problem is that once you have fitted a new saddle to the bike and tested it, it will be difficult to return to the shopkeeper because telltale marks in the seat rails will prevent him from selling it as a new item. So if you know someone with lots of spare saddles, talk nicely to him and you might save yourself some money.

My Favorite Selle Royal Saddle
I finally found a seat that I would recommend to anyone. But please be aware that just because I think it is really good, it doesn’t necessarily follow that you will also. Everyone’s bums are shaped differently so don’t blame me if you buy one of these and don’t find it comfortable. However I think it’s the most comfortable saddle I have ever owned and it’s the Selle Royale Alpine. Not particularly light but nicely shaped, padded with gel and comfortable (for me) for at least 2 hours without causing numbness.

Selle Royale bicycle saddle

My Old Viscount Saddle
The Viscount pictured below was my previous saddle. I find riding with this for more than fifteen minutes without standing up requires a great deal of determination. Consequently I haven’t racked up lots of miles with this one because it was too uncomfortable. I did consider chucking it in the bin but it is still in very good condition so its sitting in my spares box in case of emergency.

Viscount Bicycle Saddle

The good points about the Viscount saddle are:

Anyone who thinks they might have a Viscount shaped bum is welcome to buy it (at own risk and you also pay the carriage) for a nominal sum (make me an offer). If you want I will even print you up a certificate of authenticity that says as used by Nigel Jones, and/or the most uncomfortable saddle I have ever owned, or whatever you like providing it is true.

See Also
Prevention of saddle sores

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A top tip for endurance cyclists by Nigel Jones Sept 2006