Generic Touring Thread

Took me a long time to find it, but Fizik Aliante has been superb. Only saddle (including leather, Cambium, ergon etc) that I've found I can ride pain free multiday, long distance etc.

Personal though I guess.

Why would you say extra padding is bad? I think extra padding or some kind of way of absorbing the bumps would have really helped on my tour. On the smaller tarmac roads that were really bumpy, the problem was I kept bouncing on the saddle, which I reckon more padding would have mitigated.

My budget won't stretch to a Gilles Berthoud, sadly, but that Velo Orange Touring looks interesting.

There's 'extra padding' and then there's things like gym saddles...

Are you male or female? It makes a good different to saddle that work.

Also there is nothing better than a pressure mapping bike fit. It can turn an ok saddle into the best saddle in the world.

I have a fizik ares now, and the pressure mapping numbers are some of the lowest seen.

Hehehe. If you Google 'Ketsbaia', your question will not only be answered, you'll also have a bloody good idea who I look like.

Good question!
In my experience, the purpose of the saddle is not(!) to act like a cushion between your butt and the bike, but to support your sitbones. Excessive padding will adapt/mold around your soft bits and create pressure on flesh and skin, which then becomes sore.

From what you describe, about bouncing on the saddle, maybe your seat is set a little too low?
I've found that when I've set my saddle at an approriate height most of my weight is supported by my legs and not the saddle.

The answer, as ever, is to go and have a proper bike fit that includes pressure mapping, isn't it?

Nope.. I've found my saddle height through trial and error for years. I don't ride for "performance" and only ride with flat pedals though.

I'd think it'd be of much more value to learn to listen to your body and adjust your bike according than throwing money at a bikefit.. but that's just me.

I mean, the saddle height seems right. I haven't tried it slightly higher, though, so I guess I could and try it out. But I have knee issues sometimes too, so there's always the chance a higher saddle may exacerbate them. Throw in my increasingly inflexible lower back and the interconnectedness of things begins to rear its ugly and painful head.

I'd think it'd be of much more value to learn to listen to your body and adjust your bike according than throwing money at a bikefit.. but that's just me.

I would vehemently disagree with this.

It depends how much time you invest. I didn't pretty well for 30 years without a bikefit. But I've also had bikefits and physio consultations that have helped me sort out issues that appeared when my volume increased massively. There's also people who seem to have fitted themselves into horrible positions and caused themselves numerous issues as their fits got weirder and weirder over time to cater for the muscle imbalances they kept exacerbating.

Basically, it depends. Picking a saddle doesn't need a bike fitter, but it might help.

and I'm mates with a bike fitter. So, you know. YMMV. Don't believe everything you read on the internet etc

and never listen to 60kg riders telling you they never have saddle issues. Fuck those skinny bastards. :D

my volume increased massively

lolz

That's your prerogative

#hippyisfat

This is where a kindle is so great, right? Loads of book, minimal weight and size. (Yes Amazon though, obv other e-book readers are available)

EDIT: somehow didn’t realise this was three days ago

They didn't exist the last time I carried a book.

Also, I like books and don't own a Kindle. You can pick books up as you go in book shops all around the globe too which is neat.

Basically, yeah, the shape is much flatter than a Brooks, I didn't get on with my Team Pro at all.

Just wrapped up a week of touring around Montenegro, Albania & Kosovo. 530km-ish and over 10k meters of climbing.

Would recommend.

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Awesome! Any more pictures?

Nice bag

Not long been there myself (heading home through Italy atm). Bosnia and Montenegro blew my mind. Did you cross the border at Hum and do that road down to Pluzine n over Durmitor? Ooh and the Albanian road with the serpentine climb/descent?! I could talk all day about these places!

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This
was our entire route. We passed Pluzine after descending from Durmitor! What a great place for a bike trip.

@Tijs I'll upload some when back in the UK!

Amazing!!