Which saddle for London to Paris

I tried an Arione and loathed it.

I have one on my geared racing bike and love it. Having so much forwards and back movement open to you makes everything easier-right forward for sprinting, loads of leverage, etc, right back for climbing over the bb and wedging yourself onto the bike.
I honestly noticed a power increase from the better position it gave me over a normal shape selle italia saddle I had on there before. And they're a lot comfier too, you get enough, but not too much flex from the wings. For sure it's a subjective thing, chosing a saddle, but I personally love mine.

Also, you could possibly borrow it for a couple of days if you want to try it out? For a few beers?

Saddles are a bit like sexual partners, what works for one person may not for another, sometimes the ugly ones are more comfortable.

Shhhhh!!!! Don't tell everyone or they'll all want a piece of me

HTFU. No one needs 100quid cycle shorts.

There was a good test in C+ a few months back. Comparison of time in saddle before getting any pain of any kind. Roughly as follows if I remember;

Non cycling specific shorts 30-60 minutes
Padded cycling shorts 1-2 hours
Assos shorts 3 hours
Assos shorts with creme 4 hours

Seemed pretty conclusive to me that you do need 100 quid shorts if you want to ride for very long rides in comfort, which I would guess the London to Paris is?

Shhhhh!!!! Don't tell everyone or they'll all want a piece of me

but Clive you are so good, I must tell everyone how you can gargle the hits of the 80's before you swallow

plus he is well padded so makes for a comfortable ride

quick question, have you thought about getting a cyclefit? I think it be useful than changing saddle.

I worked at Tri Uk for a while and fitted bikes there. A lot of it is pretty common sense-stem length is crucial, along with drop with and depth. I'd also suggest a wing drop like the easton (although it's pretty deep if you ride down a lot) would be the most comfortable option for a longer ride. I'm not going to go into a full guide but I think it's true that you should get this right, regardless of saddle.
I miss playing with these...2008 Cervelo P3 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

dont subsribe to the assos hype. hippy and BDW swears by it, but just cant bring myself to spend >£60 for a pair of shorts. im more than satisfied with my dhb shorts.

I would if I had the money, but I dont.
I may for the Tour/Wessex though...

I find it mildly amusing that generally it's people who have not tried the more expensive products say they are not worth it, but once people have paid the money they tend not to go back to the cheaper alternatives.

Am sure there are more expensive versions of Clive, but doubt they are worth it.

I would if I had the money, but I dont.
I may for the Tour/Wessex though...

plenty of climbing in ToW. you'll be off the saddle a lot anyway ;)

highlights: going down cheddar gorge and seeing the sth coast!!!

I find it mildly amusing that generally it's people who have not tried the more expensive products say they are not worth it...

not necessary in this case tho. if what i currently use is slowing me down, uncomfortable and painful to use, wears out after couple of use, then yes, you're right i should move up a grade or two.

There's a whole thread called what saddle. Read it.

It is a rather long thread. I mean, better to start a brand new thread, than read 3 pages, .....then ask a question.

;)

spend money on shorts. 90quid or more. cheap ones just do not cut it in my opinion, assos or the like.

WTF!! haha if you spent £90 on some shorts they must have seen you coming!

Basic padded shorts are good, and heaps better than nothing.
If you can spend a bit more, say £30-£50, they will get better, but this is down to materials in the short, not their "will make you comfy gaurantee".
I ride in middle of the range shorts and find them just as good as expensive ones.

I rode from Brighton to Paris on my fixed bike in one go, the saddle was one that i have been using for years (thus comfy), I had some endura fs200(i think they are called) bib shorts and some swrve 3/4 shorts over top.

The fact that Magazines rate expensiive shorts as 'the best you can get' is because they are Biased and normally have a 'deal' going on with clothing reps. ever wondered why the bike testers always have new kit on in photos..?

WTF!! haha if you spent £90 on some shorts they must have seen you coming!

Basic padded shorts are good, and heaps better than nothing.
If you can spend a bit more, say £30-£50, they will get better, but this is down to materials in the short, not their "will make you comfy gaurantee".
I ride in middle of the range shorts and find them just as good as expensive ones.

I rode from Brighton to Paris on my fixed bike in one go, the saddle was one that i have been using for years (thus comfy), I had some endura fs200(i think they are called) bib shorts and some swrve 3/4 shorts over top.

The fact that Magazines rate expensiive shorts as 'the best you can get' is because they are Biased and normally have a 'deal' going on with clothing reps. ever wondered why the bike testers always have new kit on in photos..?

but what saddle did you use.

I noticed no one mentioned the Brooks saddle.

I've got some 3-yr-old Endura FS200s, but they've been downgraded to use on the turbo. The pads have, er, bottomed out.

I know someone who bought some Assos shorts for twice the price at the time, and the pad has held its form better.

We do similar mileage.

If it wasn't for the fact that I only had enough money for team kit this time, I'd have probably saved up and gone down the Assos route. Castelli shorts are pretty good though.

i have an old and battered selle italia, no idea of the name its one of the 'genuine gel' models . had it for about 5 years and i got it secondhand for £20.....works a charm :)

Ess El Are <3 my rear.

but if its down to other technical decisions, I have been riding the same setup bike for a long time so all the little adjustments are tweaked, and I also have a carbon seatpost that smooths out vibration. So it can get all over the top on 'how to be comfy'.
Get some padded shorts, cross your fingers for good weather and enjoy the wonderful french countryside on your bike :)

plenty of climbing in ToW. you'll be off the saddle a lot anyway ;)

highlights: going down cheddar gorge and seeing the sth coast!!!

Cheddar Gorge was my home hill for a while....epiiiiic
The only time I ever used the triple was when I hit THAT hairpin up. It's a total wall.
Is it a descent, not a climb on the wessex?

Cheddar Gorge was my home hill for a while....epiiiiic
The only time I ever used the triple was when I hit THAT hairpin up. It's a total wall.
Is it a descent, not a climb on the wessex?

long drag up then down the twisty touristy bit last year. i was told it was the other way around in previous versions.

dont subsribe to the assos hype. hippy and BDW swears by it, but just cant bring myself to spend >£60 for a pair of shorts. im more than satisfied with my dhb shorts.

So how many pairs of Assos shorts have you tried?

I was satisfied with my shorts but got some Assos and am now more satisfied. All depends if you want the maximum comfort that is available or are happy with less (nothing wrong with that obviously)

There was a good test in C+ a few months back. Comparison of time in saddle before getting any pain of any kind. Roughly as follows if I remember;

Non cycling specific shorts 30-60 minutes
Padded cycling shorts 1-2 hours
Assos shorts 3 hours
Assos shorts with creme 4 hours

Seemed pretty conclusive to me that you do need 100 quid shorts if you want to ride for very long rides in comfort, which I would guess the London to Paris is?

Depends what your definition of 'need' is.

To ride from London to Paris you definitely need a bicycle.

You also need to be physically able to do it.

You will need to eat food and you will need to drink water. You will need to breathe.

You will need to wear some sort of clothing, at least to avoid getting arrested.

But will you really need £90 shorts? If you think so, then I question your understanding of the meaning of the word 'need'.

Re: Saddles

The thing to bear in mind with saddles is that there are basically two types: those that "hold" you and have a dip in which you sit (e.g. Flite, Turbo, Rolls, Aliante); flatter ones which allow a range of different positions (e.g. Arione, SLR). I'm currently loving my Zoncolan, which is a little between the two - it holds you but gives you a range of positions. Well worth a try, as is the Arione (which I personaly didn't like), Flite (which I do like), Aliante (which a friend into long distance rides swears by).

Re: Shorts
I think you only appreciate good shorts once you've tried them and done serious distance on them. That said, there's no need to spend £100 on a pair, plenty of cheaper shorts with good pads. Have a look at Pearl Izumi Attacks, very comfy and well paddded shorts and should be around £50. Otherwise the various italian shorts available at Prendas are excellent and great value - my favourite pair of shorts (and I own a few pairs!) are some Nalini's I got for £40.

So how many pairs of Assos shorts have you tried?...

none. when i up my mileage, bum pain is the least of my complaints (usual order is bit like this...lower back, neck, shoulders, feet, thighs, arms, fingers). like i said, dont find the need for it, it wont make me faster/wont make climbing any easier/etc. more comfortable? perhaps. one day ill try one.

fck me, just checked. price rise! the model i was looking at last yr cost £15+ more now

Depends what your definition of 'need' is.

To ride from London to Paris you definitely need a bicycle.

You also need to be physically able to do it.

You will need to eat food and you will need to drink water. You will need to breathe.

You will need to wear some sort of clothing, at least to avoid getting arrested.

But will you really need £90 shorts? If you think so, then I question your understanding of the meaning of the word 'need'.

The comment I made was "need 100 quid shorts if you want to ride for very long rides in comfort" I think that shows an understanding of the word need. You could easily ride in lesser shorts but for max comfort need better ones.

none. when i up my mileage, bum pain is the least of my complaints (usual order is bit like this...lower back, neck, shoulders, feet, thighs, arms, fingers). like i said, dont find the need for it, it wont make me faster/wont make climbing any easier/etc. more comfortable? perhaps. one day ill try one.

fck me, just checked. price rise! the model i was looking at last yr cost £15+ more now

Fair enough, looks like you have got a good durable arse on you :-)

I would guess not many can ride for 4 hours without some sort of discomfort in the seating area