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So let's put it another way: if I look for touring saddles, why is it that the results are always in the same area: brooks-ish?
What you say is true: there are as many good saddles as different body types. So then why there's no talk of San Marco, SMP, Concor, fizik, etc in the touring world?
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why is it that the results are always in the same area: brooks-ish?
Same reason why people buy Dawes Galaxy.
So then why there's no talk of San Marco, SMP, Concor, fizik, etc in the touring world?
Marketing.
Brooks push their saddle toward the touring market as they're "known" for this, as well as being a comfortable saddle 100 years ago, but nowadays the field widen and there are great saddle that offer even better relief from pressures on a long ride.
You don't see Fizik promoting their saddle to the touring market doesn't necessary mean they're not idea for such endeavor.
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Fair enough, but there seems to be more to it than just marketing. Though I don't know what it is because unfortunately saddles are so hard to aquire knowledge about, especially on long distance.
I'll tell my (little) experience anyway. Have a Brooks B17 which served me well for a good while, though there was a bit of chaffing on long days or when going uphill for a while. Always thought this could be improved because the saddle is very sensitive to setup. One degree here or there (nose a bit up, etc) makes a lot of difference so I thought I was just a few mm away from a perfectly comfortable position.
Then I did a bike fit and discovered I had to go up with the saddle quite a bit. On this new position, with considerable drop, the same saddle that was almost great just kills me. The hammock style really doesn't agree with me bending forwards. Apparently flatter saddles or nose down ones are better for that, but on a B17 you'd just slide down.
Horses, courses and all that. But perhaps with different personal cases a pattern can emerge? Anyone has experience with the other end of the spectrum, say a lightweight, little padding saddle?
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Horses, courses and all that. But perhaps with different personal cases a pattern can emerge?
The only pattern is that the Brooks saddle simply doesn't work for you, because you have to ride it at an ineffective height to be comfortable, which can inflam your knees and cause future injuries.
The knowledge out there can help narrow down your choices (Specialized Romin, Fizik Aliante, SMP Composit, etc), the decision is in your court.
Best I can tell you is ignore the sitbones width thing, as they're not consistent with everyone.
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There's also the no nose saddles, which seem to be supported by research in America:
Sure way of making your bike look terrible.
edscoble-
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Saddles
Posted by
@ough
I had a quick look around and didn't find a thread where we could discuss touring saddles. So I'll start with some considerations, hope that's ok.
From what I can gather, Brooks B17 is good if your bars are high, Swallow and Pro better if you have a saddle-bar drop. Selle anatomica is softer leather and good for an initial period but sags after a while, as anything in leather with a cutout can do. On the other hand, cutouts reduce pressure on the lower bits when you bend forwards, which is always a plus.
Now, what happens if you go touring on a racing saddle like SMP dynamic? Or the forma, with a bit more padding? Would that work long term? If something works for long hours pushing at the limit, why wouldn't it for leisurely pace?
Disclaimer: I know there's no absolute truth on saddles, something that works amazingly for one can make the other numb, sore and miserable. But hey ho, let's see what enlightenment comes out of this.