I feel like I am on a never ending saddle search. This year I’m going to do my first full distance race, so I feel like I really need to find something that will be comfortable for long rides. For sprints to halfs, I can make a number of different saddles work. Right now I’m trying a Cobb Max, I’ve got a Fizik Mistica ready to try as well. In the past I’ve tried a number of the ISM models, a JOF55, an SMP T2, and a Dash stock stage.
It seems like most are too narrow in the cutout, which pinches things off. For the ones that seem to be the right shape, I sink to the bottom of the padding due to weight.
For reference, I’m about 6’6" 200lbs
For those that have similar stats, what works for you?
having a hard time imagining why you’re having such a battle with the saddle for long comfy rides… I was in the same boat (about searching for as addle that would work for me) until I finally tried the selle italia iron flow as my main problem was that damn rug burn on my upper thighs!!! though I am not as tall as you only 5’11 but I am in the 215-220 range most days!
I found the ism pn 1.1 very comfy but would kill my thighs later! had the bontrager from my S/C and that was a torture device & the ism time trial was hard a rock and would also burn my thighs; the only problem with the selle is that there is only one position to ride on it and it better work for you lol there’s not much room to play with as far as sliding back and forth.
I actually thought the dash was pretty good, but only in the aero position, which is what the stage is designed for. I couldn’t spend anytime upright on it for a break on long rides. Maybe I’ll try the strike version.
Saddles are so specific, it’s hard to figure out what each person needs until they try it out.
Oddly enough, I’m very happy with the Specialized Power saddle in both road and TT positions. I have it level for the road, and a couple degrees tilted downward for TT and it’s fantastic to me. For reference, I am 6’1’’ and 195 pounds.
I went through a similar search: Several Adamo models, Sitero, Fizik saddles and nothing worked. All the nose saddles chaffed me horribly and could only last about an hour on them. The Sitero was OK and the Fizik was OK.
In the end for me … it’s the new Specialized Power Pro saddle.
Technically it’s a road saddle, but short at 24cm long. I ride the 143 on my TT bike and 155 on my road bike. 4 hour rides are not an issue with this saddle for me. It’s the most comfortable all around saddle that I’ve owned.
I’m slowing shrinking and getting heavier - 6’2 and 202 lbs currently. Cobb Plus and Max as well as the original Selle San Marco Azoto saddles still work for me. David K
I have fit numerous larger riders over the years. I find that you need great sit bone connectivity between saddl and body as well as what amount of pelvic rotation is involved. Sitero good choice if you live on the aerobars as you should. Firm support for your pelvis. The Cobb Randee I’ve had success with lately. I’m in the South so see my share of larger riders.
I wanted to like the standee but it was far too soft in my opinion. I think bigger people, in general, should be thinking about firmer not cushier saddles although they make take some getting used to
The OP mentioned the JOF 55, which in my opinion is way softer than the Randee. I figured if he liked that width/design, the Randee would be a better bet. I generally agree with you that larger riders do better with firmer saddles, but I have not found the Randee “soft”.
I thought the same, but maybe it’s just because the padding on the 55 is thinner, so I sink to hard shell of the saddle. In the end the 55 was too thin, and pinched things off down there.
I put the mistica on my bike yesterday (the wide version). I actually like it pretty well, but the channel in the middle isn’t deep enough, and ends up causing quite a bit of discomfort after 45 minutes or so.
Maybe I need to just htfu. However, I like to tinker with things, so I ordered some industrial foam of various densities and ILDs, and also some cheap tri saddles on ebay. I’m going to try and take them apart and find the perfect foam balance. If it works out I’d be happy to report back in case anyone else wants to try it.
having a hard time imagining why you’re having such a battle with the saddle for long comfy rides… I was in the same boat (about searching for as addle that would work for me) until I finally tried the selle italia iron flow as my main problem was that damn rug burn on my upper thighs!!! though I am not as tall as you only 5’11 but I am in the 215-220 range most days!
I found the ism pn 1.1 very comfy but would kill my thighs later! had the bontrager from my S/C and that was a torture device & the ism time trial was hard a rock and would also burn my thighs; the only problem with the selle is that there is only one position to ride on it and it better work for you lol there’s not much room to play with as far as sliding back and forth.
Can you talk about the Selle Italia Iron Flow a bit more? It’s always intrigued me. I’m currently on the PN 2.1 on my tri bike and the PL 1.1 on my road but I’m going to try the PR 2.0 on the road bike soon. They’ve been working but I feel like I’m left wanting a bit
you have only one position to ride the saddle, there’s not much moving forth/aft so in one way it helps as you’ll know that you’re not seated correctly on the saddle forth/aft and sides for those people like me who sometimes prefer to use one side more than the other, this saddle will center you well
at 135mm it feels like it has some small restriction on the back side (at least for me) then again I do have 25in thighs so it may be part of the reason, which also bring me to the entire point to making the switch to it, ISM time trial and PN1.1 would leave rub burns on my upper thigh!!! however the PN1.1 is the best saddle of them all as far as comfort and adjustability just wish it was narrower at the prongs.
I can clear the saddle no issues, fairly well padded and comfortable for a saddle so narrow as this one. it does take a couple of rides to get adjusted to the new position, I did have to stop almost every mile for 5-6 miles to find the right tilt and forth/aft position for me and it is now the saddle I will ride from here on!
I have the cheap version of it so I can only imagine that the more expensive version of it is an improvement from this one. I’ve done roughly 300 miles on it and have not seen an issue with it, and again; you’ll feel some sort of ache if you don’t reset your rear as you have set the saddle for, so at the point that you’re feeling discomfort, numbness or aches is because you need to get back to the original position and just like that everything goes away.
longest ride has been a 44 miler so there’s still a lot for to find on this saddle but I am confident it will do it’s job!
The SMP T2 was a big miss. Take a look at the Pro, but it absolutely has to be set up correctly or is feels like a big miss. When right you settle into the tumblehome and have something like a seat back to push against.
I ride a Selle SMP Dynamic on my road bike which in narrower, but better in a road position. Need the Pro for a TT position.