When you look at pro cyclists are lof them have near solid looking saddles, yet can go for days and days.
Thinking about it, they are both very light, and put out huge average power compared to an amateur.
Even Frank Day is going to push down harder than he pulls up on the pedals, so thats going to reduce how much weight is on your ass.
Perhaps the answer to saddle discomfort is to go faster?
When you look at pro cyclists are lof them have near solid looking saddles, yet can go for days and days.
Thinking about it, they are both very light, and put out huge average power compared to an amateur.
Even Frank Day is going to push down harder than he pulls up on the pedals, so thats going to reduce how much weight is on your ass.
Perhaps the answer to saddle discomfort is to go faster?
i think another variable you are leaving out is the amount of hours they have spent riding. those guys are used to 6 hour + days on the bike. when i get tired on the bike, it isn’t because my saddle is uncomfortable, it is because my legs can’t pedal any more.
i do think being light helps. i am a bit smallish by uci tour average which is 69kg. when i started biking, i had almost no discomfort on the saddle. i have only ever had one numbness experience.
as far as putting out a lot of watts helping, i am afraid i cannot provide any experience there. 
Very good question.
Saddle comfort changes- pretty obviously- with the amount of downward force on the pedals that takes some weight off the saddle. However, a cyclist with a good pedal stroke is also pulling up with a fair bit of power. You may have felt the sensation of crushing your crotch against the saddle as you pull hard on the pedals and concentrate on pedalling a 360 pedal stroke.
One thing most high level cyclists do have is a high degree of saddle acclimation and good saddle comfort habits. We tend to ascirbe too much significance to the saddle as the centerpiece of saddle comfort. No doubt, saddle selection is important- and it is different for the advanced hobbyist cyclist (us) as compared to the top level pro. That said, saddle selection is only a part of the saddle comfort package- factors like wearing the right shorts (very important) wearing them correctly (tight fitting, no undergarments, using chamois cream every ride) and precise bike fit are, as a whole (combined together) more relevant to saddle comfort than just the brand and model of saddle.
People have a tendency to hunt for the “magic” saddle that relieves saddle discomfort once and for all. Truth is, saddle comfort (and acclimation) is a dynamic, moving target. It changes as the athlete changes, getting better acclimated to sitting on the saddle, gaining fitness, losing weight, improving their position. When a cyclist losses fitness and gains weight (me) their saddle comfort goes backwards.
Here’s a link to some thoughts on saddle comfort I wrote a while ago:
http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/features/saddlecomfort.shtml
I’ve done a zillion fast century rides where I hung with the fast roadies near the front and I was quite comfy on my saddle for the duration. Then I went on one of those MS 150 outings with a “team” of fundraising buddies and the leader wanted us to stay together – at about 16 mph. It was awful. I was in misery by the end of the first 75-mile day. My ass was killing me because soft-pedaling was causing it to bear so much more weight than normal. About half way through the second day I couldn’t take it anymore. I made up some excuse and told the leader I needed to get back. I rode off at my own pace.
I think there’s a lot to what you say. However, I think you can make the mistake of using your legs to support your weight subconsciously to compensate for an uncomfortable saddle and you won’t realize you’ve been doing it until you make a change and are lucky enough to find a truly comfortable saddle … one you can really rest your weight on so you can devote your energy to turning the pedals and not turning the pedals AND lightening the burden on you ass.
.
I’ve done a zillion fast century rides where I hung with the fast roadies near the front and I was quite comfy on my saddle for the duration. Then I went on one of those MS 150 outings with a “team” of fundraising buddies and the leader wanted us to stay together – at about 16 mph. It was awful. I was in misery by the end of the first 75-mile day. My ass was killing me because soft-pedaling was causing it to bear so much more weight than normal. About half way through the second day I couldn’t take it anymore. I made up some excuse and told the leader I needed to get back. I rode off at my own pace.
I think there’s a lot to what you say. However, I think you can make the mistake of using your legs to support your weight subconsciously to compensate for an uncomfortable saddle and you won’t realize you’ve been doing it until you make a change and are lucky enough to find a truly comfortable saddle … one you can really rest your weight on so you can devote your energy to turning the pedals and not turning the pedals AND lightening the burden on you ass.
.
Most comfortable saddle I ever rode was an old leather Sella Italia. Took a while to break in, but after that, it was so comfy. Wish I still had it.
John
excellent points. i addition i think in the faster group rides one tends to move position on the saddle more often. maybe come forward to pick up the speed to close a gap or stand for a bit on a climb. on slow rides i find i’m just sitting in the same position for the whole time.
There are also some saddles you can ride very comfortably for a period of time, but become painful for one reason or another on a longer ride. Maybe you will notice on a longer ride than you are used to that near the end your squirming around a lot or have sore sitbones for a few days afterwards.
It may not have ALL been due to the intensity of the ride. I know my favorite saddle (Toupe Ti 143) isnt too comfy after 3 hours. Luckily I race mostly in the 2 to 3 hour range so its not a problem except for a few long endurance rides. I have noticed that this saddle rarely appears under the butts of pro roadies even though many amateurs swear by it!
That backs up my belief that its a great saddle, if you dont ride 3 to 6 hours a day every day for a living (or enjoyment).
Ray
I do think that having a lot of muscle in the saddle area probably makes things a bit easier. I find my off season ass a lot less comfortable than my July ass.
All that said, most pros don’t run gossamer saddles. Heck, a lot of them are still running Turbos and Concor’s from 15 years ago eg pre Flite saddles.
i want to be comfy on this saddle, which weighs near nothing
anyone try it? heh
My butt hurts just looking at that thing.
i want to be comfy on this saddle, which weighs near nothing
anyone try it? heh
** OUCH!**
i want to be comfy on this saddle, which weighs near nothing
anyone try it? heh
That is possibly the most perfect tri saddle ever made.
Its light, fast, looks awesome, mega bling and has a huge cut out to allow you to pee on the bike 