The vast majority of cyclist's don't need a high end saddle they need a properly designed and fitted saddle for their body type and riding position.
If a rider selects the proper saddle for their position on the bike and has a saddle that supports the sit bones correctly that is more important than pretty much anything. Never buy a saddle because everyone has it or that it looks cool. There's more important considerations here.
While Brooks and similar companies have been around for ages it's not for everyone. There is a huge following of Brooks saddle lovers and that's awesome, and if you are dedicated and willing to spend the time to set it up, ride in saddle to break it in, you will love it. Remember those leather shoes we use to get from Mom and Dad. Ouch they hurt when new, but eventually they fit us perfectly. I know for myself I remember those blisters at the begining of each new school year and am probably still traumatized by them, anyhow that's another post.... (wow that kinda makes me feel old remembering those days)
However, there is also a huge number of people who prefer something that will give them great comfort straight out of the package. How many of us still buy full leather shoes? Just a few I presume from looking into any show store or sporting goods shops.
I hear this on forums and in store all the time where people go out a spend big $$ on leather ones and ergo gel one's in the search for the ultimate saddle. They buy brand "X" because , well it looks cool, online reviews claim it's the best, and riders swear by them which is great. But most people expect fast results and want to be comfortable now and not in 300 miles. We see them come into the shop asking for help as the $$$ saddle they purchased is not ideal and hurts.
The posts above talked about "fit". This is HUGE, as it's super important to properly position your saddle on your bike. It's amazing how we see saddle angles and saddle positions incorrectly installed on a bike. Most people have no idea that a saddle is actually adjustable and should be adjusted for each rider.
There will always be the enthusiasts who are dedicated to their hobby sport, but realistically I have yet to see any significant % of cyclists willing to spend time oiling a leather saddle, tension it, protect it from the elements etc...(think polishing your shoes regualarily like Grandpa use to). For those who want to and are willing to dedicate the time that's awesome you will have a rewarding saddle that fits you like a glove or like a fine pair of italian shoes. The average consumer wants and needs a pair of "Hush Puppies" (not sure that's the best looking brand, but you get the idea).
As mentioned properly fitting / adjsuting the saddle on your bike is super important. The most common issues we see with saddles are:
1 - Saddle / seatpost not set to the correct height. There is a little science involved here and this is typically a 2 person job to get this right. Proper leg extension is key. This is another topic completely and there is lots of content out there that shows how to measure this correctly. If you need a hand, a good shop will have at the very least some tools to measure this. If they don't that's scary.
2- Angle of the saddle is too far down (nose pointing downwards) which typically causes riders to develop pain / fatigue / numbness in the wrists, hand area etc....
3- Angle of the saddle pointing upwards (nose pointing upwards) which we normally see associated with neck, lower back and shoulder pain
4- Improper saddle set back. Set what you say? Yeap, those 2 metal rails under the saddle not only look good they allow for the saddle to be moved both forward and backwards. A good atarting point is to start somewhere near the middle.
There are several theories for how to set this up correctly. For most non competitive riders either one of the methods works just fine. At the shop for a basic fit, we use a plumb bob and place it at the forward part of the clients kneecap and see where it lines up in relation to the pedal spindle. What we are looking for here is to see where this lines up. If the line is in front of the spindle of then the saddle needs to be slid towards the rear. If the line if drops behind the spindle then the saddle needs to be moved forward.
5- Riders installing a suspension seatpost and don't take into account the that the position of the saddle changes when a load is applied to it. Depending on the type of suspension seatpost this can be minor to extreme. So you want to check this out in your owners manual for any recommendations that may have come with your seat post.
With all this being said, don't just go out and start moving everything around on your bike. Start from the basics and learn more about how to adjust these items before doing so. I highly recommend chatting with an expert (online or in store), getting a fit done in store or watching some great videos on Youtube (from a shop that knows how to fit, not some dude in his garage).
There is a lot that a rider can do to improve their level of comfort. Don't just go out an buy a saddle because everyone else has "X" brand or that it looks cool. It's all about fitment to your body type, gender and riding position.
This is why I am such a big fan of saddles that make selecting a saddle easy for consumers. While a high tech saddle and a fitment is the best, very few people will spend $200 - $400 on a saddle and another $150 on a fit. There are quite a few options out here, so just be honest with your ability and the time you want to invest.
If you have the interest and the time to spend adjusting, rubbing oils, tensioning etc.... of a leather saddle then go for it. To prep a leather saddle in 3-4 days takes work and patience, it doesn't just get set up without applying oils, baking it, soaking it etc..... Normally you need anywhere between 300 - 600 miles on it for it to fit you (waiting for a list of messages saying not true but it is) . If done right, you will be rewarded and you will love your leather saddle and probably will never want to part with it.
If you are like the vast majority of people (including myself), you wont spend the time doing it. In my opinion you are better off taking the time to select a saddle that matches your riding position, gender and adjust it properly on the bike. You will be so happy you did.
hope this helps and ride safe everyone,
Will
shop.scooteretti.com
