Comments on: Half-Cocked Panic About Bike Saddles

By: Joe Maki

Joe Maki — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 22:12:16 +0000

I’ll agree with most that a saddle is not dangerous, as far as we know I’d also like to point out that 3 cyclists I know (myself included) were diagnosed with prostate cancer in their early to mid 50s. This disease is common among men in their late 60s and 70s, not so much for 50 year old men. We’ve all been active riders for 25-35 yr. Coincidence? I sure hope so. I’d hate to see a plague of PC hit those folks who fell in love with cycling during the bike boom in the ’70s.

By: Chris Stefan

Chris Stefan — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 20:10:28 +0000

Personally I’m a fan of Brooks saddles. No hard parts under the seat to press into your more sensitive bits.

I’ve recommended Brooks saddles to a number of cyclists who’ve complained about trying to find a saddle they found comfortable. Every single one has become a Brooks fan as well and won’t ride a bike without one or a similar leather saddle.

Now not every Brooks saddle is appropriate to every bike, rider, or riding style. But this is why they offer such a wide selection of models. For most riders the B17, Flyer, or B67 seem to do the job.

By: jessica

jessica — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 08:40:53 +0000

I got my boyfriend a new bike seat for his birthday and he loves it! It was from http://www.cyclexpress.co.uk which was a really good website!

By: Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:40:04 +0000

Ted,

You don’t ride enough.

My daily commute is 35+ round-trip. I’ve never had issue on saddles with a horn, but then again, I’ve always ben conciencious of “proper” bike fit.

By: Ted Johnson

Ted Johnson — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:24:59 +0000

Consider that, for me, a big day of cycling is when I go about 10 miles. Could that be why I don’t even know about this numbness problem? Or could it be that I’m lucky to have good saddles on the various bikes I use?

I shall return to the saddle issue in a future post–because I’m still breaking in my VO Model 3 Touring Saddle–and I’m sure that readers have been losing sleep thinking about my butt ever since I first mentioned it.

By: Bob P.

Bob P. — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:37:23 +0000

I have almost 3,000 miles on my Velo Plush, which came with my Surly LHT. No numbness. My junk still works.

By: John Heylin

John Heylin — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 06:59:58 +0000

I made the switch to noseless a few years ago and have never looked back. Never go numb, never uncomfortable, and I love the way it pushes you forward to put more weight on the pedals.

The seat was recommended to me by a guy I bought a touring bike from. He’s biked all over the world and finally he started having (cough cough) problems. Turns out he had built up scar tissue on his urethra, the doctor said he could never bike again. He said “screw that” and switched to noseless, has never looked back.

I love not being numb while biking, or the pain of when you start to get tired and maybe sit on the seat a little harder. So what if I can’t pedal without my hands on the handlebars due to balance issues, I’ll take that over a broken unit any day.

By: norm

norm — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 22:27:06 +0000

Well you really do have to choose and adjust your seat properly, and it makes a difference whether you’re more, um, erect or crouched over in the saddle. *cough*

By: BluesCat

BluesCat — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 21:49:04 +0000

One thing I DO have to agree with is the idea that the little sliver of material that is a road bike saddle can NEVER be comfortable stuck up there, messaging your prostate mile after mile. The ONLY thing beneficial those abominations do is keep the seat post from straightening out the first foot or so of your colon.

In general, though, I agree with you that the whole “Bike seats are DANGEROUS” turgid rhetoric is based on pretty flaccid logic.

(C’mon now, you KNEW that was comin’, right?)