Slowtwitch saddle tour - picking a new saddle

Bob Irwin

I started this a couple of weeks ago with a question about the Cobb Gen 2.  I currently ride a Cobb SHC 170, but for some reason am experiencing discomfort after about 3 hours this season.  Thought I might try the Gen 2.  Then I read something on Slowtwitch about the "saddle tour".  Not sure how many have heard about it, but it went like this.  They have signed up 39 shops around the country to help people select the proper saddle in 2-3 day events for each shop.  I went to Sports Basement in Walnut Creek and worked with their fitter - Gino.  They used an Exit fit cycle.  He also had a device called a switchit which he got from Dan.  First he set up the bike according to the measuements that Todd came up with when he did my fit.  Then started trying saddles.  The switchit allowed him to change saddles, adjust height, tilt, back and forth, etc with me even getting off of the bike.  Changing a saddle took all of ten seconds.  I tried my current saddle, Cobb v-vlow, Max, and Gen 2 (it was amazing how much difference the tilt made on this saddle), and one adamo saddle all in the space of about 30 minutes.  A couple I rode for ten minutes, the rest I could tell weren't right immediately.  If you get a chance to try this in your area, I'd defeinitely recommend it.  Gino said that he'll continue to do it for free for anyone who calls and makes an appointment even after the event (he does fittings a all sports basements for those in the bay area).  I bet most of the particpating shops would do the same. 

I chose to try the Gen 2 (properly adjusted), but I won't know if its right until after a few 3+ hour rides.  But I found several that I was thinking of trying that I know for sure aren't going to work.

 

Paul Hough

I took advantage of the saddle tour this past Saturday. I could tell within a minute which saddle was more comfortable. I went through 7 different saddles and, surprising to me, the ISM Attack was the most comfortable. It is a road saddle and was not part of the tour, but the shop had it if anyone was interested. The fitter told me had already sold two Attacks that day. I wish the new Fizik Tritone had ben available, but right now the Attack will be my next one.

Nemo Brauch

Very cool, thanks for the review!

tgarson

They're in San Diego right now, definitely going to hit it up but am really interested in trying out the Sitero and trying to find a list somewhere of what Saddles they actually have available. Going to give them a call this afternoon and set up an appt.

Bob Irwin

the shop where I went had just become a Cobb dealer, so they had all of their saddles. They told me I could try any saddle they had in stock - including any of the ISM saddles. So I tried one of those - didn't work for me, but I know a lot of people like them. They also had Fizik saddles, but I've had an airione and arione tri, so I didn't try those. They didn't have Specialized.