Saddle Life: How long will it last?

[Ana]

I just bought a Specialized Ariel saddle for my road bike from my LBS who fitted me :-) It is working out TONS better than the stock Bontrager saddle that came on my bike. I'm not a serious racer and my rides span between 10 and 25 miles so this one is a little bit cushy. I'm considering trying a Specialized Jett (I'm a 130) but have got to wait and see how the Ariel works out first.

Anyway, I am a student and my bike was a graduation gift so I don't really have the appropriate income to outfit my bike as I would like to (whenever I go to the bike store, I want to buy EVERYTHING....mostly new bikes...hehe).

Anyway, how long should I expect my saddle to last? How will I know it's dead?

Thanks!

[redrhodie]

I rode the saddle that came on my Dolce until it literally ripped apart at the seams and had foam hanging out (and it's still on that bike). Funny thing is, once I got my Selle an-atomica, I realized my old saddle wasn't even comfortable! Ignorance is bliss. I guess you can ride it 'til it either hurts or falls apart.

I did read somewhere that bike shorts have a 6 month lifespan, but i'm not sure if that's 6 months for George Hincapie, or 6 months for me. His six months would take me about a decade kinda like dog years.

[mimitabby]

I have a brooks saddle that is about 30 years old. The leather is very soft and comfortable.

I rarely hear of a Bontrager saddle that someone likes. Everyone seems to get them on their bikes and then they replace them!

[OakLeaf]

I did read somewhere that bike shorts have a 6 month lifespan, but i'm not sure if that's 6 months for George Hincapie, or 6 months for me. His six months would take me about a decade kinda like dog years.

Mmmmmm, six months in George Hincapie's shorts......

[redrhodie]

[Aggie_Ama]

My last saddle (Fuji stock) went 2.5 years and over 4,500 miles before I sold the bike. It was still comfortable and good condition.

My Serfas saddle on my new bike needed to be replaced about 6 months after I got the bike due to cover wear. I have been too timid to try a new saddle, so I am still riding it. It is comfortable, just looks horrible!

[indysteel]

It depends. I'm paraphrasing Susan at TE here, but as she explained it, saddle life depends on a handful of factors--how much foam it has, how fast/hard you ride, what kind of weather conditions you ride in, whether the saddle has a cutout. As a point of reference, my Terry Butterfly Tri Gel started to become less comfortable after about a year/4,000 miles. I'm about due for another saddle, but I'm waiting for actual discomfort to set in. Susan indicated that that was pretty standard for that particular saddle given the way generally I ride.