Which saddle for exercise bike?

[Devold]

We've bought a Kettler ergometer exercise bike this winther. It's a bike with an upright riding position. I got crappy joints and some back problems. That's why I want to ride in my living room all winther in stead of riding many hours at my gym, where I also train my back. When spring arrives, i will ride my full suspension bike and my other bike for commuting.

The saddle on the exercise bike is awfull though. Almost 27 cm wide and my legs are bothered by the wide saddle. We tried one of my expensive WTB saddles in stead, but it didn't work because it's not made for an upright position.

I'm thinking a saddle which is made for an 60-90 angle degree would be just about right?

And maybe 18-22 cm wide?

Can you recommend a saddle?

Cheers

[pinsonp2]

I use a Specialized Dolce Sport saddle on my hybrid and comfort bikes. One might work for your Kettler. They come in 155 and 175mm width.

P2

[OakLeaf]

When you measure yourself, do it in a position (hip angle) as similar as possible to the one you're at on your stationary bike. The shape of some people's bones means the distance between the sit bones varies a lot as they rock back and forth on them. So you're not necessarily going to want the same saddle for a 60° hip angle to the horizontal, as you would for a 90° angle.

18-22 cm would be very large for most people, though not unheard of ... but also, 4 cm is a very big range, and you're unlikely to fit on everything within that range. What's your sitbone distance in your usual riding position? Are you thinking you'll probably need closer to 18 cm or closer to 22 cm?

Typically, because of the fixed position, any trouble you have with a saddle on the road will be magnified many times when you're indoors, either on a trainer or a stationary bike (rollers are a little bit better, especially as your skills improve and allow you to move more). So be very sure the fit is good. It takes just as much experimentation or more than a saddle for outdoors, but starting with the basics of width and cut-out shape will help eliminate a lot of saddles that will never fit you.

For indoors, and especially in an upright position, you might even try a noseless saddle. You obviously don't need the nose for steering a stationary bike!

[Wahine]

I agree with everything that Oak has said.

Here are some saddle models that my more upright clients have liked. None of these are terribly expensive.

Serfas E-Gel Cruiser
Respiro moderate
Ergon Phorm S 310 Gel Max

The first two listed are men's saddles, but don't let that scare you away. I'd encourage to read the reviews on these and also consider carefully nose width which can be a problem with these wider saddles.