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Just how different can they be: Saddles
Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2021 6:16 pm
by Mr Moofo
I bough a Brooks Cambrium C17 carved saddle . At last it is the most comfortable saddle I have ever used - but maybe a tad wide.
So I bought a Cambrium C15 - non carved.
It is the most uncomfortable thing I have ever placed my arse on !
I am stunned about the difference - it will be on eBay tomorrow
Re: Just how different can they be: Saddles
Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2021 6:27 pm
by weeksy
Lol ask my boy, I can't find another he likes, so he rides with a ripped one as he loves it.
I use wtb pure
Re: Just how different can they be: Saddles
Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:51 pm
by Ditchfinder
Wtb volts suit my sit bones, nothing else
Re: Just how different can they be: Saddles
Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 11:19 am
by Saga Lout
Brooks B17 suits my arse. The Charge Spoon it replaced was pretty good. The Enigma branded saddle that came with my current bike was swapped out after one ride.
Re: Just how different can they be: Saddles
Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 5:43 pm
by Ditchfinder
Went for a ride today on a saddle I'd not ridden before and I'll not be doing it again, thank God I was on the hardtail so I had to stand up more anyway
Re: Just how different can they be: Saddles
Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 7:46 pm
by DefTrap
I have a Madison flux. Istr it was sold as a cheaper alternative to a charge spoon.
It seems ok but it's not noticeably more comfortable than the super cheap saddle on my road bike
Re: Just how different can they be: Saddles
Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 10:30 pm
by Ditchfinder
Maison flux = charge spoon = wtb volt all made by same factory and they just stick different branding on the top cover I think
Re: Just how different can they be: Saddles
Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2021 8:57 am
by lostboy
Ditchfinder wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 10:30 pm
Maison flux = charge spoon = wtb volt all made by same factory and they just stick different branding on the top cover I think
Pretty much that. All have the same chassis but with a very slightly different stitched cover over the top. I have Charge Spoons on everything - can't remember the last time I paid full price for one, in fact I can't remember ever paying over £20 for them. Works for me (and a lot of the population) and just do the job.
@DefTrap - not sure what you think a "cheap" saddle is when the Spoon is at £20. The one that came on the Cube road bike was more than twice that as an accessory and I did the first ride on it and it cut me in two.
@Mr Moofo keep trying different saddles - it's the same as helmet fit or whatever, all of a sudden you'll find one that is just like ambrosia for your arse!!
Re: Just how different can they be: Saddles
Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2021 9:34 am
by Mr Moofo
lostboy wrote: Wed Oct 27, 2021 8:57 am
Ditchfinder wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 10:30 pm
Maison flux = charge spoon = wtb volt all made by same factory and they just stick different branding on the top cover I think
Pretty much that. All have the same chassis but with a very slightly different stitched cover over the top. I have Charge Spoons on everything - can't remember the last time I paid full price for one, in fact I can't remember ever paying over £20 for them. Works for me (and a lot of the population) and just do the job.
@DefTrap - not sure what you think a "cheap" saddle is when the Spoon is at £20. The one that came on the Cube road bike was more than twice that as an accessory and I did the first ride on it and it cut me in two.
@Mr Moofo keep trying different saddles - it's the same as helmet fit or whatever, all of a sudden you'll find one that is just like ambrosia for your arse!!
I have tried Charge Spoons - I can do around 25-30 kms on one
I am just hoping to come up with something that is comfortable for longer ..
The Cambium c15 was about 3 kms - and I did 30 on it. It was a chore
Re: Just how different can they be: Saddles
Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2021 9:47 am
by DefTrap
lostboy wrote: Wed Oct 27, 2021 8:57 am
@DefTrap - not sure what you think a "cheap" saddle is when the Spoon is at £20.
To be honest it was a fair old while ago and I wish I'd never mentioned it now. Maybe it was the other way around.
I get to remember the disappointment of a reasonably uncomfortable saddle pretty much every day though.

Re: Just how different can they be: Saddles
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 10:19 pm
by MingtheMerciless
ISM saddles for me after a nasty prostate and urinary tract infection. Normal saddles are bloody excruciating.
Re: Just how different can they be: Saddles
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 10:25 pm
by Mr Moofo
MingtheMerciless wrote: Thu Oct 28, 2021 10:19 pm
ISM saddles for me after a nasty prostate and urinary tract infection. Normal saddles are bloody excruciating.
I have been wanting to buy / try for a while - but diff to find the MTB one ...
Re: Just how different can they be: Saddles
Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2021 10:19 am
by MingtheMerciless
Mr Moofo wrote: Thu Oct 28, 2021 10:25 pm
MingtheMerciless wrote: Thu Oct 28, 2021 10:19 pm
ISM saddles for me after a nasty prostate and urinary tract infection. Normal saddles are bloody excruciating.
I have been wanting to buy / try for a while - but diff to find the MTB one ...
Have a hunt on eBay, the MTB one was called the "Peak", its been dropped as they have revised the whole naming sequence of saddles for the brand but their website does specify which ones are its equivalent (just looked and its the PM2.0).
Re: Just how different can they be: Saddles
Posted: Sun May 10, 2026 10:45 am
by Mr Moofo
Raise from the grave!!
I have had a bit of a week - that involved a stay in hospital and being informed that my prostate need a complete rebore.
Due to what i have had done until the above I will be off the bike for 2-3 months (both MTB and motorbikes) but when i do get back in the saddle it will be time to visit ISM saddles again.
The last time i tried them they were awful - so @MingtheMerciless is it just a case of sticking with it ?
Re: Just how different can they be: Saddles
Posted: Sun May 10, 2026 4:25 pm
by MingtheMerciless
@Mr Moofo , sounds painful, hope your on the mend?
Yes, you'll have to persist, follow their setup guide to the letter when fitting.
Re: Just how different can they be: Saddles
Posted: Wed May 20, 2026 10:32 pm
by mboy
Mr Moofo wrote: Sun May 10, 2026 10:45 am
Raise from the grave!!
I have had a bit of a week - that involved a stay in hospital and being informed that my prostate need a complete rebore.
Due to what i have had done until the above I will be off the bike for 2-3 months (both MTB and motorbikes) but when i do get back in the saddle it will be time to visit ISM saddles again.
The last time i tried them they were awful - so @MingtheMerciless is it just a case of sticking with it ?
Sadly got a bit of experience in this subject... Couldn't ride for over 18 months due to various bowel cancer surgeries and complications that kept me off a bike...
When I did finally get back on one, I was fortunate enough that an industry friend sorted me out with an SQ Lab 610 Ergolux in a very supportive 17cm width, and it absolutely did the job very effectively. Totally removed any pressure from anywhere near my starfish or the perineum... It's firm, so needs a good pair of padded shorts still, but supported in all the right areas...
I've not needed it in more than 12 months now, moved back to more regular saddles thankfully... If you think it would be of any use to you, let me know...
For a number of reasons, I am not a fan of ISM saddles. I think there are better options to achieve the required relief, without actually losing the desired platform and support of a regular saddle... Anyway...
Best of luck with the rebore!
Re: Just how different can they be: Saddles
Posted: Thu May 21, 2026 7:29 am
by Mr Moofo
^ I have tried ISM saddles before - and dont really get on with them
Re: Just how different can they be: Saddles
Posted: Thu May 21, 2026 5:08 pm
by Mr Moofo
@mboy I may take you up on that offer - but its is going to be mid July before I get anywhere near a bike. Thanks