Commuting - Aaaaagh!

REALLY enjoyed cycling to work yesterday for the first time in years, but my poor backside! I think my tyres are a bit hard and the track is very bumpy in places. Anyway, I was wondering what the latest thinking is on saddle design. Last time I looked, the serious cyclist would only consider a solid leather saddle which was broken in like a horse. Nowadays, there seems to be a lot of talk about gel technology and my local shops seem to deal with products from companies that weren't around when I last looked into it. My current saddle is a Specialized gel thing, but it is old. Should I just buy some cycle shorts (with padding) or is it time to consider a new seat?

Originally posted by Rigid
for the first time in years

There's the problem!

Your butt will get used to it. Get some padded cycling shorts anyway, they make cycling far more pleasant.

get a week or two of cycling in while you research seats. You'll find that your backside will have stopped hurting, you'll have more of an idea what to get and then . . . go ahead and get a new seat anyway coz it'll make you feel good about the bike.

Choice of saddle probably depends on type of riding you plan to do and distances involved. A Road Bike at speed - you'll want a long skinny saddle - SelleItalia or San Marco Rolls or Brooks 18.

Mountain biking or short commutes, get something wider and more comfy.

And don't write of suspended seat posts either.

Stew

Sounds like good advice to me. A few years ago I cycled to work regularly and don't remember any pain, but the saddle was newer back then (I've read the gel can harden over time). I think I'll give the shorts a try for starters.

First off they shorts are padded not for extra seat cushion, but as a drying agent to keep you from chaffing. Hard leather style (vinyl will work but I find it sweats) is really the best leather softens with time and does form to your butt. I tripped accross a seat at the Seattle Bike Expo that has really worked for me. Up to that time I always had a sore butt, not to mention numbness in certain areas after long rides. Talked to my doc and he suggested a new seat (and yes I leveled my seat Had mt LBS adjust it) always had a pain in my butt. Ayway this seat is just called The Seat, it looks really funky like the cut off the horn and pulled down the nub and it has a wider rear on it as the seat. I tried it out and decide to think about it for awhile. I bought one a month later after deciding what do I have to lose, they said they would refund my money if I didn't like it. Put it on took a couple of miles to get used to it and afdter that no pain, no circulation problem the seat gives you all the support you need. I have around 1500 miles on mine and I won't trade it for nothing. I know this should be on shameless promotions but I have already posted a thread over there. I say what do you have to lose it is a great seat try it. I do not get any money for the sale of these things I just think it worked so well for me that I should share it with my fellow riders. here is a link to there site TRY IT you will never go back!

www.ergo-theseat.com
I bought the leather one a freind of mine has the vinyl and she loves hers
David

Bought some shorts yesterday so we'll see how we go. Also fitted new grips and bar ends which has given me more 'real estate' for hand positioning and weight shifting between rear end and arms. That ought to do it, but that SEAT looks interesting...

I did the Tour De Fat here in Seattle yesterday and I saw 2 go buy me it is starting to catch on. I tell you that it is the most comfortable seat I have ever pedaled with :D

As a result of reading about the SEAT and the way they designed it so your weight is supported on your 'sitting bones' rather than crotch, I slid my saddle forward on the seat post about an inch. Amazing what a difference that has made. I'm making far more use of the big, wide area of the seat now and even on a bumpy ride on hard ground yesterday evening it felt much more comfortable.