dashecky
11-11-05, 10:17 AM
We bought a tandem and I want to make a couple of upgrades like larger seats; I want to know if anyone knows which ones or other types we should try.
Tandem Cycling - Gel seats
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lmzimmer
11-12-05, 04:19 PM
We bought a tandem and I want to make a couple of upgrades like larger seats; I want to know if anyone knows which ones or other types we should try.
My wife likes the gel seat in the stoker position. Her preference is a fat wide seat - there are several to choose from at seat guy .com. another option which we have not tried but I think might be a winner is to try one of the sprung brooks seats- available from harris cyclery or walbike (six month return policy on seats!) Also she is very sensitive to the nose angle and it always takes a few tries to get it just right . I personally am a brooks fan since I find them comfortable and m previous one lasted over 20 years. We are on our second gel seat in 2 years because the nose of the first broke.
My wife likes the gel seat in the stoker position. Her preference is a fat wide seat - there are several to choose from at seat guy .com. another option which we have not tried but I think might be a winner is to try one of the sprung brooks seats- available from harris cyclery or walbike (six month return policy on seats!) Also she is very sensitive to the nose angle and it always takes a few tries to get it just right . I personally am a brooks fan since I find them comfortable and m previous one lasted over 20 years. We are on our second gel seat in 2 years because the nose of the first broke.
lmzimmer
11-12-05, 04:21 PM
Sorry thats walingford bike (www.wallbike.com)
DocF
11-13-05, 07:30 PM
I too am a Brooks fan. I had one on my first remotely good bike when I was a kid and I've always coveted thme. We have Sprung Brooks on our tandem (B67 captain, B67S stoker) and I don't find mine uncomfortable even though they are not close to being broken in. My wife had some issues with saddle position, but tweaking has corrected them. She actually finds it more comfortable than her previous gel seat by a factor of about 200% and prefers it to the Terry on her half bike.
Pretty much, the seat choice for each rider is very individual. I think most riders who opt for the very cushy comfort saddles will find they are less than wonderful after a few miles of riding. A saddle needs to be wide enough to provide support for the sit bones and to put the majority of one's weight on this part of the anatomy. Also riding style is a major fact in saddle choice. Rule of thumb is more upright riders need a wider saddle. That is not carved in stone, nor even in case-hardened fudge. It is a good place to start the search.
I am very happy with Wall Bike because they helped us make the right choice and they do stand behind their merchandise.
Good luck,
Doc
Pretty much, the seat choice for each rider is very individual. I think most riders who opt for the very cushy comfort saddles will find they are less than wonderful after a few miles of riding. A saddle needs to be wide enough to provide support for the sit bones and to put the majority of one's weight on this part of the anatomy. Also riding style is a major fact in saddle choice. Rule of thumb is more upright riders need a wider saddle. That is not carved in stone, nor even in case-hardened fudge. It is a good place to start the search.
I am very happy with Wall Bike because they helped us make the right choice and they do stand behind their merchandise.
Good luck,
Doc
ElRey
11-15-05, 10:09 AM
Gel saddles, like anything else, vary from Mfg. to Mfg. If you want a nice comfortable saddle, Terry makes some really nice ones. If you're a racer, San Marco makes some nice ones. Selle Italia's are very hard for a gel saddle. Like all things, you get what you pay for. I don't look to save weight or money on a saddle.
zonatandem
11-26-05, 06:27 PM
It is a question of trial and error. Each butt/bike is different and the perception of comfort varies. We have found ultra gel saddles are not for us
Pilot uses Selle Italia Flite, stoker perches on a Serfas Cosmos.
On single, Rudy rides a Sella Italia SLR, which did not work out all that well on our tandem. On his single, the riding position is a bit more aggressive than on the two-seater and consequently less weight is put on the butt, so the SLR works out just fine in that application.
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem
Pilot uses Selle Italia Flite, stoker perches on a Serfas Cosmos.
On single, Rudy rides a Sella Italia SLR, which did not work out all that well on our tandem. On his single, the riding position is a bit more aggressive than on the two-seater and consequently less weight is put on the butt, so the SLR works out just fine in that application.
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem