General Cycling Discussion - Why do people use those skiny bike seats?

Whats the point? Dosn't it hurt, especaily after mountain biking? You would think cuz they spend hours at a time on a bike they would want a nice comfertable seat, right.:D As for me, I used a wide seat, feels very good, dosent hurt.

Because the skinny seat fit's the bones on my skinny butt :)

The wider seats especialy on a road bike can cuase it to run the inside of your legs which in turn will hurt after a short amount of time.

The wider/longer seats are also great for grabbing onto the bike with your thighs making 'hip' tricks and air maneuveurs easier. But if I needed to do say a century and narrower seat for sure...

Originally posted by Kev
Because the skinny seat fit's the bones on my skinny butt :)

The wider seats especialy on a road bike can cuase it to run the inside of your legs which in turn will hurt after a short amount of time.

Well, Im a big guy, at 6'5" & 245 pounds, I need a big seat!:D

Basicaly what it comes down to we all have different butts, so what fits my butt might not fit you'res. It is definately a personal preference.

Casual riders may get by with plush, wide seats, but they're excrutiatingly painful for longer rides.

When you sit on a bike saddle, your weight should bear through bones called the ischeal tuberosities -- the "sit bones." If you let muscles or even softer tissue carry your weight, you will be in for major pain.

The trick, therefore, is simply to use a saddle that's the right width to match the sit bones (which are closer together than you probably realize), and then to sit on it in the right place.

Those "skinny bike seats" are actually exactly the right width for this purpose.

Tractor seats are fine for tooling down to Starbucks on a bike where you sit upright like on a motorcycle. People who ride more than that will generally want a saddle that improves their performance rather than hindering it.

RichC

Originally posted by Rich Clark
Casual riders may get by with plush, wide seats, but they're excrutiatingly painful for longer rides.

When you sit on a bike saddle, your weight should bear through bones called the ischeal tuberosities -- the "sit bones." If you let muscles or even softer tissue carry your weight, you will be in for major pain.

The trick, therefore, is simply to use a saddle that's the right width to match the sit bones (which are closer together than you probably realize), and then to sit on it in the right place.

Those "skinny bike seats" are actually exactly the right width for this purpose.

Tractor seats are fine for tooling down to Starbucks on a bike where you sit upright like on a motorcycle. People who ride more than that will generally want a saddle that improves their performance rather than hindering it.

RichC


Can you tell me why some seats are split down the middle?

Originally posted by smelly
Can you tell me why some seats are split down the middle?

relives pressue for us males :)

That is a pressure relief zone, basicaly on normal seats extra pressure is put on you're umm.. what is the PC word.. which can cause you to lose feelings or possible impotence. Other reason is airflow it will help keep your butt cool :)

I believe it is called the perenium

It helps a lot to have nice shorts as well with the skinny seats since it's more comfortable but you get all the benefits of the skinny seat.

Originally posted by smelly
Can you tell me why some seats are split down the middle?

Or as somone once said, its a junk saver.. for the dangly bits!

Smaller seats also save weight vs their larger counterparts. And they allow easier body movement front/back on a mountain bike.

Originally posted by smelly
Can you tell me why some seats are split down the middle?

What everyone else says... or so the theory goes...

As for me, I've found them uncomfortable. I've never had a problem with discomfort or numbness down there with a normal saddle once it has been adjusted properly. I've tried the split saddles and actually came away sore and unable to sit down because either the split was too wide or too narrow. Also, after about 50 miles it felt as if someone had installed ice skates on the top of my saddle. I do like the Selle Italia Genuine Gel saddles that have a minimal amount of strategically placed gel inserts. I'm not a fan of full gel saddles either because it feels like you're sitting on a huge Gummi Bear.

Also, after about 50 miles it felt as if someone had installed ice skates on the top of my saddle.

ROTFLMAO:D :D :D :D :D :p :p :p

Originally posted by smelly
Well, Im a big guy, at 6'5" & 245 pounds, I need a big seat!:D I'm your size (actually a bit bigger) and the Sport level Body Geometry saddles from specialized work just fine for me. So no you don't need a big seat.

I have a medium to large frame and butt. I find that wide saddles get in the way of peddling. Not that I have on the narrowest of saddles.

i use narrow gel saddles..


[i] I'm not a fan of full gel saddles either because it feels like you're sitting on a huge Gummi Bear. [/B]

and i like the gummi bears... hehehe...

Gummi bears and crotch funk......ewww