Folding Bikes - Saddle change for a Dahon

I realize all saddles do not fit everyone, so each is specific to the person. With that in mind...I was wondering what those of you that have Dahons did with the original saddle that came with the bike? I just got back from a 2 hour ride on mine and could tell it was going to kill me.

I have a Terry on my "real" road bike, a WTB Speed on my mountain bike, and currently the factory model on the hybrid;this bike is still in the process of being broken in. Should I look into the other saddle that Dahon has? or should I put a WTB Speed on the Dahon?

I was also wondering if the geometry of the bike and how you sit would make a difference on the saddle. When I saw all of the "cush" on the saddle in the beginning, I was overwhelmed. I had never seen a saddle with that much cushioning before. So I have given its opportunity to see if it would work and low and behold, it will not. So I am not suprized.

Any ideas and suggestions are welcome.

Thank you for your help,
Red Rock

Uh, yeah, nothing special about Dahon in this respect.... I can't even count the number of bikes that come with, how should I say, less than optimal saddles. I wouldn't look to Dahon to make amazing saddles either.

And unless your position on the Dahon is radically different than your other bike(s), whatever saddles work on those should work on your Dahon.

I put an old Brooks Pro on mine, one I've had around the garage for six or eight years since I put a B-17 on my main ride. The stock saddle on the Dahon is junk, meant for RV owners who ride the bike from the campsite to the vending machines.
Many bike shops have boxes of take-off saddles they've accumulated when they put new saddles on bikes they sell. Around here they run $5 to $10, and there are sometimes decent ones in the box.

I feel like a total crud!

I actually like the stock saddle on my Dahon single-speed!!!! I have ridden 20+miles on it in bike shorts with no problems. Normally, I ride in street clothes to the local grocery store. I do have a Thudbuster LT seat post on the bike.

In addition, I have a very similar stock seat on my Bike Friday NWT. Have done 40+ miles on that one - no problems. It also has a Thudbuster LT.

I had a leather saddle (ala Brooks) on my Griffon road bike, a second hand gift from my uncle in the mid-1950's. I don't remember how it felt, and besides neither kids, no adults, worried about such things back then.

I have thought about trying out something else on my NWT - that box of replaced saddles at the local bike store might make trying out different ones financially viable.

when in doubt, use a Brooks or a Leper.

In addition, I have a very similar stock seat on my Bike Friday NWT. Have done 40+ miles on that one - no problems. It also has a Thudbuster LT.


The Thudbuser or Brooks or quality suspension seat post can make even a bad saddle feel good. The OP discovered the small wheel folder can give a painful ride. Remove that Thudbuser and the Dahon saddle becomes quite painful.

I find the stock Dahon saddle uncomfortable after a half hour of riding, so I'm going to replace it with a Brooks upright model (B67 or B68). From what I've read, those saddles are pretty comfortable from the get-go, and get better with time as they parley with your posterior. I also like their old-school look.

I like the idea of buying a few remainder saddles from the LBS - gives you the chance to experiment with various shapes on the cheap. I'm not sure there's a way to know which one works for you unless you try them.

I realize all saddles do not fit everyone, so each is specific to the person. With that in mind...I was wondering what those of you that have Dahons did with the original saddle that came with the bike? I just got back from a 2 hour ride on mine and could tell it was going to kill me.

I have a Terry on my "real" road bike, a WTB Speed on my mountain bike, and currently the factory model on the hybrid;this bike is still in the process of being broken in. Should I look into the other saddle that Dahon has? or should I put a WTB Speed on the Dahon?

I was also wondering if the geometry of the bike and how you sit would make a difference on the saddle. When I saw all of the "cush" on the saddle in the beginning, I was overwhelmed. I had never seen a saddle with that much cushioning before. So I have given its opportunity to see if it would work and low and behold, it will not. So I am not suprized.

Any ideas and suggestions are welcome.

Thank you for your help,
Red Rock

See my Website for my own observations on the perfect fit on bikes (including saddles):
http://sites.google.com/site/compactcycling/selection-2

Brooks Flyer (Conquest) works great for me on the D7.

The real test in our family will happen soon when the wife gets her new BF Pocket 8 and if doesn't have the upgraded saddle that came on her Crusoe, and doesn't have a Thudbuster seat post , either.

Will be interesting. To be continued...

Remove that Thudbuser and the Dahon saddle becomes quite painful.
Hmmm...I have the stock saddle on my Boardwalk and no Thudbuster. No problems. No pain.

Brooks Flyer (Conquest) works great for me on the D7.

Wow. A quarter of your bike cost is saddle. I need to mull that over more.

Wow. A quarter of your bike cost is saddle. I need to mull that over more.

Try this one: The Thudbuster seat post on my Dahon S1 cost more than the bike!

Lou

Wow. A quarter of your bike cost is saddle. I need to mull that over more.

Bill of Materials so far: (taxes incl.)

Dahon Speed D7 - approx $600 CDN
Nite Rider Ultra Fazer light - $65
MEC rear light - $5
Brooks Conquest - $180
Ortlieb Trunk Bag - $225
Abus lock - $150
BoeSheild lube - $10

If you want a nice description with pictures of Brooks saddles, Lovely Bicycle (lovelybike.blogspot.com) has a good article (Oct. 24) comparing the various styles of Brooks and their functions for different types of riding.

Permanent Link (http://lovelybike.blogspot.com/2009/10/brooks-saddles-demystifying-system.html)