Recreational & Family - Bike Seat

I have been riding for about a little over a year and have yet to venture to a long distance ride. Every time I am cut short because my seat kills my butt. I dont want to sound ridiculous, but the seat is somewhat standard. Is there any suggestions? I thought in the begining that it was just because I was not used to riding, but its been over a year and it hasnt changed.

I guess the answer would be change the seat, but any suggestions on a good seat?

Thanks

Wear good bike shorts.

Seats/saddles are a bit subjective. What works for one may not work for another. Getting fitted properly helps as well.

I agree with Diesel. Also, how frequently do you ride? If you've been riding a year and only get on the bike every few weeks this could also be the problem. IF frequency isn't the issue, head to the LBS and they can help.

Your sit bones may be slightly wider. Many standard saddles are made to be "unisex" and the measurements may be off for women, who tend to have wider sit bones, and some men. There's no need to live with an uncomfortable saddle that doesn't fit you. Here's a link with information on how to measure the width of your sit bones (you'll need a friend to help you) as well as some tips for shopping for a new saddle. Good luck.

http://www.epicidiot.com/sports/bicycle_saddles.htm

I agree with what others have said about getting some bike shorts. Aerotech Designs is my favorite shorts manufacturer because they produce a high quality product at a reasonable cost and their stuff is made here in the US (in PA i believe).

Saddles are a very personal thing. My wife and I are currently looking to replace both saddles on our tandem. The difficulty has been that although I like the saddles on my mountain bike, my SS, and my commuter but since each bike has a different body position and different lengths of riding that it's hard for me to say any one of those saddles would be ideal for the tandem.

Good luck whatever you figure out. Happy pedaling!

Fit of the saddle is a very personal thing. So this is where it is best to deal with the local bike shop. Ask them if they will let you swap for another model if the saddle isnt fitting after a 2 hr ride.

standard seats/saddles, are by and large, standardly terrible. sure saddle choice is subjective, but there are a couple of fairly tried-and-true considerations:
1. if you go really long distances, most long distance riders swear by uncushioned leather saddles (the Brooks, in particular; especially the B17). I ride a Brooks team pro and love it.
2. i also have several other much cheaper saddles on other bikes that my wife and i share (she has no love for my brooks). One is a WTB ($50), and the other is a Terry ($35)---both are far more comfortable than their bikes' original saddles, and both have the advantage of being somewhat weather resistant (the Brooks should avoid wet [i just use a plastic grocery bag], and gel saddles are rotten for sub-freezing temps due to gel hardening). Both of these saddles came in mens or womens "anatomic" versions; though i have to say as a guy, i think the womens' saddles are just as comfy---it's probably more important to have a properly firm saddle to support sits bones, and to have the saddle height and tilt correctly adjusted (which is really more personal than saddle type).

in short: lose the stock saddle and spend a few bones on a saddle that will, literally, save your ass (and back, and neck, and preserve the love of cycling)!

standard seats/saddles, are by and large, standardly terrible. sure saddle choice is subjective, but there are a couple of fairly tried-and-true considerations:
1. if you go really long distances, most long distance riders swear by uncushioned leather saddles (the Brooks, in particular; especially the B17). I ride a Brooks team pro and love it.
2. i also have several other much cheaper saddles on other bikes that my wife and i share (she has no love for my brooks). One is a WTB ($50), and the other is a Terry ($35)---both are far more comfortable than their bikes' original saddles, and both have the advantage of being somewhat weather resistant (the Brooks should avoid wet [i just use a plastic grocery bag], and gel saddles are rotten for sub-freezing temps due to gel hardening). Both of these saddles came in mens or womens "anatomic" versions; though i have to say as a guy, i think the womens' saddles are just as comfy---it's probably more important to have a properly firm saddle to support sits bones, and to have the saddle height and tilt correctly adjusted (which is really more personal than saddle type).

in short: lose the stock saddle and spend a few bones on a saddle that will, literally, save your ass (and back, and neck, and preserve the love of cycling)!

I think there are some good nuggets in the statements but some are a little off IMO.

Saddles choices are personal. Leather being the choice of most long distance riders, not quite sure how you are getting that. I know plenty of long distance folks and their choices are mostly synthetic. I guess it depends on the demographic. The leather folks seem to be mainly old-school riders. That is not a bad thing, I am old-school in some ways, but I never was a leather/Brooks rider. I do have a Selle Anatomica in my collection, but it is more for experimentation. Not my goto everyday saddle.

Standard saddles being terrible, I guess it depends on what you consider standard. Dept. store or low-end bikes, sure. The bikes I play around with, they are pretty decent.

The more expensive saddles are typically for weight savings, mystique or novelty. You should be able to find a decent saddle for under $60. Above that and it is likely there more specific requirements or a particular fit that you need.

Biketiresdirect has a pretty decent WTB saddle on sale today in their Daily Specials section for $30 (regularly $60-70 elsewhere).

Visit a Specialized dealer, and sit on their ass-o-meter, to determine what size seat you really need.

By and large, the Specialized Body Geometry seats are pretty comfortable, and I like mine, which came on my bike. My son is using it now, and he likes it too!

But, I like my Brooks B-17 better.

you don't provide much info but I liked this one for a hybrid or MTB. my kids like ti on their MTBs now. I've switched to a regular road saddle myself because I ride with drop bars

http://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Adult-Ergonomic-Bicycle-Saddle/dp/B000DZD3DI

http://www.viewpoints.com/Schwinn-Adult-Ergonomic-Bicycle-Saddle-review-b7664

I think there are some good nuggets in the statements but some are a little off IMO.

Saddles choices are personal. Leather being the choice of most long distance riders, not quite sure how you are getting that. I know plenty of long distance folks and their choices are mostly synthetic. I guess it depends on the demographic. The leather folks seem to be mainly old-school riders. That is not a bad thing, I am old-school in some ways, but I never was a leather/Brooks rider. I do have a Selle Anatomica in my collection, but it is more for experimentation. Not my goto everyday saddle.

check the forum Long Distance Cycling (LDR). While there are riders who don't use a Brooks or other leather saddle, the most frequent type mentioned for going the distance is a Brooks of some sort. check out:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?270172-Your-century-bicycle%28s%29&highlight=best+saddle
or if you prefer visuals:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?270172-Your-century-bicycle%28s%29&highlight=best+saddle
Sheldon Brown also cites some of the reasons why LDRs like leather:
"A properly shaped leather saddle is an excellent choice for the high-mileage rider who doesn't mind the fact that it is a bit heavier than a plastic saddle.
Leather saddles provide "give" by stretching and flexing, without the need for foam padding. The lack of foam greatly improves comfort in hot weather, as heat and perspiration can "breathe" through the porous leather.
Leather saddles also "break in" to fit the particular shape of the rider, in much the same way as a baseball glove does."


Of course, there are LDRs who don't use leather, and that's fine, too. But there's little mystery about why high-mileage riders prefer it. I've added this to the forum knowing the majority of rec/fam riders are not "high mileage" (i'd *guess* over 3k-ish miles a year, minimum---at least that's what i ride, and i'm at the low end of LDR for sure), but that it's good to hear what many people who spend ridiculous amounts of time in the saddle depend on.



Standard saddles being terrible, I guess it depends on what you consider standard. Dept. store or low-end bikes, sure. The bikes I play around with, they are pretty decent.


yes, i meant low-end stock bike saddles. clearly if you've money to pump into a higher-end bicycle, all of the components will be, in general, of a higher quality as well. but a good way to make a cheaper bike easier to love is to install a good saddle (followed closely by good tires, IMO). If you're like me, and you don't have a bunch of bikes, and only one everyday every-weather every-ride bike, it's often best to go with the saddle that's best for your most strenuous ride (and for me, this would be copious-amounts-of-time-in-the-saddle rides). Of course your own preferences should affect this choice!

as others have mentioned above, many bike shops (and even some online shops) have a try-and-see saddle policy. it's definitely worth finding a shop that offers this.