New Bike - Saddle Question
 

I just picked up my first new bike in 20 years. I ride almost exclusively on road, and picked up a Giant Rapid 3. Now that the sun is shining, I plan on using it to help the next stage of my weight loss plan (I'm down to a nimble 225 from 260 on the first of the year). I LOVE the bike, except the saddle is hard as a rock.

three questions...

I only have about 20 miles on the bike so far... How many miles should I give it to get my rear in riding shape.

If I need to swap out, what is a good saddle for bigger riders. Budget counts!

Thoughts on putting my MTN bike saddle on the street bike??? Is it just a matter of comfort? I'd still be one saddle short and will need to get a good saddle soon anyhow.

Thanks!!!

C-

IMO, 20 miles is good on a stock saddle, more than that, I get irritated. Good shorts help but still after 20, it's not as comfy.

Good shorts and a good saddle and set up, 100 miles is comfy.

If you are new to riding, or just starting again, it could take a couple weeks to get your butt in shape to handle the saddle/bike.

I like a comfort saddle lie the Terry Fly, a good sale now is $80 (?). I've tried race saddles (more expensive) only to find it torture.

I have one roadie/race bike with a mountain bike saddle and it is very comfortable ( WTB Rocket V). Done several centuries on it with no problems at all.:thumb:

My first move though, would be to invest in decent quality shorts.:D

I bought the same bike 3 weeks ago after not riding a bike since I was a teen. It took me about 3 weeks for ass to "toughen up" now that it has, the saddle really doesn't bug me much at all and I've done all my riding in regular shorts, no padded cycling shorts. Give it a couple weeks and perhaps invest in some shorts too.

So far I'm loving the rapid, though i've had some issues with flat tires here in NYC, no fault of the bike tho

FWIW, I'm 245lbs so a little bit heavier than you

Hadn't really thought too much about padded bike shorts (they all look so spandexish, I wish they looked more like shorts), but I guess I may need to pick up a pair. Also, a few more weeks to toughen up are probably in order.

I looked up the Terry Fly and saw prices ranging from $50 - $135... (the 135 is at REI where there is a 20%off). So... Whats the deal with buying saddles from the internet? Can you buy, ride, then return. I would think that's almost like trying on underwear. Do LBS' typically let you install and try out saddles before you buy them. It seems like there is an awful lot of guesswork in buying if you can't take one out for a spin before committing.

Thanks for the heads up about the flats. I've been debating if I should carry around a tube and a pump. Idaho mountain roads are better than NYC potholes, but still not great.

If you're concerned about how bike shorts look on a clyde, start with a pair of mountain bike shorts. They have an inner liner that's padded, and an outer shell that looks like regular shorts (kinda). I started with mountain bike shorts, but pretty quickly got over the embarrassment of wearing spandex.

There IS a lot of guesswork, and that's why a lot of us have boxes full of the "latest, best, most comfy" saddle ever. Try going your LBS...lots of shops have a 30 day trial period, or allow you to return a saddle for credit toward another...other shops also have boxes of used saddles for loaners.

Yep...you should carry a spare tube AND a repair kit along with a pump. I wouldn't ride farther than I'd care to walk without 'em.

Aerotechdesigns has Clyde-worthy shorts at very reasonable prices. I picked up three pair on sale for a total of about $120. I have one pair of their shorts that are good for about 20 miles, but the slightly more expensive ($10 more) shorts last about as long as my legs and lungs. Saddles make a huge difference, but talk about trial and error! Best I've found so far is the Selle Anatomica - it's an expensive boat anchor (x2 on the tandem), but the additional adjustability inherent in a leather saddle seemed to do the trick. I also found on my single that I needed a seatpost with a two-bolt adjustment. The single-bolt style of clamp just didn't allow me to dial in the saddle well enough.

+1 on the Selle Anatomica AND on the two bolt seat post.

Selle Antomica looks AWESOME... But way out of price range. Any ideas in the 50 - 100 range?

OR... Is there a good place to buy/sell used saddles?

The Mountain bike shorts seem WAY more my style. Perhaps after I ride my first century (or when I get below 180) I will reward myself by allowing spandex on me (or punish all those who have to look at me in spandex, if that's how you look at the world)

Thoughts on REI as a place to get bike equipment? They have some decent looking (ie pretty pictures, decent reviews) saddles, and a 20% off for members right now.

My comfort is much more important and valuable to me than the opinion of how i look coming from people i don't know and likely won't ever see again. sure, i am not svelte and lean like the pro's, but my lycra shorts are key in my enjoyment of a longer ride. if people don't wanna see me in them, they can get the hell off the road :)

I bought my Fly from a Performance bike shop. Their policy allows you to return it if you aren't happy within 30 days. Is ther a Perofrmance shop near you? I'm not sure if their online policy is the same.

I do believe REI will let you return anything for a full refund if you aren't happy!;)

Sadly, no performance shop, and the closest REI is 2 hours away. But it looks like both have a good return policy.

Found out something interesting today... I did a hill climb, and going up the saddle felt GREAT!!! Perhaps a downward nose adjustment for flat riding???

I was reading somewhere that a cause of a lot of issues for people is having the saddle pointed down so I don't know if that is a good idea. I honestly say to just give it a bit more time to break in your rear end. I'm 30 lbs heavier than you and my ass was killing me after day one and I struggled to even sit on it day 2 but i toughed it out and it got better. Regarding spandex bike shorts. There is no rule that says if you wear spandex you have to just wear spandex. Buy a pair and then throw some kind of other shorts over them. Thats what I do, mainly because i need to carry my cell phone, keys, wallet, etc and need the pockets.

Thew do nothing approach is likely the best bet until you have 500 or 1000 miles on the bike. The saddle is likely fine but your arse needs nimbling. If you have discomfort after 1000 miles - maybe the seat does not work for you.