Wolfwerx

Incorrect. They are nice to have in certain situations, but they are not a "must".

I can't understand the love for Brooks saddles/ other leather saddles that's immediately followed by "also, wear padded shorts". What's the point? Buy a cheap padded saddle, then, and save yourself some money.



To the OP: nobody here can determine if you just need to get your rear used to riding or if something is legitimately wrong. Many of us now love saddles that we once cursed. You need time in the saddle, you need to find the right saddle, and you need to make sure that the saddle is positioned correctly. Only you can do those things. At any rate, if you can't go a few miles without all sorts of "must haves" then something is wrong. Saddle or fit.
Further things to consider: Not everybody is built the same way... what is comfortable for me may be torture for the next fellow, but if you look at what other people are using, I'd bet you'll notice that people using big 'ole "wide and cushy" saddles are just riding around the block and people using hard and skinny saddles are the fast/long distance people. Just some food for thought.

magohn

I was told the same thing by 210lb "clydes". If you dont mind me asking, what do you weigh (Wolfwerx)? If its not 300lb + then perhaps you didnt need padded shorts and a brooks. I know it worked for me at 300lb+ and I certainly needed both.

Also, "buy a cheap padded saddle" ? The point is that a cheap padded saddle and padded shorts are two entirely different things. Else, everyone would be riding around on a WallyWorld saddle.

With 300lb ramming down onto my sit-bones for hours on end, I needed all the help I could get

Wolfwerx

I am currently ~225lbs. That's my "normal" weight, I suppose. Depending on my training schedule, I've dipped as low as 205 in recent years. To be fair, I guess that I'm a thin clyde, now... at 6' 7", 225 is not a lot of weight. I've been as high as 270-280, though, back when I was a teen. I would ride an ill-fitting bike in jeans all day long, and not know that I was missing some "must have" items. I've been riding off-and-on for over 30 years, and I never had bike shorts until I started reading these forums. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about, since I always thought that they were just for skinny roadies (which I am not). I have two pair, a pair of cheap underwear/liner style (whatever you call 'em) and a nice pair of thinly-padded shorts. I've never found myself wanting them for 99% of my riding (distance and utility riding, mostly). The few times that I've appreciated them has been on very long, hot, rides (>80 miles) where the sweat management was nice, moreso than any padding. Also, I've noticed, the padding that can be nice on the sit bones can be kindling for the thighs, depending on the shape of the padding.

As I stated above, everybody has a different rump. We don't all need the same things. And I certainly don't object to suggesting that somebody consider buying a particular item, such as padded shorts. My only usual objection to those type of generalizations is that somebody "must have" particular clothing in order to enjoy riding. I don't believe that's a fair assessment. If you can't ride around your block without pain, something is wrong. Obviously, when you're very heavy, there's going to be some discomfort... I think it's time for a little tough love at that point, and some HTFU needs to happen to get to a healthier weight.

"Cheap" wasn't the point of that statement. What's the difference between regular shorts and a padded saddle versus padded shorts and hard saddle? Either way you go, is it not a layer of padding between your butt/thighs and the hard saddle material (whether we're talking about a leather saddle or the plastic base of a padded saddle)?




At the end of the day, anything that you find comfortable and keeps you on the bike is a good thing, right? I just worry that some people may become too mired in all of the "must haves" and forget to just enjoy riding their bike.

Classic Bicycle

Brooks has other leather hammock saddles besides the B17, some wider, some sprung. Check them out at the Harris Cyclery website. One thing that is pointed out there is that the typical saddle you see on "10-speed" bikes and their descendants is a racing saddle that has the advantage of being lightweight itself and is really only suitable for lightweight riders while racing (or training, I suppose). Every other kind of riding (besides racing) and every other kind of rider (i.e. Clydes) should in my view be using a sprung saddle, as found on all the classic European street bikes and American cruisers, especially if the majority of your riding is in a position other than down on dropped bars. I think this is not a situation in which the walk-it-off ethos of football players is appropriate. Seek your comfort. Otherwise, you are actually injuring yourself.

I think if you watch racers you will see that their riding is so energetic that a great deal of their weight is borne by their feet on the pedals. Many of them also stand quite a bit. They spend very little time, relatively, plotzed on the saddle. For me, and perhaps for many other Clyde's, it's just the other way around, and a racing style saddle for my kind of riding is just a silly idea. Anyway, I've just ordered an alternative Brooks saddle for my 1985 Stumpjumper (purchased recently). The stock saddle I got with it is definitely a racing style saddle made, I believe, with case hardened stainless steel covered with a thin coating of skin stifling vinyl.

skidive25

Wanted to give you all a update. I did buy a B17 and am working on the break in process. Seat does not sit back as far as my old one which may be an issue. Possibly a differant brooks or a seat post that sets back some. Not sure. But with the exception of the pain from getting off it and the pressure being relieved, it is much better than what I was using. Thanks to all who commented and gave advice. I am down about 15-20lbs now since my first bike ride and saw 301 on the scale today (dressed, no shoes) getting pumped.
Thanks again

vic303

Look at a two wheeler recumbent then if the trike isn't doing it for you any more.

PhotoJoe 

Congratulations!!! If you think you're pumped now, wait until that scale reads 2XX!!!! Nice work!