Has anyone tried the gel cell saddles?
12-19-05, 12:31 PM
#1
Every day a winding road
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Has anyone tried the gel cell saddles?
I just got back on a road bike after a 20 year hiatus. I have really only been riding for about 8 months now and I am planning my first tour in September. I don't have any real long rides under my wheels but I can do 40+ miles with no problem whatsoever except a sore butt.
I was thinking of trying one of those gel cell saddles. Has anyone used them? How do you like them?
I was thinking of trying one of those gel cell saddles. Has anyone used them? How do you like them?
12-19-05, 01:06 PM
#2
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I tried them and they are nice for about 15-20 miles and then they start hurting.
Saddles like the Regal hurt a little at first but only on your sit bones and then after you grow used to them they don't hurt especially. I've put a new Brookes on my touring bike and all I can tell you right now is that new out of the box with a treatment of proofhide like they recommend you slide all around on the saddle unless you're climbing. I haven't broken mine in enough yet to varify if they really are any better than a Regal but I can tell you that they aren't any worse right out of the box so I expect it will grow better with time.
Saddles like the Regal hurt a little at first but only on your sit bones and then after you grow used to them they don't hurt especially. I've put a new Brookes on my touring bike and all I can tell you right now is that new out of the box with a treatment of proofhide like they recommend you slide all around on the saddle unless you're climbing. I haven't broken mine in enough yet to varify if they really are any better than a Regal but I can tell you that they aren't any worse right out of the box so I expect it will grow better with time.
12-19-05, 01:12 PM
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Originally Posted by spinnaker
I just got back on a road bike after a 20 year hiatus. I have really only been riding for about 8 months now and I am planning my first tour in September. I don't have any real long rides under my wheels but I can do 40+ miles with no problem whatsoever except a sore butt.
I was thinking of trying one of those gel cell saddles. Has anyone used them? How do you like them?
I was thinking of trying one of those gel cell saddles. Has anyone used them? How do you like them?
) but...I really like the gel seats if they aren't too squishy. I have an old Avocet and a newer Nashbar Nashbar 2x Plus. I usually use them on my commuter when I'm riding without padded shorts. For the first 20 miles or so, they're like sitting on a cloud. But for all day touring comfort, padded shorts and a Brooks are the way to go, in my opinion. Whatever you do, don't buy the get seat covers. They tend to move around and chafe on the sides.
12-19-05, 01:19 PM
#4
Every day a winding road
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Originally Posted by rnagaoka
90% of the posters here are going to tell you to get a Brooks (I have 2 B17's myself ) but...
I really like the gel seats if they aren't too squishy. I have an old Avocet and a newer Nashbar Nashbar 2x Plus. I usually use them on my commuter when I'm riding without padded shorts. For the first 20 miles or so, they're like sitting on a cloud. But for all day touring comfort, padded shorts and a Brooks are the way to go, in my opinion. Whatever you do, don't buy the get seat covers. They tend to move around and chafe on the sides.
) but...I really like the gel seats if they aren't too squishy. I have an old Avocet and a newer Nashbar Nashbar 2x Plus. I usually use them on my commuter when I'm riding without padded shorts. For the first 20 miles or so, they're like sitting on a cloud. But for all day touring comfort, padded shorts and a Brooks are the way to go, in my opinion. Whatever you do, don't buy the get seat covers. They tend to move around and chafe on the sides.
I bought the Nashbar padded shorts but after a few months, all the padding is gone. Maybe I go a bum (pardon the pun
) pair of shorts?
12-19-05, 03:01 PM
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Originally Posted by spinnaker
I bought the Nashbar padded shorts but after a few months, all the padding is gone. Maybe I go a bum (pardon the pun ) pair of shorts?
) pair of shorts?Drawbacks are some of the thicker gels will make you feel like you're wearing a diaper (with a dump in it) and I heard of some of the liquicells leaking. Also, this type of padding usually doesn't absorb and evaporate your butt sweat as well as the traditional chamois will.
12-19-05, 03:09 PM
#6
Every day a winding road
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Originally Posted by rnagaoka
Instead of gel seats, you might want to consider gel or liquicell padding for your shorts--won't compress or degrade as much as the cheaper chamois will. Some people swear by them.
Drawbacks are some of the thicker gels will make you feel like you're wearing a diaper (with a dump in it) and I heard of some of the liquicells leaking. Also, this type of padding usually doesn't absorb and evaporate your butt sweat as well as the traditional chamois will.
Drawbacks are some of the thicker gels will make you feel like you're wearing a diaper (with a dump in it) and I heard of some of the liquicells leaking. Also, this type of padding usually doesn't absorb and evaporate your butt sweat as well as the traditional chamois will.
12-20-05, 12:15 AM
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Gel is for hairdoos. Leather is for saddles. Buy a Brooks. You can thank me later.
12-20-05, 10:43 AM
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I have a Velo plush seat. It is the best money I have ever spent. I highly recommend it. It is very comfortable.
12-20-05, 11:48 AM
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There is a mention of the Specialized Avatar Gel saddle in the genral forum. Try this link.
https://www.bikeforums.net/general-cycling-discussion/160034-ultimate-durable-affordable-bike-your-picks.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/general-cycling-discussion/160034-ultimate-durable-affordable-bike-your-picks.html
12-20-05, 11:54 AM
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See if you can find a LBS that offers a 'Seat Satisfaction Guarantee'. One that I frequent allows you to buy a seat, try it for a few hundred miles, and return it for credit towards another if you don't like the way it feels. Seats and their fit to your posterior are a personal thing, what the LBS salesguy (or our BF buddies) say is the best seat in the world may mean it's the best seat in the world for them (but maybe not you). If you're laying down $50 - $150+ for a seat, you want to make sure it's a good fit. I have never had a Brooks, but hear some folks swear by them. Others probably swear at them. I have leaned towards gel-filled over the years, and had one of the first OEM Spencos many years ago. Center cutouts for perenium relief weren't in vogue back then, that was my only real complaint with it over the years. I recently picked up a gel Bontrager CRZ+ for my ride, and have been pretty happy with it after logging a few hundreds miles. Not real expensive, and fits my needs and budget for now. We'll see how it feels on some 50+ milers pretty soon as I start to get my butt in shape for the MS150....
B'Dog
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2006 Gary Fisher Marlin MTB
2004 Salsa LaRaza aka "Mmmm, Blue Salsa" (853 steel is real, baby!)
2003 Kona Humu Humu Nuka Nuka Apua'A Singlespeed - Gone, but not forgotten
1998 Diamondback Outlook MTB
1990 Centurion Cavaletto 'Gaspipe Beater' Roadie
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12-21-05, 06:24 PM
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I've a Koobi Enduro Gel. The gel is about the size of the old silver dollar & right under the sit bones. They are not too common a saddle but mine's been under me since '03. If I've got the $ when this one wears out I'll get a Brooks, otherwise I'll get another Koobi. Koobi.com
