About the seat. My daughter is having a new seat put on her bike because her old one broke. The bike shop recommended NOT getting one of those really big wide cushy seats because they are not as comfortable as they look. I went and looked at the women's bike forum and here is what someone posted about that
"If you select a soft cushy saddle you may sink in deep resulting in more weight being carried by soft tissue areas with subsequent swelling and irritation. The "sit bones" should support most of your weight on the saddle. " I didn't get the name of the poster linked but the women's forum has some helpful info like that.