Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
Know why there are so many different saddles? It's because there's somebody who loves every blessed one of them. I think that finding the right saddle is a hunt and peck process. What I personally like or what somebody else likes or what some majority of people like might still not be the right saddle for you.
I
used to think that, before I got into recumbent bikes.
Now I think the upright bike is just a poor design, and it really isn't possible to fit any sort of comfortable saddle or seat to it.
I had a few fairly-nice upright road bikes over 15 or so years, I spent quite a bit of money on different accessories for them--but I don't ever remember that any one was particularly more comfortable than any other. And the stuff I see in "normal" bike shops today looks pretty much like what I was spending my money on 15+ years ago.
"Butt pain" is probably the most-common complaint that bike shop employees have to deal with, and yet most recumbent bikes have only one style of seat available. You normally don't have that choice at all. There are a couple common riding complaints among recumbent riders, but seat pain isn't one of them.
If you want to ride without pain, you simply must get a recumbent bike. The first 100 miles on it will teach you everything that is wrong with upright bicycles.
I don't have any upright bikes anymore, the last couple I gave away, as I hadn't rode them in over two years. I don't have any more padded riding shorts or padded gloves either. My butt and neck never ache from riding anymore, and my hands never go numb.
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