I thought I'd let others know how I got on setting up my Townie. Basically I'm a semi cripple, with old injuries, operation scars and current illness all restricting me to low distance and speed riding.

I bought a Cloud 9 seat (14" wide, with no seat horn) and a Thudbuster, which fortunately had the mounting paraphernalia to allow me to mount the Cloud 9.

First, the Thudbuster arrived with the wrong elastomers installed, so I had to change them, which was difficult, and because they supplied no lubricant, the whole shebang squeaks like a mad mouse while riding. The Cloud 9 removes the stability provided by a seat horn, so it takes a period of adjustment to acclimatize to slippin' and slidin' a bit at first. Don't go rough ridin' with this seat.

The combined effect? It's not luxury. There's not much padding on the seat, but it's the right shape. I could now ride for up to an hour and a half - my previous limit was 45 minutes before real pain set in with the standard seat. The Thudbuster took care of the back ache that set in on road transitions and crossing curbs and suchlike. The upright riding position does send bumps straight up the spine, just the same as custom or cruiser motorcycles. This is the cost of keeping weight off your hands, and therefore reducing arm/wrist fatigue.

For a long while, this combination allowed me to get fitter and reduce a bit of weight, until I got a bad case of 'flu. Waiting for three weeks to resume riding, I overdid it trying to keep pace with a fit jogger, and ended up straining my chest muscles and sustaining a bout of pleurisy. I live in a cold house, and was trying to same money on the power bills (but I did end up getting a $500 refund...), and I guess my body just can't handle it.

I'm being very careful over winter, still using the car for shopping, but I hope to make short rides on fine days until spring arrives. I still think the Townie is the only choice for me.