trashion

Hey all. I'm a po' college kid, so my current ride is a Giant Cypress ST, a low-end hybrid. It cost somewhere around $240.

I hate the seat! I fell into the gel seat trap-it's big and cushy, but when I ride my bike for longer than a mile, my butt aches.

What's a good, not too pricey, seat that I could get? I'm a girl, if it makes a difference. My boyfriend is also looking for a better seat, he has a similar Trek hybrid.

Paco97

I ride a Cypress as well and I bought the Specialized Avatar and it ROCKS!!! Find a Specialized Dealer that has a Saddle Fitting Pad and have them measure your sit bones and they will put you in a saddle that fits your sit bones. I love my Saddle!

JiveTurkey

I have the Specialized Avatar as well, which comes in three sizes (widths): 130mm, 143mm, 155mm. The size will be determined by the distance between your sit bones (and you want the middle of each pad on the saddle to support the sit bones) and riding style (narrower for leaned over riding, wider for upright riding).

That all said, it might be a bit expensive for a po' college student. Head down to your LBS, ask them what they have based on your riding style and other factors, research on the 'net, and buy the best one you can afford.

DogBonz

I have a WTB shadow V something or other and while not cheap (or expensive) you can find it or one like it on deep sale right about now. It is the most comfortable saddle that have ever used. I'm a guy, so it don't help you out much, but WTB makes some comfy seats at decent prices (very good prices when on sale). But everyone's butt is different, so choose what works best for you.

luggage

I new to the forum and to bikes as an adult. My wife and I just took up the bike thing and really wish to use it as an exercise. I am 71 (220 lbs) and she is 70 (maybe 130lbs) and the saddles/seats that came with the Treks we bought are like sitting on a fence post. I went to walmart and picked a wider seat but it is even worse. Additionally, I've had back surgery a couple of years and still have issues but not enough to prevent riding. But if the seat is so uncomfortable we are dooming ourselves from the beginning. We don't have a lot of money for new seats. Thought I would spend it on a good bike but wasn't thinking about the seat. When you are young things like this are not as much of an issue. I would really appreciate any advice. I never herd of a Saddle Fitting Pad. What is an approximate cost for a good saddle that will fit the contour of my big butt and soft enough to make the workout fun and reasonably comfortable? Thanks for input

ClarkinHawaii

Just a quick note to give you some hope--everyone's rear end hurts when they first start riding--you just have to start riding for short times per session (maybe 15 mins) and gradually increase as your rear toughens up. There's no way around it; and it's best not to throw away a bunch of money on saddles until your rear is in shape. The original (firm) saddles will then feel better.

Retro Grouch 

Go to any not-too-fancy bike store. Somewhere they'll have a big box of original equipment bike seats that customer's have traded out. Dig through the box until you find one that you think might work for you. Every shop that I've worked in we sold those for $5.00 or $10.00.

fietsbob

+1, .. Go to the LBS they have ' take offs '

people want another seat other than the one shipped in the bike carton, So they resell for less , but are New ..

and you can test sit on them also .. Just put the saddle in a chair or on the stair way , and sit on it.

you dont even have to put it on the bike to see if its, preliminary sorting, 'your' Shape ..

RandomTroll

I ride about 5,000 miles/year and have ridden across the country 5 times. Softness in seats has made me more uncomfortable. I've ridden a noseless, the Ergo 'The Seat' Endurance, for the last 2.5 years and been happy with it. I hope that other noseless saddles are as comfortable.

https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/07/health/07real.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/04/he...on/04bike.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/05/health/05real.html