I will be picking up my Technium Tri Lite from my LBS this coming Friday. The mechanic is replacing the rear derailleur and tires and checking over everything else since it has been stored for almost 20 years.
It has a Selle Royal saddle now and unknown handlebars. The handlebars feel a little narrow to me. While dropping my bike off I sat on a Specialized Allez they had used for sale. Those bars felt a LOT better- wider and more comfortable.
I will ask what those are but wanted to see if anyone had any brand recommendations- either for or to avoid. I won't be getting carbon.
I also might be looking for another saddle. I want one that won't completely wear my old butt out while riding to get back in shape. Some of the saddles I looked at were heavily padded, but it seems for some reason that a padded saddle might become uncomfortable.

I would appreciate suggestions for something good without breaking the bank. I don't want cheap, but I ain't going racing either.

Jim

Brooks B17 saddle and Soma highway one bars, if you are into silver compact bars that can go into a quill stem. Salsa has nice offerings too.

For bar width, measure your shoulder width and then get at least that width. Many prefer slightly wider (+ ~2 cm).

Saddles are one of those things where recommendations just don't work - everyone's butt is different and what works for Joe or Jane very likely won't work for you. In general I would say that soft saddles aren't that comfortable for most folks; especially over long distances. Also, the more upright your position on the bike the wider that you'll want a saddle to be (again, a generality). Brooks B17's do work for a lot of people but they're not cheap and they're boat anchors. They can look nice on a vintage bike but tend to look out of place on a more modern bike unless it's a touring rig. If you want to get a leather saddle cheap, here's a possibility. Otherwise, if I were you I'd check out your LBS's "take-off bin", Nashbar/Performance/Pricepoint/etc., or buy from an LBS that has a good return policy or a saddle test fleet. You can generally tell within three or so decent rides if something is way off the mark. I've ridden a lot of saddles and spent a lot of money before finding my grail - now I have a stash of them.

As for bars, I agree with Mr. Pounder - the Somas are great...but only if you need to shorten up your reach and get your brake hoods higher than on a traditional round bend bar. The also have the Somas in black and in a 31.8 clamp diameter but that's probably doesn't apply here. They should be $40-$45 at your LBS (who probably won't have them in stock. They can order them from Merry Sales). Soma also does make a traditional bar called the Roundwise, if that shape works for you. The reach is longer than the Highway one and the brake levers will sit much lower.

Good luck with everything and let us know what you get and of course, post pictures!

Ditto on saddle recommendations being hard to rely on. As far as bars, I've found that I really like the Ritchey Pro in 44 cm because they feel wide enough. Other bars in 44 that I've tried still felt a bit narrow. I'd like to try some of the Soma Highway One bars at some point.

Congrats on the Technium! I bought an '89 PRE a week ago, the saddle is a keeper for me. It's a Bontrager Select, one that is one of the more roadie/racer configuration with minimal padding. I like it and it looks nice on the bike.

Well, here's what came on the only Technium I've owned. I definitely think you need something like this. I can even help you find some!

Those bars were homemade, right? I'd be curious to see how they were hacked together...and why.

I think I saw a Tri-Lite for sale on Craigslist, for a decent price. It went quick. I hoped someone purchased it to ride and not flip.

Not homemade, those were old school tribars!

Waht is really good about this bike is that my dad bought it new back in the '80s along with the Grand prix. He rode one and mom rode the other for fitness. He kept them well maintained. I know if they were still here they would like my wife and I using them for the same reasons.
Since they have been in the family since new I don't have the worries that go with a lot of used bikes.
I have been pestering the board here trying to find out what I can about them. I always just thought Technium was a model, not a line of bikes.

You'll find alot of support for the Technium here. Like you, I hadnt a clue that the Technium was a complete lineup for Raleigh. Great bikes and how much moreso for you and your wife knowing the family history and heritage.

Do you have a local bike shop nearby to help you go through several types of saddles and bars?

Oh yeah, my LBS is starting to get to know me. I was wanting some ideas of what to look at. I asked about one saddle on the wall- one of those thin hard looking seats. He said one came on his Specialized and he was going to change it but rode it a while before he did. He said it was actually more comfortable than the padded seat he had on his old bike.
I do know that I definitely need padded bike shorts. My 53 year old butt needs a little help if I am going to ride any distance at all.

The Bontrager Select is that kind of seat. At first it was a bit of an adjustment from the gel padded sport/racing seat on my Trek 460 but it's the narrow nose of the seat that is the nicer. No more inner thigh, groin discomfort.

Then there is the third seat on my Moto that has the seat off the MTB and is rock hard, but very light. Looks nice but I wouldnt want to transition into that one for a 50miler.