vmaniqui

my wife is starting to ride the folders with me but after just an hour of going around she will complain that her rear is hurting. my setup for her seat is - biologic seat and a cane creek. i don't know what else to put in there to make her comfortable. any tips ????

brommie

This worked for me . . .
https://www.rido-cyclesaddles.com/

snafu21

I did try a Rido but it didn't suit me. Eventually I bought the biggest most gel-ist saddle my LBS had, and it'd been fine.

There are things like this which some of my female chums use with some success but often it's a question of trial and error: we're all a different shape.

https://www.evanscycles.com/products/...omens-ec008990

There's also a ladies Brooks saddle.

JCFlack

I've been getting a bit sore on long rides too, but more importantly, numb between the legs. I changed the tilt on the saddle, which helped - now I don't have a problem until I've been on the bike for an hour.

I'm still riding the saddle that came with the Tokyo, and I was thinking that a better saddle might help. But how do you choose a saddle? I walk into the LBS, and there are at least 10 models to choose from - I can't try them all before buying.

MichaelW

Just started... one hour

I think I understand the problem. Your wife is riding for too long without any conditioning. Work up to the time/distance gradually, I would recommend a first ride no more than 20mins and extend by 5-10 mins each time.

The Dahon Biologic saddle is OK but its not a woman specific model.

Foldable Two

Is she wearing cycling shorts?

Sure helps for rides of an hour, or longer.

Lou

nekohime

+1 to what Michael said about conditioning. She may just need to get used to it. However, if even with conditioning, it hurts, I'd suggest measuring her sit bones and getting a saddle that supports them properly at her preferred riding angle. I have a big-ass sprung Electra cruiser saddle on my brommie, and I love it. I get no pain at all in my nether bits, even for longer pootles, but this is for a setup that is more upright. If I wanted a more forward riding position, then I'd probably need a narrower saddle.

brommie

I like the Rido saddle, but my wife prefers this https://www.flickr.com/photos/plooifiets/3665883547/ one on her Brompton. Its made by Selle Royal and it's really soft . . .

folder fanatic

Bike saddles or "seats" are a very personal part of the bike. They are much like shoes or fitted clothes. They are not transferable with ease like some other parts of the bicycle. So.....you might be fine with your set-up but not your wife. I used to force myself on uncomfortable saddles until I found the type of saddle (yes, there are different types) that "fits" me-my female anatomy and all-the best. See my photos on Flickr on all three bikes. I use Nirve or Electra crusier saddles with rear springs.

DVC45

' might want to try this https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=34920

vmaniqui

wow. thank you all for the advises. didn't know there are so many woman saddles to choose from. we might do a trial and error but i will take a note of the inputs from all of you. on a side note - my wife is one of the most conditioned person. she normally will spend about 2 hours on a treadmill everyday and sometimes will jog also. in fact she's more conditioned than myself. i thought that my setup will be more than adequate but as what MichaelW mentioned, biologic is not woman specific. also she's not wearing a bike shorts (same as me). again THANKS TO EVERYONE - i will let you know the verdict later....

vic

juan162

[QUOTE=vmaniqui;10653230 on a side note - my wife is one of the most conditioned person. she normally will spend about 2 hours on a treadmill everyday and sometimes will jog also. in fact she's more conditioned than myself. i thought that my setup will be more than adequate but as what MichaelW mentioned, biologic is not woman specific. also she's not wearing a bike shorts (same as me). again THANKS TO EVERYONE - i will let you know the verdict later....

vic[/QUOTE]

hi, you are mis-understanding what is meant by conditioning. It doesn't have to do with how athletically fit she is, but rather how fit and conditioned her posterior is to riding. Your tush has to become accustomed to riding. From what you've said, it doesn't sound like she's had enough time in the saddle for her to get used to riding, although you may still need to get her a new seat.

la2sei

If you purchase a saddle from REI, you can use their satisfaction guarantee and bring it back if you are not happy with it. They usually have a good selection. You can also order online and have it shipped to the store, you can pick it up there, and you won't be charged shipping.

If I've been off the bike for a long time it takes a little while to get my sit bones used to saddle time again.

bendembroski

I recently read (can't find the blasted link) an article that stated that on average there isn't much difference in the width of the "sit-bones" for men and women. There is much greater variation between individuals. So...

Your wife might need a "man's" saddle. A saddle that is too wide can be just as uncomfortable as one that is too narrow.

vmaniqui

my apology for the misquote. you're right - she just had about 2 rides tops with this setup and again you're right that i may need to get her a better seat so that she'll be happy riding bike with me. as they say - a happy wife is a happy life.......

thanks again,
vic

vmaniqui

yes. this might be the case as she only had about 2 days of riding with this set up. i will try again and see if she'll complain. otherwise time to go to REI and checkout their woman's seat.

thanks...

vmaniqui

hmmm. interesting. i will google and might see the article otherwise time for a new seat for her.

bendembroski

Good plan. I guess all I'm saying is when you go shopping for a new seat, the best bet is to try to get her "sit-bones" measured and go from there. I'd ignore the whole men's / women's thing.

Dynocoaster 

Terry makes some nice saddles for either men or women and I have found their saddles comfortable.

invisiblehand

Has she ever been to a bike fitter?

vmaniqui

nope. she's just trusting my capabilities (which is scary - right ??)...

bhkyte

seat angle is properly the answer here I feel.
The seat should be placed in a triangle between the ishail tuberousitys' ,(ie sitting bones), and the pubic synthesis, (front of the pelvis). ie on the soft bits, not the bony bits! However , occasional standing before symptoms arise might relieve problems.

invisiblehand

Although the cost of a fitter is generally significant, if it is the case that multiple saddles, stems, seat posts, bars, and such are going to be swapped and tested, you are probably better off going to a reputable shop and laying the cash out.

Moreover, most shops have a thing that you sit on to measure the width of your sitting bones. That will give you a good idea whether your wife is in the bottom/top 15% of the population and needs a particularly narrow or wide saddle.

That said, REI and Performance Bike both have ridiculous return policies. If you are going without a fitter, I would try out a variety of saddles there assuming that her general posture looks good.

EDIT: Although BHKYTE and others have a good point regarding angle. Personally, whether I tried another saddle -- I have a few here -- or diddied with the angle would depend on the description of the discomfort.

vmaniqui

thanks. you're the second member who mentioned REI. i guess i could try their saddles first and see how it goes. hopefully i don't have to do it multiple times to caught their attention....

thanks again fellow members,
vic

lucille

Another vote for Terry saddles! I have Terry Liberator and it's very comfortable. I recommend she tries a couple of women specific saddles, a good bike store will let you try out the saddle and return if not comfortable, as long as it's not scratched etc.

But what was said about conditioning and right position is also true.