Finding a comfortable seat for my Trek Verve 2
10-13-13, 03:46 PM
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Finding a comfortable seat for my Trek Verve 2
This is my first post here. A little background is in order before I start my story.
The last time I rode a bike was in 1964, when I got my drivers license. Seven weeks ago I bought a Trek Verve 2 to get my heart beating faster again. This is a decent bike but the seat was very painful to ride more than a short time. I've read all the comments on the web about toughening up, and “you'll get used to it”, bla, bla, ad nauseum.
So last week I ordered a Cloud 9 which is suppose to be pretty good. This was from Amazon. Lots of folks like it and other hated it. Put me in the hate column. I got it the other evening and mounted it. I rode it 30 yds. down the driveway and back and took it right back off. It was way too hard and not any better than the Trek torture brick. Also, although it has the coil springs underneath, they are way too strong. I'm 5' 7” and 180 lbs. Bouncing on the seat I could not make them compress the slightest. The springs are cosmetic unless you are 250 plus lbs. or so. Scratch that seat and I applied for a refund.
After looking at reviews on Amazon I decided to go to Walmart, and picked up Schwinn-deluxe-cruiser-bicycle-seat, and a Bell seat that is highly recommended.
https://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Deluxe...pr_product_top
https://www.amazon.com/Bell-Memory-Fo...pr_product_top
I put the Schwinn seat on and did my normal 8 miles today. What a difference! Gone was the need to constantly have to stand up on the pedals to get the blood flowing and the nerves to start working again. One time I stopped to toot my nose, and once coasting down a long hill I stood and flexed my buttocks. So I saw a vast improvement in my riding pleasure. Also, the springs are coming into play. I could hear them clicking against their stops. I reached down and could feel the springs doing their job of cushioning the jolts in our country roads. I was floating on the springs as desired. So I'm giving the Schwinn Deluxe seat a thumbs up. It's foam is much softer than either the Trek or the Cloud 9 and more of it. If I want, I can eliminate the slight clicking sound by making some Delrin washers to replace the steel ones. Actually, going down the road with the rushing air noise and tire noise I didn't hear anything at all. It was only when I was going very slow and listening for it.
I'll try the Bell sometime next week and see if it is better or not. This does not have coil springs, but some type of firm rubbery substance. The seat cushion is as soft as the Schwinn and about a half inch narrower. I'm partial to real mechanical springs right now.
As an aside:
The front of this trek was set with all the pre-load possible on the front suspension. I dialed all of it out and now when I sit on the bike, the suspension compresses about 1/4 inch. That's perfect. When I bought the bike I asked if the seat-post suspension was adjustable as it was virtually locked out. He said no. I found out that was untrue. I backed the lower seat post screw out about a ¼ inch and now it is working as designed. When the weather turns bad, I'll shorten the spring about ¼ inch. That way the adjustment screw won't be hanging out of it's threads.
When I bought the bike it's handlebars were well forward and low. After 2 rides, I move them up two notches. This was better. I kept moving the bars up and now they are all the way up and about perfect. I'm not real happy about the angle of the bars and ordered a 50 degree set. This is coming from Amazon (Dimension 25.4 70mm Riser Bar 50deg sweep Black).
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Also, when I was at Walmart I picked up a ring-a-dinger for the handlebars. The other day linemen were doing tree work on a road and I snuck up on them as they had their backs to me. And today, buzzards were eating a opossum and didn't hear me approaching. I really don't want them flying into my face.
So that's about all I know about my Verve 2 and seats. There may be more to follow.
Packrat1947
www.pbase.com/packrat
The last time I rode a bike was in 1964, when I got my drivers license. Seven weeks ago I bought a Trek Verve 2 to get my heart beating faster again. This is a decent bike but the seat was very painful to ride more than a short time. I've read all the comments on the web about toughening up, and “you'll get used to it”, bla, bla, ad nauseum.
So last week I ordered a Cloud 9 which is suppose to be pretty good. This was from Amazon. Lots of folks like it and other hated it. Put me in the hate column. I got it the other evening and mounted it. I rode it 30 yds. down the driveway and back and took it right back off. It was way too hard and not any better than the Trek torture brick. Also, although it has the coil springs underneath, they are way too strong. I'm 5' 7” and 180 lbs. Bouncing on the seat I could not make them compress the slightest. The springs are cosmetic unless you are 250 plus lbs. or so. Scratch that seat and I applied for a refund.
After looking at reviews on Amazon I decided to go to Walmart, and picked up Schwinn-deluxe-cruiser-bicycle-seat, and a Bell seat that is highly recommended.
https://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Deluxe...pr_product_top
https://www.amazon.com/Bell-Memory-Fo...pr_product_top
I put the Schwinn seat on and did my normal 8 miles today. What a difference! Gone was the need to constantly have to stand up on the pedals to get the blood flowing and the nerves to start working again. One time I stopped to toot my nose, and once coasting down a long hill I stood and flexed my buttocks. So I saw a vast improvement in my riding pleasure. Also, the springs are coming into play. I could hear them clicking against their stops. I reached down and could feel the springs doing their job of cushioning the jolts in our country roads. I was floating on the springs as desired. So I'm giving the Schwinn Deluxe seat a thumbs up. It's foam is much softer than either the Trek or the Cloud 9 and more of it. If I want, I can eliminate the slight clicking sound by making some Delrin washers to replace the steel ones. Actually, going down the road with the rushing air noise and tire noise I didn't hear anything at all. It was only when I was going very slow and listening for it.
I'll try the Bell sometime next week and see if it is better or not. This does not have coil springs, but some type of firm rubbery substance. The seat cushion is as soft as the Schwinn and about a half inch narrower. I'm partial to real mechanical springs right now.
As an aside:
The front of this trek was set with all the pre-load possible on the front suspension. I dialed all of it out and now when I sit on the bike, the suspension compresses about 1/4 inch. That's perfect. When I bought the bike I asked if the seat-post suspension was adjustable as it was virtually locked out. He said no. I found out that was untrue. I backed the lower seat post screw out about a ¼ inch and now it is working as designed. When the weather turns bad, I'll shorten the spring about ¼ inch. That way the adjustment screw won't be hanging out of it's threads.
When I bought the bike it's handlebars were well forward and low. After 2 rides, I move them up two notches. This was better. I kept moving the bars up and now they are all the way up and about perfect. I'm not real happy about the angle of the bars and ordered a 50 degree set. This is coming from Amazon (Dimension 25.4 70mm Riser Bar 50deg sweep Black).
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Also, when I was at Walmart I picked up a ring-a-dinger for the handlebars. The other day linemen were doing tree work on a road and I snuck up on them as they had their backs to me. And today, buzzards were eating a opossum and didn't hear me approaching. I really don't want them flying into my face.
So that's about all I know about my Verve 2 and seats. There may be more to follow.
Packrat1947
www.pbase.com/packrat
Last edited by Packrat1947; 10-14-13 at 03:32 PM. Reason: Correct unpolished language
10-13-13, 09:16 PM
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Welcome to Bike Forums!
Your experience proves that even Walmart can have something that serves the purpose. I recommended one of those to my sister (she donated her saddle to my daughter's "Sweet 16" ride, given to her like 7 months early!), but she's not in a hurry to get it. And since October is here, I'm just about the only one in the family still pedaling. She's making do with my old Specialized BG saddle.
Your experience proves that even Walmart can have something that serves the purpose. I recommended one of those to my sister (she donated her saddle to my daughter's "Sweet 16" ride, given to her like 7 months early!), but she's not in a hurry to get it. And since October is here, I'm just about the only one in the family still pedaling. She's making do with my old Specialized BG saddle.
10-13-13, 10:27 PM
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Welcome.
Sounds like your riding a barcalounger.
This is not intended to be a "hate " post. Of course no-one can tell you whats more comfortable or appropriate for you but, while most super cushioned seats feel great for shorter rides, if you decide to increase your mileage they can work against you. That much material can bunch up in your nether regions and cut of circulation causing numbness or pain. Thats why most long distance road saddles are minimal and stiff.
As you found out standing every 10 minutes or so will greatly help, so would a good pair of padded bicycle shorts. Yes they look kind of fruity but they really do work to hold everything in place and reduce friction. Plus you can always wear them under a pair of normal shorts or get some mountain bike shorts which are not made of lycra.
Im probably not telling you anything you havent heard or read before but I wanted to give my 2 cents.
Enjoy your new bike, ride safe, and again welcome to our forums.
Sounds like your riding a barcalounger.
This is not intended to be a "hate " post. Of course no-one can tell you whats more comfortable or appropriate for you but, while most super cushioned seats feel great for shorter rides, if you decide to increase your mileage they can work against you. That much material can bunch up in your nether regions and cut of circulation causing numbness or pain. Thats why most long distance road saddles are minimal and stiff.
As you found out standing every 10 minutes or so will greatly help, so would a good pair of padded bicycle shorts. Yes they look kind of fruity but they really do work to hold everything in place and reduce friction. Plus you can always wear them under a pair of normal shorts or get some mountain bike shorts which are not made of lycra.
Im probably not telling you anything you havent heard or read before but I wanted to give my 2 cents.
Enjoy your new bike, ride safe, and again welcome to our forums.
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2010 Kestrel RT900SL, 800k carbon, chorus/record, speedplay, zonda
2000 litespeed Unicoi Ti, XTR,XT, Campy crank, time atac, carbon forks
2010 Kestrel RT900SL, 800k carbon, chorus/record, speedplay, zonda
2000 litespeed Unicoi Ti, XTR,XT, Campy crank, time atac, carbon forks
10-18-13, 03:35 PM
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As a followup. I've been enjoying the Schwinn for my 8 mile rides, however it has developed a scrunching noise from within. It is not the springs. Each power-stoke evokes an irritating noise.
I took it off and put on the Bell seat. This is very usable too. It does not have the mechanical springs but uses a rubbery substance, but don't know if it is compressing or not. The gel seat is pretty good as is. I got off after 5 miles today and had no problem walking with a sore butt.
It was very windy today and I spent a lot of time in 2nd and 1st. gears. This was on the middle chain-ring.
Best Regards, Packrat1947
I took it off and put on the Bell seat. This is very usable too. It does not have the mechanical springs but uses a rubbery substance, but don't know if it is compressing or not. The gel seat is pretty good as is. I got off after 5 miles today and had no problem walking with a sore butt.
It was very windy today and I spent a lot of time in 2nd and 1st. gears. This was on the middle chain-ring.
Best Regards, Packrat1947
10-25-13, 03:00 PM
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Another follow up. I took the Schwinn back for an exchange because it started making a scrunching noise on every power stroke. Walmart was out of them, so now I'm using the Bell. It is much, much better than the Trek seat. I can ride for an hour and when I get off, I don't walk like an ape. The arteries continue to pump blood and the nerve synapses continue to spark with the Bell seat. I may just stay with it. I do stand up from time-to-time to stretch my buttocks.
I put the swept back handlebars on, and really like them. My wrist angle is more natural now. I can see why the falls into the "comfort" classification.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Some snowy day, I'm going take the Bell apart and thin the elastomer stacks to make them squishier. I'll either drill them, or bore them in the lathe. Nothing ventured, .......nothing gained.
Cheers
Packrat1947
www.pbase.com/packrat
I put the swept back handlebars on, and really like them. My wrist angle is more natural now. I can see why the falls into the "comfort" classification.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Some snowy day, I'm going take the Bell apart and thin the elastomer stacks to make them squishier. I'll either drill them, or bore them in the lathe. Nothing ventured, .......nothing gained.
Cheers
Packrat1947
www.pbase.com/packrat
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