newfhntr

I just got a bike last week and have a Mongoose. Love it. The guy we bought it from showed us everyhting about the bike. Finally figured out the shifting once I was actually on the bike. My only problem is we put on a better seat and hoped that would solve the comfort problem. Are you soppsed to wear certain clothing not to get so sore from the seat? Might be a dumb question but usually ride 7 miles or so a couple times a day when the weather permits. my quiet time. When I go to get off the bike I am so sore I can hardly walk. Legs are fine and not over doing in that way. Any help would be great!

dstrong 

If it's a hard "road" saddle then get some padded shorts. Otherwise get a padded seat if you don't go for the padded shorts. Also...ya gotta break your butt in too. It takes some gettin' used to.

LongIslandTom

You can try the following:

- Bring a multi-tool with you when you ride, make frequent stops to adjust and tweak the seat's position (its tilt angle, height, and horizontal position). Keep making small changes until you find a comfortable seat position setting.

- If adjusting the seat yields no relief, then it's time to try different saddles until you find one that's comfortable for you.

Me, I tried 5 different saddles until I found one that is comfortable. Comfortable enough that I can ride centuries in just regular shorts (no padded shorts necessary).

masiman

If you are a girl, it seems to be a more difficult task to find a comfortable seat. We are three years into riding with my wife and we still do not have that part fixed. We have spent plenty trying to find something that works for her. It is frustrating but I am glad she is still out there trying.

A good bike shop can be very helpful in getting you set up right.

BigBlueToe

Finding a comfortable saddle has been a lifelong search for me, however I'm usually fine on just about any one up until about 30 miles or so. 7 miles isn't much to make you hurt so, although you did say you're doing it a couple of times a day on repeated days.

I always ride in bike shorts to avoid chafing, and I think the padded chamois helps too, although not that much - not enough to solve the discomfort you're describing. Did you get your bike fitted by someone who took some time? It's a lot more than just getting the saddle height correct. There's saddle angle, reach to the bars, and more.

I suggest the following:

1. get some padded bike shorts. If you don't like the way you look in Lycra, get some baggy mountain bike shorts - they still have the pads.
2. Take your bike to the person who sold it to you, describe your discomfort, and ask if he/she will go over the fit with you.
3. Bring a multitool on rides with you for awhile. When you notice something starting to be uncomfortable, see if you can guess why. For example: something needs to slide backwards or forwards a tiny bit. Something needs to go up or down a tiny bit. The angle of something needs to be changed a tiny bit (saddle, handlebars, barends, whatever.) Stop, make the tweak, and see how it feels. I've heard Lance Armstrong described as "Mr. Millimeter" because he was so picky about his bike fit - everything had to be within a millimeter or less of what he wanted. It may seem overly picky, and it's a hassle to stop every 5-10 minutes to get off the bike and make an adjustment, but it's so worth it if you can get the fit dialed in just right.
4. Keep riding. You get used to it and things will get better. Consider riding every other day or every third day for awhile until you build up your tolerance.
5. If the problem continues, eventually you'll probably have to try a Brooks saddle (I like the B17.) I held out for quite awhile, and when I got one I found that it wasn't perfect, but it was better than any of the other 12 saddles I had tried.

I'm no Superman, and I've had my share of sore butt troubles, but I've got things dialed in so that I can ride a century (100 miles) in one day and not suffer too badly. Of course, I don't ride again for 2 or 3 days. I also take tours in the summer where I ride day after day and average around 55 miles per day, with lots of days in the 60's, 70's, and even a few in the 80's (miles, that is.)

mhifoe

Women can have particular difficulty finding a bike saddle due to their sitbone width.
I bought my wife a Brooks B67 and she can now ride without pain in normal clothes.

If you haven't tried a Brooks for her I would really recommend it.
The commuting and touring forums swear by them.

masiman

We are currently on a Selle-Anatomica, very similar to Brooks but with a cutout. If this does not work, we may try a John Cobb. I like the idea of Brooks and Selle-Anatomica but not the maintenance of leather.