Recumbent seat padding
 

Hello recumbent users. ;)
Greetings from Portugal.

Last year I purchased a used recumbent bike and entered the recumbent world.

I had to change the seat padding since it was not in the best condition.

I'm a DIY type of guy so I made the padding myself.

My seat is the recurved fiberglass type and I used a large piece of spaghetti vinyl loop mat, (since I have seen it before). I doubled it at the bottom for extra cushioning and covered it with a polyester mesh fabric (sandwich spacer cloth kind).

It ventilates, it drains, it protects my bottom... but in long distances (touring) I need something softer in my coccyx area. (I'm the thin type of guy and don't have much self-cushioning) :D

Did someone try the latex seat pads? (like the ones used in rowing machines)

Any other suggestions are appreciated

Ride safe

Here in the US, the product most often cited by recumbent riders looking for more comfort is the Ventist pad https://www.ventisit.nl/en/. It's fairly expensive (IMHO) and I have not used one myself but just have seen it mentioned a lot of different times.

I have used a Ventisit pad. I liked it quite a bit. It provided great ventilation. It was relatively firm, though. I sold it when I sold the bike that it was on. It comes in two thicknesses. I used the thinner. I'm guessing that the thicker would provide more cushioning.

I have seen theire site.
The material looks good and quality padding. But kind a expensive, yes...
thanks a lot.

What about silicone, latex, viscosis, PU?
Did someone tryed it?
What is your experience about this?
Thanks

I've had good luck with padded cycling shorts with combination of artificial grass covering as padding on the recumbent seat.
Not much to look at, but it's cheap, lightweight, doesn't retain water if it gets wet, good amount of friction to keep me from sliding off the seat..
https://i.imgur.com/7iJw28w.jpg

Padded cycling shorts probably offer more support & padding at the coccyx area and also extra support your muscles..

Such mats are good in cooler weather and more comfortable than the ventist, which really has very little "give". Bony areas do not compress the ventist pad and these become pressure points but in hot weather, the cooling effect is a winner on the ventist

I have used a yoga mat and an ultralight backpacking pad cut to size. Something like this one.

https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/1-4-foam-pad/

I don't know what "spaghetti vinyl loop" is, but is using two layers a possibility?

Hello!
Thanks for your input about the ventisit.
I have tryed some eva foam mat too (double layer) and also combined it with some softer sponge. It was Ok but way to hot and sweaty for Protugal summer temperatures.

It is used as a door entrance matt. Here's a picture of it.
Yes it is a possibility, I'm using 2 layers in the problem area. I also cutted a V slot in one of the layers (like seen in other seats) to releife pressure on thah spot.
The old seat was something like the ergomesh but it waas too soft.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...28b5af135f.jpg

I'm glad I can post pictures now!!! :) ;)
Here is it in the process of "fabrication"


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5570dca5e.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...019e099281.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e215517c6a.jpg

Here it is possible to see the extra seat padding. double layer
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f2b20179a3.jpg

If the tailbone area isn't structural, you could cut relief in the shell. Performer does this to their FRP seats, I believe.

That probably would be a good solution. A will see if possible.
Thanks for your input!