Hi new to this area, I bought my SS this summer, it was my dream bike as a kid, so like a mid life crisis sports car I finally took the plunge and bought it. I love my SS, an orange motobecane just like I wanted as a kid. I left the back break cause I live in Tahoe and would prefer to be able to avoid getting hit by tourists. I added a shorter stem and had the bars chopped and flipped. I am short with short arms and a bad neck, so now I am comfortable that way, what I need now are better tires. I have 700X23 on it and for Tahoe's pot holed wrecks of streets it is painful.
Also, any advice on seam soreness would be helpful, find myself riding standing up a lot due to roads being so bad and seam soreness from my jeans. I know that sounds weird
Anyway, roads are getting clearer and I want to get back on my SS. On a Trek Xtracycle with studded snows right now. I am feeling the need for speed which aint happening on my X right now.
Thanks

Get the widest tires you can fit in your frame. Hopefully that doesn't mean 700x25. 28s are a good balance of speed and shock absorbency, but you could go to 32s if the roads are really that bad and you're standing up to avoid potholes.

For seam soreness you really wanna try riding with out seams. If you do have too. IE commuter status. Try getting something with a nice slit in the center, so the seam doesnt dig into your but.

Try getting some nice gloves.

Also, A nice set of grips or bar tape will help with all the bumps. If you reallly wanna be comfortable. I say make a nice commuter with suspension

even a suspension seatpost will help a little but get the best one you can afford, not the cheapest one you can find as the spring mechanisms wear out very quickly on cheaper models and make the ride worse

If you are stuck with 23s, I will always plug conti gp 4000s tires. I know that on my bike 25s are about as big as I can go, and I find these tires a joyto ride. A good balance between weight and toughness. As for seams. Well just ride pantless. It's illegal, but so is riding without brakes in most states; and that doesn't seem to stop anyone

Thanks everyone, riding naked in 20 degree weather might be out, hoping wider tires will help. Enjoying be back on my SS cannot wait till spring and i can ride daily. Guess I'll head to my LBS and see what they think I can get away with tire wise.
Appreciate it all
Beth

Check out Brooks saddles website. They have sprung saddles that will do more to soak up bumps than any suspension seatpost. Avoid the big, squishy gel saddles like the plague.

https://www.wallbike.com/catalog/sadd...sprung-saddles

what helped my "seam soreness" from commuting to work in jeans/pants was getting some under armor boxer briefs. the material is less "frictioney" it seems. i wore them for soccer for anti chaffing reasons. similar situation.

get some bike specific shorts, even cheap ones will help.