Bicycle people - a question!

[sweet angel]

I have a Raleigh hybrid (I think) bike. To say that the seat is really uncomfortable would be an understatement. I need a seat that does not hurt my heiney to the point that I don't want to ride! I just do casual riding around town.

I found this seat on Walmart's website -- anyone have any experience with this one or can recommend a comfy seat?

bike seat

My heiney and I thank you!

 

[Papa Deuce]

I don't know that particular seat, but I used to ride 100+ miles a week. A gel seat made everything much nicer! Your heiney will thank you.

 

[BunsenH]

That seat looks heiney-friendly.

A simpler solution may be a gel seat cover. I use one that was designed for Spinning. It makes your existing (bike) seat a bit wider and much more comfortable. It slides over your seat and secures with a draw string.

 

[mtemm]

the saddle change can definitely make a difference. I don't know anything about the bell one, but you might want to check out this one at bike nashbar, too...it's on sale for the same price as the wal-mart one. added bonus is they do live chats so you can ask an expert about it.

do you wear padded bike shorts? I find those really help, too.

 

[sweet angel]

do you wear padded bike shorts? I find those really help, too.

No. Just regular shorts or jeans or whatever. I'm just a casual rider. My current seat feels pretty squishy to the touch, but it's really hard on the butt bones.

I'll check out the gel seats. I don't want to order online because I want to be able to feel it.

Thanks for the input!

 

[Papa Deuce]

No. Just regular shorts or jeans or whatever. I'm just a casual rider. My current seat feels pretty squishy to the touch, but it's really hard on the butt bones.

I'll check out the gel seats. I don't want to order online because I want to be able to feel it.

Thanks for the input!

Go to a bike strore. Many will let you actually try it.

 

[RUDisney]

IMO, you want a seat like this one: http://www.rei.com/product/48017054.htm?vcat=REI_SSHP_CYCLING_TOC . Your private area will thank you by not being sore or becoming numb due to riding the bike.

As another has mentioned, get yourself some padded shorts. I'm only an occasional rider, but having the proper biking shorts and a good seat makes a world of difference in how long I can go and how enjoyable I'll remember the ride having been later.

They make specialty equipment for a reason. Find something in your price category that will do what you want it to do and buy it. The science of bike riding has changed tremendously since the days of riding my Mom's schwinn!

 

[sharbear]

RUDisney, that exactly what my bike seat looks like. I invested in a pair of bike shorts, this is what mine look like http://www.rei.com/online/store/Pro...category_rn=4927695&vcat=REI_SSHP_CYCLING_TOC. I like the mountain bike shorts. I don't look like a total bike geek, LOL! But I've been riding my bike a lot and I would like another pair of shorts, so I can look like a biker, on my DS's old mountain bike with slicks!

I really want a new bike, but thats another discussion.

 

[Jpgirl]

Go to a bike store and get a professional fit. I'm the opposite-the bigger and cushier the seat the more my rear and right hamstring hurt. I have a nice hard narrow saddle and don't wear bike tights. I used to think I needed the gel seat or a wider saddle but I didn't-the more narrow the better. Get a professional fit and a saddle made for your gender. Good Luck

 

[sweet angel]

Okay, well I ran over to KMart on my lunch hour (1/2 hour) and picked up a gel seat COVER. I'll see how it feels before taking off the tags. If it works, yay. If not, I'll bring it back tomorrow. I really wanted to get something quickly so I can ride tonight!

 

[RUDisney]

RUDisney, that exactly what my bike seat looks like. I invested in a pair of bike shorts, this is what mine look like http://www.rei.com/online/store/Pro...category_rn=4927695&vcat=REI_SSHP_CYCLING_TOC. I like the mountain bike shorts. I don't look like a total bike geek, LOL! But I've been riding my bike a lot and I would like another pair of shorts, so I can look like a biker, on my DS's old mountain bike with slicks!

I really want a new bike, but thats another discussion.

Those shorts are very stylish, unlike my black spandex that I wear a pair of shorts over because they are so unflattering.

 

[clarabelle]

I am a bike geek -and proud of it.
You should embrace the geekiness. It is part of the culture -like Greatful Dead fans wearing tye dye or golfers wearing plaid pants.

Anyway there is a school of thought that says -don't go squishy! I am most comfortable on my really thin hard seat. Of course that may be because it is a road bike and I am leaning forward. I doesn't have any gel that can move around and make pressure points.
Check out this article bike saddles

 

[sweet angel]

Well, the cover is going back to KMart -- it's not wide enough to fit over my seat. Guess I'm not going for a ride tonight...or until I can get to the bike shop.

 

[sweet angel]

Okay, went to the bike shop and got a different gel cover. He said to try it out and if I don't like it, bring it back.

My heiney is pretty sore from yesterday, so tonight's ride might not be a good indicator, but I'll see how it feels.

 

[Sparx]

I have the seat in the OP. Its very hiney friendly.

 

[sweet angel]

I have the seat in the OP. Its very hiney friendly.

Thanks. If this gel cover doesn't work out, my heiney and I may very well try that seat!

I took a ride of almost 4 miles and the gel cover is okay. As I said, I'm pretty sore from yesterday, but it may be okay. We'll see how I feel tomorrow!

 

[FreshTressa]

Okay...for long distance rides, I find that having the bike adjusted to fit me helped better than the seat. I don't like the big wide seats...and any seat will work if I'm sitting on it properly.

That way, when you sit, you aren't putting all your weight on your behind and it is distributed through other places and you get more power.

I also must have the padded bike shorts.

 

[Jpgirl]

I was thinking about this after I posted. Are you a new rider? If so that soreness might be muscle soreness due to the workload and not from the seat. When you start a new exercise the muscle fibers are worked in a way they haven't been worked before. In bike riding that would be the gluteal area, hamstrings (back of legs), quadriceps(front of legs) and adductors (inner thighs). This soreness should subside in 2-3 days. But it will continue longer (about 1-2 weeks) if you ride everyday. My point is give the riding 2 weeks before you change seats. Going to the expense of buying seats ect. may be pointless if it's muscle soreness that is causing the pain. If after 2 weeks and there's still pain then you are probably looking at bike adjustments. Also, if you haven't done so, take the bike to a bike shop and have them fit you to the bike. They are usually a friendly bunch as they're trying to promote bike riding. I know the guy who I give all my business to helped me out on my old bike for over a year before I bought anything from him. As far a soreness goes-just take it easy. I ride outdoors anywhere from 50-75 miles a week. I also have a Spinner at home, but I was saddle sore a couple of weeks ago from taking a Spinning class at a gym. They use a different bike than I have and it was just different enough to cause different muscle recruitment and I was sore for a day. Good luck and happy riding. You can also pm if you have anymore questions-I'm a trainer so I can pretty much work you through your problems if you want.

 

[sweet angel]

Jpgirl, thank you. Yes, I'm a new rider, but it's not muscle pain. It's heiney bone pain -- not to be giving TMI. LOL

I bought the bike at a local bike shop last summer, but they had the seat too high for me and I was uncomfortable. I brought it back to them last weekend and had the seat adjusted, as well as the handlebars and feel much more comfortable. The seat bothered me from the get go. My leg muscles and butt muscles are fine...it's the sitting bones that hurt (and I would've thought I had ample padding!). Perhaps it's the way I'm sitting -- I've noticed different pressure points depending on how I position myself.

I'll see how this cover works before investing any more $$.