please advise on buying a bike - Page 9 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

08-06-2004, 09:13 PM

Bob Anderson wrote:

>On Fri, 06 Aug 2004 00:36:24 GMT, "Pete" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>
>>Your butt will break in eventually,
>>
>
>True, got to ride a few days to get use to a bike.
>And swapping saddles/seats is always an option.
>Springs and gel might be a good idea here.
>
>
>---
> "BitwiseBob" - Bob Anderson
> Eugene Oregon
>
A sturdy and firm saddle that fits will likely be better in the long
run. It's all about fitting. saddle width, saddle height and fore and
aft position... handlebar reach and height... Fit is a complex thing,
especially as it changes as our bodies change.

Just my two cents worth.
Bernie

08-07-2004, 10:27 AM

Bernie wrote:
> Bob Anderson wrote:
>
>> On Fri, 06 Aug 2004 00:36:24 GMT, "Pete" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>>
>>> Your butt will break in eventually,
>>>
>>
>> True, got to ride a few days to get use to a bike.
>> And swapping saddles/seats is always an option. Springs and gel might
>> be a good idea here.
>>
>>
>> ---
>> "BitwiseBob" - Bob Anderson
>> Eugene Oregon
>>
> A sturdy and firm saddle that fits will likely be better in the long
> run. It's all about fitting. saddle width, saddle height and fore and
> aft position... handlebar reach and height... Fit is a complex thing,
> especially as it changes as our bodies change.

I've done gel saddles. I've got one on my hybrid. It's comfortable
for, oh, 10-15 miles, depending. Then it starts putting pressure on
tender bits, and at 20 miles, I'm in misery.

When I buy a road bike, hopefully some time in the next month, it's NOT
going to have a gel saddle. I'm seriously considering a leather saddle,
since I still have fond memories of the leather saddle on my first road
bike -- it was very comfortable after it broke in.

-km

--
the black rose
proud to be owned by a yorkie
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

08-07-2004, 10:27 AM

Bernie wrote:
> Bob Anderson wrote:
>
>> On Fri, 06 Aug 2004 00:36:24 GMT, "Pete" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>>
>>> Your butt will break in eventually,
>>>
>>
>> True, got to ride a few days to get use to a bike.
>> And swapping saddles/seats is always an option. Springs and gel might
>> be a good idea here.
>>
>>
>> ---
>> "BitwiseBob" - Bob Anderson
>> Eugene Oregon
>>
> A sturdy and firm saddle that fits will likely be better in the long
> run. It's all about fitting. saddle width, saddle height and fore and
> aft position... handlebar reach and height... Fit is a complex thing,
> especially as it changes as our bodies change.

I've done gel saddles. I've got one on my hybrid. It's comfortable
for, oh, 10-15 miles, depending. Then it starts putting pressure on
tender bits, and at 20 miles, I'm in misery.

When I buy a road bike, hopefully some time in the next month, it's NOT
going to have a gel saddle. I'm seriously considering a leather saddle,
since I still have fond memories of the leather saddle on my first road
bike -- it was very comfortable after it broke in.

-km

--
the black rose
proud to be owned by a yorkie
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

08-07-2004, 10:27 AM

Bernie wrote:
> Bob Anderson wrote:
>
>> On Fri, 06 Aug 2004 00:36:24 GMT, "Pete" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>>
>>> Your butt will break in eventually,
>>>
>>
>> True, got to ride a few days to get use to a bike.
>> And swapping saddles/seats is always an option. Springs and gel might
>> be a good idea here.
>>
>>
>> ---
>> "BitwiseBob" - Bob Anderson
>> Eugene Oregon
>>
> A sturdy and firm saddle that fits will likely be better in the long
> run. It's all about fitting. saddle width, saddle height and fore and
> aft position... handlebar reach and height... Fit is a complex thing,
> especially as it changes as our bodies change.

I've done gel saddles. I've got one on my hybrid. It's comfortable
for, oh, 10-15 miles, depending. Then it starts putting pressure on
tender bits, and at 20 miles, I'm in misery.

When I buy a road bike, hopefully some time in the next month, it's NOT
going to have a gel saddle. I'm seriously considering a leather saddle,
since I still have fond memories of the leather saddle on my first road
bike -- it was very comfortable after it broke in.

-km

--
the black rose
proud to be owned by a yorkie
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

08-07-2004, 10:27 AM

Bernie wrote:
> Bob Anderson wrote:
>
>> On Fri, 06 Aug 2004 00:36:24 GMT, "Pete" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>>
>>> Your butt will break in eventually,
>>>
>>
>> True, got to ride a few days to get use to a bike.
>> And swapping saddles/seats is always an option. Springs and gel might
>> be a good idea here.
>>
>>
>> ---
>> "BitwiseBob" - Bob Anderson
>> Eugene Oregon
>>
> A sturdy and firm saddle that fits will likely be better in the long
> run. It's all about fitting. saddle width, saddle height and fore and
> aft position... handlebar reach and height... Fit is a complex thing,
> especially as it changes as our bodies change.

I've done gel saddles. I've got one on my hybrid. It's comfortable
for, oh, 10-15 miles, depending. Then it starts putting pressure on
tender bits, and at 20 miles, I'm in misery.

When I buy a road bike, hopefully some time in the next month, it's NOT
going to have a gel saddle. I'm seriously considering a leather saddle,
since I still have fond memories of the leather saddle on my first road
bike -- it was very comfortable after it broke in.

-km

--
the black rose
proud to be owned by a yorkie
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

08-07-2004, 10:27 AM

Bernie wrote:
> Bob Anderson wrote:
>
>> On Fri, 06 Aug 2004 00:36:24 GMT, "Pete" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>>
>>> Your butt will break in eventually,
>>>
>>
>> True, got to ride a few days to get use to a bike.
>> And swapping saddles/seats is always an option. Springs and gel might
>> be a good idea here.
>>
>>
>> ---
>> "BitwiseBob" - Bob Anderson
>> Eugene Oregon
>>
> A sturdy and firm saddle that fits will likely be better in the long
> run. It's all about fitting. saddle width, saddle height and fore and
> aft position... handlebar reach and height... Fit is a complex thing,
> especially as it changes as our bodies change.

I've done gel saddles. I've got one on my hybrid. It's comfortable
for, oh, 10-15 miles, depending. Then it starts putting pressure on
tender bits, and at 20 miles, I'm in misery.

When I buy a road bike, hopefully some time in the next month, it's NOT
going to have a gel saddle. I'm seriously considering a leather saddle,
since I still have fond memories of the leather saddle on my first road
bike -- it was very comfortable after it broke in.

-km

--
the black rose
proud to be owned by a yorkie
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

08-08-2004, 01:00 PM

the black rose wrote:

> Bernie wrote:
>
>> Bob Anderson wrote:
>>
>>> On Fri, 06 Aug 2004 00:36:24 GMT, "Pete" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Your butt will break in eventually,
>>>>
>>>
>>> True, got to ride a few days to get use to a bike.
>>> And swapping saddles/seats is always an option. Springs and gel
>>> might be a good idea here.
>>>
>>>
>>> ---
>>> "BitwiseBob" - Bob Anderson
>>> Eugene Oregon
>>>
>> A sturdy and firm saddle that fits will likely be better in the long
>> run. It's all about fitting. saddle width, saddle height and fore
>> and aft position... handlebar reach and height... Fit is a complex
>> thing, especially as it changes as our bodies change.
>
>
> I've done gel saddles. I've got one on my hybrid. It's comfortable
> for, oh, 10-15 miles, depending. Then it starts putting pressure on
> tender bits, and at 20 miles, I'm in misery.

That's my experience as well - using stock 'comfort' saddles. The
energy sucking squishyness kills the butt muscles. The comfort feature
makes ride painful and exhausting. Same goes for gel gloves - aagh!

>
>
> When I buy a road bike, hopefully some time in the next month, it's
> NOT going to have a gel saddle. I'm seriously considering a leather
> saddle, since I still have fond memories of the leather saddle on my
> first road bike -- it was very comfortable after it broke in.
>
> -km
>

08-08-2004, 01:00 PM

the black rose wrote:

> Bernie wrote:
>
>> Bob Anderson wrote:
>>
>>> On Fri, 06 Aug 2004 00:36:24 GMT, "Pete" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Your butt will break in eventually,
>>>>
>>>
>>> True, got to ride a few days to get use to a bike.
>>> And swapping saddles/seats is always an option. Springs and gel
>>> might be a good idea here.
>>>
>>>
>>> ---
>>> "BitwiseBob" - Bob Anderson
>>> Eugene Oregon
>>>
>> A sturdy and firm saddle that fits will likely be better in the long
>> run. It's all about fitting. saddle width, saddle height and fore
>> and aft position... handlebar reach and height... Fit is a complex
>> thing, especially as it changes as our bodies change.
>
>
> I've done gel saddles. I've got one on my hybrid. It's comfortable
> for, oh, 10-15 miles, depending. Then it starts putting pressure on
> tender bits, and at 20 miles, I'm in misery.

That's my experience as well - using stock 'comfort' saddles. The
energy sucking squishyness kills the butt muscles. The comfort feature
makes ride painful and exhausting. Same goes for gel gloves - aagh!

>
>
> When I buy a road bike, hopefully some time in the next month, it's
> NOT going to have a gel saddle. I'm seriously considering a leather
> saddle, since I still have fond memories of the leather saddle on my
> first road bike -- it was very comfortable after it broke in.
>
> -km
>

08-08-2004, 01:00 PM

the black rose wrote:

> Bernie wrote:
>
>> Bob Anderson wrote:
>>
>>> On Fri, 06 Aug 2004 00:36:24 GMT, "Pete" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Your butt will break in eventually,
>>>>
>>>
>>> True, got to ride a few days to get use to a bike.
>>> And swapping saddles/seats is always an option. Springs and gel
>>> might be a good idea here.
>>>
>>>
>>> ---
>>> "BitwiseBob" - Bob Anderson
>>> Eugene Oregon
>>>
>> A sturdy and firm saddle that fits will likely be better in the long
>> run. It's all about fitting. saddle width, saddle height and fore
>> and aft position... handlebar reach and height... Fit is a complex
>> thing, especially as it changes as our bodies change.
>
>
> I've done gel saddles. I've got one on my hybrid. It's comfortable
> for, oh, 10-15 miles, depending. Then it starts putting pressure on
> tender bits, and at 20 miles, I'm in misery.

That's my experience as well - using stock 'comfort' saddles. The
energy sucking squishyness kills the butt muscles. The comfort feature
makes ride painful and exhausting. Same goes for gel gloves - aagh!

>
>
> When I buy a road bike, hopefully some time in the next month, it's
> NOT going to have a gel saddle. I'm seriously considering a leather
> saddle, since I still have fond memories of the leather saddle on my
> first road bike -- it was very comfortable after it broke in.
>
> -km
>

08-08-2004, 01:00 PM

the black rose wrote:

> Bernie wrote:
>
>> Bob Anderson wrote:
>>
>>> On Fri, 06 Aug 2004 00:36:24 GMT, "Pete" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Your butt will break in eventually,
>>>>
>>>
>>> True, got to ride a few days to get use to a bike.
>>> And swapping saddles/seats is always an option. Springs and gel
>>> might be a good idea here.
>>>
>>>
>>> ---
>>> "BitwiseBob" - Bob Anderson
>>> Eugene Oregon
>>>
>> A sturdy and firm saddle that fits will likely be better in the long
>> run. It's all about fitting. saddle width, saddle height and fore
>> and aft position... handlebar reach and height... Fit is a complex
>> thing, especially as it changes as our bodies change.
>
>
> I've done gel saddles. I've got one on my hybrid. It's comfortable
> for, oh, 10-15 miles, depending. Then it starts putting pressure on
> tender bits, and at 20 miles, I'm in misery.

That's my experience as well - using stock 'comfort' saddles. The
energy sucking squishyness kills the butt muscles. The comfort feature
makes ride painful and exhausting. Same goes for gel gloves - aagh!

>
>
> When I buy a road bike, hopefully some time in the next month, it's
> NOT going to have a gel saddle. I'm seriously considering a leather
> saddle, since I still have fond memories of the leather saddle on my
> first road bike -- it was very comfortable after it broke in.
>
> -km
>