Seat question: how comfortable is comfortable?

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2007-08-13 9:29 AM

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Master
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Kirkland, WA
Subject: Seat question: how comfortable is comfortable?
i was wondering, when people say their seat is comfortable, what does that generally mean - as in do you not notice the seat there, or does it not trigger any sort of discomfort?
i just got a forte T1 from performance because my old seat was horrible
i went on a 40 mile ride yesterday, and i still had to stand up off the seat a couple times - is this normal or should i try a different seat?

2007-08-13 9:56 AM
in reply to: #923446

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2007-08-13 10:12 AM
in reply to: #923446

Extreme Veteran
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Bethpage, New York
Subject: RE: Seat question: how comfortable is comfortable?
I agree with Sweet K, any seat that prevents chaffing...with the help of Body Glide or Chamois Butt'r and doesn't cause numbness. Have you had a bike fitting yet? If your seat is too high/low, or too far forward or back that too will cause discomfort in the saddle.
2007-08-13 11:30 AM
in reply to: #923446

Extreme Veteran
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Hoboken, NJ
Subject: RE: Seat question: how comfortable is comfortable?
I think 'comfortable' means comfortable - no chafing, soreness, etc. during the ride and no soreness or recovery time needed after the ride because of the seat.  I can take a 145 mile ride with only minimal discomfort during or after.  Finding the right seat is important as is fit.  Comfort is also tied to how much time you spend in the saddle, though.  For example, if I only did that ride every six months with no riding in between I don't know that I would ever find a 'comfortable' seat.
2007-08-13 12:03 PM
in reply to: #923446

Veteran
186
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Pasadena, Maryland
Subject: RE: Seat question: how comfortable is comfortable?
Mine is comfortable for hours but I still need to standup and strech my legs. Heck I stop the car ever two hours to get out and strech. I agree narrow is good.
I am just starting to be able to go aero for long streches of time and notice I can not get comfortable then. Going for a fitting tonight hope this can get resolved.
2007-08-13 12:06 PM
in reply to: #923728

Champion
6539
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South Jersey
Subject: RE: Seat question: how comfortable is comfortable?

ezl - 2007-08-13 12:30 PM I think 'comfortable' means comfortable - no chafing, soreness, etc. during the ride and no soreness or recovery time needed after the ride because of the seat.  I can take a 145 mile ride with only minimal discomfort during or after.  Finding the right seat is important as is fit.  Comfort is also tied to how much time you spend in the saddle, though.  For example, if I only did that ride every six months with no riding in between I don't know that I would ever find a 'comfortable' seat.

x2 (well, aside from the 145-mile rides cuz I don't do those )

2007-08-13 12:50 PM
in reply to: #923807

Sensei
Sin City
Subject: RE: Seat question: how comfortable is comfortable?
For me, more comfortable than sitting on the ground, but less comfortable than my couch. Similar to the other posts, I can sit on the bike for 3 to 4 hours with no discomfort and NONE after the ride. Long ago, I could not do two long rides in a row because I would be so sore the next day.

However, some minor aches always come and go for me during the ride. Usually, just a quick stand and stretch is good enough to get some blood back "down there".

I still believe it is also just time in the saddle. I believe someone can have the perfect seat and fitting, but if they never road for more than 30 minutes, they are going to hurt if they try to ride for 3 hours.....
2007-08-13 1:34 PM
in reply to: #923446

Champion
8540
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the colony texas
Subject: RE: Seat question: how comfortable is comfortable?

I think some people have never had a comfortable seat. 

I just recently got a new bike [tri] and after the fitting didn't like the stock seat so I put the same one as my road bike which was comfortable, which means to me no issue up to a 3hr ride.  The seat that was great for my road bike was painfull on the tri bike especially in aero.. I was riding with people and they said it's normal to be uncomfortable, but bearable.   I switch to a different seat and did a 75 mile ride this week, and had no problems with the seat, it didn't limit me at all and comfort wise I could have gone farther if I wanted to..

comfort for me translates into the seat not limiting me in what I want to ride, I really didn't think about it at all, it's a non issue.   However that new seat put me forward a little bit which made my aero position different so I'll be going back to get a refitting/tweaking done. But after 4hrs+  my seat and backside didn't feel bad abused at all.. 

2007-08-13 4:11 PM
in reply to: #923446

Master
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Kirkland, WA
Subject: RE: Seat question: how comfortable is comfortable?
ok, i guess the seat isn't too bad then, cause i don't get chaffed from it, and it wouldn't be the factor in me not riding multiple days (more like sore legs or other stuff to do).
i haven't got my bike fit yet. .. but i did play w/the seat positioning and it makes a huge difference. my gf just bought a bike at LBS, and i was there to help negotiate and help her decide, and i'm hoping i can get them to do a fit for me for free
2007-08-13 7:10 PM
in reply to: #923446

Elite
3972
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Reno
Subject: RE: Seat question: how comfortable is comfortable?
when I first bought my road bike, I had to sit on an ice pack after each ride.  Now my butt is immune. 
2007-08-13 8:49 PM
in reply to: #923446

Regular
98
252525
Charlottesville, VA
Subject: RE: Seat question: how comfortable is comfortable?
I just tried that seat and it didn't work for me. I took it back to the LBS and exchanged it. I didn't get chaffed but the soreness was a bit much. The LBS guru told me that I could keep trying seats untill I found the right one. He also said that seats are so personal in fit that price does not equal fit. THe seat he uses is cheap compared to the expensive models. If it creates soreness than try another.

2007-08-13 10:05 PM
in reply to: #923446

Regular
117
100
Subject: RE: Seat question: how comfortable is comfortable?
On a long enough ride, I think some soreness is unavoidable.  I stand up probably ever 10 miles or so to prevent my stuff from going numb, but I have 210lbs resting on 2 square inches of nerves.  With that said, I can ride 30 miles and jump off the bike feeling like I never sat on a seat.  I don't think there is anyway to be 100% comfortable on any bike unless it has a seat as big as your butt or your name is John Kruk.
2007-08-14 8:33 AM
in reply to: #923446

Master
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Subject: RE: Seat question: how comfortable is comfortable?
No matter how well the seat fits, I would expect some discomfort on the first couple of long rides each season. That's some pretty tender skin that needs to toughen up a little. You folks who get to train year-round may not need to go through this.
2007-08-14 12:21 PM
in reply to: #924666

Master
2202
2000100100
St. Louis
Subject: RE: Seat question: how comfortable is comfortable?
DW67 - 2007-08-13 10:05 PM

On a long enough ride, I think some soreness is unavoidable.  I stand up probably ever 10 miles or so to prevent my stuff from going numb, but I have 210lbs resting on 2 square inches of nerves.  With that said, I can ride 30 miles and jump off the bike feeling like I never sat on a seat.  I don't think there is anyway to be 100% comfortable on any bike unless it has a seat as big as your butt or your name is John Kruk.


You should NEVER have numbness. Thats bad juju, and I would definitely adjust your seat. First inclination is to say the nose of your seat is angled slightly too high. Also, make sure you are resting on your sit bones, not your perenium.

As far as comfortable, my saddle is no lay-z-boy, but I really have no problem being on it for hours. I have no pain, numbness, or discomfort at all.
2007-08-14 1:19 PM
in reply to: #923446

Veteran
107
100
Subject: RE: Seat question: how comfortable is comfortable?
My old seat was like being kicked square in the boys at every little bump.  My new seat (Terry Men's Fly Tri Gel Saddle) has never been an issue and I really don't even notice it.  My longest ride has only been 75 miles, but it was well worth the $100.
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