Mountain Bikers ... need a new seat

[IHateMyJob2004]

I have an old Schwinn 4 Banger from about 10 years ago. The stock seat is lightweight with almost no padding. Now I have a 9 year old son with his first real mountain bike (Specialized) and he loves it. So, I want to encourage this interest.

Problem is, I just rode for over an hour with him and my bottom kills. I never replaced the stock seat but should have. I basically want a nut saver with good padding.

If anyone can give advice on this topic, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Meghan54]

Specialized has made a line that's well regarded, but there are a host of other brands out there that work as well....Selle, WTB, Trek's house brand, etc.

Best advice is to find a local bike shop with a good selection that allows you a right of return/exchange if the saddle you purchase doesn't feel good. Most of the good brands tend to have a 30-day return window so the shop should have no problem honoring that. But many good shops will either have various saddles already mounted or will mount what you are considering on your bike for you to test.

 

[PricklyPete]

Are you wearing padded shorts when riding?

 

[Scarpozzi]

I used to have a hard Italian-made mtn bike performance seat, but I changed it over to a gel seat years ago because I read about how those skinny seats can be bad for your manhood.

I ended up buying it online for cheap....I either got it from Nashbar or REI....can't remember which. Read reviews.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Wow, found this interesting:

http://forums.mtbr.com/general-discussion/time-new-saddle-868146.html

I didn't know that you need to get measured for a seat. They call it measuring your sit bones.

Then there is this:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...gjwV9hB5IdWIuQh3gyXRYPg&bvm=bv.62922401,d.dmQ

Interesting, gel seats are hype. Padding doesn't necessarily even help. What matters most is proper sizing of the seat.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Are you wearing padded shorts when riding?

nope.

 

[PricklyPete]

With regard to your question, I ride a Yeti branded WTB saddle. If you are doing technical rides, you really don't want a large saddle getting in your way. Padded shorts go a long way in making up for a less comfortable saddle. If you are just riding on fire roads, get whatever saddle suits. If you have a REI nearby, check out there offerings. You'll find plenty to choose from that are more "cruiser" style.

 

[PricklyPete]

nope.

I would start here.

 

[GasX]

1. get padded shorts
2. get a seat the right width for YOUR sit bones

that means trying them

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

I used to have a hard Italian-made mtn bike performance seat, but I changed it over to a gel seat years ago because I read about how those skinny seats can be bad for your manhood.

I ended up buying it online for cheap....I either got it from Nashbar or REI....can't remember which. Read reviews.

To prevent manhood issues you need a seat with a U shaped channel back to front. Women are best off with one of the seats with a large hole in the center.

 

[Capt Caveman]

To prevent manhood issues you need a seat with a U shaped channel back to front. Women are best off with one of the seats with a large hole in the center.

Since you're a casual rider, it doesn't matter. Get padded shorts/briefs and try out some saddles and get one that you feel comfortable.

I"m a fan of WTB saddles but can use just about any minimal seat. When riding, I will periodically ride out of saddle to give my body a little stretch and utilize other leg muscles.

 

[_Rick_]

To prevent manhood issues you need a seat with a U shaped channel back to front. Women are best off with one of the seats with a large hole in the center.

Actually, you just need to sit properly on the saddle, and have it fit.

I think the minimalistic saddles are actually slightly better, because if you properly sit on it, your hips rest on the saddle's relatively stiff wings, while the softer perineum and crotch are in the middle part of the saddle, which is quite soft and forgiving, due to the construction.

With many other saddles, the wings aren't stiff enough, you sink in, and the perineum becomes a load bearing member (teehee). A proper padded saddle needs very little padding on the wings, and very soft and low padding in the center. Padded shorts are still the way to go, and there too you need to look at what is padded how thickly.

Also, the first ride always hurts. That's just the way it is.

 

[BikeJunkie]

Your ass will adjust quite a bit, so don't worry. But, you do need a proper seat and shorts. Canari's aren't bad and can be had for decent prices. For a saddle, WTB is my go-to. Do you have narrow or wide sit bones? Take that into consideration when looking at saddle measurements.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

I'm going to head to a bike shop and get my sit bones measured and seat fitted. And if that fails, my understanding is that I can do a swap for a larger/smaller seat if it is not comfortable.

The biggest problem I have right now is the seat. it is definitely too narrow. I'll consider shorts once the seat issue is resolved.

 

[Fritzo]

I picked up this one about a year ago and I love it. No more ball chaffing and my ass bones don't get as sore It's cheap too!

http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-A-...g_bs_3404931_2

 

[BikeJunkie]

Interesting, gel seats are hype. Padding doesn't necessarily even help. What matters most is proper sizing of the seat.

Do NOT get gel. It promotes chafing and a host of other discomforts. You don't need/want a bunch of padding in the saddle. That's what your bike shorts are for :thumbsup:

 

[FleshLight]

Specialized Phenom

 

[JulesMaximus]

Actually, you just need to sit properly on the saddle, and have it fit.

I think the minimalistic saddles are actually slightly better, because if you properly sit on it, your hips rest on the saddle's relatively stiff wings, while the softer perineum and crotch are in the middle part of the saddle, which is quite soft and forgiving, due to the construction.

With many other saddles, the wings aren't stiff enough, you sink in, and the perineum becomes a load bearing member (teehee). A proper padded saddle needs very little padding on the wings, and very soft and low padding in the center. Padded shorts are still the way to go, and there too you need to look at what is padded how thickly.

Also, the first ride always hurts. That's just the way it is.

Pretty much this. Take the time to recover between rides and just keep doing it. You will get used to it after a few weeks. Also, padded shorts are a must and don't wear underwear under your bike shorts, but especially not cotton underwear.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Also even though you have a full suspension you need to get up off that seat when you hit decent sized bumps if you aren't doing it. Or at least take your weight off the seat.

 

[Jaepheth]

Gay Confucius say:

Mountain bike like Miley Cyrus concert;
Best seat is no seat.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Also even though you have a full suspension you need to get up off that seat when you hit decent sized bumps if you aren't doing it. Or at least take your weight off the seat.

True, when I'm going downhill I'm standing on the pedals, uphill, I'm in the saddle spinning.

I almost crashed Saturday when I was out riding the hills of Newport Beach. I was bombing down this long downhill stretch and came to a rise but I couldn't see the trail immediately beyond the rise, I was doing probably 20-25mph when I hit that rise and saw where I was going to land on the other side was a crevice about 6-8" deep where the recent rain had washed away part of the trail and I was lined up perfectly to land right in that (it was running down the center of the trail). I hit it, the bike moved around a bit under me but I was able to ride out of it without going down. Thank the 29er for that! :biggrin:

My friend was behind me a bit and saw the whole thing, he said he was surprised I didn't crash.

 

[BikeJunkie]

Downhill = off the seat and behind it (depending on the steepness of the grade) to keep from doing and endo.

Uphill = seated unless it gets steep, in which case you need to be off the seat and move your weight forward to keep from doing a wheelie (but not too far forward, which will cause the rear wheel to lose traction and spin out)

 

[BikeJunkie]

Fucking March. I need to go mountain biking.

 

[KK]

I picked up this one about a year ago and I love it. No more ball chaffing and my ass bones don't get as sore It's cheap too!

http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-A-...g_bs_3404931_2

I picked that one up a couple weeks ago, haven't ridden on it much, but it feels better than the one that came with the bike.

 

[Oyeve]

I picked up this one about a year ago and I love it. No more ball chaffing and my ass bones don't get as sore It's cheap too!

http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-A-...g_bs_3404931_2

I have something similar but mine is leather and has aerodynamic holes in the front so when you ride your nuts get a nice blast of air. Bought it like 7-8 years ago and its still comfy and the leather hasn't cracked. Was something like 70 bucks or so.