Pain in the a** (literally)
Discussion
Hello all, seeking some advice - contemplating the purchase of an e-bike for commuting and light fun rides as middle-aged spread has gone beyond the pale. Would look at unassisted bikes but live in a hilly area and am not a 'pretty' exerciser so would prefer not to arrive at work looking like I've been hosed down. A little gentle exercise with help up the inclines seems realistic.
Hired a Volt from a local firm for a day on Saturday to try it out and had great fun riding it. Legs don't feel too bad, but I haven't been on a bike in 15 years and - to put it mildly - my ar*e was absolutely killing me by about an hour in...
This was on quite a capacious looking saddle, certainly not a razor blade road bike kind of thing, so a bit dispiriting!
Any recommendations for particular saddles and/or padded legwear combinations that are suitable for a tubby middle-aged git? Non-lycra/figure hugging preferred, bonus points for outerwear that could be worn into a casual dress code office if required. Or should I just grin and bear it and hope the posterior toughens up after a few rides?
Hired a Volt from a local firm for a day on Saturday to try it out and had great fun riding it. Legs don't feel too bad, but I haven't been on a bike in 15 years and - to put it mildly - my ar*e was absolutely killing me by about an hour in...
This was on quite a capacious looking saddle, certainly not a razor blade road bike kind of thing, so a bit dispiriting!
Any recommendations for particular saddles and/or padded legwear combinations that are suitable for a tubby middle-aged git? Non-lycra/figure hugging preferred, bonus points for outerwear that could be worn into a casual dress code office if required. Or should I just grin and bear it and hope the posterior toughens up after a few rides?
The large, gel style saddles are actually much more uncomfortable.
A good saddle will be worth the £££. A decent bike shop should sort you out with a quality saddle, or try one of the Charge saddles, decent price, well made and comfy. I use them on my MTB and cross bikes, as they are comfy and cheap, so when my muddy arse grinds the cover bare, they're not too expensive to replace.
https://www.merlincycles.com/charge-spoon-cromo-ra...
Also, make sure your saddle is not to high, if it is, your hips will rock and that will exacerbate any discomfort you have.
You can get padded under shorts if you don't want to wear lycra.
https://www.tredz.co.uk/cycling-shorts-under-short...
Or go with a pair of shorts with a padded liner - Endura or Fox are a good start.
A good saddle will be worth the £££. A decent bike shop should sort you out with a quality saddle, or try one of the Charge saddles, decent price, well made and comfy. I use them on my MTB and cross bikes, as they are comfy and cheap, so when my muddy arse grinds the cover bare, they're not too expensive to replace.
https://www.merlincycles.com/charge-spoon-cromo-ra...
Also, make sure your saddle is not to high, if it is, your hips will rock and that will exacerbate any discomfort you have.
You can get padded under shorts if you don't want to wear lycra.
https://www.tredz.co.uk/cycling-shorts-under-short...
Or go with a pair of shorts with a padded liner - Endura or Fox are a good start.
Agree that soft wide saddles are not at all comfy. Your "sit bones" sink into them which means that it puts pressure on the sensitive bit between them. Which is where a bunch of important nerves live. High end saddles meant for all day rides don't have much padding, and are much more comfortable than they look. It will take a few rides to get used to sitting on a saddle though. If I've had a period off the bike the first ride back can be a bit uncomfortable, it's just one of those things.
Would take a change of underwear to the office though, sitting around in a sweaty pad all day is not pleasant...
Would take a change of underwear to the office though, sitting around in a sweaty pad all day is not pleasant...
Edited by lufbramatt on Monday 3rd April 10:25
I suffered similar when I took up cycling again and found a couple of things helped.
One, you do get used to it after a while, but I did find the larger, paddled saddles made a diffference. The one I got was called something like "big bum"
Secondly, the angle of the saddle made a difference too, specifially tilting it a little more upwards helped for me.
One, you do get used to it after a while, but I did find the larger, paddled saddles made a diffference. The one I got was called something like "big bum"
Secondly, the angle of the saddle made a difference too, specifially tilting it a little more upwards helped for me.
Julian Scott said:
You need a Brooks Cambium saddle.
Put one on my gravel bike. The most comfortable saddle I've ever used.
Whereas I tried one and thought it was awful. Put one on my gravel bike. The most comfortable saddle I've ever used.
Everyone is different and what works for one may not work for another.
I’m a fan of the Flite titanium, but as above your mileage may vary.
Edited by tertius on Tuesday 4th April 17:04
tertius said:
Julian Scott said:
You need a Brooks Cambium saddle.
Put one on my gravel bike. The most comfortable saddle I've ever used.
Whereas I tried one and thought it was awful. Put one on my gravel bike. The most comfortable saddle I've ever used.
Everyone is different and what works for one may NY work for another.
I’m a fan of the Flite titanium, but as above your mileage may vary.
Julian Scott said:
tertius said:
Julian Scott said:
You need a Brooks Cambium saddle.
Put one on my gravel bike. The most comfortable saddle I've ever used.
Whereas I tried one and thought it was awful. Put one on my gravel bike. The most comfortable saddle I've ever used.
Everyone is different and what works for one may NY work for another.
I’m a fan of the Flite titanium, but as above your mileage may vary.
Shape was all wrong for me.
z4RRSchris said:
it will take a few weeks for your arse to get used to it.
just got to push through the early stages, and get some shorts with padding and a nice saddle, not a big squishy saddle.
Thisjust got to push through the early stages, and get some shorts with padding and a nice saddle, not a big squishy saddle.
My ebike now has a soft seat for commuting, no issues whatsoever last year.
First commute of this year - ouch even that seat has made me sore. Couple of weeks I reckon to get used to it.
qska said:
Selle SMP. Thank me later
Agreed. I got this onehttps://www.wiggle.co.uk/selle-smp-extra-bike-sadd...
Selle SMP have a seatfinder app which recommends suitable seats.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.c...
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