Question for bike riders (bicycle)

[one_voice]

I've been riding my bike between 6-8 miles 3-4 times a week. My butt is killing me.

Recommendations for a good seat? I've upgraded once, guess it's not as good as I thought.

this is the one I currently have. http://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Quilted-Wide-Cruiser-Saddle/dp/B0089WYUPM/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1406576332&sr=8-6&keywords=most+comfortable+bicycle+seat

Thanks in advance.

[onehandle]

1. It's what you add to the seat...

Search for 'bicycle seat cover gel'

Also 'padded bicycle pants' or 'padded bicycle briefs' if you want to wear your own pants.

Use both. I'm doing a 40 mile ride in a couple of weeks. I will have a padded cover over my seat and padded bike shorts.

My shorts are Zoic mountain bike shorts, because I don't like the tight, spandex look.

[one_voice]

2. Thank you so much! I will start looking now...

good luck on your ride!

[onehandle]

4. It's a casual ride with a group to a brewery.

Haven't ridden that far in a few years, so I needed the incentive.

[OriginalGeek]

10. LMAO!

I was just thinking it would take lot to get me to ride 40 miles and then you post it's to a brewery.

That'd do it!

[GoCubsGo]

7. You can buy them at Target and Walmert.

They run about fifteen bucks. Also, if you ride at least a couple of times a week, the sore backside goes away in less than a month.

As for shorts, the fewer seams and layers between you and your seat, the better.

[Blue Owl]

3. Bike-specific shorts with a "chamois" are your friend

If you don't like the skin-tight Lycra look, you can wear regular shorts over them, or get baggy mountain bike shorts with a built in liner.

I would never ride more than 2 miles w/out bike shorts -- you'll get blisters even when you have a comfy seat!

And don't forget to get out of the saddle every so often while riding, it helps keep circulation going and relieve pressure on your butt, and makes your legs stronger. Make it a habit to stand for 20-30 pedal strokes every 5-10 minutes.

[one_voice]

5. Good information! Thanks...

I don't have blisters but I am all bruised.

I'm kinda new to this so I appreciate the information.

[gratuitous]

6. I agree - bicycle short

Depending on your size (I'm north of 200 pounds), you may want more cushion. If you're under 200, the cheaper shorts with the chamois insert should be fine. If you're heavier than that, I'd recommend the shorts with the gel padding.

The other thing is that (without getting too graphic), your contact point with the seat toughens up over time. But if you've been riding for more than two weeks and are still in pain, get yourself the shorts.

[ga_girl]

8. Couple of things

Bicycle specific padded shorts are great. I'm doing 15 miles a couple of times a week without any issues wearing a Terry padded skort.

Fit is the most important thing to be concerned with. You want the bicycle seat to support your seat, meaning the bones of your pelvis. That's why there are Women Specific Design seats to fit a woman's wider pelvic structure. In some ways, a wide padded seat like you linked to works against your body. You also need to make sure that the seat is horizontal - don't tilt the horn up or down. It also needs to be adjusted fore and aft to allow your legs to work as efficiently as possible.

This may be something you need to stop in at a Local Bike Shop to get hands on advice.

[Coventina]

9. This ^^^^

Women have very different saddle needs from men.

Take your bike to a local, highly recommended bike shop and have them adjust your saddle for you, and recommend one to invest in for the future.
It can make a HUGE difference.

on edit: typo/spelling

[LisaLynne]

11. I agree with the saddle and shorts suggestions, and also ...

do you have shocks on your bike? Honestly, a bike with shocks made the biggest difference for me. Of course, I'm back to no shocks because I need SPPPPEEEEEEEDDDDD. So, yeah, I chose speed over my butt. :/

[one_voice]

12. Thanks for all the good advice..

I will be using all of it.

There's a pro bike shop not far from me; I will take my bike there and make sure I have the right seat etc.

[politicat]

13. Um... From a pear-shaped girl...

It all depends on your sit bones. I went through a dozen saddles before I found one (mine is a Velo Plush on a more or less upright foldie) that works. My second most comfortable is a hard as hell and not cheap Brooks. (Padding can be less than useful if you've got your own source.) I've got the Brooks on the Exercycle now because it's been a wet year and Brookses don't like rain.

Are you on a cruiser? Mountain stump jumper? Street? BMX? How you seat on the saddle is as important as what the saddle is.

I happen to have generous hips, and my sit bones are about 5 inches apart. (Find your sit bones: sit on your hands and wiggle until you feel the two bony points that will be right where your butt and thigh meet. Measure that gap to the best of your ability. You want those bones on the saddle when you're on an upright, barely brushing it when you're using drop bars.) I need a wide back with a narrow, shallow horn.

If you have a local bike shop, go there, take your bike if possible, and get fitted. A good local bike shop may have loaners or let you try them in parking lot first.

Another thing: your seat may be too low if you're getting pinched, or too high if you're getting bruised. It's a matter of mechanics. A fitting can help with that.

If you are on an upright, it's not unreasonable to consider something out of the ordinary, like a banana seat or an Exercycle seat. One woman in my riding group uses one without a horn at all, and another has one that looks like the fat end of a baseball bat. No two pelvises are alike, so what's comfortable for me may be torture for you.

[Art_from_Ark]

14. I'm happy with Planet Bike's bicycle seats

No special clothing needed.

http://ecom1.planetbike.com/saddles.html

[hibbing]

15. The more you ride the less your butt will hurt

Just my opinion, have fun riding.

Peace