Gel Seat?

PRESIDENT

So since I spend much of the time injured these days burning mad

I've been trying to do more biking, something I've always hated. I just got a cheap mountain bike at Wal-Mart. After riding 10 miles my @ss hurt a bit. Will a gel seat help?? How bout one of those gel covers for the seat? And what about the size, does a big @ss require a big seat or will small @sses be comfortable on a big seat?? dunno

you can stop laughing now...... Mr. Green

Kermitologist

i dont know much about seats and stuff, but the bf (aka the bike god) thinks the gel seats and covers are a waste.

what i do know from experience is that my tush is so sore after riding the stationary bike at the gym that i cant sit, stand, or walk for about three days (and thats only after about 30 min or 5ish miles)...at one point i started putting a folded up towel under my butt when i rode...

Member

I think I speak for a few others here when I say your "sit bones" just need to get acclimated to biking. My butt hurt too when I first started, but it's a non-issue now.

Member

Congrats on the bike! Your quads and knees will loooove you for it.

I'd advise staying away from gel seats -- after awhile they lose that comfy feeling and their "shiftiness" isn't any help. If you've got a local bike shop, check with them. My husband got a Serfas men's seat and I've stolen it off his bike, since he doesn't use it. It's pretty comfortable, right off.

It has a cutout to relieve pressure on one's nether region. Here's a pic of it on their website: link. If that's more than you'd like to pay right now, I seem to recall that Bell or Schwinn has a cutout seat at Wal-Mart. I'm sure anything's better than the stock seat.

To echo the above posts: it does take time to get one's pelvis used to that pressure. Here's a site that explains more about bike seats: link.

Member

After posting that, I got to looking at a diagram of the innards of that Serfas seat...it does have gel inside! It's still different than those gel covers, but should still be mentioned. All Serfas Dual Density seats have it. I will say that I've had a gel seat before and couldn't stand the excess movement. The Serfas doesn't feel like a gel seat. Smile

Member

Seats are very personal. Gel covers may be a good short term solution; but, most don't like them long term. Wear good cycling shorts will help you adjust, the rest is just time in the saddle.

PRESIDENT

Hey all, thanks for the help here. I was pretty sure getting used to it was gonna be a big help too. I did see a seat similar to the Serfas at Wal-Mart I may give that a try I think it was 20 bucks or so.

crazy cat lady

Very personl thing, bike seats. It has a lot to do with your sit bones. There is also some 'building of callouses' that you just tolerate the seat so much more after riding more but there are also seats that you know instantly that it is wrong. Anyway, there is no one good seat. I know a woman who rides on what looks to me like a 2X4 but it works for her. Mine isn't wide or gel (I've heard the same as bonobo with the shiftiness being bad very bad) but it works. Its serfas as well but looks nothing like bonobo's. Unfortunately too, you can't always tell if a seat isn't great until into a ride. I say start with the $20 and see how it feels! Also, look for women's specific seats with cut outs relieving your uhm, tender regions, you won't believe how much that helps.

Gone Fishin

Must.resist.temptation...

but I just can't help it. Get Bent!!
There are no sore butts in the world of recumbents Smile

PRESIDENT

Member

Gel Seat?

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