First ride went better than expected!

[mjr]

To be fair, a saddle can cost just as much (and often, a hell of a lot more) as a decent pair of shorts

Yes, but you only need one saddle which will last many years, as against many pairs of shorts which will last only a few years (if you ride much).

and which saddle "fits" anyway? You're probably not going to find out how well it fits until you've shelled out the money and ridden it for X amount of miles.

Not absolutely, but I think you can make a reasonable guess from measuring your backside and measuring the saddle... more experienced riders can guess a bit more from sitting on a saddle, feeling where the pressure is (NOT on the softer bits) and whether the legs can move without chafing, but I feel that's difficult for beginners. A beginner is just as likely to misjudge what's the right pad shape/texture for them anyway.

This is one of maybe three things which is baffling about cyclists' advice: people rant about the dangers of too-soft gel saddles which put the pressure in harmful places, yet give vague blanket advice to use padded shorts that can just as easily put the pressure in the same places!

Most of the reviews of my current road bike picked up on how uncomfortable the saddle was, but I can spend hours on it with no discomfort.

Yes, most reviews seem ignorant that comfort is a function of saddle, bike/position and rider. I wonder if it's because reviewers are badly-paid?

 

[Truth]

Top effort mate ! Well done

 

[bikeman66]

Yes, but you only need one saddle which will last many years, as against many pairs of shorts which will last only a few years (if you ride much).


Not absolutely, but I think you can make a reasonable guess from measuring your backside and measuring the saddle... more experienced riders can guess a bit more from sitting on a saddle, feeling where the pressure is (NOT on the softer bits) and whether the legs can move without chafing, but I feel that's difficult for beginners. A beginner is just as likely to misjudge what's the right pad shape/texture for them anyway.

This is one of maybe three things which is baffling about cyclists' advice: people rant about the dangers of too-soft gel saddles which put the pressure in harmful places, yet give vague blanket advice to use padded shorts that can just as easily put the pressure in the same places!

Yes, most reviews seem ignorant that comfort is a function of saddle, bike/position and rider. I wonder if it's because reviewers are badly-paid?

OK.

 

[Enjoyedincubus]

I'll take both points about saddle/shorts on board.

I'm going to see how I do on the next few rides but if it doesn't improve I'll go raise the above with my LBS.

Thank you!

 

[Enjoyedincubus]

Today I went for a ride with a friend from work and we did almost 20miles (19.8 according to Strava) I'm really chuffed! It took us 1hr 50mins.

My backside doesn't hurt as much so thats possibly down to last weeks saddle adjustment.

My mate is a pretty keen cyclist and he was giving me advice as we went. He also got me to push myself a little more especially with the a few small inclines and I feel great for doing it.

We stopped at the cycle cafe for a brew again and we found out that they do an 'extra relaxed ride' which is 15miles. I think this is something I'll do as it would be good to meet people and ride with folks who may be at a similar level to me.

One thing I have found is that I need to take the bike to my LBS to have the gears adjusted as the front derailleur keeps jumping in certain gears.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to ride next weekend as its Mothering Sunday unless I can get a couple of hours in on Saturday. Fingers crossed!

 

[mjr]

Loads of videos on YouTube and instructions on www.parktool.com of how to set up indexing. It'll take a few goes the first few times but it shouldn't be too difficult.

But take it to the lbs if you prefer. I don't mainly because it's too far away so I probably have to fix it anyway to ride it there!