Jake the snake?

[Noeyedear]

I'm a 50 year old that has turned in the last few weeks to cycling to get fit, at present I'm using a 20 year old Rockhopper from Specialized. The seat post is set solid about an inch lower than I would like and no one can budge it. I reckon it's time for a change of bike. At present I ride between 20-60 miles at a time and would like to go further, 90% on country lanes the rest on muddy/sandy/stoney tracks. I average about 12 -14 mph at the present on the Rockhopper. I also on occaissons carry a 15kg bag (full of camera gear) on a rear rack.
Is something like Kona's Jake the snake the way to go, I hope it would give me a bit more speed. The only limiting factor I have found so far to covering distance is my backside, after a few miles I feel like I've had an unfortunate misunderstanding in a Gay bar. Any advice on the comfort front ( or should that be rear) would be appreciated.
On paper the Kona ticks the boxes, takes a rack, can go off road as well as on, should be quicker than my old "Rocky". Am I missing anything?

Cheers,

Kevin.

 

[Steve Austin]

Sounds like the perfect choice to me. Just don't get the fluro green one

 

[sleuthey]

There are Gel Saddle Covers available in LBS / Supermarket / Sports Shops / ebay for between £5 and £10. These will raise the saddle height by about half an inch and improve the comfort.

 

[srw]

Has no-one said Brooks B17 yet? Well, I will. The saddle for the discerning gentleman or lady and comfortable for hundreds of miles.

 

[Landslide]

Might be worth trying this first:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/stuck-seatposts.html

(Then you'd have two servicable bikes)

 

[Noeyedear]

where can I get ammonia from? The Brookes saddle, are they realy more comfortable than a gel? I like the look of them if I can shift the seat post I would go for one if they do the job and what happens when they get wet?
Kevin

 

[RedBike]

The Kona might be even harsher on the backside than the rockhopper.

The Kona is an ally frame designed to be stiff for racing with relatively thin tyres.

 

[Noeyedear]

OK I got some Ammonia, now to see if it can shift my seat post.

Regards,

Kevin.

 

[Soltydog]

The Brookes saddle, are they realy more comfortable than a gel? I like the look of them if I can shift the seat post I would go for one if they do the job and what happens when they get wet?
Kevin

I tried several saddles on my hybrid before the Brooks. Gel saddles tend to be more comfy at first, but if you start doing any distance & time in the saddle you may them uncomfortable. I was okay on them for about 30mins then started to suffer. When i fit the brooks B17 it didn't feel as comfy at first, but after a few rides it seemed to fit much better than any of the previous saddles. I can now spend 6+ hours & have no suffering, although that is wearing padded shorts
Mine has been a little wet / damp but never soaked & it's fine. I believe they can go out of shape if left to the elements
HTH

 

[Baggy]

I like the look of the Jake. The only problem is that the dealers are few and afr between, and they don't tend to stock them. So I've never managed to get a proper look.

A place near us sells them - they look very well made and well finished.

 

[genesta]

The Brookes saddle, are they realy more comfortable than a gel?

Yes. No other word for it. Gel starts comfortable and gets progressively more uncomfortable the longer you ride it. A Brooks saddle starts uncomfortable (and you'll regret you bought it initially), but gets more comfortable every time you ride it, and goes on doing so.

I have a B17 on my hybrid and a Swift on my audax bike. I wouldn't change them for anything.