Seat is a real pain in the a*se, literally

[Broadside]

Defo need to get shorts or tights. Is tenn stuff any good?

I've had some Tenn padded tights in the past, they are very cheap and do the job but the pad is not all that. They will certainly be a lot better than nothing but if you want to be comfortable on much longer mileage when you have built up some experience then look elsewhere. If you don't plan on going much further than about 20 miles they will probaby be just fine. But... you do get what you pay for.

 

[ambitionator]

i've no personal experience, but Specialized are often recommended for having a bit of kit that can measure your sit-bones, then using that measurement to find you a saddle that 'fits'.

My opinion, FWIW, is as already said - decent padded shorts and time!

While there are bargains to be had from time to time, padded shorts seem to be one of those things that you get what you pay for. Until recently I wa a bit of a cheapskate with cyling clothing, but I'll now pay mid-price* and the quality, comfort and fit tend to be noticeably better.

*My definition is £30 to £40 for a pair of bib shorts, a bit more for tights or 3/4's.

Edit - these work for me, especially on typical autumnal days: http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Madison-Pel...aign=Adwords&gclid=CJPO7I2nh8ECFaYIwwodoGkABg

Are these well padded?

 

[raleighnut]

Prof, I think saddle technology may have changed in the 45 years since you changed to a Brookes.

Yep you can now get some with Titanium components but still handmade in England

 

[Profpointy]

Prof, I think saddle technology may have changed in the 45 years since you changed to a Brookes.

Was a typo - only 35 years !

maybe - but the upside is saving a few grammes, the downside is abject misery. I've only once been crippled by arse pain with 15 miles to go - not an experience I ever want to risk again.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I got some planet-x bibs these are great however my saddle broke an needed a replacement, I didn't get the right one, I am saving to et the one I want, and whist its discomfort its not saddle sore as such, though as others have said make sure the height angle are all correct before swapping the saddle. The first day I got my bike in 2008 I set off London on the stock (Viking) saddle with just shorts, hadn't heard of padded shorts then as I was new back to cycling, ok after 50miles or so yes it hurt, but not to the extent I could get on the bike after a rest.

 

[raleighnut]

38 yrs for Me, but sadly I no longer have the first, tried to save it but the nose snapped off after 24yrs of hard use with not enough maintenance ( until it was too late to save it) its replacement B17n still looks pristine having being looked after 'by the book(let)' for 13-14 yrs.

 

[snorri]

Prof, I think saddle technology may have changed in the 45 years since you changed to a Brookes.

With so many people advising the wearing of padded shorts one has to wonder if the changes in saddle technology have been for the better.
I have never engaged in competitive cycling but for utility cycling, day leisure trips and touring there should be no need for padding if bike and components are set up to suit the individual rider. Padded shorts came on the scene relatively recently in competitive cycling, and now it seems all cyclists are being recommended these garments regardless of the distance they intend to cycle.
It seems to me the recommendation to purchase padded shorts is simply another hurdle, in addition to hi-viz and helmets, being placed in the way of people who might be encouraged to get into cycling.

 

[Profpointy]

With so many people advising the wearing of padded shorts one has to wonder if the changes in saddle technology have been for the better.
I have never engaged in competitive cycling but for utility cycling, day leisure trips and touring there should be no need for padding if bike and components are set up to suit the individual rider. Padded shorts came on the scene relatively recently in competitive cycling, and now it seems all cyclists are being recommended these garments regardless of the distance they intend to cycle.
It seems to me the recommendation to purchase padded shorts is simply another hurdle, in addition to hi-viz and helmets, being placed in the way of people who might be encouraged to get into cycling.

I think that's 100% right, though I do wear cycle shorts these days - as much because of not having to tuck trousers in socks and not mattering if they get dirty or wet as.for any padding. By analogy, you wouldn't be buying special sofa trousers if your sofa was uncomfortable.

 

[raleighnut]

I think that's 100% right, though I do wear cycle shorts these days - as much because of not having to tuck trousers in socks and not mattering if they get dirty or wet as.for any padding. By analogy, you wouldn't be buying special sofa trousers if your sofa was uncomfortable.

I got fed up with wearing the ar5e out of decent jeans when they went over £50 a pop.

 

[Profpointy]

I got fed up with wearing the ar5e out of decent jeans when they went over £50 a pop.

yebbutt - jeans are far more robust in the arse department than cycle shorts - which are also typically £50 or more

 

[Yorksman]

Have a look at this page regarding saddle position:

http://www.ergotec.de/en/03_sattelposition.php#slide-1

There is almost as much advice about choice of saddle as there are cyclists. The Brookes B17 and B67, which has springs, are often cited. They do break in. The hard leather does mould itself to your shape.

As far as I know, all wider saddles can be comfy to begin with but, after an hour or so, they get uncomfortable. Apparantly, narrower saddles are required for longer journeys but as you have seen from the posts, not all narrow saddles are the same.

I have big bum saddles with springs, standard saddles that came with the bikes, a Selle saddle for a trekking bike and they all hurt after an hour with our without padded shorts. I also have an SR Royalgel saddle for a touring bike. This, with a seat pad has been OK for upto 2 hours so far.

I am going to splash out on a narrower version of a brookes B67 for my trekking bike though. These don't work for everyone but seem to work for more people than they don't work for.

Perhaps the best advice came from a guy approaching his 70s who takes his bike on the plane to the continent and rides the long river routes like the 800 km long Elbe Cycleway, 'you have to get used to it'.

 

[Yorksman]

I got fed up with wearing the ar5e out of decent jeans when they went over £50 a pop.

You need a pair of these:

 

[snorri]

By analogy, you wouldn't be buying special sofa trousers if your sofa was uncomfortable.

I'll add that to my little book of pithy quotes if you don't mind.

 

[raleighnut]

Have a look at this page regarding saddle position:

http://www.ergotec.de/en/03_sattelposition.php#slide-1

There is almost as much advice about choice of saddle as there are cyclists. The Brookes B17 and B67, which has springs, are often cited. They do break in. The hard leather does mould itself to your shape.

As far as I know, all wider saddles can be comfy to begin with but, after an hour or so, they get uncomfortable. Apparantly, narrower saddles are required for longer journeys but as you have seen from the posts, not all narrow saddles are the same.

I have big bum saddles with springs, standard saddles that came with the bikes, a Selle saddle for a trekking bike and they all hurt after an hour with our without padded shorts. I also have an SR Royalgel saddle for a touring bike. This, with a seat pad has been OK for upto 2 hours so far.

I am going to splash out on a narrower version of a brookes B67 for my trekking bike though. These don't work for everyone but seem to work for more people than they don't work for.

Perhaps the best advice came from a guy approaching his 70s who takes his bike on the plane to the continent and rides the long river routes like the 800 km long Elbe Cycleway, 'you have to get used to it'.

Try the B17n. I find it and the B5n (same shape but dimple tooled leather, now obsolete) the most comfortable for longer rides, the others are fine for 3 hours but I've yet to try a 'Team Pro'

 

[Globalti]

Don't make the mistake of buying cheap shorts with thick gel pads; the gel will make you sweat and you'll sink into it, which will cause chafing. The point about padded cycle shorts is that the pad needs to have enough stiffness not to crease. My most comfortable pad is in my dhb 3/4 Roubaix bibs, which is quite thin and firm.