New Road Bike..

**Colorado** · 03-30-2009, 07:26 PM

Also, the softness of the seat - the "thumb test" - has very little to do with comfort. In fact, if the seat is soft enough it will conform to parts of your anatomy and compress those areas. Compression can mean a loss of blood flow causing more discomfort.

**CyinCo** · 03-30-2009, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by Colorado

Also, the softness of the seat - the "thumb test" - has very little to do with comfort. In fact, if the seat is soft enough it will conform to parts of your anatomy and compress those areas. Compression can mean a loss of blood flow causing more discomfort.

REI has some decent saddles with reviews. I agree softness isn't everything. I think my current saddle feels too narrow and that seems like it is part of the problem. There isn't enough support in the right places.

**clones_jer** · 03-30-2009, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by CyinCo

Yeah, I guess that is my biggest beef with the clip in shoes. We do a lot of "party rides" and "fun rides" so we are off and on our bikes between towns and in bars and restaurants. I'd rather have regular shoes. Thanks for the recommendation. I'll check into it.

Go with clip in sandals - they're all the rage you'll fit right in on the party rides. Unless you have freaky big feet (like me), then you're forced to go with the "mountain" style shoes. Once you have clip ins you'll never want to go back to regular shoes. Just remember: clip out, then stop.

**clonechemist** · 03-30-2009, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by clones_jer

Just remember: clip out, then stop.

+1

Seats are a very personal thing, just have to find one that fits your 'sit bones'.

**CyinCo** · 03-30-2009, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by clonechemist

+1

Seats are a very personal thing, just have to find one that fits your 'sit bones'.

Right. But how do you do that? Buy a seat and if you don't like it, return it with your *** sweat all over it? Will most places take a seat return?

**clones_jer** · 03-30-2009, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by CyinCo

Right. But how do you do that? Buy a seat and if you don't like it, return it with your *** sweat all over it? Will most places take a seat return?

a lot of places have the seats set up to sit on and try ... my rule of thumb is to get as much padding as I can without it looking cheesey.

**mg4cy** · 03-30-2009, 08:02 PM

I got a Trek 5200 Project One a few years ago. I am very happy with it. Smooth, stiff OCLV carbon fiber frame, and quiet. I use it mostly for triathlons, though its not a tri bike. I like my Trek OCLV bikes better than my Cannondale Aluminum. The Cannondale has too much deflection.

I heard it takes 500 miles to break in the seat.

My seat was a pretty good one, but it did take a couple hundred miles to break in. Try to put in some more miles before you swap it out.

**JP4CY** · 03-30-2009, 08:11 PM

congrats! i bought a trek 1.2 a year ago and love it! put on 500 miles last summer on it, and 30 so far this year. most rides i take are 15-20 miles at a time and it has been a great ride, couldn't be more pleased.
i highly recommend a standard seat bag with the essentials in it. even if you don't ever get a flat, its nice to help someone else out if you see them on the side of the road.
enjoy!

**CyinCo** · 03-30-2009, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by johnpkelly81

congrats! i bought a trek 1.2 a year ago and love it! put on 500 miles last summer on it, and 30 so far this year. most rides i take are 15-20 miles at a time and it has been a great ride, couldn't be more pleased.
i highly recommend a standard seat bag with the essentials in it. even if you don't ever get a flat, its nice to help someone else out if you see them on the side of the road.
enjoy!

I already got a seat bag with some necessities.

**AntiSnob** · 03-30-2009, 08:51 PM

I personally don't own one, but i work at a bike shop and the most widely renowned saddle for comfort is the Brooks B17. here's a link-
your *** will thank you
Brooks England Shop online

**clonechemist** · 03-30-2009, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by CyinCo

Right. But how do you do that? Buy a seat and if you don't like it, return it with your *** sweat all over it? Will most places take a seat return?

Well as Colorado mentioned above your mtb seat is comfortable, right? If you can't find another copy of that precise model, look for something with similar shape and support. If you think the new seat is too narrow you're probably onto something. You could always take the mtb seat in with you to a shop to compare. Or, as Colorado mentioned, if you aren't going to use your mtb much anymore, just swap the seat!

You are right about exchanging seats though - even if allowed, it's kind of gross. That said, if the saddle that came on your new bike didn't get too nasty from your ride you could always ask the shop if they would give you credit to exchange it for something that might fit you better.