Biking Shorts/ Seats

[Peter O'Brien]

Over the last 4 months I've had the chance to try two different pairs of biking shorts and a few seats.

The two biking shorts are my BPR trishorts, and a Louis Garneau that I bought at Olympia. The trishorts don't provide as much padding as I would like on a long ride but that seems understandable as it has to be thin enough to swim in. The Garneau has been terrific. I use it for most of my training, and it seems to allow plenty of "blood flow".

As for seats, I don't know the brand names but I've had a very nice gel seat with a cutout on my mountain bike. That has helped immensely. The seat that is on my Devinci seems to have a similar effect, but has no cutout, just a dip in the middle of the seat. Both seats are fairely comfortable but not necessarily the most healthy. The seat that Joel has is the ideal. A full cutout that goes through the whole front of the seat, while all your weight is placed on your pelvis.

From what I've learned from Joel, the more uncomfortable the seat, in some ways, the better. The seat he has will make you have a sore pelvis by the end, but completely removes the possibility of erectile dis function.

Any thoughts?

[GinnySellars]

Hi Peter
On a road seat, I totally agree that the harder seats with most of the pressure on the sits bones are the most comfortable for me in the end. It takes a few weeks to get the bum used to the pressure, but takes the weight off the soft parts.

No cut-out tri saddles have been successful for me...and I've tried many. It seems that the cut outs just put enormous pressure in other places. One of my problems is extremely flexible gluts/hips, so my hips are turned back so much that all the pressure is soft tissue. So far, I just have to put up with some discomfort on a tri bike. I've now got a seat with a small bit of padding, and not too wide at the back.

In terms of shorts, there is NO WAY I can wear a road type short on a tri bike due to my position. So I only ride with tri shorts on a tri seat. This makes for bruised sits bones if I have to sit up on the seat for much of the ride.

It is SO personal, but nice to hear what other people have figured out.

[Andrew]

Not that I want to piss anyone off...but I seem to be able to ride any seat, any shorts. Bullet proof, leather ass. That's me.

[MartinC]

Hi,
I tried the Adamo (What Joel has), it was a little too wide for me leading to some chaffing issues.
Before that I had a Fizik Arione Tri. It was OK but on longer trainer rides I was getting some numbness.
I currently have a Cobb V-flow max. Bought it online. They have a great 90 day trial policy and I would have to say so far it is the most comfortable saddle I have ever had as a tri saddle. Take a look at it on line if you want.
On my road bike is a Fizik Arione which I am very happy with for riding on my road bike in a more upright position.

[SimonC]

I agree with Andrew .. I'm also a hard ass Belgian Tough Guy who rides in Feb with jersey and shorts !!!.
Selle San Marco has always been good to me so I swear by them.
I do however use different seats for different bikes. The road, TT and Cross all have different saddles designed for specific needs.
Because it's all about tri, I'll talk about my TT bike. I traditionally have a saddle with a beefier front so I can get right "on the rivet" for max power. This is needed in Road TT bikes as there are UCI restrictions with saddle position that force you sometimes to scoot forward on the nose to generate more power. With a tri set up, UCI regs don't apply so you can ram the seat forward allowing  you more comfort in a power position.
I would stay away from gimmick seats (like the ISM ... those things are nuts) and go for more old school seats. It will come down to trial and error but as others have said Fizik, San Selle Marco, Selle Italia are all proven saddles. Get one of those and you should be OK .
I have tried the ISM but it’s just plain weird and in my opinion produces less power ... but hey ... I’m one of those guys who is willing to sacrifice the boys for a 4:30 bike split !!!

SC 

[Andrew]

Due to Ginny's habit of trying "anything and everything", we do have a number of different saddles at our home that our athletes are welcome to take and try. If you like one, you are welcome to buy it from Ginny, who has collected quite an array...including the Adamo, Fizik Arione Tri, and at least three others that I can think of. I will bring them to the next Module for people to view and get Chris' feedback on.

[kiwichris]

HI guys and gals - here are my 2 cents worth.

EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT - what works for old leather ass Andrew will not work for Ginny etc etc. The best option is to try as many as you can - either through a group like ours where we have acquired seats along to way for people to try - OR - a bike shop that has a rental/demo seat program. I, like Ginny, have quite a collection and will aim to bring some along to the next module for people to look at/try/trash.