biking question

[alicemagooey]

i have a really old bike which i really enjoy.. It is a 12 speed, with dropped handlebars..regular womans racing bike.
not a real expensive racer, but probably cost a bit in its prime.

is there such thing as a comfortable seat for these things??

does anyone have a racer and a replacement ,more comfortable, seat.

i slip all around on mine.. it pushes me foreward by the tilt..and just simply i do not feel that i fit it..
and it is skinny and uncomfortable shape.

help, please, you biking pros.!

thanks !
alice

[Blazin'Jane]

Great question--There are four things to consider, I think
1- The search for the perfect saddle is a long one and can be all consuming. Most people that I know are always on the hunt and like to switch them out every year or two until they find the perfect one.
2-Any saddle will feel a little better as yu ride more. Alot of the discomfort is unused muscles screaming at youfor relief. When they get stronger, they quiet down.
3-Proper fit means alot. As long as you're dusting off your bike, get it to a good bike shop, have itt all prettied up, lubed, cables checked, etc. and tell them that you'd like them to check your fit--that the saddle doesn't feel quite right. (I think you may have a good point about the tilt, but consider also height and forward/back alignment. These things make a huge difference sometime!)
4- Your saddle may be too thin, as you say, but beware -- the soft cushy ones actually take more work to ride as the firmer ones.
Ok--5 things.
5- After you've messed with it for awhile, if you still want to try a new saddle, consider a Terry. She makes bicycles especially for women and has a line of saddles. Many of my biking friends swear by her saddles. There's a website---terry.com or something.

Good luck! Enjoy this great fall weather while we have it!:D

[alicemagooey]

Many thanks..!!

i am making my way over to

http://www.terrybicycles.com/

But first i want to get out and RIDE..
what a gorgeous day it is today..

strange seat or no.. it is off we go.!!

i wonder if i am going to get a new bike any time.
i will maybe make a deal with myself that i need to go so many miles
( as calculated by the new little mileage /speed / distance gizmo i just installed) on this bike.

i really enjoy this one..
i bought it last year from a man who really knows how to tune up a bike.
He gives each one so much TL Care..very nice man..

Bike still seems to be ok..as it was kept clean and dry all winter.
and it seems to run smoothly..

will no doubt get it tuned up next year..

until now, i got to log in some serious miles.
bye for now!
alice

[baltochef]

Greetings

I worked as a bicycle mechanic / sales for many years prior to returning to food as a chef..

The Terry saddles, as well as some newer companies, have saddles designed for a woman's anatomy..

In my experience they provide a fairly big difference (in greater comfort) for the majority of female riders..

Some women can ride all day on a "mens" saddle w/o discomfort, but they are the exception, not the rule..

Unless you are very "riding" fit, as well as cardiovascularly fit, most people won't want to ride for more than an hour or so before major discomfort sets in..

By riding fit I mean that your body is toned enough in the inner thighs, groin, & buttocks to withstand supporting tour body's weight (whatever it may be) for an extended period of time..

If, after a riding session, your body is crying for relief the next day, shorten your time riding until you can ride the distances that you want to..

Moderation is always good if you are starting to ride after an extended layoff..

Bruce

[RawKev]

Look into a female specific Specialized Body Geometry Saddle.

[unbent]

Another option is the recumbent bike. I used to ride a mountain bike and got sick and tired of being sore all over even after just a ten mile ride. I bought an EZ-1 Supercruiser by Sun Bikes five years ago and love it. I now have no interest in unrights. I have ridden over 100 miles on one occasion and have done numerous rides over 60 miles in one day. Other than my legs obviously being a little sore I typically only have a slight pain where my rear contacts the seat. I cannot, and do not want to, imagine how these guys or girls, for that matter, feel after riding a metric century. If you plan to do a lot of riding and can afford it, I highly recommend at least trying out a few recumbents. There are a lot of different seating positions and styles of recumbents to choose from depending on whether you want to ride fast, tour, commute or something in between.

Andy