My posterior is complaining, need recommendations

[AlphaGeek]

The equipment:

• Giant Yukon hardtail with front suspension only
• GEBE with Tanaka 33cc
• Nashbar suspension seatpost
• Ergo lycra/gel noseless saddle

The commute:

• 17.2 miles each way
• Average speed ~24mph
• Top speed on level ground >31mph
• Terrain: average asphalt, rough asphalt, smooth concrete (bridge), uneven concrete with serious bumps (rec trail)

Riding techniques used, varying throughout ride:

• Resting on seat, upright
• On seat with some weight forward on handlebars
• On seat but most weight on pedals/handlebars
• Off seat with weight on pedals (i.e. off-road BMX/motocross style)
• "Downhilling" i.e. rear end way out over seat, weight on backs of thighs
• Standing (usually while cruising after high-speed run downhill on bridge)

The result: I commuted to work on the buzzbike Mon/Tue/Wed this week, and even though I got home 5 hours ago today (Wed) my rear end is still complaining. I keep telling myself I just need to toughen up -- but while the shoulder/back/neck muscles are getting into better condition for this particular activity, the posterior region is complaining more and more.

I added the Nashbar suspension seatpost last week, dialed back to max soft. While it definitely makes a difference, I'm still sore.

Note also that I do have some sense of aesthetics, and I'd like to find a saddle solution which does not look out of place on my ATB. (Example: wide leather cruiser saddles with big soft coil springs would probably work great, but they'd look quite silly on my bike, and I look goofy enough as it is.)

If anyone has suggestions for saddles to try, I'm all ears. I am particularly interested in saddles people have found comfortable for high-intensity, high-speed rides of 60-90 minutes. I did do a search and read the threads that seemed relevant prior to posting.

I'm thinking about trying the Forte EasyRider Saddle -- anyone have experience with that one? Linky:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=14747&subcategory_ID=10051

Others under consideration:
http://cloud9seats.com/ - 8", Extra Deep, or Dual Pad

Thanks in advance.

-AG

 

[fetor56]

Have u thought about swapping to dual-suspension....i noticed the change immediately when i went from a hardtail.

 

[bluegoatwoods]

This is one advantage the old pedal bikes have, isn't it? We used to stand up a lot more on those. And it took a lot of strain off our butts.

fetor's rear suspension idea is probably the way to go for anyone who has a rack mount.

Other than that I'd choose the most comfortable seat. And to heck with what it looks like.

I guess I'm lucky; my rear isn't suffering. But my commute is only 6 miles.

 

[stude13]

recumbent seems to be the most comfortable. on hooper imports site-under coustomers bikes, is a trike with the old steel tractor seat.

 

[AlphaGeek]

Have u thought about swapping to dual-suspension....i noticed the change immediately when i went from a hardtail.
View attachment 12180

Maybe next year -- part of the economic justification for this project was that I was rehabilitating a bike I already owned but didn't ride much. At this point, I'm looking for options a bit less radical than "Have you thought about swapping out, um, the entire bike?"

Besides, having built this one up from "dusty garage queen" to "Urban Assault Bike" has given me a lot of insight into what I want from my next bike. High-quality shocks (front & rear), disc brakes, and various other things are already on the list.

-AG

 

[terrence]

I live in the country. This is the seat i'm thinking about. I just have to talk the wife into supplying the pedal power. (Like that would happen)

 

[bluegoatwoods]

That can only be the seat trailer for a Gravely lawn mower, huh?

Unusual machines.

 

[skyl4rk]

I have found that a large, padded seat with no springs (in the seat) works best. Even cheapo seats from Walmart can work. Spring seats seem to move around too much and become really painful after about the 30 minute mark.

 

[MotorMac]

seats

This http://www.realseat.com/ looks good, I havent tried it has anyone else?

 

[Mountainman]

may be the best for the rear end ?

This http://www.realseat.com/ looks good, I havent tried it has anyone else?

well MotorMac -- those seats may be the best for the rear end

one question though -- looks like one might slid off easy ?

and of course we know the looks kind of kill our MB cool image

as we ------------ ride that thing