I think I need a new saddle!! Ouch!
Discussion
Hi everyone,
I've not ventured in here before so I thought I'd come and say hi
Now, I've just started riding to work, I love the ride in, but the ride home is pretty hard work after a long day at work! I'm sure it will get easier as I get fitter. Luckily I live 6.6 miles from work, so it's not a huge ride and it takes me around 30 minutes - I'm a relaxed cyclist. I prefer to watch the wildlife and take in the views than set a world record! The roads to work (through the New Forest) are quiet country lanes off the beaten track, so I rarely see any cars on the road.
I'm currently riding a 2012 Cannondale Trail SL 1...
...which I find great. It's a bit of a work up on the steep hills but I like it. I often venture out into the forest on the gravel tracks, so a road bike wouldn't suit. My only issue is with the saddle! It's so hard and I'm now finding it impossible to sit down when cycling after having cycled to work the last few days.
So any recommendations for a replacement? What should I be looking for? Do I just buy a nice soft one, or is there more to it than that? I'm sure the saddle I had on my Cannondale Carbon Rush wasn't this uncomfortable! Or maybe it's because it was a full suspension...
I'd be grateful for any help, advice or recommendations.
Dan
I've not ventured in here before so I thought I'd come and say hi
Now, I've just started riding to work, I love the ride in, but the ride home is pretty hard work after a long day at work! I'm sure it will get easier as I get fitter. Luckily I live 6.6 miles from work, so it's not a huge ride and it takes me around 30 minutes - I'm a relaxed cyclist. I prefer to watch the wildlife and take in the views than set a world record! The roads to work (through the New Forest) are quiet country lanes off the beaten track, so I rarely see any cars on the road.
I'm currently riding a 2012 Cannondale Trail SL 1...
...which I find great. It's a bit of a work up on the steep hills but I like it. I often venture out into the forest on the gravel tracks, so a road bike wouldn't suit. My only issue is with the saddle! It's so hard and I'm now finding it impossible to sit down when cycling after having cycled to work the last few days.
So any recommendations for a replacement? What should I be looking for? Do I just buy a nice soft one, or is there more to it than that? I'm sure the saddle I had on my Cannondale Carbon Rush wasn't this uncomfortable! Or maybe it's because it was a full suspension...
I'd be grateful for any help, advice or recommendations.
Dan
Thanks for the replies everyone. What you've said is very interesting and makes perfect sense. I'll invest in some shorts.
PS. Strictly speaking my cycle to work isn't through the national part itself, I live in New Milton and work in Lymington, so I cycle the country lanes through Ashley, Hordle, Everton and then into Lymington. The only busy section is near Pennington where the schools are.
I spend a lot of time on Google Maps trying to find quiet, quaint little lanes like this:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.749986,-1.587283...
and
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.751452,-1.609674...
and
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.758077,-1.627988...
PS. Strictly speaking my cycle to work isn't through the national part itself, I live in New Milton and work in Lymington, so I cycle the country lanes through Ashley, Hordle, Everton and then into Lymington. The only busy section is near Pennington where the schools are.
I spend a lot of time on Google Maps trying to find quiet, quaint little lanes like this:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.749986,-1.587283...
and
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.751452,-1.609674...
and
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.758077,-1.627988...
Edited by zed4 on Tuesday 22 July 17:04
Silver940 said:
zed4 said:
Know that well, lived in Hordle through my teens in Heath Road and cycled to New Milton for School. I used to be able to just make the road off that lump in the middle of the picture on my BMX.. oh the days of no fear!
You can't do that anymore, it's been fenced off!Next time I'm in Bournemouth I'll pop into Primera Bike Shop and look at the shorts and saddles. 
I've stuck a piece of foam on the saddle with some parcel tape (proper Heath Robinson style) and it's made things better. I think I'm getting used to the ride too, it's definitely getting easier and the saddle isn't hurting as much. I did the 6.65 mile commute in 25 minutes today with a max speed of 33mph
The ride home nearly killed me yesterday. I really struggled to climb the big long hill through Lymington. Got to the top and thought to myself "What's going on, this is ridiculous". Lifted the front wheel and the front brake was locking on!!! No wonder it was hard to ride up hill!! I let a little fluid out of the lever and it's better now, not locking on. When I get some time I'll exercise the pistons in the brakes and give it a bit of a service.
I've stuck a piece of foam on the saddle with some parcel tape (proper Heath Robinson style) and it's made things better. I think I'm getting used to the ride too, it's definitely getting easier and the saddle isn't hurting as much. I did the 6.65 mile commute in 25 minutes today with a max speed of 33mph
The ride home nearly killed me yesterday. I really struggled to climb the big long hill through Lymington. Got to the top and thought to myself "What's going on, this is ridiculous". Lifted the front wheel and the front brake was locking on!!! No wonder it was hard to ride up hill!! I let a little fluid out of the lever and it's better now, not locking on. When I get some time I'll exercise the pistons in the brakes and give it a bit of a service.
Edited by zed4 on Wednesday 23 July 11:26
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