Any cyclists here?

[StreamFidelity]

I like cycling through the forest to the city harbor or the beach. So the bike has to be robust and have good suspension.

I don't like derailleur gears. Instead, I treated myself to a Rohloff Speedhub E14, 14-speed gear system. Rohloff is a German company and has good experience with durable gears.

Together with the Bosch PowerTube 500 Vertical, 36 V, 13.4 Ah/500Wh and Bosch PowerTube 625 Vertical, 36 V, 16.7 Ah/625Wh, i.e. two batteries, there is no end of speed.

Superdelite mountain – Gipfelstürmer | Riese & Müller

Kein Ziel zu hoch, kein Weg zu weit, keine Abfahrt zu steil. Mit Control Technology.

www.r-m.de

 

[Ron Resnick]

Are there any bikes which have seats which do not look like something from a black site interrogation room?

 

[MarkusBarkus]

...seats and seat-fit are personal preferences, Ron. If the width is correct, most other needs can be addressed with small inclination/declination changes. Small changes.

That said, folks do have favs, with cut-outs and differences in flex. IMO, the width is the big issue for starters. Modern shops can help determine the correct width, and then there are a few shape options from there.

In my experience, riders that think they need a wide, amply-padded seat for comfort, can be fooled by that plushness. Sometimes less is better.

But, it is very personal. I have a tri-bike I prep before races for a friend, and that seat doesn't even look like one could sit on it. He loves it.

 

[StreamFidelity]

Are there any bikes which have seats which do not look like something from a black site interrogation room?

I've already had bike seats with a hole in the middle - for ventilation.

Yes, you're right. Somehow they are all instruments of torture.

 

[Ron Resnick]

...seats and seat-fit are personal preferences, Ron. If the width is correct, most other needs can be addressed with small inclination/declination changes. Small changes.

That said, folks do have favs, with cut-outs and differences in flex. IMO, the width is the big issue for starters. Modern shops can help determine the correct width, and then there are a few shape options from there.

In my experience, riders that think they need a wide, amply-padded seat for comfort, can be fooled by that plushness. Sometimes less is better.

But, it is very personal. I have a tri-bike I prep before races for a friend, and that seat doesn't even look like one could sit on it. He loves it.

Thank you!

 

[Atmasphere]

Are there any bikes which have seats which do not look like something from a black site interrogation room?

They are called 'saddles', not 'seats' for a reason, since not all your weight is on the saddle.

The nose of the saddle is there to help with control of the bike; different from a seat in that regard. Generally, if you want to ride a longer distance, a firmer saddle is vastly preferred over a soft one, assuming the fit is correct.

@MarkusBarkus is quite correct- small changes in height, angle and distance from the bars can have an enormous effect on your comfort!

 

[Neil.Antin]

Are there any bikes which have seats which do not look like something from a black site interrogation room?

Ron:

Here you go, an upright style bicycle which is what many in Europe commute on. And some people go the extra for a comfortable leather sprung saddle https://www.brooksengland.com/en_us/b190.html. It's a different style of bicycling riding. You are no going very fast, and have no concerns with being aero.

 

[Holmz]

Are there any bikes which have seats which do not look like something from a black site interrogation room?

They are called 'saddles', not 'seats' for a reason, since not all your weight is on the saddle.
…

I think that the term that they use is called saddle boarding.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Ron:

Here you go, an upright style bicycle which is what many in Europe commute on. And some people go the extra for a comfortable leather sprung saddle https://www.brooksengland.com/en_us/b190.html. It's a different style of bicycling riding. You are no going very fast, and have no concerns with being aero.

Thank you. I was thinking more along these lines:

 

[MarkusBarkus]

...what I would stress above all else, is proper fit on the bike itself. Even a casual rider or commuter needs to be in a good place on/over the bike.

Sure, if you're very upright, pedaling slowly and enjoying the scenery, there is a bike for that, and that would be more enjoyable than trying to fit oneself onto a drop-bar road-bike...if these terms even mean anything to you, Ron...and tying yourself into a knot.

Unfortunately, because saddles/seats are so personal, there can be some trial and error involved, but a good shop often has some "loaner" saddles to try.

There are a few different tools these days, but(t) the critical info is the width of your "sit bones." That determines the width of the seat you need.

For example, Specialized (bike company) used to have a gel-filled platform you sat on, and when you got up...you could see the marks where your "sit bones" were. You measure that width, that that is an excellent place to begin.

Typically, too wide is less an issue (chaffing) than too narrow, which likely causes numbness, soreness, etc. none of which is good for a fella's disposition or performance, on or off the bike.

But that Harley seat you posted would be a saddle too-far for me!

 

[Neil.Antin]

Thank you. I was thinking more along these lines:

View attachment 149259

It's called a recumbent bicycle

https://wheretheroadforks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/short-wheelbase-recumbent-1024x791.jpg

 

[unboxed]

Thank you. I was thinking more along these lines:

View attachment 149259

Good luck pedaling with a seat like that.

 

[Gregadd]

It's called a recumbent bicycle

https://wheretheroadforks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/short-wheelbase-recumbent-1024x791.jpg

Add a wind faring for Nore speed. I tgink it would be fun to dee the race.

 

[Atmasphere]

@Ron Resnick This is my commuter. The saddle is a Brooks B72, which is wider and is meant for an upright riding position. This bike is a 1972 Raleigh Superbe 3 speed. Its pretty flat around here so the three speeds are plenty adequate. Because the bike is equipped with lighting, a rack and a locking fork its very convenient for running errands because I can lock the fork, go inside the bank, grocery store or whatever and the bike will still be there when I come out.

3-speeds have a following, despite being a bit heavier as they are meant to be very reliable and they are. Most of them you run into on craigslist or the like have never been serviced in the 50-70 years of their life- just as this one when I found it. I bought it for the Lake Pepin 3-speed Tour which occurs every May. From about 1902 to the mid 1950s, if you wanted reliable wide range gears the Sturmey Archer 3-speed hub was the only game in town. The 3-speed Tour is set up to allow one to experience some of the flavor of the British Club rides which died out about 1960.



The ride quality is very nice and I'll always have a 3-speed on hand. Right now I likely have too many- the oldest being a 1935 roadster.
Its equipped with drum brakes with stainless rims and spokes.