Bicycle split seat design is it really better?

Question

bicycle split seat design is it really better? just bought a trek pure and after 7 miles my butt was killing me...is there really a great seat out there..5'10'...230 lbs

thanks guys mike...

Answer 1

The short answer is, yes, there is a saddle that will work for you. But the bad news is it could take some trial and error to find that seat. Also, if you're new to cycling you might want to stay with your current saddle for awhile and see if you get used to it. That may be a large part of the problem.

If not take the whole bike, not just the seat, back to the shop on a day when they're not particularly busy and ask for help. It could be that it needs an adjustment in the position. You'd be surprised what a small change can do. Beyond that maybe they will let you try out different saddles. Maybe something that has more firm support than the Pure seat offers will be better?

I know what a Trek Pure looks like but without seeing you it's impossible for someone on the net to recommend a specific solution. Good luck ... there is an answer.

Answer 2

Personally I find that seats with little to no padding are the most comfortable.  Now everyones butt will feel sore after riding a new seat, you have to let your muscles and bones and such get used to the seat you're riding.

Answer 3

Don't look at the seat as the cause of your problems--it's the symptom.  Here are the things you need to look at

1- really good bike shorts.  $80-100 isn't unreasonable, the more you spend the better they are, especially for a bigger guy/gal.

2- proper position.  If you're sitting upright (and not clipped in) then your rear will be supporting almost all of your weight.  If you get clipless pedals and are anchored to the bike that'll take some of the weight off your rear.  Additionally a road bike (or more aggressive front end on a mt bike/hybrid will put more weight on your arms, further easing your rear.

3- proper width-- you want your "sit bones" to be centered on the pads of your seat, which, by the way, shouldn't be too cushy.  If you sink down too far on your seat you'll push the middle of the seat into your VERY sensitive middle section, which is FAR more uncomfortable than a slightly hard seat.

4- experience... your skin around your sit bones will callous and become used to supporting your weight after awhile, as in, weeks.

5- stand and pedal periodically to allow for fresh bloodflow and to give your rear a break.

I'm 40 pounds heavier than you and these tips all work for me--I've completed 2 centuries this year (including 1 on a mountain bike up and down mountains) and, while I'll be uncomfortable, it's not unbearable.  But before I learned these things I was miserable every ride.

Good luck

Answer 4

Whenever you buy a new bike, you can't just hop on and expect to feel comfortable right away.  You need to fine-tune the seat position because every person's butt is different.

You need to experiment and adjust the pitch angle of the seat, the horizontal position, and its height until you find a comfortable position.  Even a small change can make a HUGE difference in feel.

Buy a multitool and bring it with you when you ride, so you can make on-the-spot adjustments.  It will take you several rides before you can get it "dialed in."  And when you do, you will know--  It will feel like you can ride that bike 100 miles no problems.

If you tried every possible combination of adjustments and still can't find a comfortable position, then start thinking about trying a different saddle.

Hope this helps, and good luck.

Answer 5

Seat comfort is really personal, depends on how you're built.  I use a split seat because as a female the wider seat prevented hip pain on longer rides.  Remember that with a new seat there is a break in period for your butt.