Fat Guy *finally* biking - sorta...

Morning all...

Thanks so much for all the help over the last couple weeks. Thanks to the many posts in both these
groups (rec.bicycles.misc and alt.mountain-bike) I purchased a Specialized Hardrock bike for myself
this past weekend.

It's been roughly 14 years since I was last on two wheels, so I am a little shaky... I even took the
first fall trying to traverse a small hill in the yard. Still have a *long* way to go (and the
scratches/sprains ot prove
it)!

My only complaint is the saddle on the bike. I like the firmness, but it just seems a little to
narrow (side-to-side) and perhaps a little too short (front-to-back) for my lardy behind... Are
there any Clydes/Super-Clydes out there who have any saddles they'd advise to try? There are so many
stinking choices, I need someplace to start lest I wear out he welcome of my local LBS.

Most readers can stop here... But if you really wanna laugh, I'll post all the gory details below
in a reply.

Thanks, Nony Mouse

 

"Albert N. Mouse" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Morning all...
>
> Thanks so much for all the help over the last couple weeks. Thanks to the many posts in both these
> groups (rec.bicycles.misc and alt.mountain-bike) I purchased a Specialized Hardrock bike for
> myself this past weekend.
>
> It's been roughly 14 years since I was last on two wheels, so I am a little shaky... I even took
> the first fall trying to traverse a small hill in the yard. Still have a *long* way to go (and
> the scratches/sprains ot prove
> it)!
>
> My only complaint is the saddle on the bike. I like the firmness, but it just seems a little to
> narrow (side-to-side) and perhaps a little too short (front-to-back) for my lardy behind... Are
> there any Clydes/Super-Clydes out there who have any saddles they'd advise to try? There are so
> many stinking choices, I need someplace to start lest I wear out he welcome of my local LBS.
>
> Most readers can stop here... But if you really wanna laugh, I'll post all the gory details below
> in a reply.
>
> Thanks, Nony Mouse

Althugh some are not man or woman enough to admit it, we were all beginners on bikes once ourselves,
so share anything you want. Hope you enjoy your bike and hope it brings you years of enjoyment!

 

Al Mouse wrote: ...
> My only complaint is the saddle on the bike. I like the firmness, but it just seems a little to
> narrow (side-to-side) and perhaps a little too short (front-to-back) for my lardy behind... Are
> there any Clydes/Super-Clydes out there who have any saddles they'd advise to try? There are so
> many stinking choices, I need someplace to start lest I wear out he welcome of my local LBS.
...

Your LBS undoubtedly has a box of scratch 'n' dent saddles, or swap-outs that are brand new.
These are often $5-10 each. They'll be happy to see you if you pick out one or two of these. You
mention that softness isn't the critical issue, but...last year on a multi-day tour I had to buy
a tie-on gel saddle pad. Whew. HTH --Karen M.

 

> You mention that softness isn't the critical issue, but...last year on a multi-day tour I had
> to buy a tie-on gel saddle pad. Whew.

Thanks for the hints re: old saddles, Karen.

I wasn't intending to say that softness isn't important... I mean, I don't want a piece of granite
twixt my legs. Instead, I was trying to show that I understood that softer is not always better.

Our office bought us these really cushy office chairs a couple years ago. The trick was that the
cushy was in all the wrong places! The first few minutes sitting down were heaven, but it turned to
hell for the rest of the day

Das Booty needs support... Mouse "Karen M." <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Al Mouse wrote: ...
> > My only complaint is the saddle on the bike. I like the firmness, but
it
> > just seems a little to narrow (side-to-side) and perhaps a little too
short
> > (front-to-back) for my lardy behind... Are there any Clydes/Super-Clydes
out
> > there who have any saddles they'd advise to try? There are so many
stinking
> > choices, I need someplace to start lest I wear out he welcome of my
local
> > LBS.
> ...
>
> Your LBS undoubtedly has a box of scratch 'n' dent saddles, or swap-outs that are brand new.
> These are often $5-10 each. They'll be happy to see you if you pick out one or two of these.
> You mention that softness isn't the critical issue, but...last year on a multi-day tour I had
> to buy a tie-on gel saddle pad. Whew. HTH --Karen M.

 

Karen said:
>> Your LBS undoubtedly has a box of scratch 'n' dent saddles, or swap-outs that are brand new.
>> These are often $5-10 each. They'll be happy to see you if you pick out one or two of these.

Albert N. Mouse replied:
> Thanks for the hints re: old saddles, Karen.

Lat time I was in the shop, I noted a large box of such saddles at Goodale's... (If you didn't buy
from Goodale's in Hooksett, shame on you!-) But even so, get thyself in there and seek out a person
named Todd, tell him I sent you. he sorta looks like this:
http://www.shavings.net/images/bikes/ice/030105-021.jpg (the guy in the bike, not he guy pee'ing in
the woods ;-)

He is the Mgr. and a person of the highest calliber, he'll fix you up, I guarantee.

 

On Wed, 21 May 2003 09:06:27 -0400, Albert N. Mouse wrote:

> Thanks for the hints re: old saddles, Karen.

A note of caution: most of those saddles are in there because bikes often come with crappy saddles
that people immediately replace. Hence, most of the saddles in the box will be junk. Give it a look,
but your best bet probably is still the shelves. If width is a problem, you might even consider
womens saddles or gel saddles. Just avoid those gigantic touring saddles - they'll definitely rub in
the wrong places and the huge springs have way too much lateral flex.

--
-BB- To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail address, at least)