New rider with very very VERY sore rear!

[KSH]

Well, you may need to change out your seat... and you did that... so you might find some relief there.

I know for me, if I don't ride 2-4 days a week... when I get back on my bike, my butt is sore for days.

It's like no matter how thick the padding in the shorts are... my boney sit bones just jab into the saddle. MISERABLE.

I need a nice racing saddle, with EXTRA PADDING where my sit bones hit. I'm thinking about creating something myself. I saw where someone used some mouse pads and duck tape... and it seemed to work!

[Dianyla]

I need a nice racing saddle, with EXTRA PADDING where my sit bones hit. I'm thinking about creating something myself. I saw where someone used some mouse pads and duck tape... and it seemed to work!

I always thought that racing saddles were quite minimally padded. Less squish = less power lost. Same goes for thinner racing chamois. I would imagine a saddle made for touring would be cushier. Though, sometimes too much padding is as bad as not enough, all of the squishing movement can cause worse friction and bruising.

-Dianyla, who does not lack for padding down there

[bcipam]

I've always found that if you have the right saddle, it doesn't take much breaking in. I've been riding on Terry Butterflies for the last few years and first time on, feel OK. Once the saddle gets worn in, feel great.

There are such things as men and women saddles. The Pilot, unless a WSD bike, no doubt came with a generic, man's saddle. Also don't get one too wide. don't know why people think wider is better. It might be if you go 5 miles, along a trail, real slow but not if you plan on doing any long distance riding.

I'm not saying the Terry will work for you, it does work for me. This is a very personal thing. If you have access to other bikes (like through a club) ask the owners if you can try out their saddles. Like a good pair of shoes, you will know when you found the right one!