Colorado Fave Bike Store Recommendations

[Smilie]

That is great they did that for you! Do people generally change the saddle that comes with the bikes? Seems everyone has (that I have read posts on anyway!) I have the same saddle on my mountain bike that came with it and it seems fine. But then I haven't sat on it for hours at a time. I think the longest ride was maybe 3 hours.

[Kathi]

It used to be that the shops would swap out the saddle but they ended up with so many unwanted saddles they discontinued that practice. Not sure how that is handled now. My last 2 bikes were custom builds so I bought what I wanted.

I'd work with the saddle that is on the bike. It may or may not be ok. If you absolutely cannot stand it after a while then change it. If you're going from a mtn bike to a road bike the positioning is different and it will take your body some time to adjust to the new position.

[Smilie]

That makes sense about swapping and why they stopped. But darn it anyhow!

On the tandem I rode my century on, the seat is called Body Geometry. It fits well enough, but I still got a bit chafed after doing the 199 miles in two days. I think that might be normal though? Or was the fit not exactly right?

[Kathi]

Yes, it could have been bike fit, especially if the bike wasn't adjusted to you.
I just did a 380 mile, 7 day bike ride in N.Dakota with my Deva saddle and I had no chafing at all. I didn't even know the saddle was there.

I still have my old saddle on my other bikes and when I ride them I feel the pressure from them. Eventually I get used to it as I get more saddle time but the first few rides I feel them.

My old saddles were WTB also but with more padding. The Deva is very thin and at first look it appears it would be uncomfortable, however, it felt great the very first day.

I'd venture to say that bike companies cut corners on saddles knowing that the buyer will most likely replace them.

Find out what the shops have available, they might let you try out different ones. And pick the brain of the salespeople.

If you've ridden 3 hrs on your mtn bike saddle and it's not to bothersome the shop can figure out the width and compare it with the saddle on the new bike. That's how I decided to get the Deva, we compared the width of my old saddle with the width of others available in the product catalogs. Since my old saddle width was fine we used that as our guide. When you do find the perfect saddle buy extra. Companies seem to have a way of changing them then you have to do the search all over again.

[Smilie]

That would be a great ride! Was it hot? I picture North Dakota as hot and barren. Don't know why as I have never been there! Very cool about the saddle. Sounds like it is perfect for you.

Thanks for all the information on the saddles. I am sure Treads will help me out with that as well. Thanks so much for letting me know about the stores there, that is a huge help. We plan on leaving around 7 so hopefully will get to Treads around 11. Unless we feel more ambitious and leave earlier.

[Kathi]

Yes, it was hot but not barren. Picture fields of golden grain. The terrain was rolling hills and it kept threatening rain so the last couple of days were cloudy and cooler. It's a ride called Candisc sponsored by the N.Dakota parks and very well supported. We've done it twice now and have really enjoyed it.

I'm headed out for a ride. I can take a quick detour and tell Bill you're coming so he knows to look for you.

I'm looking for motivation to ride so I will plan to stop by tomorrow.

Did you see this post from TxDoc. Very good information on what to look for in an initial fit.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=25980

[Smilie]

Sounds like a great ride. That is something I would like to do next year. Will have to find a tour that would work for me!

Thanks for that link, yes I did read it. Is that how they fit you at Treads? That is something I would need!

Cool if you can stop by. I am short and have long dark hair!