Earthgirl --

now starts the fun with the saddle thing. You said the bike is a Trek, and my understanding is that "everyone hates those saddles." I figure someone has to like them, or the company would go out of business cuz they sell bikes that are uncomfortable.... (and the saddle company would be in deep poo too!) Anyway, when DH and I decided on the "comfort bikes" a couple of years ago, they came with "comfort saddles" -- wide, cushy things that he actually rode on for quite some time. (he bent his, and adopted mine for a while before getting something more "serious") On the other hand, I couldn't sit for a week after riding that saddle. Perhaps I was lucky, I picked up a Specialized Dolce saddle (not gel) and have been very happy with it on my hybrid (not the comfort beast anymore, I ride an older Trek hybrid, as mentioned back a page or two!)

I had found this forum already, and been reading a bit -- the suggestion was to not go too padded, because that's actually LESS comfy than the firmest saddles.

The comfort beast has a Specialized Milano on it now, I've never actually ridden on that saddle. I put the Dolce on my newest bike, a road bike, and didn't like it there. Replaced it with an Ariel, also Specialized. That's been a pretty happy choice too. Either I've been lucky, or I just have a specialized butt!

(and speaking of my specialized butt, I really ought to shift it into high gear and go for a ride!)

Karen in Boise