Quote Originally Posted by drplasma64
If you get a really big, padded seat, you may not need bike shorts (depending on how far you ride).
Actually, I'm not sure this is right. The bike shorts are much more about preventing the chafing than about preventing the hurt that comes from gravity (your bottoms on the seat). And I have actually found the biggest seats to cause the most chafing. They feel right for going down the street and back, no more than 15 minutes rides, but thereafter, watch out! I would definitely speak against a bigger saddle, although it looks counterintuitive. And this is probably at least partly true no matter the size of your bottoms.

Another editorial saddle comment: NO MATTER WHAT and how wonderful the saddle, you butt will hurt after the few first rides. It needs to get used to its new position, and it WILL get used to it. You are bringing a whole lot of new muscles to work in what may seem to them like awkward positions. Acknowledge that they will need to adjust... but don't let them win by whining. Your body parts will learn to enjoy these "now positions" soon enough. (Although my derrière still hurts after 6 hours in the saddle... But I tend to find this normal and empathize with it. But then if I would ride 6 hours at a time more often, probably it would get used to it.)

Bike shorts : if you want the perfect bike short yes there can be lots of trials and errors. For a first pair, it's very unlikely that you will need to change it if you choose carefully: no seams in the places where it will hurt (unlikely if you buy women's specific chamois), long enough so they won't hike back up your thigh and bundle up in very uncomfortable places, good-quality enough so that nobody will see through! (Easy to check by extending the fabric with your hand in the store.) For now, you'll be all set, don't worry too much.