Quote Originally Posted by BigDLou
Many years ago (twenty) I borrowed my son's ten speed thinking I'd like to ride. I was sitting on the seat and just sitting on it hurt. Is that because it's not made for sitting "on" but for leaning forward "from" or something? (Following some of what you've told me.)
I am not sure about this BigDLou but it may be right. I have used a bike for what seems like forever (although I started "riding" just last year) so I have never noticed how I sit. But recently I lent a bike to my friend who had never really been on one for, say, more than a kilometer (the story's here actually) and at some point on her second ride she had an epiphany. From behind me I heard her burst: "Ah! Ha! This is how I should sit!"

She had realized it seems that she should somehow rock her hips when sitting on the bike. She was not on a road bike with a racing position or anything, just a plain comfort bike. My guess though would be that your son's saddle was a small road bike saddle (and not a bigger hybrid saddle) and I do find these to be quite uncomfortable if not outright hurting when I am not wearing bike shorts. So that may be just that also.