What is realistic?

[OakLeaf]

It's a good sign.

If you're feeling any discomfort at all though, it's possible that it could get really bad around, say, six hours, but not at three or four. So be honest with yourself about that ...

[maillotpois]

I would hope you will be doing 8 - 10 hour rides in prep for the 13 hour ride, so those should be good tests of the saddle.

[Catrin]

I would hope you will be doing 8 - 10 hour rides in prep for the 13 hour ride, so those should be good tests of the saddle.

Indeed I will - just trying to decide what is realistic before I actually purchase the saddle. I think I will decide next week. Saturday will be my first metric and that should be a good test before I purchase...

[malkin]

I'm not comfortable for 13 hours anywhere.
Not my couch, certainly not my desk, not even my bed.

On the bike, I think it has much to do with fitness in addition to the saddle.

[Catrin]

I'm not comfortable for 13 hours anywhere.
Not my couch, certainly not my desk, not even my bed.

On the bike, I think it has much to do with fitness in addition to the saddle.

This is what I have been thinking. At some point there is just going to be discomfort - regardless - so this is something to consider as well. I will demo one more saddle and will then make my choice and then we will see.
Thanks everyone, we will see what happens this next week.

[nscrbug]

This is what I have been thinking. At some point there is just going to be discomfort - regardless - so this is something to consider as well. I will demo one more saddle and will then make my choice and then we will see.
Thanks everyone, we will see what happens this next week.

Ya know...my DH keeps reminding me of this all the time. I am always searching for "ultimate comfort" on the bike. But I guess he does have a point...once you get to about the 80-mile mark or so, things are just going to start hurting a bit. That's a loooong time for your butt to be on a bike saddle, regardless of how comfortable it's supposed to be. I'm sure there are some riders out there, that will swear by how comfortable they are from mile 1, all the way to mile 100 and beyond...but I think for the majority of us, there will come a point where even the MOST PERFECT saddle, will start to feel a bit like a cattle prod.

[indysteel]

I'm lucky in that my saddle of choice has proven to be relatively comfortable for even the longest of rides. What's key for me is the liberal and frequent application of chamois cream and the right pair of shorts.