I want to ride my bicycle, i want to ride my bike...

[amytug 996]

I love my bike' date=' and I can't go 10 miles without padded bottoms! I use a minimal non-padded seat too. I switched to non-padded once I started biking several times a week. I got plus sized bottoms at Aerotech's website. Now they are borderline too big...[/quote']

Dang. I can't go 10 miles at all! Went 8 last weekend and it nearly killed me! Shows that there's always room for improvement. Must invest in padded shorts. I don't know that a normal seat would work with my cruiser. Hehe

[Egadzman 13]

I'm a tourer and an evening ride is rarely less than 20mi, I commute 23 each way to work when I can, and we'll do 125-250mi rides every other weekend. This is just my opinion in order of importance.....

Fit---the seat too low, or too high, or too far forward, or too far back is one of the biggest culprits. It's all about physics. You have three points of contact....hands, feet, and butt. You need to find balance. Putting a little more weight on the hands can take major pressure off the butt. A pro bike fit might be overboard for most. Google "bike fit". There are plenty of great references out there.

Saddles---Padding can be a problem. It compresses and bunches as you pedal and ends up in places you don't want it. The plain leather saddle or lightly padded gel saddle is a good choice. Bike shops will usually let you try a saddle for 30 days.

Shorts/bibs--- you get what you pay for. Buy a national brand (like pearl Izumi) at a bike shop and get fitted. Spend $100. You'll be a lot happier and they should last for 5+ years. Oh...and don't wear anything under them!!

Lube---an often overlooked gem. I slather either "Butt Butt'r" or Bag Balm on my parts. Call it a couple tablespoons. It kinda helps all the pieces down there slide into a comfortable spot. :-/

I hope this helps. Biking is such a great low impact activity because you can see a lot more of your neighborhood, it's practical (get a backpack and get a few groceries or run an errand) and almost everyone can do it.

Have fun and be safe out there.

[Damaris67 76]

as butter said cycling tights with a chamois. I run a pair of Pearl Izumi 3/4 length attacks knicker bibs(model name) long name amazing on the gentleman parts. I also had a professional fit done to get the bike dialed in just right. I was riding 125 to 150 miles a week no knickers. Picked a pair up and was able to almost triple my distance that week. I also run a seat with a cut out.

(Once upon a time I raced mountain bikes. Then my health complicated, my weight soared, and I gave up the only thing that makes me feel alive. My garage looks like a bike shop. There is a drawer full of cycling jerseys, shorts, socks, Sidis, lights, etc. 2 days ago I tried my favorite jersey...it fits again. But I am TERRORIZED of going back. Do I still have the mad skills? Am I still fearless? )

Re saddle: get you butt fitted for a saddle at a bicycle shop. Buy the perfect fit saddle. You will never complaint again.

[KTB1128 21]

I think I'm going to switch to http://www.walmart.c...e-Seat/17248453

I bought this seat a few years ago and had a hard time not slipping off! lol Do yourself a favor and buy a cloud 9 seat. You can get them at bicycle shops or online. I ride my bike everyday and since I bought my cloud 9 seat, you can't get me off of the thing!