Short term yes, but overall they cause more issues than they fix, and they're damned fugly as wellDo those gel saddle covers add any comfort?
No, they can chafe. Get some padded shorts as above...and just ride more to toughen your bum up. 28 miles as a newbie, and a little discomfort sounds like the saddle is probably a good match. If not you'd be feeling it much soonerDo those gel saddle covers add any comfort?
Do those gel saddle covers add any comfort?
That's the way I find it too. I came back to cycling last year after a long gap (and my first ride of about 5 miles was tough, so I'm very impressed by that 28-miler), and I quickly remembered that my old padded saddle really wasn't that great. I found that a saddle with thinner and firmer padding is significantly more comfortable - for me.In the end i realised that harder is better. Doesn't make sense i know, but it's true.
That's the way I find it too. I came back to cycling last year after a long gap (and my first ride of about 5 miles was tough, so I'm very impressed by that 28-miler), and I quickly remembered that my old padded saddle really wasn't that great. I found that a saddle with thinner and firmer padding is significantly more comfortable - for me.
Better than that, though, I prefer a 'hammock' saddle that has a firm surface with no padding, but flexes through being suspended - Brooks leather and Cambium saddles are the best I've found for my bum (though, of course, all bums are different and some people hate Brooks saddles).
But having said all that, I wouldn't consider 28 miles anywhere near enough to break in a bum - I'd say give it a couple of hundred.