Seat Pad Options - 'Bent bike

[andytheflyer]

Hi,

May I pick brains? To keep up my mileage but give various bits of my spine and arms a rest (given the state of the local rural roads), I've bought a 2nd hand (but barely used) 2006 Performer Amigo (actually a TW Bents Amigo) to alternate with my DF bike.

.
Done about 80 miles now and getting the hang of it - but still not been able to get as comfortable in the seat as I'd like.

The vertebrae (processes?) at the top of my back (below the neck) press into the seat pad seemingly above the uppermost of the two vertical holes in the seat pad in the photo. I can just about live with it but since everyone tells me that 'vents are super comfortable, I suspect I've not yet got the setup just right.

I've looked at the Ventisit pads (both seat and headrest) but before I shell out €100 I'd like to know what others think about them - particularly as they don't have the holes to relieve pressure on the vertebrae processes.

Anyone got any other ideas?

Andy

 

[Scoosh]

Is the seat the right size for you ?
Do Performer do different seat sizes ?
Is the frame the right size ?

I have a size Large Nazca Fuego - this means that the fame is bigger (than the Medium, obviously) and the seat is an XL. It is wonderfully comfortable for me. I rode a Medium frame/ seat in the summer and it was very uncomfortable !

 

[Scoosh]

Welcome to the Dark Side !

 

[andytheflyer]

Is the seat the right size for you ?
Do Performer do different seat sizes ?
Is the frame the right size ?

I have a size Large Nazca Fuego - this means that the fame is bigger (than the Medium, obviously) and the seat is an XL. It is wonderfully comfortable for me. I rode a Medium frame/ seat in the summer and it was very uncomfortable !

Hi Scoosh,

Now, that's a thought.

The frame size is fine (I believe) in that my knees are slightly bent at full extension (like a DF bike) as I was able to move the seat an inch forward.

I'm a large lad (ex rugby hooker/ rower). Performer don't do differing seat widths, and the one fitted is 27cm by 88cm. How wide is your XL? The bikes are very similar so a Nazca one might fit even if it's significantly wider.

I went with the Performer because it was the only one I'd seen in a while at the right price - I did not want to spend £2k on a Nazca only to find I really couldn't get on with it - the Performer was significantly less, and my reasoning was that if I really could not get used to it then I could sell it without much at risk.

Having an eye for engineering detail, it's very well made, beautiful welding, powder coated, sealed wheel and bottom bracket bearings, good hubs, twin wall rims etc. I put new Marathon Pluses on it, a couple of new cables and some Koolstops and gave it a complete strip, service and clean. It's only done about 600 miles! Cassette, chain rings, mechs and chain like new.

So, I'm happy it fits, just need to fettle to get it just right. I can do 20 miles on it without much problem - just need to get that seat just right.

So, if you can tell me how wide the Nazca seats are I may try one.

Thx

Andy

 

[voyager]

Before spending any real money try a piece of firm upholstery foam to see if and where it helps the pressure points , it sounds like the seat is the wrong shape for you , but unless you go for a mesh seat they are all a compromise .

regards emma

 

[andytheflyer]

Before spending any real money try a piece of firm upholstery foam to see if and where it helps the pressure points , it sounds like the seat is the wrong shape for you , but unless you go for a mesh seat they are all a compromise .

regards emma

Hi Emma,

Spoke to Marcin at Ocean Cycles this pm, and I think he's of the same opinion - seat shape not good for me. He asked for some measurements, which I sent him, and I'll see what he comes up with. Looks like there is a solution - just need to find the best one for me.

Been thinking about foam - Marcin told me about neoprene used for window seals- comes in wide strips apparently - I'll see if I can find any and maybe experiment. Needs to be quite a high modulus (stiffness) foam -so not your average upholstery foam off the market!

Rgds

Andy

 

[Tigerbiten]

I'm only 5'8" but I ride on a large hard shell (old model) seat on my ICE trike.
Because my artificial arm's harness pulls my shoulders back, I need to have/ride with a thin polystyrene block under the ventisit cover which just makes that part of the seat slightly convex.

The new model ICE seat come with stick on pads which lets you alter the shape a little.

 

[andytheflyer]

I'm only 5'8" but I ride on a large hard shell (old model) seat on my ICE trike.
Because my artificial arm's harness pulls my shoulders back, I need to have/ride with a thin polystyrene block under the ventisit cover which just makes that part of the seat slightly convex.

The new model ICE seat come with stick on pads which lets you alter the shape a little.

Hi Tigerbiten,
I'm thinking about butchering an old Pilates mat I have - it's about 30mm thick, and I'd have enough for 2 or 3 attempts at least.
I would be able to hollow it out along my upper spine - people who've replied have given me much food for thought!

Rgds

Andy