Inexperienced bicyclist question

[JanuaryGirl]

Originally Posted by Colossus_Antonis

In all honesty, no bike seat makes the bum feel good If you find anything kind enough, please let me know.

Keep the mouth shut while you bike. Open mouth makes you tired fast. Use the nose to breathe as much as possible. An open mouth easily makes the brains detect all the pain points too fast.

Not to hijack the thread... but I've never heard this about breathing through the mouth before. Is this true? Do you know why? I can't breathe through my nose very well but wonder if I should try more...

[Currency Pair Crocodile]

Originally Posted by DNaomi

Not to hijack the thread... but I've never heard this about breathing through the mouth before. Is this true? Do you know why? I can't breathe through my nose very well but wonder if I should try more...

Honestly, it's a huge debate and you will have varying opinions.

But I'm just sounding off on personal experiences.

When jogging and cycling, I keep my mouth shut for the initial few minutes, say 3 to 6 minutes. This gets me pass the initial tiring zone without too much fuss. There were days I woke up and ran and quickly put my mouth into respiration and got tired too fast, which showed in the shortened exercise time.

Slowly as fatigue sets in, I breathe in and use the mouth to breathe out (exhale only) This sustains for the second 10 minutes.

After 20 minutes, you can't really control your nose or the mouth, as the body fatigue pretty much puts both nose and the mouth into use.

But if you have breathing problems, don't use the nose too hard, for it can tighten and put facial muscles into pain. If you are going to a gym, the fitness consultant can give you the right information.

Another bad thing with using the mouth too soon is that you can feel the push in your chest, diaphragm area, and it kind of slows you down and even makes you stop, if you are jogging on an uneven road.

[mofford]

Get a gel filled seat that has a little width to it, the slender racing seats are uncomfortable, especially for a bigger person. I think the ones styled for women are actually better, lol. Don't get one of those gel filled covers that you tie over your hard seat, they won't stay in place and all the gel will squish to the front and back of the pressure points after a few months. I like "Serfas" brand of gel seats, they last a long time and the only thing that eventually fails is the black nylon cover that protects the rubber, it always rips at the nose of the seat after a couple years. Some serfas and other brands of gel seats have a pair of springs underneath, more weight but more comfort, not all that necessary as the seat is comfortable without them, but if you weigh in at 250 lbs like me, it might be worth it. I always like to point the nose of the seat down about as far as it will go, with the spring type seats you can't nose them down as much as I prefer, so I add some washers to the the bottom of the springs where they bolt on to elevate the back of seat and get the angle right for me.

[Matt2225]

Originally Posted by Colossus_Antonis

In all honesty, no bike seat makes the bum feel good If you find anything kind enough, please let me know.

Keep the mouth shut while you bike. Open mouth makes you tired fast. Use the nose to breathe as much as possible. An open mouth easily makes the brains detect all the pain points too fast.

Also by keeping you mouth closed you tend to catch fewer bugs that way ...unless your hungry and don't have time to stop for a quick lunch. lol

[lchoro]

Gel padded seat or cover will give your jewels more clearance when they sway.

[M3 Mitch]

Surprised I'm the first to mention it, but you can get bike seats specifically designed for women. Spenco makes good saddle pads and gloves with padding, you can also get shorts with padding.

I have never tried one but there are also seats available that are 2 independent pads, with nothing in the middle where you would rather not have pressure.

You do have to build up to riding bigger mileage I think regardless of the gadgets.

Probably you already know this, but it's important to start out with the right frame size bike, and adjust the seat post correctly for your own inseam length.

[tripod]

Check walmart that's where I got a softer wider seat with safety lights on it for $20 and been enjoying it for several yrs now.