Best Way to Pad A Bike Seat?

[EmilyD]

We're burgins and bringing our cruiser bikes which have big wide seats. They're comfortable enough for short rides but not for all day. What recommendations do folks have for covering the seats and making them booty-soft?

[gaminwench]

fur...

[jella]

I second the fur ! This year I'm planning ahead and sewing a seam to slip cord through so it will stay on.

[clerkkent]

a few ideas here:

A) if you don't care about the condition of the bike seats after you're done with them then you could:

A1) reupholster the bike seat by removing existing vinyl covering & padding, and , using spray adhesive, add new foam cushioning and your choice of seat cover.

A2) duct tape additional padding to existing seat , as-is, then wrap new padded mess with fabric of your choice, then sewing , stapling or gluing. ALERT: depending on quality of work, this could be a MOOP producing solution


B) if you don't want to damage existing seat, then:

B1) you can purchase slip on seat covers.. then stuff them like a bra with desired amount of padding.

B2) Same idea as A2, but be cautious with tape, and do a quality job with fastening the seat covering.


C) Get a new seat, and swap it out with existing seat. I scrounge for old exercycles with big @$$ seats (designed to handle someone's toosh for hours at a time). You can find them fairly cheap or free at yard sales, or Craig's list.



Note: I use option C for my bikes.

[EmilyD]

Yeah Fur sounds smart. Clerk, I don't mind trashing the seats, they're for BM only.

Jella, can you explain how you suggest doing the slip cord thingie, an add-on cover might be the best solution. Also, what did you do last time that didn't work?

[jella]

The fur is easiest to sew right side is I plan and we'll see how this goes to roughly cut 1-1/2 inch bigger then the seat for a pattern and just run a seam I have a handy little cord puller I bought at the fabric store.

Last year I just inprovised with saftey pins and zip ties..over and over and over lol it kept slipping off.

[ConnieH]

in addition to padding your seat, I'd suggest you ride a bunch before the burn - get those butt bones (and muscles) ready to ride. The day after my first mountain bike ride of the season, my bum hurrrts enough to not want to get back on the bike for a few days, even with my ergonomically correct memory foam padded seat - would hate to have a sore bum ruin your burn

[Bounce530]

Problem I see with a duct taped seat would be, the glue of the tape will become soft due to the heat of the day and your butt bouncing around on it. The tape will move, slide, and roll, your butt will stick to the glue that is exposed, creating a mess, plus like what was mentioned it would most likely create moop. But hey, you might like duct tape boogers on your ass, who knows...could make for some interesting convo starters...

[Sham]

Why don't you bulk up on fast food for the next three months and use the butt fat as your seat padding? It will save you the trouble of making a fur seat cover!

[jella]

Of course it goes without saying I had matching fur trim on my basket. lmao @ bounce...love it duct tape booger ass moop

[Fire_Moose]

staple a couple babies to yer seat

[EmilyD]

in addition to padding your seat, I'd suggest you ride a bunch before the burn - get those butt bones (and muscles) ready to ride. The day after my first mountain bike ride of the season, my bum hurrrts enough to not want to get back on the bike for a few days, even with my ergonomically correct memory foam padded seat - would hate to have a sore bum ruin your burn ;-)

Thanks for that tip ConnieH, I've definitely been given this sage advice before. We will follow it, as soon as hubby recovers from...H1N1...I kid you not. He's been sick for almost 3 weeks. :-(

[EmilyD]

Why don't you bulk up on fast food for the next three months and use the butt fat as your seat padding? It will save you the trouble of making a fur seat cover!

Shambala, funny you should post a photo of my ass, but alas, big asses hurt just like lil asses on hard seats. You see the padding all smoooshes over the sides and doesn't land where you need it, on the bum bones. ;-o

[EmilyD]

Problem I see with a duct taped seat would be, the glue of the tape will become soft due to the heat of the day and your butt bouncing around on it. The tape will move, slide, and roll, your butt will stick to the glue that is exposed, creating a mess, plus like what was mentioned it would most likely create moop. But hey, you might like duct tape boogers on your ass, who knows...could make for some interesting convo starters...

BLEAH! a really good anti-duct tape post. Thanks Bounce530, message received!

[EmilyD]

Of course it goes without saying I had matching fur trim on my basket. 8)

Oh but of COURSE!!! Yes, oh yes!

[misfit]

cut a piece of memory foam to match seat, cover with fur by adding a strip of elastic around outer edge of fur. slip over foam and seat............

[Elorrum]

It will make a big difference if you go through the owie phase before hand. ride through some soreness at home, and it will make your burning man riding much more enjoyable.
I tried a seat with springs last year, and it was just great. really took the jarring bumps out of the ride.

[Bounce530]

:::Drool::: Oh, how many lights I could put on those handle bars!!

[CapSmashy]

http://www.derri-air.com/velo-geltech-wide.htm

Or pick up one of these. All day ass comfort guaranteed.

[Sham]

Why don't you bulk up on fast food for the next three months and use the butt fat as your seat padding? It will save you the trouble of making a fur seat cover!

Shambala, funny you should post a photo of my ass, but alas, big asses hurt just like lil asses on hard seats. You see the padding all smoooshes over the sides and doesn't land where you need it, on the bum bones. ;-o

Nice photo. I'll look for you on the playa!
Maybe this bicycle seat would work for you.

[diane o'thirst]

Caveat: I ride a recumbent bike. Exceptionally comfortable and stress-less ride.

Most recumbent bikes have big, well-padded seats (perforce), but I found that not enough cush for my tuckus. So I wrapped the seat in a sheepskin. The big fluffy ones you get from New Zealand. Spent hours and hours whacking it to get the better part of the Playa out of it, but seeing as wool is alkaline anyway it didn't damage it much. And the cush factor was definitely worth it.

[Sham]

IKEA has a small sheepskin rug, that can be cut down to cover a bike seat to make your bum-bum feel nice and soft while cruising the playa.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70026822
Another thought is a gel filled bike seat cover that can be removed after your trip to the playa and washed after your long naked bike rides.

[Playa Foot]

Most big squishy bike seats are uncomfrtable as hell. The smaller seats especially with gel padding are far more comfortable. Go to a good bike shop and ask for their recommendation then break in both the saddle and your butt.

[teardropper]

I got sheepskin seat covers on eBay for less than $20. These are cushiony and provide good support, too. Many people swear by sheepskin for its abilities. My brother uses it for long distance motorcycle touring.

[robotland]

I bring one of these, and love it. NOT as hot as fleece or fur (which are designed to TRAP heat, hello?!?) and they can be easily removed to prevent "removal by others".
I'll second (or third or fourth) the butt-break-in-period prior to a week of the most intensive bike riding I do all year, and also suggest that you examine the Modified Tan Area that you present while seated on a bike so as to avoid cooked thighs due to unexpected exposure.

[teardropper]

You've obviously never used fleece (hello?).

[Boijoy]

It will make a big difference if you go through the owie phase before hand. ride through some soreness at home, and it will make your burning man riding much more enjoyable.
I tried a seat with springs last year, and it was just great. really took the jarring bumps out of the ride.

THAT looks just like my bike when I was a kid. except mine had a sparkly purple bannanna seat. I loved that bike.

[EmilyD]

For Shambala:

[EmilyD]

Caveat: I ride a recumbent bike. Exceptionally comfortable and stress-less ride.

Most recumbent bikes have big, well-padded seats (perforce), but I found that not enough cush for my tuckus. So I wrapped the seat in a sheepskin. The big fluffy ones you get from New Zealand. Spent hours and hours whacking it to get the better part of the Playa out of it, but seeing as wool is alkaline anyway it didn't damage it much. And the cush factor was definitely worth it.

Yeah I was wondering about sheepskin and the dust. And I've seen those rugs that Shambala mentions at Ikea. That would nicely (and cheaply) cover two bike seats no problem. Thanks everyone...very helpful, good tips.

[oneeyeddick]

One day little Johnny comes home one day from school and his mom asks him how his day was.
He replies, "Mom, today I had sex with the teacher!"
Immediately she was angry. She said, "just wait 'till your dad gets home, he's going to be very mad at you. Go to your room!"
So the boy goes to his room and finally his dad is home and comes up to the room. The boy tells his dad and the dad is proud of the boy.
"Great job son! How old are you 12? 13? How about we go down to the store and get that shiny red bicycle you wanted?"
So, they go to the store and the dad buys the bike for his son. Then he says, "well Johnny, do you want to ride the bike home?"
The boy answers, " No, that's okay Dad, My ass is still sore!"