Computer chair as seat?
 

I just bought a home-made long wheel base recumbent with an uncomfortable seat. In shopping for seats I noticed that many of the expensive seats look like computer chairs--padded seat and mesh back. Have any of you used a computer chair as a bicycle seat?

i haven't, but i've only tried making one recumbent. i used a cheap exercise thing for doing sit-ups. if i can get photobucket to let me i'll add a pic later.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y29...psofuvckit.jpg

hey it worked!!!

the only thing is, i haven't rode this more than a few minutes as test rides. it works for me, but i can't speak to comfort longevity over a real ride. i was thinking not having something that fully covered my back might be cooler (not nesessarily look cool. i mean something that let air get to my back so it wouldn't be as sweaty) i also just noticed it doesn't show a head rest i added later. it's fairly light and cheap though, if you come across one in a thrift store. as long as you don't have to permanently mod the bike to try it it's worth a try.

What are the blue round things?

just foam pieces. i don't know how it was originally supposed to work (kinda dought it did. picked it up used in a thrift store), but i guess they rolled on your back as you did situps. like i said, i've only done test rides (10-15 minutes at best), but it seems to work. i've since picked up a couple more for future recumbent tries.

Interesting.

I can't sit in either of these awful things for long without messing up my hips. I like nice cushy seats or at least large ones.

Now that IS interesting! You still need really good lights.

looks interesting to ride.

Computer chair as seat?
 

I have 1 under me now, coffee in hand at desk in house, It was Free,
I just rolled it home.
2 blocks.

I don't want to lean back much, in it, that's why it was free.

Funny, my favorite computer chair is an exercise ball. Trying to imagine how I would integrate that with a recumbent (or upright). A unicycle might be easier.

Ben

I might try the ribbon idea for my next make shift seat
https://www.bing.com/search?q=heavy+...osgrain+ribbon

is this like the ribbon lawn chairs used to be made of?

It's real similar. A few years ago I saw a YouTube video how to lace it and finish it at the end, but will have to search harder to find the right one later. It was a guy who redid a Lightning brand seat I think but can remember.

Looks pretty cool to me. Have you added anything else to it since the last photo you uploaded?

not really. between photobucket getting hinky and my garage being too full of junk to move things around (i don't know who sneaks into my garage and puts that stuff in there), i haven't messed with it much, beyond adding the headrest i mentioned earlier. not to mention i'm kinda scatterbrained about projects and have started a bunch of other bikes since. i'll get back to it eventually.

I doubt it will works well

Looks unstable.

Get a massage and a ride.

points for creativity!

i wouldn't feel safe with this in traffic.

Not A Half-Bad Idea
 

And when you make a turn, the seat swivels accordingly.

To Phiiphine,
Just looking at yer recumbent makes me want to tear the blue foam rollers off and add a braided mesh netting to rest my back on. I had a lounge chair in college made of pipe welded together and some shrimp netting from an Alaskan summer trip that worked quite well. That could be a quite comfortable ride! Smiles, MH

Kryten41,
I would go for it! Most of the chairs for offices I see are mesh nylon and are pretty comfortable. I took one from a friend who changed her office chair out, and gave it to my buddies at the local junk yard. They love it arm rests and all! If you can figure out how to mount it it would be a great ride experience. Just think riding along one hand on the bars and another resting on the arm rests. Smiles, MH

As a bicycle seat, no. In places never intended by the manufacturer, yes.

Things that concern me when using indoor furniture out of place is:
- weather resistance. There'd be no incentive to make a computer chair survive getting soaked. UV light might also play havoc with it unexpectedly fast.
- strength of attachment points, back rest. Unless you can use the original bracketry it can be difficult to attach the seat parts well enough.