Touring saddles for younger kids?
#1
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Touring saddles for younger kids?
Sorry if this is already covered elsewhere, I did a search but didn't find what I was looking for!
My daughter needs an upgrade on her saddle and I'm looking for solid, comfortable saddles for younger (7-10, say between 50-80lbs) girls/kids. Something that can handle long days while touring in basic padded shorts & lowish tire pressure. What are folks using?
Right now I'm looking at the SDG Fly Jr, but would love suggestions from folks out there who have gone through similar. Selle Royal? Selle San Marco Sport Jr? Something else?
My daughter needs an upgrade on her saddle and I'm looking for solid, comfortable saddles for younger (7-10, say between 50-80lbs) girls/kids. Something that can handle long days while touring in basic padded shorts & lowish tire pressure. What are folks using?
Right now I'm looking at the SDG Fly Jr, but would love suggestions from folks out there who have gone through similar. Selle Royal? Selle San Marco Sport Jr? Something else?
#2
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when our kids were young and we did some bike trips, short ones, we just used what seats were on the bikes, got them padded bike shorts and made sure there were lots of breaks.
I'm glad to see you bringing up tire pressure, as I feel its pretty easy for parents/adults to put too much tire pressure, as its hard for us to figure a good pressure for someone so much lighter. I can say that I often probably put too much, thinking that it would help with rolling resistance, and save some energy over the day--but just as with adults, too high pressures add more sharp impacts to bums and hands, so trying to get a good compromise of pressure , but not too much, will help--specifically in regard to your question.
its been so long since ours were that age , I dont recall exactly how the seats were, but I guess at least be aware of a proper ish width, ie not too wide, as well as having a reasonable seat height that at least will allow for close to ideal seat height to allow the most efficient leg extension. Usually, kids seats are too low as they sometimes are more comfortable being able to put feet easier on ground, but like with adults, too low a seat really does take away a lot of leg power.
That said, its probably better to be conservative on seat height, from a safety angle, although you'll know better than us about how competent on a bike.
main thing to me, I know I'm repeating myself, but is to make the activity fun. Frequent breaks, snacks, fun stuff to see or do, and be conservative for distances.
Our daughter took very well to biking, and as a teenager, we still had some fun three day supported trips where a good friend of hers came along, so we figure we must have done a reasonable job of making the activity fun when she was younger.
oh, do "think" for kids in terms of reminding of drinking if hot, and eating snacks regularly, as you know, they can tend to not think of that stuff.
have a great time with fostering a love of biking, and time spent together.
I'm glad to see you bringing up tire pressure, as I feel its pretty easy for parents/adults to put too much tire pressure, as its hard for us to figure a good pressure for someone so much lighter. I can say that I often probably put too much, thinking that it would help with rolling resistance, and save some energy over the day--but just as with adults, too high pressures add more sharp impacts to bums and hands, so trying to get a good compromise of pressure , but not too much, will help--specifically in regard to your question.
its been so long since ours were that age , I dont recall exactly how the seats were, but I guess at least be aware of a proper ish width, ie not too wide, as well as having a reasonable seat height that at least will allow for close to ideal seat height to allow the most efficient leg extension. Usually, kids seats are too low as they sometimes are more comfortable being able to put feet easier on ground, but like with adults, too low a seat really does take away a lot of leg power.
That said, its probably better to be conservative on seat height, from a safety angle, although you'll know better than us about how competent on a bike.
main thing to me, I know I'm repeating myself, but is to make the activity fun. Frequent breaks, snacks, fun stuff to see or do, and be conservative for distances.
Our daughter took very well to biking, and as a teenager, we still had some fun three day supported trips where a good friend of hers came along, so we figure we must have done a reasonable job of making the activity fun when she was younger.
oh, do "think" for kids in terms of reminding of drinking if hot, and eating snacks regularly, as you know, they can tend to not think of that stuff.
have a great time with fostering a love of biking, and time spent together.
#3
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Our (not so anymore) little one rides an IslaBike Luath 24. The saddle is a no-name padded synthetic. Probably not what an adult rider would prefer (i.e. leather), but arguably perfect for kids. She's been touring with us since she was 5. Previous bike was an IslaBike Beinn. Padded no-name saddle as well.
I doubt that saddle specification is important for kids. The bike weight is crucial however -- if you weigh 50 pounds and your bike weighs 30, it would be like a 200 pounds adult riding a 120 pounds bike. Being a lightweight rider, the saddle and the handlebars' ergonomics isn't as important as it is for adults. I don't remember our younger daughter ever complaining about saddle soreness. (even though there quite a bit of "are we there yet"
Maybe you want to shop with your daughter. The design she might care about is probably more aesthetic than performance.
I doubt that saddle specification is important for kids. The bike weight is crucial however -- if you weigh 50 pounds and your bike weighs 30, it would be like a 200 pounds adult riding a 120 pounds bike. Being a lightweight rider, the saddle and the handlebars' ergonomics isn't as important as it is for adults. I don't remember our younger daughter ever complaining about saddle soreness. (even though there quite a bit of "are we there yet"
Maybe you want to shop with your daughter. The design she might care about is probably more aesthetic than performance.
Last edited by gauvins; 09-16-19 at 05:04 PM. Reason: changed link to UK site (USA site is closing)
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I bought a Velo brand youth saddle a few years ago and it's now on kid #2 . Not expensive, not wildly designed, just simply a saddle shrunk down all around.
Velo makes probably 70% of saddles on bikes at this point- google that brand's youth saddles.
This is similar, but it's a little less padded than the one I bought.
https://www.trailcraftcycles.com/pro...junior-saddle/
Velo makes probably 70% of saddles on bikes at this point- google that brand's youth saddles.
This is similar, but it's a little less padded than the one I bought.
https://www.trailcraftcycles.com/pro...junior-saddle/
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Serfas Bike Saddle
My 3 grand kids (ages 4-8) use the Serfas Youth Bicycle saddle on our tandems when we tour. This paired with padded bike shorts has proven to work very well for all. The saddles ar $25 from Amazon