Weatherproof bike seat?
12-17-08, 03:38 AM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Weatherproof bike seat?
hi, i'm a college student and i rely on my bike to get me to class when i wake up 5 minutes before it. i also ride it religiously everywhere else, and it's gotten to the point that i can't stand a 5 minute walk when it could be a 1 minute ride. however, since i live in a dorm, i have to keep my bike outside. for about a year now, this hasn't really been a problem, but the vinyl covering over the padding on my bike seat has developed some cracks in it due to being exposed to the elements all the time. now whenever it rains, the padding soaks up water through these cracks, and then when i sit on it, it squeezes the water out into the butt of my pants. it also takes forever to dry, especially during these cold months, so even in the week after it rains, i have to walk instead of ride. i tried using a bicycle seat cover for a while, but the added hassle of carrying a wet cover around really doesn't appeal to me. i'd like to just get a seat that is made of hard plastic, so there isn't any danger of it soaking up water, and the water that lands on it can be easily wiped off. however, i can't seem to find any like this (without the padding). this is the only one that i found that might be okay. i also was concerned that a seat without padding would be really uncomfortable for long rides. does anyone know of any good seats that are able to withstand being kept outside in all types of weather, and if a seat without padding would be unbearably uncomfortable?
12-17-08, 04:02 AM
#2
12mph+ commuter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Oak Park, IL
Posts: 863
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Plastic bags that you get at the supermarket are perfect for this. Just tie it over the saddle and replace when it's full of holes. All they need is a quick brush off before you ride and you are good to go (or replace the bag if you are rich like that.) Plus, they are a natural ugly-fing factor, so it's also a natural theft deterrent, =)
12-17-08, 04:21 AM
#3
Membership Not Required
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
14 Posts
plastic bags are the quick and dirty answer. FWIW I have seen plenty of bikes on the campuses with the seats split and ripped and people riding them anyway.
Aaron
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
12-17-08, 05:59 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 2,978
Bikes: Cannondale T700s and a few others
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Hmmm they can't teach resourcefulness I guess. 
Bet you are already riding a plain plastic saddle if you would cut that ratty cover off. If it is covered with glue you can polish off then go to the local cloth store get some naugahyde and spray glue and cover it.
Bet you are already riding a plain plastic saddle if you would cut that ratty cover off. If it is covered with glue you can polish off then go to the local cloth store get some naugahyde and spray glue and cover it.
12-17-08, 06:41 AM
#5
Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Tampa Fl
Posts: 25
Bikes: Trek 7100, Secialized Roubaix Comp
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If have a quick release just take the saddle and seat post with you and keep it in your dorm room. If you dont have a quick release keep a wrench in your back pocket.
12-17-08, 09:35 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 11,375
Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
If you do pop the QR and take it with you, remember to put a plug or cover over the seat tube to keep it from getting rained/snowed in while there's no seatpost in there.
__________________
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
12-17-08, 10:19 AM
#7
No one carries the DogBoy
Brooks saddle plus plastic grocery bag = all weather saddle . In winter I don't even need to take off the bag. It does wear through after about a month and I have to invest in a new plastic shopping bag.
. In winter I don't even need to take off the bag. It does wear through after about a month and I have to invest in a new plastic shopping bag.
12-17-08, 02:29 PM
#8
mechanically sound
On an other forum, someone suggested a shower cap.
12-17-08, 02:33 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Nasti Nati
Posts: 89
Bikes: Raleigh Technium(SS), Jamis Diablo
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I would say a good, treated leather seat that you wiped off after it got wet. You probably only live a few flights upstairs, run your lazy a** down and wipe it off.
12-17-08, 02:41 PM
#10
not a role model
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,659
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
You can get a decent saddle on ebay for $12-$15 shipped. I say just buy a new one as needed.
https://cgi.ebay.com/Bontrager-RACE-s...3A1|240%3A1318
https://cgi.ebay.com/Bontrager-Race-L...3A1|240%3A1318
https://cgi.ebay.com/SAN-MARCO-BONTRA...3A1|240%3A1318
https://cgi.ebay.com/Bontrager-Race-L...3A1|240%3A1318
https://cgi.ebay.com/Bontrager-RACE-s...3A1|240%3A1318
https://cgi.ebay.com/Bontrager-Race-L...3A1|240%3A1318
https://cgi.ebay.com/SAN-MARCO-BONTRA...3A1|240%3A1318
https://cgi.ebay.com/Bontrager-Race-L...3A1|240%3A1318
12-17-08, 03:06 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 152
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
When I was growing up, BMX saddles were always hard plastic. This might fit the bill...
https://shop.vendio.com/benscycle/ite.../?s=1229427375
https://shop.vendio.com/benscycle/ite.../?s=1229427375
12-17-08, 04:36 PM
#12
Comfortably Numb!
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: East Jabip
Posts: 943
Bikes: Jamis Commuter 3.0
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I use a shower cap as well. Store in your bag or wedge it under the seat. It works and it's cheap!
12-17-08, 04:53 PM
#13
Membership Not Required
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
14 Posts
I use shower caps on my nicer Brooks saddles, but on my beater bikes plastic grocery bags fill the bill...I am running out of shower caps
(durned cheap hotels
)
Aaron
(durned cheap hotels )Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
12-18-08, 05:42 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 2,978
Bikes: Cannondale T700s and a few others
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
12-18-08, 06:17 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,706
Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 840 Post(s)
Liked 336 Times
in
251 Posts
Water Proofer
Apply a shoe water proofer generously every half year to your existing saddle. It works like magic. Sure, a little bit of wetness will stay on, but such that will evaporate off your clothes in no time. As more and more of padding gets exposed, you can prolong the life of your saddle using Gorilla tape.
I'd suggest not to invite trouble by following any of the leather advice given here. The leather saddles represent a religious cult, as far as I am concerned.
I'd suggest not to invite trouble by following any of the leather advice given here. The leather saddles represent a religious cult, as far as I am concerned.
12-18-08, 08:07 PM
#16
Real Men Ride Ordinaries
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,723
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Just bought this for my Brooks Flyer Monday. Hope it shows up tomorrow or Saturday. https://www.velo-orange.com/aasaco.html
12-19-08, 05:18 PM
#17
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
