bradleyheathhay

So as I've aged the first part of my body to give out riding a bike now is my rear side. I'd like to do a distance record for myself this fall but I don't think I can do it without some extra cushion. Can anyone recommend a good gel seat cover for about $20? I ordered one on Amazon that was one of their best sellers and they refunded my order as they were out of stock.

Melvang

You will be much better off with padded shorts than a padded seat.

With a padded seat, you will get much more movement between the seat, clothing, and skin. This will result in chaffing.

As far as a recommendation for padded shorts, I can't help you there. I can go 30 miles (current best) with just synthetic tight fitting boxer briefs.

Milton Keynes

Everyone I've ever heard from who's used one of those strap-on gel pads said they're not worth it. They invariably tend to slide off or just not stay in place. Better to have a good saddle or padded shorts.

oris

I second that you should put the money towards better bibs or saddle.

I stuck one of those Amazon gel seat covers on a stationary bike and it didn't provide any extra comfort; just a numb nether region.

Troul 

Better off zip tieing earmuffs to your seat or 2-way taping imitation bra stuffers to you butt cheeks.

canklecat

If you don't want to bother with padded shorts, try a Lycra over progressive density foam saddle like the Serfas Tailbones. I have a couple of similar saddles for my hybrids. They're handy when I'm wearing casual clothes -- baggy shorts, jeans, etc. Breathable, no swamp butt after a ride. No need to suit up. The saddle itself serves the same function as padded Lycra shorts.

For my road bikes I prefer firmer saddles and padded shorts, but not for casual rides and errands.

bradleyheathhay

Thanks for the quick responses everybody. I've asked this question on another bike forum and the conclusion was to find the right saddle / pants combination for me. And since I only wear regular shorts to ride I could see how padded shorts could make a big improvement. I used to wear bike shorts long time ago but seeing as how I'd actually prefer to wear regular shorts nowadays that Serfas saddle has my attention. At $25 that's exactly what I was hoping to spend. If you were to buy one or the other, which would it be?...Padded shorts or the Serfas saddle?

hillyman

https://www.rei.com/product/168890/w...17890008376181
Not sure $20 can cure anything on a bike but this WTB saddle on sale. Rated pretty well reviews. But your results may vary on anything

Koyote

There's no such thing as a great gel seat.

bblair

Many bike shops will have loaner seats, so try a couple until you find one you can tolerate. Then buy good shorts. But neither will be inexpensive.

Years ago Bicycling Magazine had an article on what items to pay a lot for and which ones you can buy cheap. Worth it: seat, shorts, shoes.

bradleyheathhay

Thankfully I've had a lot of feedback with this little issue. I posted the link for that seat in other bike forums and most everyone said if I had to choose between the two a good pair of bike shorts would be my best option. And like anything the more costlier they are the better the product is. Unfortunately I'm going to have to keep the cost of these down as much as I can. The good news is that since I'm just wearing regular gym shorts, stepping up to any padded bike shorts will be a step up.

I've had Pearl Izumi recommended to me as a manufacturer who makes decent lower end shorts. Any other suggestions please?

canklecat

Przewalski and Spotti make excellent affordable shorts. I prefer them over my Pearl Izumi shorts (although I prefer PI jerseys). Check Amazon.

BikeLite

I like my canari gel liner shorts worn under regular shorts. Got mine at Academy Sports.

bwilli88 

Great gel is an oxymoron. Find a good seat or leather saddle and develop bike seat, your butt's ability to ride.

Koyote

I don't think there is a good gel seat cover available at any price.

dmanthree

Stop me if you've heard this before: I'm 66 and ride a Brooks B17. Yes, a hard leather seat combined with padded shorts works wonders. It's ot about the padding, but the contact area. A wider leather seat plus padded shorts means less pressure on the contact point and no friction between the fabric and your skin. The shorts can slide on the leather, not against your skin.

MRT2

I also ride a Brooks B17, and second the recommendation. That said, there is a break in period of a couple of months. Not terrible, but I would get the saddle at least a few months before setting off on a big ride.

MRT2

Pearl Izumi is pretty good. I also like Aerotech Designs shorts. something about the shape of the pad, and the fit agrees with me.

philbob57

The trouble is finding the right seat and shorts/bibs. There's too much variation in size and shape for one size to fit everyone, although it could be said that a gel seat will be painful for almost everyone. The success of a seat (saddle) or pair of shorts does not depend on the cost. Success of failure depends on how it fits. Durability may vary with cost, but the highest cost seats are probably too light to be very durable.

IOW, you have to go through some trial and error. If you want to wear regular shorts, Brooks' hard leather saddles are probably most known for not requiring padded shorts, but they go for more than $20. At the low cost end, WTB, Terry, Serfas are brand names with offerings, and there are innumerable offering from small vendors who don;t promote their brands.

Pratt

I've been told that old racers used to put a piece of steak on the saddle to absorb the bumps.

GamblerGORD53

The problem with all the seat covers that have been offered, is they are the same hard rubber as what the seat is made of. Totally idiotic.
My last visit to the LBS, I saw a seat with fluid bubbles inside the sit spots. Seems like a good idea to try. There has been air-ride tried in the past also. I guess it was never accepted.

Anyway, in 2015 I was in China on my first tour. I was getting pimples on my sit spots, using a Brooks Flyer. In Nanning I passed a shop and saw some memory foam covers. Luckily I bought one and right away they solved my pains. They do need to be extra tied down with shoelaces. Looks be damned. Later I got 3 in the mail. Takes a month at least. Pick the lowest price on Ali-Baba, they are all about the same. Just like E-bay the prices vary 2 to 5 times, crazy.

Inusuit

I bought some inexpensive padded liners on Amazon. I wear these under a variety of casual shorts. I second the opinion that gel seat covers are not a good idea, at least for me.

Fendertele

Plus one. These are much better than my lower end PI.

veganbikes

If you were to buy something I would get a good pair of bib shorts. Me personally I am quite happy with Primal but have used Gore in the past and may end up getting some more Gore this year.

In terms of saddles it could be the saddle finding a saddle is tough but it also could be your fit on the bike. A saddle that is in the wrong position can cause a lot of issues and can make it feel like it is the wrong saddle and a lot of people fix that with more and more and more padding and gel rather than actually getting to the heart of the issue. A good fitter can help you get the comfort level up quite a bit and they can also help measure you and recommend saddles to work well with you and your ischial tuberosity (sit bones).

Jeff Bezos is not a bike shop if you are shopping there you probably won't get what you really need. He does sell a lot of stuff and a lot of it at really low prices to cut out local business and get himself and the people very close to him lots of money over employees and customers.

Chuck M 

You didn't provide enough info in your original post to indicate what kind of bike you ride and current saddle, where you ride or what kind of riding you do. This got you suggestions of everything from Amazon short liners or bibs to a Brooks saddle. As you mentioned keeping costs down, I'm guessing the Brooks saddle is out of the question.

What is the distance goal you are looking at this fall and what kind of bike and saddle do you have now?