Comfort saddles/covers for bikes- are they any good?

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I went on along bike ride with the kids last week and my bum was in agony by the end. I don't rede regularly enough to get used to a saddle. I saw all these expensive gel filled cover things in a bike shop and wondered if they were worth it. They didn't appear that comfy though. I think I would like more of an armchair scenario!

Has anyone got one that they liked?

I have a gel saddle and it is lovely

can I ask which make if you remember?

Hmmm. Bought it from Halfords. Might have been own brand. Can't really remember...

Oo oo oo - I got one on Friday. i hate cycling as it hurts my arse - we were doing the saltern's Way with the boys and DH stopped at Halfords on the way and bought me the squidgiest gel saddle ever - it was heaven - it was £26.00

I've tried them but to br honest much prefer padded cycling shorts, they are more comfy I find, although it is important to have a woman's bike saddle and some are more comfy than others.

OMG - I cannot wear padded cycling shorts

Thanks for that. I think I'll splash out as it hurt so much I was stopping and complaining even more than more than my 4 year old.

A gel seat and cycling shors would probably be very comfy indeed!

The more cycling you do the more you will develop your arse into an arse of steel though, so it will hurt less if that's any consolation!

why not fallenmadonna?

it was this one. It looks strangely phallic but it was oh so comfy

The womens gel addles has a hole in them I noticed. Have you got womens ones?

am not sure I could get away with cycling short especially padded ones. It would be a bit too michelin man.

I love them. Youcan get ones that go under normal clothes, cycling underwear, if you don't want to be doing the whole lycra thang

Well, the combination of lycra and padding would not be a good look on me...

when I cycled to work I was ok but that was a 70s bike, much more capacious in the saddle region.

Ah. Underwear. But still. Padding. I'd have to get off the bike at some point...

lol, I forget I've even got it on, probably look like one of those crazy lycra clad fitness fraeks whenI'm off the bike. But under some baggy board shorts no one would know, it's like a big old 80s style sanitary pad

Saddles with holes in the middle are more comfy on your 'bits'. and if you build up your bum muscles it won't hurt so much. Some pain is good though, no pain no gain as they say

I had a gel saddle which was v uncomfy on any rides over half an hour.

Replaced it with a women's specific saddle (with hole!) and it's MUCH more comfortable - even though it looks a little torturous. Managed almost 40miles on my bike yesterday with no bum pain whatsoever. Only started cycling again in Feb this year so I'm no cycling athlete

Definitely get women's specific shorts too - either lycra ones (under normal shorts/joggers whatever) or baggy ones with built-in pads.

Plain old Sudocreme helps avoid chafing.

And don't wear knickers - go commando