MTB Camp & Ride - Knoxville Urban Wilderness and Windrock

also should we go ahead and get a pisgah trip plan started for later in maybe June/July ?

 

It’s a medium V3. You’re more than welcome to give a whirl. My setup might not be ideal for you but should give some idea to the frame bike characteristics.

 

@backcountryj yeah, definitely interested, I was thinking in the future if the market ever goes back down to growing the quiver to a following and wreckoning and getting rid of the offering .... have you liked the suspension so far ?

 

Do any of you have a 15cm saddle? Or at least a saddle that didn’t come on your bike?

I still have quite a bit of discomfort, early into rides, from my saddle. But I don’t know how to “test” saddles before buying and all the recommended are 100$+. Just would like to take a sit on another if possible.

 

If I could justify a quiver, I’d be doing the same. Following + Wrecker

Loving the delta link platform. Small bump compliance even with the stock air can is just as good as my Tallboy was with a coil shock, if not better. And the end stroke support is superb. I’ve yet to even remotely notice any bottom out and I’ve definitely utilized every bit of travel.

It’s more about finding the fit that works for your butt. The most expensive doesn’t guarantee comfort. I sent returned a $100+ Ergon primarily due to some minor
manufacture defect issues. But the saddle just wasn’t comfortable to me.

I went back to a lower tier SDG radar (I think) that I’ve got minimal funds in. It’s not the coolest lightest or on trend saddle, but my butt agrees with it so I run it.

 

So how do I best “test” saddles to find my best butt buddy?

all I know is I did the sit bone thing and that’s 15cm according to sqlabs. 13+2 for mtb.

 

Go to the store and.....

 

Either that’s a personal photo, or you googled something weird lol

 

Try to shop per the size you want vs what models folks recommend. Most saddles will have tiers; steel rails -> chromoly -> carbon, etc.
Thats not always the case for all brands though. Buy some cheap used saddles off PinkBike until you find one you like.

Specialized and Bontrager both make saddles that some folks love. Again, not the in vogue brand names that some want so they don't get quite the hype that say Ergon or Sqlab might get. Go to a shop that carries those brands and do their 'butt test' thingy to see what model of theirs could work for you.

 

Bike shops have a butt test thingy?

 

Can't speak for every shop, but I know my local Trek shop has a gel doodad thing you sit on. Same concept as the Sqlab home job thing you did. Its just dials in what Bontrager saddle would be a good starting point for a given person's seat bones.

I'm purely speculating that Specialized shops would have a similar setup as Spesh has their own line of branded saddles.

 

Hm I def didn’t see anything like that when looking at the saddles, but I also didn’t ask anyone. I also also didn’t see a saddle for mtb that would be considered “affordable” lol.

I just always overthink and wonder if it’s my riding position, my riding style, my chamois, or my saddle. How do I knowwwwww

 

Just ride one and make your ass get used to it

 

I also wonder this! Will time make it fine?? Is it just that I don’t ride enough?

 

The stock saddles on bikes are for good reason and they tend to be forgiving. You can always adjust the rails forward/backwards and can help too. Your seat bones should be doing most of the work not the brown eye

 

Lol it’s not the brown eye. Honestly, it’s usually the inner thighs that suffer. I ain’t got no thigh gap.

 

Maybe? Not sure how much you ride. If you only do 1 short/mid length ride every 7-10 days, doesn't bother you too much during the ride but sore the day after. yea...maybe it's just normal soreness associated w/ not riding enough. But even that should improve by mid-season.
If you're riding and by the end of an 45-60min long ride, you can't even sit down...that might be a totally different kinda problem where I'd consider looking at different saddle designs. Not just sit width either.

 

Have you tried using stuff like Chamois Butter?

 

Used it once never again. Too kinky.

felt like someone else’s hand, giggity, after just a few seconds.

but really it made me numb, as I guess it’s supposed to? And then I didn’t realize just how much I was sitting until it wore off and I was sore.

I currently only ride 1-2 times a week usually 7-11miles each ride. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable immediately, sometimes it’s the last couple of miles and I’m like damn I don’t wanna sit on this seat. But I’m fine sitting on like the truck seat. It’s different everytime honestly which is kinda what sucks.

but I know some people are just like “meh bro I’m comfy on whatever seat” and that’s what makes me think, is it my riding style, is it my thunder thighs, is it just me?