Getting to the Bottom of it

There are many reasons and\or excuses for the lack of enthusiasm to embrace cycling as a primary mode of transportation in our society. In talking to many start-up cyclists who really do want to ride, one deterrent invariably comes up - the sore butt. I fact, in an (ancient) 1990 CPSC survey, the top three things people said would make them ride more were:

1. Someone to ride with (46%)
2. Safer places to ride (35%)
3. More comfortable seats (34%)

So loneliness and sore butts are what keep people in cars. As all bodies are different, no two people will "enjoy" the same seat. That may be one reason there are a gagillion saddles to chose from (aside from marketing, but that is a different subject). Most avid cyclist cover the bases with the advice "you just need a good saddle". Easier said than done. Wide, narrow, long, short, cut outs, springs, gels, foams, natural coverings, coverings better than natural coverings...etc. We have no better way to find the one that fits than we have to find comfortable shoes. Once you wear them, they're your's. They may get "broken in", they may not. If you don't like them, buy something else. There's a reason there is a never ending supply of used saddles on ebay. Using this trial and error methodology my butt seems to have found it's soulmate in the Fizik Arione. Taking place in the span of only a year or so, here are some of the contenders in the race for the perfect saddle from my perspective:

Selle Italia SLR

Selle Itallia Thoork

Selle San Marco Aspide Arrowhead

The Winner - Fizik Arione

All the trial and error saddles are excellent - for somebody else. The saddle is really key in making the ride enjoyable. I wish there were a better way to find the perfect match. If you're lucky enough to find a (free) loaner program, definitely take advantage of it. If you've already found your perfect saddle, be "someone to ride with" and work on getting that other 46% out on their bikes.

* Super Star *

Idle time sometimes lead to great things. A few free moments spent on Craigslist usually results in me buying a new bike, frame, do-dad...etc. No exception this time when I came across a local guy with a vintage Falter Faennrich Super Star folding bike from Germany. For no other reason than it being something different, I had to have it.

Without any negotiation I took it home for $75.  Opposite of buying a car, I bought it and then researched it.  Turns out it is all original right down to the cheap plastic seat bag. Tires hold air so I took it on an urban adventure, strapping some packages on the back and heading for the Post Office. I was impressed. I discovered it is actually a two speed with a Torpedo Duomatic kickback hub. Giving the pedals a little reverse motion shifts the internal gear. A little more reverse motion and you're applying the brakes, so it takes a some getting used to. Unlike the Molly Shannon movie "Superstar", this Super Star is a classic. All-in-all a nice find, not that I needed yet another bike. Always room for one more.  Next.