Numb Bum Cure ?

[chrisr]

I found it only makes you feel unstable with too much air in

[Studley Ramrod]

Mine's a 2002 model Chris.  Whilst I did suffer numb bum using the mk1 it wasn't as bad as when I'm on the 9'er, must be the shape of the seat to some degree.  I'm also reaching further forward for the bars which might mean my ass 'aint in the best position and is cutting off some blood circulation.  It also puts a lot of strain on my palms/wrists, gotta plan for this though.

I'm hoping the airhawk will help me out on the blast to Portsmouth and the return blast up through France to Calais and back home, where I expect the numb bum to be at its worst.  That said, I've no idea of how many miles we'll be doing or stops we'll be having on the tour so might be needing it for all the trip.

It's a 75 mile (1hr 30min) blast down the M1 to Nuneaton so the return journey will give me good idea if it's working.

[agrantg]

I think it was AliG had a thick mesh seat cover he'd put on over the standard one, reckoned it was comfortable and allowed a bit of airflow.  I bought one  but not got round to fitting it yet as it needs to be stretched a but and stapled on.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R...R&_sacat=0

Yes, twas I, Chris. It is still on my white niner and now that I have ridden the 2012 black one, I realise the difference it makes. Will be ordering another one soon. Apart from allowing a bit of airflow and letting water run off in the rain, I think there is a little bit of cushioning too. One point to note, is go for the extra large and staple rather than use the velcro supplied. It was impossible to get a perfect finish with the velcro using the large. There were rucks and ripples, which disappeared when I stapled it and it fits perfectly on the bike. Might have been ok if I had got the XL. It is also good for hiding any tears you might have on the seat too, which mine had.

Ali

[ChrisG]

Mine's a 2002 model Chris.  Whilst I did suffer numb bum using the mk1 it wasn't as bad as when I'm on the 9'er, must be the shape of the seat to some degree.  I'm also reaching further forward for the bars which might mean my ass 'aint in the best position and is cutting off some blood circulation.  It also puts a lot of strain on my palms/wrists, gotta plan for this though.

Might be worth keeping an eye out for a seat from a newer model to see if you find it more comfortable then.  I experimented with bar risers when I first got my 900 as it felt like I was stretching a bit more to the bars after the Mk1 but ended up taking them off again and find the standard position quite comfortable now.

 

It's a 75 mile (1hr 30min) blast down the M1 to Nuneaton so the return journey will give me good idea if it's working.

 

You know it's got 1.5 more gears than your Mk1?

This post was last modified: 03-08-2016, 10:27 AM by ChrisG.

[Studley Ramrod]

  Yes I do.  Nothing wasted when they designed the mk1.   

 

I'll prolly be selling the 9'er after the trip so buying a different seat isn't gonna happen.  Had a sit on Kelpie's lovely 9'er, lower seat and bar risers felt really comfy.  You must have really long arms Chris.

[agrantg]

  Yes I do.  Nothing wasted when they designed the mk1.   

 

I'll prolly be selling the 9'er after the trip so buying a different seat isn't gonna happen.  Had a sit on Kelpie's lovely 9'er, lower seat and bar risers felt really comfy.  You must have really long arms Chris.

I've got a set of up and back bar risers if you want to try them. Can post to you right away and they only take 5 mins to fit. I found them ok with the standard bars, which gave me sore wrists, but when I fitted the renthals, I have developed an ache in the shoulders, so have taken them off.

Send me a pm if you are interested.

Ali

[Studley Ramrod]

Had a pootle down to Nuneaton today to pick up an Airhawk. Big thanks to Matt101 for the donation. :drinks:  Great to see you again Matt, even if it was a brief meeting.

Deffo an improvement, fitted the Airhawk for the return journey of 75 miles and pleased to report no serious numb bum,  although my ass was getting very warm indeed.  That said, my troos aren't exactly summer gear and it's been a warm day today.  Will have a fettle with it but I'm pleased with the results so far.

[dablik]

Halleloooooola  :good: nice gel strap on ya wrist and that's you sorted 

[Studley Ramrod]

My goofy toe's playing up again.

[dablik]

Well your off to warmer climes, jesus sandals will do 

[muddy]

Timely post. I just received my car bead seat today and am in the process of chopping and sewing some ties to it to secure it. I paid £9,a bike specific one is much dearer. Lots of people swear by them, so for the price of a takeaway it's worth a try.
http://m.ebay.co.uk/orderDetails?itemId=...6145254010

A resounding success. Hard to say why, it's not that it feels initially that comfortable. But when you're a 9er rider and you've travelled 200 miles and you haven't thought about your bum (or anyone else's for that matter) then you've got a solution of sorts. 

[dmmsta]

A resounding success. Hard to say why, it's not that it feels initially that comfortable. But when you're a 9er rider and you've travelled 200 miles and you haven't thought about your bum (or anyone else's for that matter) then you've got a solution of sorts. 

Original link doesn't work anymore as it was to the ordered item, but here's the item link:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201263687506

[muddy]

Original link doesn't work anymore as it was to the ordered item, but here's the item link:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201263687506

Ah, yes. Cheers. By the way, if you've got an hour or two in the evening, you can make two seat pads out of the car cover. I used elasticated cord and threaded it through the outside beads and had 4 loops to attach it under the seat. Cheap numb bum solver, if it works for you.  

[Studley Ramrod]

Used the airhawk whilst on the euro trip and it worked.   Especially when doing the long slog days.  Using it whilst riding the hairpins tended to squash the family jewels though, esp. the downhill runs.  Also, the 9'er seat seems to push you towards the tank which doesn't help.

 

I'm also of the opinion that lotsof/frequent time in the saddle also reduces numb bum.  :good:

[Robodene]

Makes me wonder how an Airhawk would be if under the seat cover. Might keep some sort of shape better. If you could still inflate it.

[dablik]

Makes me wonder how an Airhawk would be if under the seat cover. Might keep some sort of shape better. If you could still inflate it.

 

Good idea actually and very do-able i suspect, also would save the hassle of having to remove it..

[Rallyist]

Ah, yes. Cheers. By the way, if you've got an hour or two in the evening, you can make two seat pads out of the car cover. I used elasticated cord and threaded it through the outside beads and had 4 loops to attach it under the seat. Cheap numb bum solver, if it works for you.  

I've had one for years, use some silicone adhesive on the end of row ones for security

[muddy]

A resounding success. Hard to say why, it's not that it feels initially that comfortable. But when you're a 9er rider and you've travelled 200 miles and you haven't thought about your bum (or anyone else's for that matter) then you've got a solution of sorts. 

Well for some reason, probably placebo, the success didn't last with the beads. Maybe because on this tour I'm doing longer stretches in the saddle, some days as much as 9 hours.


Those distances are also making the handlebars excruciatingly painful. Renthals and a Airhawk I think when I get back.

[peter-may]

Airhawk is great. I got the sw motech one with the wiiide fitting strap instead of the pair of knicker elastic ones..always been all day comfy......BUT......on a recent week long trip, my derrier was in agony after an hour each day!! Boney arse SWMBO reckons.....bring on the cake!!

[Studley Ramrod]

Airhawk was invaluable on the long days in the saddle, stopped the numb bum but we were all standing on the pegs at some point to renew the blood supply.   The downhill switchbacks also got the seat moving forward and squashing the family jewels a few times so make sure it's well strapped to the bike if you're going down cols.  Perfect for the long motorway runs though.