How can I make the saddle of my bike more comfortable?
370377
You can buy a cushioned bike seat-cover.  If you can't afford it, try making one yourself, using fluffy cushioned material.
242876
Time. Meanwhile, there are things you can do to be more comfortable. Try oatmeal baths, calamide lotion and don't scratch.
1096016
Get a good pair of gloves, Specialized makes some that protects the ulnar nerve from being compressed too much, Do not grip the bars too tight. For road bikes, there is a gel handlebar tape or use Specialized Bar Phat (it has a 2.5 or 4.5 mm gel packets that go along the tops & drops of the bars & the tape is wrapped over it). Go to a higher rise stem to shift the weight off your hands/wrists and onto the seat. Shift your hand positions around, don't stay in one position too long.
797559
I think the ideal setup for you would be a mountain bike, but you can go to Wal-Mart or a LBS (local bike shop), and get some slicks (tires). These are not so nobby, so you can go 1-2 mph faster, (so the BF doesn't get bored), and cost about 12 dollars each! \n (slicks grip the road well, and often have tread)\n\nThen, get a wider seat from Wal-Mart (or the LBS) if the one installed is not very comfortable.\n\nAs for the bike, I suggest you go used. You can get something four times as expensive (a better bike) for the same price).\nGood places to fing a good bike are:\n\nhttp://sfbay.craigslist.org/about/cities.html    (I got mine there)  \nIf craigslist has a city near you, click on the link, then find the "bikes" link and click on that!\n\nAnother place is Ebay\n\nAlso, check your newspaper's classifieds!\n\nMake sure the bike fits well. It is best to get fit to a certain frame size at a LBS, but you can also search for bicycle fitting guidelines on the web. ( I only suggest this because you probably are not going to ride too much) However, you do need the right sized bike, or it will be very uncomfortable. (for the back and the knees).\n\nAs for the actual bike, a good brand should be Trek or Specialized. Everything should work fine on a test ride, and have no rust (a very bad sign of maintenance) and the drivetrain (gears, chain, etc.) should look in good shape.\nIf you do get a  bike, I suggest taking it to a bike shop for a tuneup, at least to oil the chain, etc. and to tighten everything up.\n\nGOOD LUCK!
916364
The easiest way to do this would be to remove your chain. This will let you pedal and not go anywhere. You will have to find a way to make the bike stationary so you can keep your balance while you're on it. I suggest removing the front tire and building a stand to prop the front tire frame in.  Make the stand level with the back tire so it will be exactly like riding a bike when you are on it.
1183913
all this advice you have received so far is a bit skewed and lacking practicality.  first off, if your bike is small enough, you can lower your seat, and take off the pedals.  good pedals require a 15mm wrench to remove, cheap ones a 1/2'' wrench, the one on the non drive side is reverse treaded, ie left is tighter... dropping your saddle and removing the pedals allow you to push around with your feet, and let you instantly put a foot down if you feel scared.  i would push around in a garage or in an empty parking lot, until you get the hang of even being on a bike.  adult training wheels are a bad idea, they train you to let the training wheels balance you, making you more or less rely on something that soon wont be there....
1114185
http://bikeflat.com or ask me. i can tell u how to do some tricks.
1172166
Congratulations on the win!\n\nPity about your knee. I think you should do two things:\n\n1 If this is persistent, get some advice from a good sports physio or a specialist doctor. It doesn't sound within the normal range of post-ride aches and pains.\n\n2 Change your pedals for a set with more float - both frogs and eggbeaters are good in this respect. Maybe even consider returning to platforms. Try a few vigorous training rides on platforms and see if this cures the problem. \n\nIf you have the typical woman's wide pelvis your knee joints will be inwardly rotated to a greater degree than some (straight up and down) women and most men. You require the maximum floatability because the anatomical relationship in the length from hip joint to knee joint causes a lot more rotational movement of the long female femur. \n\nDon't risk your knees, you'll spend more than half your life regretting it. I speak from experience. I'm a lifelong mad-keen cyclist. Now I'm in my mid-50's a ride every day with clicky knees and a dull, precisely bounded pain somewhere in the medial side of my right knee joint. Getting up stairs is painful for me and sometimes so acute I think my right knee is going to give way. Its a heavy price to pay when I still have maybe 35 years cycling left in me.
611236
Pro cyclists seem to have pretty good posture, and they spend 8 hours a day on their bikes - so posture isn't a concern.  :-)\n\nFor commuting only 8km you shouldn't get a racy aggressive frame though. Stick with something comfortable, upright, and you'll be happier in the long run. Also, steel frames are more comfortable than aluminum.\n\nJust go to your local bike shop, have them measure you for fit, and test ride bikes until you find the most comfy one for you that fits!\n\nGood luck.
587969
just keep practising. you will slowly get more used to it. find new ways to push the envelope. a tricky one is to turn somewhat tightly when going at a decent rate. you shift your weight to the right petal and lean the bike over. if you can get your speed and turning right, you may be able to touch your handle bar to the ground while your moving. i can get it down to about 6 inches. wee!
89189
Use a self-lubricating sleeve ... you can find those on line
614217
The Pedersen bicycle of the early 20th Century famously features such a saddle. A company called Dursley manufactures replicas of the amazing and attractive Pedersen design. Its a lovely, early example of suspension.\n\nTo see examples of Pedersen bikes type 'pedersen bicycle' into Google and select Images.
771202
how about a nice leather jacket to go with the bike?
66459
http://www.totalfitnessfl.com/fit/North_Star_Dressage_Saddle_Wide_Tree_z42000_47282.php\nhttp://www.dressage-ext.com/ProductDetail.asp?KEY=3331\nhttp://www.mei.net/~equineline/Dressage%20Saddles.htm
580670
san marino (well konwn, made in italy) has bike seats just for women. it is specially designed to be comfy and take some pressure off of the back. they, however, can be pricey.\n\nif you dont get a good answer on yahoo, go to your local bike shop, test a few out and talk to someone there. people are often very helpful and bikeshops, plus you will be able to feel which seats seem good...rahter than just HEARING about it.\n\n\n\nhope this helps!\ngood luck!\nhappy bike riding!
253290
I think this only happens in rare instances, and than only with people riding every day for long periods of time.  I'd obviously wear cycling shorts/pants that have a thick chamois inside of them.  I know that the banana saddles on road bikes put more pressure on the genitals then a thicker mountain bike style saddle.  I'd avoid one of the firm, ultra-thin saddles designed for racing and move more towards a compromise with cushioning and width.  Do you really care about the extra weight if you aren't in a competition?
1149440
Get thee to your local bikeshop and get fitted.  The professionals can help you and make sure you are buying the right size bike for your body.