IPMBA Product Review

BiSaddle:  Best Shock Absorber of a Seat

BiSaddle:  Best Shock Absorber of a Seat

By Michael Maxon
Omaha Police Department

Ed.’s Note:  This review was posted to Bycycle website and submitted to IPMBA News by BiSaddle inventor Jim Bombardier.  Permission to re-post was granted by the author.

My initial BiSaddle impression was, “Well, this can’t be any worse than the best seat I’ve had.”  I selected the steel frame with elastomer pads because I’m cheap and weight is not an issue as I carry stuff with me.  The elastomer is supposed to be firmer and since I’m no lightweight, it seemed like the best idea.  I weigh 205, carry a backpack weighing 10-15lbs, and ride a Trek 4300 mountain bike with 1.5” road tires.

My first ride with BiSaddle was the 16-mile OWL night ride in Omaha on July 16, 2011.  At first, it was difficult to keep from shifting about since it felt fairly weird, but I soon realized I was just shifting around because that’s what I’ve been doing for 20 years on an uncomfortable perch of a seat.  The next day, the only soreness I noticed was in the backs of my legs, just under the seat.  I had been trying to scoot back too far the whole time and therefore was putting pressure on the muscle. 

The lack of balance or control from the non-existent saddle nose was apparent at first, but then I realized I only had to change a bit of positioning to keep the seat where I needed it.  When mounting up, I instinctively use the saddle nose to push against the clipped-in leg until the other side is in, so I just had to pay attention to what I was doing. 

Control while riding wasn’t even an issue.  In fact, when I leaned forward, aero-style, with my hands out front and forearms on my handlebars, the seat was more comfortable on my hamstrings than the edges of a normal saddle.  Since the seat contacts my legs higher up than normal, I am actually more solid in that position.  I think that out-of-the-saddle technical work will require good technique and less slop from the rider.  Not a big deal if you’re as good as you think you are…

Monday’s ride to work was 17 miles.  I angled the seat back a bit and narrowed the rear section a pinch.  It still felt really strange but it is getting better.  The sore spots are pretty much history.  There is no discomfort/borderline pain.  I don’t feel like I rode but a couple of miles.

As with any new piece of equipment, this will take some adjustments.  I was skeptical about this thing and surely didn’t want to drop $93.80 (with shipping) on just a seat.  At this point I feel how the seat works and there is definitely no destructive pressure.  Normally, my right toes go numb within 10 minutes; that’s not happening. 

One giant bonus is that since nothing is under the junk, I’ll never get another kick there when hitting a pavement seam, stick, stray cat, or whatever.  That alone is worth the price.  This is the best shock absorber of a seat ever.  An additional bonus – ventilation since there’s nothing in the middle to block the breeze!

Thank you, Jim!

For more information or to order, visit www.bycycleinc.com

Michael Maxon is an Administrative Assistant III, Uniform Patrol Bureau, Deputy Chief’s Office, of the Omaha Police Department.  He can be reached at michael.maxon@ci.omaha.ne.us.

(c) 2012 IPMBA.  This review appeared in the Winter 2012 issue of IPMBA News.

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