Hardshell seats - sliding forward problem

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UpWrong
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Joined: 31 May 2009, 12:16pm
Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire

Hardshell seats - sliding forward problem

Post by UpWrong »

I chose a carbon sport seat for my Paseo when I bought it, to save weight and to make it easy to put my legs down due to the narrower width. However I seem to be sliding forward in it so having to push myself back up frequently when riding. I have the seat set at around 35 degrees and don't want to go lower because it becomes difficult to recover from a bodged launch. If I topple over at launch then I find it hard to get a foot down and stabilise the bike if my body position is too horizontal. So have been looking at options.

Thor do the Easy (GS) which is designed to be used at more upright angles. I would have to drill it and move the brackets across from the existing seat. How difficult would that be?

Ocean Cycle are cheaper, and have a more pronounced lip than my current seat. However that might prove painful if I continue to slide down.

I think the current seat is a Novosport one. They do other options but the website is a bit confusing and prices are high. I suspect the Optima seats sold at recumbentparts.com are Novosport made. Anybody know? Other options or comments?

Azub seats are a possibility. I have an XL one which came with the used Origami I bought recently. I haven't ridden it yet but from sitting on it it seems to work well at more upright angles. I bet the brackets are not compatible to try an easy swap. Might be safest to get riding the Azub and if I like the seat consider getting another for the Paseo.
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fossala
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Re: Hardshell seats - sliding forward problem

Post by fossala »

I only ever slipped forward if my boom was extended too much. Try shortening it a cm?
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[XAP]Bob
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Re: Hardshell seats - sliding forward problem

Post by [XAP]Bob »

Never had an issue on my rapto - but then it had a fairly well reclined position and a ‘scoop’ at the front...
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UpWrong
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Joined: 31 May 2009, 12:16pm
Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire

Re: Hardshell seats - sliding forward problem

Post by UpWrong »

fossala wrote:I only ever slipped forward if my boom was extended too much. Try shortening it a cm?


I had the boom too short (cramped leg action) until recently so not the problem here. It's a relatively low BB to seat height position which might influence forces when pedalling. Maybe I should velcro my trousers :D
hercule
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Re: Hardshell seats - sliding forward problem

Post by hercule »

You could add a strip of foam under the seat cushion to add a bit more of a “lip” to the front of the seat? Or one of those wedge shaped foam cushions the “wrong” way round?
UpWrong
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Re: Hardshell seats - sliding forward problem

Post by UpWrong »

I went out for another ride today. I was coming off the front of the seat almost instantly. Then it dawned on me that the lack of friction from my waterproof top might be a factor, so I removed it. It was much better but I was still gradually coming off the front. I also find the seat has too much lumbar support and that part of my back was aching. Guess the loading should be primarily on the shoulders with possibly some on the pelvis. My conclusion is to get another seat with less lumbar support and a larger seat pan area and horn. Hmmm, will have to explore if there is any chance of mounting the Azub seat, or a RANS sling mesh seat I have lying around.
D.TEK HPVS
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Re: Hardshell seats - sliding forward problem

Post by D.TEK HPVS »

Anyone for tennis ?
A soft pummel might improve matters .
DIY method .........sounds weird ….but works
Find a Tennis ball .....using a hole saw cut a hole in the fibreglass shell (smaller than the ball) down on the front base area .
Position the ball into the hole ….so that approx. 40% protrudes ….to form a "soft "pummel on the topside
Then use hot melt glue or cold silicone seal to form a gasket on the underside of the new ball socket to secure .
If you don't like yellow balls being exposed to the world ??? :shock:
….you can cover over .........before sealing …..with black stretch lyrca …..to make it less noticeable
I have used this idea on special need projects . :wink:
UpWrong
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Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire

Re: Hardshell seats - sliding forward problem

Post by UpWrong »

Thanks Kevin, I can see that might help and doesn't sounnd too difficult. I don't think I'm far off getting it right for me. I've had a subsequent thought to try it without the pad and then if that works to construct a minimalist pad, a bit like the ICE Air Pro seats. (Not a fair comparison, but you get my drift :lol: .)
UpWrong
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Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire

Re: Hardshell seats - sliding forward problem

Post by UpWrong »

It looks like a thinner pad rather than the thicker Nazca one will help so I'm going to give that a go. Your backside then fills the concavity of the seat base better. Also going to try a bit of camping mat stuck on the back of the seat to reduce the lumbar support and make me a little more upright whilst keeping the seat base at the same angle.
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Tigerbiten
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Re: Hardshell seats - sliding forward problem

Post by Tigerbiten »

Because my arm harness pulls my shoulders back, I need the top of seat to be slightly convex not concave.
I find a thin polystyrene pad doesn't collapse like a camping mat pad does.
Look at the packing material from boxes/parcels, because you can get/cut it to the right thickness/shape.
That what I use to change the shape of my hardshell seat behind my shoulders.

Luck ......... :D
UpWrong
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Joined: 31 May 2009, 12:16pm
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Re: Hardshell seats - sliding forward problem

Post by UpWrong »

Photos from today showing the modified seat shape. You can see the blue camping mat underneath the seat pad on the upper part of the seat, https://photos.app.goo.gl/XStmKvjXvXSWYXeo7

It worked well. I wasn't sliding forward, my lumbar region did not get sore and the slighty more upright angle helped with launching the bike. In fact, I was a lot more relaxed and felt more in control throughout the ride. It's amazing how small things can make a big difference. :D
belgiangoth
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Re: Hardshell seats - sliding forward problem

Post by belgiangoth »

Just came across this post. I have also had issues sliding off the front and it dawned on me yesterday that I might want to cut back on the lumbar support (fitted by previous owner). I'll know if it works when I ride it next.
If I had a baby elephant, I would put it on a recumbent trike so that it would become invisible.
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