I picked up my new seat from Baldwin Custom Saddles yesterday morning and spent the last two days trying it out. I rode about an hour over to the shop on the stock seat and was already getting sore from it. I took a longer way home that lasted about 2 1/2 hours, and my butt felt better when I got off the bike at home than it did when I got on.
Last Sunday I took a three hour ride on the stock seat and did the same ride plus some today. On the stock seat I was standing on the pegs periodically after the first hour trying to get some relief, and finally had to stop and get off about twenty minutes from home because I couldn't stand it any longer. Sunday night I had to take some Advil to relieve the pain in my backside enough to get to sleep. For me the stock seat is just too soft and feels like I am straddling a log by an hour into a ride.
The Baldwin seat is much more firm and provides much better support. I got the gel insert for even more support. I was still a little bit sore this morning when I took off and rode the same route I did on Sunday. There were a few times I had to shift around on the seat a little bit, but I never had to stand on the pegs or get off the bike. In fact, I felt so good when I got back to town I kept going and rode another two hours without standing up or getting off the bike. I also noticed that bumps in the road are now just bumps instead of a jolting pain. After I got home I had a mild warm sensation in my backside that lasted about ten minutes. I have no doubt this will truly be an all day seat, especially after the last of the soreness from the stock seat is gone. I also noticed the pain I usually get between my shoulder blades was gone. I don't know exactly what effect the new seat would have on that but it seems to have done something.
The customer service dealing with Loren Mock, the owner of Baldwin Custom Saddles, was first rate. He responded to my inquiries quickly and made sure we were on the same page about what I wanted. The seat was ready for pick up exactly three weeks to the day from when I placed the order like I was told it would be. The workmanship and materials on the seat are also top notch. I took a close look at it when I got home and couldn't find so much as a stitch out of place. I thought the price was pretty reasonable too, especially considering the standard seat is less expensive than a Sargent.
The only possible downside is you have to trade in your stock seat. Of course, not having to buy seat pans helps keep the cost down, and you don't have to be without a seat while yours is being made. The Baldwin seat also rides a little higher than stock even though they are the same height. I'm sure this is because the Baldwin seat doesn't compress down to the seat pan as soon as you sit on it. It doesn't seem to be much of an issue with getting your feet down, but someone who was right on the edge of having trouble with that on the stock seat might have a problem.
I am very pleased with my seat and recommend Baldwin Custom Saddles to anyone in the market for a new seat.
Last Sunday I took a three hour ride on the stock seat and did the same ride plus some today. On the stock seat I was standing on the pegs periodically after the first hour trying to get some relief, and finally had to stop and get off about twenty minutes from home because I couldn't stand it any longer. Sunday night I had to take some Advil to relieve the pain in my backside enough to get to sleep. For me the stock seat is just too soft and feels like I am straddling a log by an hour into a ride.
The Baldwin seat is much more firm and provides much better support. I got the gel insert for even more support. I was still a little bit sore this morning when I took off and rode the same route I did on Sunday. There were a few times I had to shift around on the seat a little bit, but I never had to stand on the pegs or get off the bike. In fact, I felt so good when I got back to town I kept going and rode another two hours without standing up or getting off the bike. I also noticed that bumps in the road are now just bumps instead of a jolting pain. After I got home I had a mild warm sensation in my backside that lasted about ten minutes. I have no doubt this will truly be an all day seat, especially after the last of the soreness from the stock seat is gone. I also noticed the pain I usually get between my shoulder blades was gone. I don't know exactly what effect the new seat would have on that but it seems to have done something.
The customer service dealing with Loren Mock, the owner of Baldwin Custom Saddles, was first rate. He responded to my inquiries quickly and made sure we were on the same page about what I wanted. The seat was ready for pick up exactly three weeks to the day from when I placed the order like I was told it would be. The workmanship and materials on the seat are also top notch. I took a close look at it when I got home and couldn't find so much as a stitch out of place. I thought the price was pretty reasonable too, especially considering the standard seat is less expensive than a Sargent.
The only possible downside is you have to trade in your stock seat. Of course, not having to buy seat pans helps keep the cost down, and you don't have to be without a seat while yours is being made. The Baldwin seat also rides a little higher than stock even though they are the same height. I'm sure this is because the Baldwin seat doesn't compress down to the seat pan as soon as you sit on it. It doesn't seem to be much of an issue with getting your feet down, but someone who was right on the edge of having trouble with that on the stock seat might have a problem.
I am very pleased with my seat and recommend Baldwin Custom Saddles to anyone in the market for a new seat.
