BAH!   If I could do a hill on the mountain bike - a hill on the hybrid will
be a cake walk.   I find standing while riding is so much easier on the
hybrid than the mountain bike.

Well, this makes me feel better, because I have a hell of a time with hills
on my hybrid.

Mary

That's easy. Assuming you liked the Terry Liberator on your old bike, I
recommend...

The Terry Liberator :)
--
Matthew
185/177/160
To reply by e-mail, heat things up a bit.

I have the Liberator on my bike but I've been thinking about replacing
it this year.  I find it leaves me slightly numb on longer rides (35+
miles).  I've heard some good reviews on Specialized Alias and Avater.
According to the Specailized website my local bike shop sells them.  I
may ask to give one a trial spin the next time I visit.  It's about
time to take the bike in for a spring tune-up before biking season gets
into full swing around here.  

Beverly

I can't recall what brand my old seat is.   What is nice is the whole cut
out in a very strategicly placed area that is then covered by the gel and
the cover.  But this means there is just soft cushion under your most
sensitive pelvic area.  (on the seat, its right where the front begins to
narrow)

Although I have to say - the amount of gel used on my old seat is not as
much as that used on the new seat.   I like the additional cushion on the
new seat, although I'm not used to the wideness of it yet.  (its a bit
wider than the old seat).

The new seat is whatever comes standard on the Giant bikes.  I haven't gone
for a long ride yet, so I can't comment on its comfort from that
standpoint.   I've really only gone for a bunch of little 3mile rides to
get the adjustments down.    My ride yesterday got thwarted.  I got busy in
the yard and lost track of time, then wound up with a hunger headache and
dizzyness that put a damper on any ride attempts for the day.  

For me, the most comfortable saddle, by far, is a hard leather Brookes
saddle. I know this is a counterintuitive approach, but many experienced
long-distance cyclists agree (try asking the question on rec.bicycles.misc
and you'll see). The theory behind this is that underneath the fat and
muscle of the human bottom are two rounded bony arches, the ischial
tuberosities (or sit bones). Those should be carrying the rider's weight. On
a gel saddle, the sit bones sink into the soft surface, so that the
perineum, the soft tissues between the sit bones, end up supporting some of
the body's weight as well.

Because they're soft and spread weight over a wide area, get saddles feel
great at first, but that doesn't last. In the long run, pressure against the
perineum will cause local pain. Soft saddles can also lead to numbness the
areas served by nerves and blood vessels passing through the perineum. Seats
with cut-outs are one way of trying to deal with this, but a harder saddle
remains the choice of many. It takes a little getting used to, but a real
leather saddle (not a leather covered plastic one, but thick leather
stretched over a frame) molds to the rider's anatomy and soon fits like the
proverbial glove.

I know reasonable minds (and butts) sometimes differ on the question of
saddles, but speaking as someone who's ridden centuries on a leather saddle
and who's ridden over 300 miles since January 1, despite Chicago winter
weather, a Brookes saddle can be the most comfortable choice in the long
run.

--
Paul Turner