Stock versus Russell

[Alan]

I modified my stock seat almost immediately. Had gel added, some shaping on the front to eliminate sharp edges, and a widing of the rear. For long rides, I was getting too much pressure on my tailbone. Recently I bought a used Russell of the forum. It is at least 1" taller than stock. It was very comfortable. But with my 29" inseam, I was on my tiptoes in the low position and barely touching in the high. It was also almost impossible for be to get my leg over the seat.

I disassembled my modified stock and started comparing it to the Russell.

• I prefer the nose shaving that I had done. On the Russell, I was getting a hot spot on the thighs where it transitioned from the seat to the thighs.
  
• My modified seat has a seam right along the edge between the top and sides all the way to the front. The Russell is similar but the seam is about 1/2 down on the sides. I like the looks of the Sargent seats better, they drop the seam down before it gets to the thigh.
  
• The Russel is a little higher (1/2') at the nose. My modified seat has a loose spot here, so I think I'll build the top of the nose a small amount.
  
• Here is the biggy. There is an 11 degree difference in the slope of my modified seat (which is essentially the stock profile) and the Russell. That is 1" in 5" drop difference. Wow. This is why I have pressure on my tail bone. Interesting the actual butt area for the Russell is only about 6" from front to back. This leaves about a 4-1/2" nose and about 4" tail which slopes up. I've marked this butt area on my modified seat and am going to remove 1" from the back of the butt area and then slope and shape to the front.

Full report will be after I get in a long ride, but I'm optimistic.

P.S. If you are tall and would like a Russell, $300 shipped to Continental US

 

[sail2xxs]

Alan, I'll give the Russell a try. I have a 34" inseam, so it migth be worth a shot.

This seat has gotten more miles being shipped than ridden on!

Thanks,

Chris

 

[Alan]

Chris, my email is alan.leduc@gmail.com I want to use it to show my seat guy on Friday, but could ship a week from tomorrow.

 

[Alan]

Chris, since you have a 34" inseam, I assume you ride with the seat in the high position. The Russell feels good in both positions but the pitch is better in the high position where I could just barely touch either toe to the ground

 

[Rustykfd]

Very interested in the saddle. Put me in line please.
Rustykfd@clearwire.net

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[Rustykfd]

Fwiw I have a Rick Mayer saddle that isn't working out for me. I prefer a saddle that is higher in the front.

I may be willing to do some horsetrading.

Please keep me in mind guys.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[sail2xxs]

Chris, my email is alan.leduc@gmail.com I want to use it to show my seat guy on Friday, but could ship a week from tomorrow.

No worries Alan! I sent you an email a few minutes ago.

Best,

Chris

 

[Alan]

Fwiw I have a Rick Mayer saddle that isn't working out for me. I prefer a saddle that is higher in the front.

I may be willing to do some horsetrading.

Chris rode all the way from Maryland to Indiana , but decided to not take the Russell Seat. His concern was that the tabs made it difficult to ride standing up. If you want to trade even, for the Rick Mayer I would make a deal with you.

 

[sail2xxs]

Alan - how did Pat's effort at modifying your stock seat work out?

Chris

 

[Alan]

Chris, Pat and I got really close this time. I moved the pressure from my tailbone to my thighs. I have some small pressure points that I'll have to work out, but I can do those on my own. We radically modified the seat. By adding 1/2" to the front and taking 1/2" out of the back, I am now able to put the balls of my feet on the ground (I only have a 29" inseam). So that is an extra bonus.

The guys that are trying to use washers on the front are on the right track, but I don't think 1/4" is enough. More like 1/2" is needed to get the pitch of the seat to match the Russell. I changed the pitch by 1" over a 5". I'm figuring bumper to bumper is about 10" so they will need about 1/2".

 

[sail2xxs]

Alan,

Are you still using the stock bar configuration? Is the seat/bars relationship improving for you with the changes to the seat? I agree about the 1/2" lift in the front. Haven't gotten around to it yet; maybe this winter if I get snowed in.

Chris

 

[Motowalt]

Would all three of you guys please post pics of the Russell, Mayer and modified stock seats so we can better understand what they are all about?
Thanks lots!

 

[Alan]

Go toward the bottom of this page: http://www.bopisolutions.com/Tenere/tenere.htm I have addeded several picture of the Russell seat and my modified stock seat. I have a bit of shaving to do on the nose of my modified stock seat to get rid of a couple of pressue points in the thighs but the rest of the seat is feeling good. No more point pressure points on the tail bone.