Quote:
Originally Posted by Fuzz
Do not get a gel seat cover, they are nonsense. If you are riding much, just get some proper bike shorts with a chamois built in. If you don't want spandex you can get ones sewn in to shorts, but I prefer just wearing a light pair of shorts over top.
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I agree... no gel covers. That soft squishy stuff goes into your crack(s) and causes more issues. Counter intuitively a firm seat quickly becomes more comfy, however you need to be riding at least weekly to get your butt used to riding, get your seat angle, fore/aft, and height setup. No need to spend a ton of money on bike shorts... the cheap stuff from MEC is fine, just wear your chosen baggies over top. Like all things, it's trial and error and more expensive doesn't always equate to better for you.
Also regarding efficiency... yes it's nice to think you have less rolling resistance but keep in mind the gravel or short dirt paths you may take, also the rubber may be a little thicker with some knobs making it more resilient. Nothing worse that going 5% faster only to get a lot more flats. Also your drivetrain efficiency makes a big difference - keep it clean and properly lubed (NOT WD40), as will nice shifting and brakes.