begining cyclist Me Help please.

1st read a good article on bicycle fitting and make sure things (on your bike) are positioned within the commonly accepted standards.
The saddle is generally set at level (as could be determined with a carpeneters level, but make the bike is on level ground) or very close to it.
Mainly though, even if everything is positioned correctly, you will be sore as hell, at some points, during the first few weeks of getting used to the saddle applying pressure to areas where normally there is little.

zorly said:

1st read a good article on bicycle fitting and make sure things (on your bike) are positioned within the commonly accepted standards.
The saddle is generally set at level (as could be determined with a carpeneters level, but make the bike is on level ground) or very close to it.
Mainly though, even if everything is positioned correctly, you will be sore as hell, at some points, during the first few weeks of getting used to the saddle applying pressure to areas where normally there is little.

I completely agree. Also, you may need to try several saddles to find one that works best for you. Everyone is is different, and there a bjillion different saddles out there. I suggest going to a good bike shop, making sure your bike is fitted to you, and try saddles until you find one you like. It does take a bit to get built up to be able to ride longer distances. Keep with it and you'll find biking is a wonderful sport.

The reason we can ride for tons of miles is because we wear padded shorts. Pearl Izumi is the best. They are exspensive, but are worth it.

snowbboots said:

The reason we can ride for tons of miles is because we wear padded shorts. Pearl Izumi is the best. They are exspensive, but are worth it.

True regarding padded shorts/tights/knickers. But Pearl Izumi "the best"? Have you tried Giordana? And isn't Assos (which I can't afford, even if on sale) supposed to be top of the line? Also, note that padding thickness and design can very quite a bit between different styles from the same manufacturer, let alone between manufacturers.

I like the Giordana Tenax Laser Shorts/Tights and have come to much prefer the comfort and fit of Bibs.

Also, the saddle makes a BIG difference. Got my prostate pounded several years ago riding a borrowed MTB on the old Denali highway (110 mi. of bad gravel road); was riding sidesaddle after the first 25. But on my road bike, never any discomfort even when just starting out.

OldGoat said:

True regarding padded shorts/tights/knickers. But Pearl Izumi "the best"? Have you tried Giordana? And isn't Assos (which I can't afford, even if on sale) supposed to be top of the line? Also, note that padding thickness and design can very quite a bit between different styles from the same manufacturer, let alone between manufacturers.

I like the Giordana Tenax Laser Shorts/Tights and have come to much prefer the comfort and fit of Bibs.

Also, the saddle makes a BIG difference. Got my prostate pounded several years ago riding a borrowed MTB on the old Denali highway (110 mi. of bad gravel road); was riding sidesaddle after the first 25. But on my road bike, never any discomfort even when just starting out.

Pearl Izumi is one of the best.

snowbboots said:

Pearl Izumi is one of the best.

OK. At least PI's are a reasonable choice at a reasonable price.

My first shorts were cheap Bellwethers, which had a pad that was next to useless. The Giordana's 3D OF pad is much superior. Here's a review from Cycling News:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2005/reviews/giordana_tenax