Cheapest source for M5 seat and padding?

Not an M5, but the Optima Hard-shells are close in design and the "porous open cell" foam UR talking
about needs to be covered...the foam is as soft to the skin as steel wool. The Carbon Hard-shell is
$240. usd, the foam is $30. usd ($270. usd is pretty good). Try triketrails.comtriketrails.comOpen ↗ Click on
Optima and then on Accessories. Triketrails has a M5 Headrest, which works on the Optima Carbon.

Hint for NG, a low cost way to ship is to use Greyhound Buses. Anywhere a Greyhound travels to, for
a small Parcel Fee they'll ship your Hard-shell. I had a Hard-shell shipped this way ($13.00 for a
400 mile trip and it arrived same day it was sent)..hope it helps.
----------------------------------------------------------
"B. Sanders" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:5NTaa.27281$S_4.20646@rwcrnsc53...

Quoted message said:

Anybody know a cheap source for an M5 hard-shell seat (preferably carbon). The M5 price is
reasonable; but shipping jacks it up to the stratosphere.

I know about the carbon seats sold by PowerOn; but I think I want an M5

seat

Quoted message said:

(or clone).

Also: Where can I get some of that 2" thick filter foam padding? It's

the

Quoted message said:

airy, fibrous kind that you often see on hard-shell seats. I can't seem

to

Quoted message said:

locate any. What is it actually called?

Thanks,

Barry

"Joshua Goldberg" skrev ...

Quoted message said:

Not an M5, but the Optima Hard-shells are close in design and the "porous open cell" foam UR
talking about needs to be covered...the foam is as soft to the skin as steel wool.

A T-shirt is all you need to be comfortable on the foam unless you absolutely want to parade your
gorillatie.

zephyr.nlenter.htmlOpen ↗ ("Zittings en kussens" in left menu)

Has the foam in 30 x 100 cm pieces which is big enough for the HP-Velotechnik seat that I think is
the widest one around. (28 cm) I paid the 20 euro listed plus 5 euro postage to Denmark.

He also sells seats for 79 euro but only small and medium if you want fiberglass. Payment via
Pay-Pal or bank transfer.

Regards Mikael

"Mikael Seierup" <[email hidden]> wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

"Joshua Goldberg" skrev ...

Quoted message said:

Not an M5, but the Optima Hard-shells are close in design and the "porous open cell" foam UR
talking about needs to be covered...the foam is as soft to the skin as steel wool.

A T-shirt is all you need to be comfortable on the foam unless you absolutely want to parade your
gorillatie.

zephyr.nlenter.htmlOpen ↗ ("Zittings en kussens" in left menu)

Has the foam in 30 x 100 cm pieces which is big enough for the HP-Velotechnik seat that I think is
the widest one around. (28 cm) I paid the 20 euro listed plus 5 euro postage to Denmark.

He also sells seats for 79 euro but only small and medium if you want fiberglass. Payment via
Pay-Pal or bank transfer.

Regards Mikael

I haven't tried the M5 seat, but I have had the HP Velo and Swanson seats. The fit is almost
identical, with the Swanson having a bit of cupping action at the lumbar. I actually like the fit of
the Swanson a bit better than the HP seat. The Swanson seat is supposed to have been based upon the
Optima seat. I would trade my Swanson for an Optima Trike seat, IF what I have read is true: The
Optima trike seat has a wider base. Garrie Hill sells (sold?)the foam in the U.S. by square foot,
and also built some carbon shells. My problem with hardshells is that I am trying to use them in a
more upright position than perhaps for which they were designed, it feels like I'm going to slide
off the front edge of the seat. That feeling is gradually reduced the further back it is reclined.

rorschandt

Rorschandt, IMO you are correct about the Swanson and Optima seats being quite similar. These seats
as well as the M5 are designed for 25/30 degrees of recline. Like you I have found that using these
seats in the more upright position causes butt slip and in the long run discomfort from the front
lip digging into your lower butt or upper thigh area. I use the open cell foam on the M5 Its great,
for me anyway. The coarseness has no effect on me and a Tee Shirt is all the protection you need as
another poster pointed out. Last year, I said to a Street Machine rider that I like his seat cover.
It was August and he turned around to show me the back of his sopping wet jersey, his complaint was
its always wet and slippery. I am a big fan of the Euro seats. I find them to be quite comfortable.
I have experience with many of the current foam based and slung seats. I prefer the hard-shell. My
touring version of the STRADA will sport the standard Bacchetta recurve seat because of the
underseat pannier mounting option, However, making a mounting system for an underseat system for the
hard-shells is not really a big deal. All in all I think that the euro seat will be an ever
increasing presence in the US market. Possibly some will be designed with a more upright rider in
mind. However, IMO the reclined position distributes the weight and can for many have a virtually
recumbent buttless result. But.... as always trial and error seems to be the way that we find this
out...and this can be expensive. Lets hope that the prices come down.

Jude....///Bacchetta AERO St. Michaels and Tilghman Island.. Maryland Wheel Doctor Cycle and Sports,
Inc 1-800-586-6645 "rorschandt" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Mikael Seierup" <[email hidden]> wrote in
:"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

"Joshua Goldberg" skrev ...

Quoted message said:

Not an M5, but the Optima Hard-shells are close in design and the "porous open cell" foam UR
talking about needs to be covered...the foam is as soft to the skin as steel wool.

A T-shirt is all you need to be comfortable on the foam unless you absolutely want to parade
your gorillatie.

zephyr.nlenter.htmlOpen ↗ ("Zittings en kussens" in left menu)

Has the foam in 30 x 100 cm pieces which is big enough for the HP-Velotechnik seat that I think
is the widest one around. (28 cm) I paid the 20 euro listed plus 5 euro postage to Denmark.

He also sells seats for 79 euro but only small and medium if you want fiberglass. Payment via
Pay-Pal or bank transfer.

Regards Mikael

I haven't tried the M5 seat, but I have had the HP Velo and Swanson seats. The fit is almost
identical, with the Swanson having a bit of cupping action at the lumbar. I actually like the fit
of the Swanson a bit better than the HP seat. The Swanson seat is supposed to have been based upon
the Optima seat. I would trade my Swanson for an Optima Trike seat, IF what I have read is true:
The Optima trike seat has a wider base. Garrie Hill sells (sold?)the foam in the U.S. by square
foot, and also built some carbon shells. My problem with hardshells is that I am trying to use
them in a more upright position than perhaps for which they were designed, it feels like I'm going
to slide off the front edge of the seat. That feeling is gradually reduced the further back it is
reclined.

rorschandt

Slide off the front of the Hardshell?...OUCH The Optima seat is more rounded at the base, whereas
the Swanson is more pointed. I like the Swanson (almost bought the Licence last year from Karl and I
routinely kick myself for not buying it) but the Optimas cost less (in Canada) and no
shipping/import hassles. I understand that Mark Power at Power-On Cycling in Florida picked up the
Licence, perhaps he could modify one of the molds to make it more rounded (like the Optima).
Power-On Cycling also sells the Open Cell Foam (or did the last time I checked b4 xmas). If U live
in the U.S. buying from Mark Power makes more sense, Optima still hasn't nailed down distribution of
their Accessories in the USA....and Mark Power (should) be able to re-enforce the seats if
needed....hmmm, what I mean is, where the mounting brackets are (base and back) you can have extra
layers of Carbon Fiber built up around the brackets to make the brackets more secure...I had this
done on my Hardshell (because) on my trike I need to lean in turns and it was bending the mounting
brackets. Oh Yeah...I don't ride without a shirt on, but I have ridden with a short sleeved T-Shirt
and the seat foam was like Steel Wool on my bare arms...but I won't buy the seat cover. I take my
Foam with me when I go into a building. It is secured with only 2 strips of Velcro and kids like to
remove what comes off easily where I park the trike. I carry a "check list" of stuff I need to
remove when I park.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"rorschandt" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Mikael Seierup" <[email hidden]> wrote in
:"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

"Joshua Goldberg" skrev ...

Quoted message said:

Not an M5, but the Optima Hard-shells are close in design and the "porous open cell" foam UR
talking about needs to be covered...the foam is as soft to the skin as steel wool.

A T-shirt is all you need to be comfortable on the foam unless you absolutely want to parade
your gorillatie.

zephyr.nlenter.htmlOpen ↗ ("Zittings en kussens" in left menu)

Has the foam in 30 x 100 cm pieces which is big enough for the HP-Velotechnik seat that I think
is the widest one around. (28 cm) I paid the 20 euro listed plus 5 euro postage to Denmark.

He also sells seats for 79 euro but only small and medium if you want fiberglass. Payment via
Pay-Pal or bank transfer.

Regards Mikael

I haven't tried the M5 seat, but I have had the HP Velo and Swanson seats. The fit is almost
identical, with the Swanson having a bit of cupping action at the lumbar. I actually like the fit
of the Swanson a bit better than the HP seat. The Swanson seat is supposed to have been based upon
the Optima seat. I would trade my Swanson for an Optima Trike seat, IF what I have read is true:
The Optima trike seat has a wider base. Garrie Hill sells (sold?)the foam in the U.S. by square
foot, and also built some carbon shells. My problem with hardshells is that I am trying to use
them in a more upright position than perhaps for which they were designed, it feels like I'm going
to slide off the front edge of the seat. That feeling is gradually reduced the further back it is
reclined.

rorschandt

"Jude T. McGloin" <[email hidden]> wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

All in all I think that the euro seat will be an ever increasing presence in the US market.
Possibly some will be designed with a more upright rider in mind. However, IMO the reclined
position distributes the weight and can for many have a virtually recumbent buttless result.
But.... as always trial and error seems to be the way that we find this out...and this can be
expensive. Lets hope that the prices come down.

Jude....///Bacchetta AERO St. Michaels and Tilghman Island.. Maryland Wheel Doctor Cycle and
Sports, Inc 1-800-586-6645

I actually prefer the seat in the "totally laid back" position, but the grumblings from my neck are
impossible to ignore. My neck is fine* if the seat is more like 40 degrees incline.

rorschandt *A relative term, my neck is far from fine when I am NOT on a bike. Most riders will not
have a problem with reclined angles.

You can add a M5 Headrest for your neck...even add an extra 2 inches of foam for added support.
----------------------------------------------------
"rorschandt" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Jude T. McGloin" <[email hidden]> wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

All in all I think that the euro seat will be an ever increasing presence in the US market.
Possibly some will be designed with a more upright rider in mind. However, IMO the reclined
position distributes the weight and can for many have a virtually recumbent buttless
result. But.... as always trial and error seems to be the way that we find this out...and
this can be expensive. Lets hope that the prices come down.

Jude....///Bacchetta AERO St. Michaels and Tilghman Island.. Maryland Wheel Doctor Cycle and
Sports, Inc 1-800-586-6645

I actually prefer the seat in the "totally laid back" position, but the grumblings from my neck
are impossible to ignore. My neck is fine* if the seat is more like 40 degrees incline.

rorschandt *A relative term, my neck is far from fine when I am NOT on a bike. Most riders will
not have a problem with reclined angles.

try a hard shell seat from Turner, IMHO, the most comfortable seat i've used, hard shell that
is, and it is designed to be more upright with out the slipping, feeling. about 130.00 with pad
I believe.

Jude T. McGloin said:

Rorschandt, IMO you are correct about the Swanson and Optima seats being quite similar. These
seats as well as the M5 are designed for 25/30 degrees of recline. Like you I have found that
using these seats in the more upright position causes butt slip and in the long run discomfort
from the front lip digging into your lower butt or upper thigh area. I use the open cell foam on
the M5 Its great, for me anyway. The coarseness has no effect on me and a Tee Shirt is all the
protection you need as another poster pointed out. Last year, I said to a Street Machine rider
that I like his seat cover. It was August and he turned around to show me the back of his sopping
wet jersey, his complaint was its always wet and slippery. I am a big fan of the Euro seats. I
find them to be quite comfortable. I have experience with many of the current foam based and
slung seats. I prefer the hard-shell. My touring version of the STRADA will sport the standard
Bacchetta recurve seat because of the underseat pannier mounting option, However, making a
mounting system for an underseat system for the hard-shells is not really a big deal. All in all
I think that the euro seat will be an ever increasing presence in the US market. Possibly some
will be designed with a more upright rider in mind. However, IMO the reclined position
distributes the weight and can for many have a virtually recumbent buttless result. But.... as
always trial and error seems to be the way that we find this out...and this can be expensive.
Lets hope that the prices come down.

Jude....///Bacchetta AERO St. Michaels and Tilghman Island.. Maryland Wheel Doctor Cycle and
Sports, Inc 1-800-586-6645 "rorschandt" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Mikael Seierup" <[email hidden]> wrote in
:"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

"Joshua Goldberg" skrev ...

>Not an M5, but the Optima Hard-shells are close in design and the "porous open cell" foam UR
>talking about needs to be covered...the foam is as soft to the skin as steel wool.

A T-shirt is all you need to be comfortable on the foam unless you absolutely want to parade your
gorillatie.

zephyr.nlenter.htmlOpen ↗ ("Zittings en kussens" in left menu)

Has the foam in 30 x 100 cm pieces which is big enough for the HP-Velotechnik seat that I think
is the widest one around. (28 cm) I paid the 20 euro listed plus 5 euro postage to Denmark.

He also sells seats for 79 euro but only small and medium if you want fiberglass. Payment via
Pay-Pal or bank transfer.

Regards Mikael

I haven't tried the M5 seat, but I have had the HP Velo and Swanson seats. The fit is almost
identical, with the Swanson having a bit of cupping action at the lumbar. I actually like the fit
of the Swanson a bit better than the HP seat. The Swanson seat is supposed to have been based upon
the Optima seat. I would trade my Swanson for an Optima Trike seat, IF what I have read is true:
The Optima trike seat has a wider base. Garrie Hill sells (sold?)the foam in the U.S. by square
foot, and also built some carbon shells. My problem with hardshells is that I am trying to use
them in a more upright position than perhaps for which they were designed, it feels like I'm going
to slide off the front edge of the seat. That feeling is gradually reduced the further back it is
reclined.

rorschandt

rorschandt said:

I actually prefer the seat in the "totally laid back" position, but the grumblings from my neck
are impossible to ignore. My neck is fine* if the seat is more like 40 degrees incline.

rorschandt *A relative term, my neck is far from fine when I am NOT on a bike. Most riders will
not have a problem with reclined angles.

Have you tried gradually reducing the reclining angle? One or two degrees too far might indeed make
the difference between comfort and discomfort. But riding a certain angle for a couple of weeks
gives your neck muscles enough power to take an extra degree, and another, and another.

Kees, riding at 23 degrees (angle, not centigrade yet)

rorschandt said:

I actually prefer the seat in the "totally laid back" position, but the grumblings from my neck
are impossible to ignore. My neck is fine* if the seat is more like 40 degrees incline.

The Earth Cycles seat is very comfortable for me at around 40 degrees of incline. It is similar to
the Lighting seat, except narrower, lighter, and with more lumbar support (and of course the
industrial hemp seat pad cover). So far it is the best seat for me that I have found.

Tom Sherman - Various HPV's Quad Cities USA (Illinois side)

Tom Sherman <[email hidden]> wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

rorschandt said:

I actually prefer the seat in the "totally laid back" position, but the grumblings from my neck
are impossible to ignore. My neck is fine* if the seat is more like 40 degrees incline.

The Earth Cycles seat is very comfortable for me at around 40 degrees of incline. It is similar to
the Lighting seat, except narrower, lighter, and with more lumbar support (and of course the
industrial hemp seat pad cover). So far it is the best seat for me that I have found.

Tom Sherman - Various HPV's Quad Cities USA (Illinois side)

recently, I tried to buy a used earthcycles seat, but was too late. My current trike project, I am
installing a swanson seat because it is what I have around. I am trying to make it so that if I want
a different seat later, it will be readily acceptable bracket-wise. Elsewhere in this thread, a
strategy of "gentle acclimatization to recline" is suggested. Very good idea, but the muscles are
not the problem. The vertebrae crunch together, pinching innocent nerves/tissues in the process. I
have a neck without the normal curve at the top, I'd show my x- ray, but it is too big for the
scanner...

rorschandt