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I have been an enthusiastic advocate of gel pads for awhile. Never realizing that the ancient gel pad i have would be any better or worse than any other gel pad.
The "ancient gel pad" is actually (another) horse saddle pad that has gel inserts designed to protect the horse's back (not the rider's backside!) This pad has been great on the Wee.
After adding Dirty Sally to the stable, I quickly realized that girl's seat needed some help. Got a Cycle Gear gel pad. It wasn't satisfactory but i blamed the seat, not the gel pad. Very soon tho, the straps on the cheap Cycle Gear pad had frayed and ripped.
Looking at a longish ride with no gel pad--i decided to put the gel pad from the Wee on the little bike. Ahh...much better. Remarkably better, in fact.
So, all gel pads are not equal. I'm now checking into Saddlemen's gel pads.
Side note: the old gel pad is medical grade solid gel used on operating tables to prevent blood from pooling. An MD I worked for in the 1980's saw the potential for horses and designed and sold saddle pads with gel inserts. Part of my job was to answer the 1800 number, answering questions and taking orders for the pads. It was interesting to talk with the "chefs de equippe" for several Olympic teams. (Just a little bit of interesting trivia for you. Or mebbe not so interesting...)
The "ancient gel pad" is actually (another) horse saddle pad that has gel inserts designed to protect the horse's back (not the rider's backside!) This pad has been great on the Wee.
After adding Dirty Sally to the stable, I quickly realized that girl's seat needed some help. Got a Cycle Gear gel pad. It wasn't satisfactory but i blamed the seat, not the gel pad. Very soon tho, the straps on the cheap Cycle Gear pad had frayed and ripped.
Looking at a longish ride with no gel pad--i decided to put the gel pad from the Wee on the little bike. Ahh...much better. Remarkably better, in fact.
So, all gel pads are not equal. I'm now checking into Saddlemen's gel pads.
Side note: the old gel pad is medical grade solid gel used on operating tables to prevent blood from pooling. An MD I worked for in the 1980's saw the potential for horses and designed and sold saddle pads with gel inserts. Part of my job was to answer the 1800 number, answering questions and taking orders for the pads. It was interesting to talk with the "chefs de equippe" for several Olympic teams. (Just a little bit of interesting trivia for you. Or mebbe not so interesting...)
