Shinola Bike Tour at Freshbikes in Arlington on Friday, 7/26 from 3-6pm

[PotomacCyclist]

I did a test ride of one of the bikes. I have to admit that I probably wouldn’t buy one, mostly because of the hard saddle. There’s no padding at all. Just a leather covering over the steel or whatever material used for the saddle. Same with the handlebar grips. The leather may look nice but it’s not comfortable if there isn’t any padding underneath. I don’t like squishy saddles, but this was just too spartan for my rear end.

The 1950s vibe is interesting though. I do hope that the company succeeds, because the bikes are made in the U.S., because it’s a Detroit company (a city that needs help), and because it’s something a little different.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@PotomacCyclist 59402 wrote:

I did a test ride of one of the bikes. I have to admit that I probably wouldn’t buy one, mostly because of the hard saddle. There’s no padding at all. Just a leather covering over the steel or whatever material used for the saddle. Same with the handlebar grips. The leather may look nice but it’s not comfortable if there isn’t any padding underneath. I don’t like squishy saddles, but this was just too spartan for my rear end.

Put 500 miles on one and you’ll sing a different tune. A well-broken in leather saddle feels like riding atop a warm stick of butter…

[mstone]

@TwoWheelsDC 59408 wrote:

A well-broken in leather saddle feels like riding atop a warm stick of butter…

Honestly, you’re not really selling this.

[DaveK]

@mstone 59418 wrote:

Honestly, you’re not really selling this.

Um, why do you think it’s called Chamois Butter? Duh.

[NicDiesel]

@TwoWheelsDC 59408 wrote:

Put 500 miles on one and you’ll sing a different tune. A well-broken in leather saddle feels like riding atop a warm stick of butter…

This. I actually bought a second Brooks and am breaking it in just so I have two broken in saddles should one ever die/disappear/give out supporting 350lbs for hours at a time. The Brooks proofhide helps in speeding up the process a bit, but padded shorts and DZ Nuts are a definite for those first 500 miles.

[PotomacCyclist]

I think my rear end would break before I got to 500 miles on that saddle.

[mstone]

@PotomacCyclist 59444 wrote:

I think my rear end would break before I got to 500 miles on that saddle.

htfu

Put me in the “I love brooks” category. Once it’s broken in, it’s extremely comfy even without splendiferous bike crap. I spent the weekend (150ish miles) on the towpath in regular pants, no rear end damage. Unleash your inner Grant Peterson.

[mello yello]

Tips on breaking in a leather saddle?
I have a Speedic Professional ca. 1980 that looks hardly used. I have been riding on it, but have not gotten past the “ouch” stages. The leather is very stiff. I can adjust tension, but have no idea what I’m doing.
This might need it’s own thread, since we’ve diverged quite a bit from talking about the Shinola bikes. They look good, but pricey.

[mstone]

@mello yello 59457 wrote:

Tips on breaking in a leather saddle?
I have a Speedic Professional ca. 1980 that looks hardly used. I have been riding on it, but have not gotten past the “ouch” stages. The leather is very stiff. I can adjust tension, but have no idea what I’m doing.
This might need it’s own thread, since we’ve diverged quite a bit from talking about the Shinola bikes. They look good, but pricey.

If it’s that old it just might be dead. In general, you just ride the thing. Don’t play with the tension unless the top is sagging into the bars, you’ll just rip the leather. You can try putting some leather conditioner on it to soften it a bit, but don’t overdo it or you’ll turn it to mush.

[PotomacCyclist]

@mstone 59453 wrote:

htfu

Put me in the “I love brooks” category. Once it’s broken in, it’s extremely comfy even without splendiferous bike crap. I spent the weekend (150ish miles) on the towpath in regular pants, no rear end damage. Unleash your inner Grant Peterson.

Why do I need to HTFU to ride a beach cruiser bike? I’d much rather ride a tri or road bike where I don’t have to ride 500 miles before I can tolerate the saddle. Or a commuter bike or mountain bike where I don’t have to ride 500 miles before I can tolerate the saddle. That doesn’t make any sense to me at all.

[mstone]

@PotomacCyclist 59475 wrote:

Why do I need to HTFU to ride a beach cruiser bike? I’d much rather ride a tri or road bike where I don’t have to ride 500 miles before I can tolerate the saddle. Or a commuter bike or mountain bike where I don’t have to ride 500 miles before I can tolerate the saddle. That doesn’t make any sense to me at all.

Sheesh, lighten up. The reason is simple: you put a little time in up front, then it’s really comfy for a long time. Just like a good pair of boots, they need to be softened in just the right places, and there’s no substitute for breaking them in by using them. You could skip that by using a softer leather, but then you end up with a pair of slippers (or a chamois). In my experience, saddles that are comfortable when you first get on them tend to suck after a couple of hours. That said, it also needs to be the right size or it will never feel right (e.g., if you’re sitting on the frame instead of the suspended leather). YMMV, and if you’re happy with your saddle then bully for you.

Also, one of the most uncomfortable bike rides I’ve ever taken was on a beach cruiser with a crappy plastic and foam saddle.

[mello yello]

I swapped my Speedic (brooks knock off) onto the fixed gear, since I ride that much more than the road bike.

I’ll either htfu or break it in… if it never breaks in, it might be time to start saving for a Brooks.

[elcee]

It’s strange that Shinola’s Web site downplays this, but one of their two bicycle “craftspeople” is Sky Yeager – formerly of Suntour, Bianchi, Swobo, Trek – who’s one of the most knowledgeable bike product managers in the world.

[vvill]

@elcee 59497 wrote:

It’s strange that Shinola’s Web site downplays this, but one of their two bicycle “craftspeople” is Sky Yeager – formerly of Suntour, Bianchi, Swobo, Trek – who’s one of the most knowledgeable bike product managers in the world.

She’s actually how I first heard of Shinola. I think I was reading about Swobo or something and ended up reading about her.

Shinola’s stuff looks nice but I’m just not an expensive bike/watch sorta guy.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@vvill 59503 wrote:

Shinola’s stuff looks nice but I’m just not an expensive bike/watch sorta guy.

I seriously can’t believe I just read this from vvill.

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