General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Spongy Wonder Bike Seats Rss Feed  
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2010-02-15 7:05 PM

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Subject: Spongy Wonder Bike Seats


2010-02-16 2:11 AM
in reply to: #2674388

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Subject: RE: Spongy Wonder Bike Seats
The one thing I've found as my distances increased on the bike was the softer the bike saddle the more likely it was to chafe. There's a reason the RAAM and TdF people ride saddles that look like they're carved out of marble.
2010-02-16 3:02 AM
in reply to: #2674783

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Subject: RE: Spongy Wonder Bike Seats
DanielG - 2010-02-16 3:11 AM The one thing I've found as my distances increased on the bike was the softer the bike saddle the more likely it was to chafe. There's a reason the RAAM and TdF people ride saddles that look like they're carved out of marble.


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2010-02-16 3:44 AM
in reply to: #2674787

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Subject: RE: Spongy Wonder Bike Seats
He had me going until he said that the top layer is grippy.  That sounds like chafe-arama.
2010-02-16 8:38 AM
in reply to: #2674388

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Master
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Subject: RE: Spongy Wonder Bike Seats

Sounds like an interesting concept...even...some of you think it will chafe...

Hope somebody can give us a review....

2010-02-16 11:02 AM
in reply to: #2674388

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Subject: RE: Spongy Wonder Bike Seats
I don't understand the concept of an underwater test for a bike saddle, what's the point?


2010-02-16 11:23 AM
in reply to: #2675413

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Subject: RE: Spongy Wonder Bike Seats
losta - 2010-02-16 12:02 PM

I don't understand the concept of an underwater test for a bike saddle, what's the point?


For people who participate in aquabike, of course
2010-02-17 1:09 AM
in reply to: #2675413

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Subject: RE: Spongy Wonder Bike Seats
losta - 2010-02-16 12:02 PM I don't understand the concept of an underwater test for a bike saddle, what's the point?

From what I understood, they do underwater bike tests as part of military training (get their HR up while underwater, for SEALS or something it looked like). They needed a seat that could be used during those tests. They chose Spongy Wonder. <--I figured this out (if it is even right) because I, too, was thinking WTF??

I'm all intrigued by this now. I have serious seat fit issues. Too bad they are $70. I might lay out the cash, though - it looks like he has a good return policy if it doesn't work out.
2010-02-17 7:24 AM
in reply to: #2674388

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Subject: RE: Spongy Wonder Bike Seats
One of the reasons bike saddles have a "nose" is that that part of the saddle greatly helps you in steering the bike.  Pressure from your upper thighs on either side of the nose directs the bike and helps you balance through the turn...especially at high speeds (i.e. descents).

Trying to steer at high speeds on a nose-less saddle would be difficult and dangerous at best.  There's a reason why these designs have been around for >50 years and have never caught on.

Get a proper bike fit and the right saddle and you can go for 24 hrs straight with no problems (I know).  It may take a LOT of trial/error/$$, but it's really the only way.
2013-06-27 11:56 AM
in reply to: yorkee


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Subject: RE: Spongy Wonder Bike Seats
Hi! jeff Dixon from Spongy Wonder. To answer your question: About 16,000+ riders. How many are triathletes I cannot say. One thing I can tell you though...the tri guys who bought our seat and later called me to offer praise all said the same thing: The seat put them onto their aero bars in a more "natural" (their words exactly) way.

Thanks,

jeff
2013-06-27 11:59 AM
in reply to: DanielG


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Subject: RE: Spongy Wonder Bike Seats
Hi DanielG! Jeff Dixon from Spongy Wonder. Our name does give teh impression of something plush, plush, plush. The foam is actually a medium density with a durometer of 7.5lbs per square inch. Most of our riders are not Triathletes and a lot would like it softer so we will becoming out with a softer option ASAP. But just for the record it is not something you sink into as if it is a comfy womfy pillow.

Thanks,

Jeff


2013-06-27 12:04 PM
in reply to: pga_mike


6

Subject: RE: Spongy Wonder Bike Seats
Hi PGA Mike!

Jeff Dixon from Spongy Wonder correcting some of the impressions for which I have been responsible. Dual platform seats are angles towards the front of the bike so an upper covering that has a high coefficiency of friction is necessary. I guess I have more miles on it than anyone and there is no chafing issues. Because you are sitting on your glutes and hence your sit bones some have found that they are wearing out there shorts a little sooner but in all he 16,000+ seats we sold only one person felt that was a significant issue. I guess believe the benefits outweigh the losses. Sorry to give you the wrong impression.

Jeff
2013-06-27 12:10 PM
in reply to: DanielG


6

Subject: RE: Spongy Wonder Bike Seats
Hi Again Daniel G! Your response seems pretty normal to me. Defense Research and Development Corp called us for a solution to the problem they were having with conventional seats. I thought it was simply a great story and illustrated the value of our all stainless (except the pads of course) construction. The seat are used by the Canadian version of your US naval seals. I guess it is about 7 years since they bought that first batch. Every year I call them and ask if they need replacements and every year they tell me "Nope - the seats are great."

The concept of planned obsolescene is foreign to us.

Jeff

2013-06-27 12:12 PM
in reply to: Slugger


6

Subject: RE: Spongy Wonder Bike Seats
Hi Slugger! All of this reminds me of a client from Australia who emailed and said "Riding bikes underwater? You crazy bastards! Sign me up!"

Love that quote!

Jeff Dixon
Spongy Wonder Inc.
2013-06-27 12:17 PM
in reply to: danimal123


6

Subject: RE: Spongy Wonder Bike Seats
Hi there! Jeff Dixon form Spongy Wonder. I have responded to issue of control more than once so sorry if I am boring you. We have been in business for 14 years and if there was a real issue it would have come up by now and we would no doubt have been sued out of existence. There are no control issues with our seat but because you definitely do not feel as much a part of your bike without something "wedged up" into you I can understand riders not wanting our seat on "game day." I guess my comment would be: Why hurt yourself the rest of the time?

Thanks,

Jeff
2013-06-27 12:27 PM
in reply to: Jeff Dixon

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Subject: RE: Spongy Wonder Bike Seats
Am I reading this right....did the spokesguy for "Spongy Wonder" just take 3.5 YEARS to answer these posts' questions?

Is this some sort of record?


2013-06-27 12:57 PM
in reply to: danimal123

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Subject: RE: Spongy Wonder Bike Seats

You can't just rush into things all willy-nilly.... take your time, choose the wording of your responses carefully.

 

2013-06-27 8:24 PM
in reply to: cgregg

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Subject: RE: Spongy Wonder Bike Seats
All those videos on the website and not a single one of them shows someone actually riding a bike with that seat...
2013-06-27 9:02 PM
in reply to: danimal123

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Subject: RE: Spongy Wonder Bike Seats
Originally posted by danimal123

Am I reading this right....did the spokesguy for "Spongy Wonder" just take 3.5 YEARS to answer these posts' questions?

Is this some sort of record?


I am cracking up here. Good catch.
2013-06-27 9:41 PM
in reply to: chayes

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Spongy Wonder Bike Seats

Apparently Jeffrey was experiencing extreme numbness in his nether region.  Here is the whole story:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4rMbOS5Daw

 

2013-06-28 6:37 AM
in reply to: yorkee

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Subject: RE: Spongy Wonder Bike Seats
My wife had me put a sorta similar "tractor-style" seat on her cruiser for comfort reasons. While indeed it takes all pressure off the 'taint region' the lack of a nose, as mentioned above, left me with a clear feeling of lost control. Coming from a MTB background, I know that the control that comes from the contact of inside of thighs with the nose is a critical point of bike control. Maybe less so on a road bike, but I do know that after trying out an Adamo Road saddle (which has a short nose) I was left with a similar feeling. While I don't have one of these spongy wonder saddles and would give one a try if the cost of admission wasn't so high (Jeff, maybe you should consider a loaner program?), I bet I'd feel a disturbing lack of bike control when riding this. My bet this would be most notable when in aero when, as we all know, control is somewhat tenuous.


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