I"m dying here:D. You're not returning it b/c it hurts your butt are you??? B/c if you are, I have baaaaaaad news for you....they ALL hurt your butt in the beginning.
It takes awhile to get used to it ..saddle sore. You can help it a little by wearing the padded bike shorts and/or getting a gel seat or just a gel cover and/or getting a different seat for the bike. I'd send you one of mine b/c I"ve changed the seats on all my bikes and I've got all these brand new seats sitting around, LOL, but my seats would REALLY hurt you:p.

If you don't want the hassle of buying a new seat, try the gel covers for the seats; they help a lot.

I am going to look into a gel cover.. geez.. seriously... I feel like I just rode a horse for miles!!! Is this normal? How long will it take for me to get used to this... even working out doesn't feel as bad as this.... and no I am returning the bike and exchanging it with another one that I has also liked because on this bike the gears on the left are really flimsy and can be changed very easy...

I adore my bike. I have a hybrid. i can ride trails or on the road.
I ride about 10 miles in an hour. I burn 1000-1400 calories depending on my ride. I havent been riding as much because I was so sick in feb/mar but I am starting to ride again.
If you plan on riding alot it would be worth your while to just shop around and have a few different people measure you and fit you for a bike so when you go off on your own you can have an idea what will give you the most comfortable ride. I paid over 500 for my bike but you certainly dont have to spend that much to get started. If you like it then later you can get something different.
Good luck in your shopping!!!
here are a few articles
Luna Bicycles - The Skinny on Women's Bike Fit

Womens bike fit and saddles

Proper Bike Fit Can Prevent Pain and Injury
There are hundreds of articles out there and you can find info on online cycling magazine sites.

Yeah...it's normal. Sorry to say. It seriously feels like riding a horse for the first time; b/c that's where you're sore. And that's why bike geeks call the seat a "saddle".

When my husband and I first got engaged, (he's never done any type of physical activity in his life other than golf and POSSIBLY swimming)...he figured he'd try to start riding with me. So I had him use my mountain bike (partly b/c my other bikes you have to have cleats to lock into the pedals and of course, he doesn't..and b/c it's just a lot more comfy to ride for someone who hasn't ridden a bike in 55 yrs:rolleyes:)....we went (and I kid you NOT)....we rode 1 mile up and 1 mile back to our condo.....we get up to the gate at the entrance and he got off the bike and said "this is Bulls--t; it HURTS!!!"....I thought it was so funny.....a big 2 miles and he was whining. I know it does hurt, but he was seriously mad.....last time he got on a bike which was 10 yrs ago now:D.

The thing is, it will hurt all the time if you don't ride regularly. I just can't imagine anyone not loving the feeling of riding a bike(once you get over the soreness, or at least just get accustomed to being sore "down there")....I guess I'm weird.

Ok WHERE did you find a pink tricycle? I've looked everywhere and all I've found is blue, black, champagne, red, maroon, and green. I want a PINK one!

lol.. aww I sympathize with your poor hubby.. good man you have there for trying.... I went 2 'xs around the block and I was crying bloody murder.....:eek::eek: but I am DETERMINED to get through this I just need to find a bike that works for me... thanks everyone for all the advice and I DO APOLOGIZE if I HIJACKED this thread.. sorry I just didn't want to duplicate someone ele's thread...:)

2 times around the block, LOL? Well, at least you got a start! And that's a heck of a lot better than nothing!!!
Don't forget...you can always stand up on the pedals when your butt hurts too much....It does take awhile to get accustomed to it....I won't lie and I used to ride 60 miles a day easily .....but it was always slightly uncomfortable. You just get used to it...it's hard to explain. Maybe b/c once you get to a certain point, your legs are bothering you more than your butt, LOL:p.
The gel seats (they do make seats that are gel..I think I have on on one of my bikes....or maybe I got rid of that one...anyway, the seats are great, but if you don't want to spend the money, the covers are pretty inexpensive. I know they were using them (or telling people who go to spin classes) to buy them for themselves to use on the bikes at the gym. They're not that costly. I'm thinking the brand is Spenco? Been a long time since I used a gel seat, LOL, but I know people who are gaga over them.

It's listed on ebay, someone out of Las Vegas! I will look it up if you can't find it!! Just search on ebay for Adult Tricycle and it should come up!!

lol... thanks! I was debating between the gel seat or the cover.. is one better than the other? Hubby wants me to get this bike:Walmart.com : 26" Ladies' Mongoose Woodland All Terrain Bike : Bikes, Scooters & Skates
What do you think? Also do you guys know if walmart honors their online price since they price match?

I think the seat would be better. Plus, I read the reviews of that particular bike (the components look pretty good and Mongoose is supposed to be a good brand) and someone said the seat was falling apart, so if you're going with that bike, maybe the seat would be a better idea anyhow.

Also, the reviews mention the chain coming off....it's hard to know if the people reviewing it are seasoned bike riders and know how to change gears (you can't go from one extreme to the other extreme ..meaning you can't change to have the chain going from the smallest gear to the large chainring...so the chain would be almost crosswise (that probably doesn't make sense, but you can't do it...) the chain will fall off (or break)....but since more than one person mentioned it, it raises a red flag for me.

Giant for Women :: The Adventure Starts Here

I have this one and I love it! Before this one I had one of their comfort bikes and I just didn't care for it as much so I exchanged and got this one, and a bonus was it was cheaper! :)

Oh I just realized the link won't take you to the bike! It's under Women's Mountain, and it's the one for 275 at the end in purple, lol.

ooooh, that's PRETTTY:D. And what a great price! I think I'm due for a new mounatain bike soon and my dh can have my old one...he likes it so much anyway:p But he's always saying he wants to get some exercise:confused:

is it better to get a alum frame or a steel one? I know the alum. is lighter so would that necessarily make it better?

It really depends on how much you plan on riding. Lighter isn't going to make a whole lot of difference if you're not riding at least 40 miles fast. Or if you do a lot of hill riding. Aluminum will climb a little better, but it doesn't dampen the vibration as well as steel does. And there ARE lighter steel frames, but they cost a LOT more than aluminum.

Aluminum is almost impossible to repair, but if you're only doing recreational riding, it should be plenty durable for a long time. Some manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty on certain bike parts (like the frame).


If you want to get into big money bikes, there's always titanium and carbon fiber. I have a titanium bike and I love it b/c it's so light, but it's a racing bike. And I honestly prefer my Softride, which is also a racing bike, but is aluminum over it. Although...the frame material has nothing to do with why I prefer one over the other. I just like my Softride better.

BTW, if anyone is interested, the Tour de France starts July 5...you can catch it on Versus tv:D