Hot Seat!

IdahoTrailLizard

On the ride home in this intense heatwave Idaho got, the underside of my posterior was getting might warm, and sweaty. Past having to put out lots of cash for a mesh seat, is there something else that can be done - cheaper - to alleviate the Pocket of Hades going on there?

Took 3 breaks on the way home. That was one HOT seat today!

JamesR

yeah - ride on cooler days.

motorcycles look to be cool and comfortable on warm summer days but stop at the first red light for a minute or two and break out into a decent sweat - pavement heat amounts to being in a slow-cooker.

you might have relief with aluminum foil on the underside of the seat to reflect the heat.

PapaSkisNTrikes

Not to mention the rising heat from the engine between and below the legs when stopped on a motorcycle.

Florida_bound

I ride in heat all the time. I just wear cotton and don't seem to have a problem. My bottom gets no hotter than the rest of me.

FINN58

Take a towel and second shirt with you.
I am prob going to get a mesh seat from corporate, the better juan, and they are mid $70's. It's not bad. Cheaper than that lower bracket.

TCEd

I have the mesh seat but doubt it would be significantly cooler with the conditions you're riding in. Hot day, hot larger body, hot road surface = Hot seat.

TrikeBirder

I can't say I disagree with TCEd's analysis, but purchasing and using a cheap mesh car-seat (~ <$20) should improve, at least marginally, the heat issue IdahoTrailLizard is experiencing.

IdahoTrailLizard

Aye, was looking online for a wire mesh seat if they still existed.

stpd

I can say... the mesh seat really makes a difference! I purchased it more for the fact that rain won't collect in the seat position than for the mesh aspect... but have noticed that I'm not sweating near as much on long rides as I did with the original canvas fabric.

I do wish though, that TT would change the way it's fastened to the seat bars... do away with the plastic clasps... really need seat buckles... I've already had one of the plastic catches fail... and no real way to repair it.

IdahoTrailLizard

That answers my other question then, if the newer seat mesh used metal buckles. Had one plastic one pull through and warp cause of the heat. Was able to get it back in but it cannot be cinched back up tight afterwards.

Are there aftermarket metal buckle replacements available that can be slipped on with a slit or nut/bolt to replace the finicky or broken plastic/nylon buckles?

IdahoTrailLizard

Mom had these red and white checkered seat cushions laying around for wooden chairs. Took one that wasn't quite so puffy, had been abused, & put on Rover's seat.
Wow! What a difference! No more hot seat. Contemplating stuffing another down between the mesh for the back to see if it helps the shoulders & back next.

Looks a lot like this, but more squashed.

Captainbob

I replaced my original Rover seat cover with the mesh one several years ago. Get's really hot and humid in Atlanta, GA, and the mesh set made a big difference. It is not listed on the Terratrike website anymore, so i called them and they said it could be ordered from either a Terratrike dealer or calling the 800 number. It is about $55.

stpd

ITLizard, the only problem I have with the cushion, is that it makes me sit even higher on the seat. I've tried a gel cushion, similar to what my brother's Rand recumbent bike has--though it's designed for the bike, whereas I'm using one from an office chair. But it too, has the same problem--makes me sit higher, like an inch or so. I'm 6'4", 300lbs... really want to sit lower not higher!

I really tried using it to alleviate the problem with the seat seam digging into my thigh. I switched to the mesh seat to have it breath better, but it too has the same seam digging issue as the canvas one.

Not sure there's a good way to fix the problem due to the design of the seat itself, the mesh/canvas fabric has a pocket that slides over the end of the seat frame. It has to be strong, in order to hold a #400 lb rider... so, the seam has to be reinforced. I currently have a piece of foam rubber zip-tied, sort-of over the corner of the frame, but it keeps wearing out. When it wears out (falls off), I really notice it!

IdahoTrailLizard

Had thought about using a pin setter tool (or something) to mash down a small trench in the seat post ends along the top. That way the fold could have a place to set into as opposed to sticking up over the tube.

For the lack of decent tools to hold the seat tube securely, and then to add the dip it's been nothing more than an idea.

FINN58

I was cooler on my return ride as I took
off my hi vis vest and just had my button up the front short sleeve shirt. I cannot wear Tees the way I sweat. Can't get them off. I just need to find
chartreuse button short sleeves.

TrikeBirder

I'm not sure I fully understand what you are experiencing (directly above), but I think I do. If so, then the trick I saw someone using on their TT, adding a TT seat wedge to BOTH ends of their seat, might help with the digging into your thighs, back, and/or shoulder.

While my (earlier and elsewhere on the forum) suggestion of using a Ventisit very-breathable seat pad/cushion seemed to meet with scowls for fear of some bad (too scratchy) reviews (seemingly ignoring other's rave reviews). I've given it some additional thought, and I think it might give you the best of both worlds to slip a Ventisit pad beneath the TT mesh seat cover- either original, or the new Sportster version. This should give you decent cushioning, AND maximum breathability, without the scratchiness complained about by some Ventisit pad owners!