We sent an email survey to Double "POPS" and BiSaddle customers that we have email addresses for. In the survey we asked customers the following 4 questions:

1. Are you (or the person you bought it for) using the saddle?

2. What kind of bicycle is it mounted on and what sort of riding do you do?

3. Was it easy or difficult to setup and adjust?

4. Other comments, observations, insights, or recommendations?

The responses that we received sometimes followed the format of the questions directly and others just provided unstructured responses. We provide them is random order of and have not sorted them between Double "POPS" and BiSaddle. To ease reading we have corrected spelling errors and placed a line of asterisks between each customer response. We have not included any information about the customers except where they say something in the response that indicates gender or location.

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I bought your saddle and am using it.

Mounted on a 21 speed bike.

My wife and I ride 6 miles on the blacktopped city bike trail along a river, 5 times per week about 6 months per year.

It was not too difficult to set up for anyone with average mechanical ability.

I have tried about 5 different seats and like yours the best. It took several days to get used to it. My observation is that too much pressure seems to be applied on a small area of the body. I am 6 ft. 3 in. and weigh 235 so this might not apply to everyone. Perhaps different sizes for different people might help. I don't know if a softer surface would help. Only trial and error would tell. I feel that the perfect bicycle seat will never be built due to design limitations, but you are on the right track.

Also a lower price should help. I don't know many people who would pay $80 for a bicycle seat.

Good luck in your enterprise.

BiSaddle inventor's note:
(It cost us $60.00 each to make the dwindling number of saddles we have in stock. We are working to have the saddles manufactured overseas (with a steel frame) but there is no agreement in place nor estimate of time frame for availability.)

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1. Are you (or the person you bought it for) using the saddle?
Yes

2. What kind of bicycle is it mounted on and what sort of riding do you do?
"Atlas 1000" 18-speed mountain bike fitted with "Continental" (smooth) tires. Prior to retiring a year ago I used the bike to commute to work daily (20 km round trip) plus biking relatively short distances for pleasure on weekends. However, since retiring, I have not had a chance to do other than occasional riding.

3. Was it easy or difficult to setup and adjust?
I found that it took a fair amount of "fiddling" over a period of two weeks to feel that it was set to my satisfaction.

4. Other comments, observations, insights, or recommendations.
I think it is a great design and, although I haven't used it for anything other than relatively short trips, I have found it very comfortable in the ways that count. I do find it a bit hard but this is not a major problem to my mind.

More from the same survey respondent:
"It just occured to me (not having ridden for a bit) i forgot to mention that the back part of the seat seems a bit higher than it should be."

Response from the inventor of the BiSaddle:
"Thanks for the follow up. I am curious about the relative rotation of your saddle in light of your comment. We recommended about 5 -15 degrees of backward rotation. The back party of the saddle is designed to support the dense muscle mass surrounding the Ischial Tuberosities...some riders describe it as the cup-your-bones feeling. If the saddle is tilted/rotated back it better is able to do this and riders seem to have less concern with the height. For some riders that are very heavy (I am not suggesting that you are) the back part pokes into the portion of the posterior that extends beyond the back of the saddle."
- Jim Bombardier

More from the same survey respondent:
"In any case, I found the BiSaddle far more comfortable than the regular saddle that it replaced and would certainly recommend it to anyone."

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1. Are you (or the person you bought it for) using the saddle?
Yes, I purchased it for myself.

2. What kind of bicycle is it mounted on and what sort of riding do you do?
I have the seat mounted to a mountain bike (small frame). I ride for pleasure only.

3. Was it easy or difficult to setup and adjust?
I found it very easy to set in position but had a bit of a hard time getting the clips that hold the seat correct.

4. Other comments, observations, insights, or recommendations?
It is not that easy to figure out how to ride it. It took me about a week. Also if I am wearing jeans or regular shorts there is no room for sliding into position & bit difficult to move around on the seat. But if I have on bike shorts ( Lycra) I don't have that problem. I have since made of my own a cover made out of lycra and elastic. That fits over the seat thus fixing the problem to a degree. But ALL in ALL the Pay off of not being numb was well worth it. Thanks.

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I am the one who purchased the seat and use it. I will tell you some things about me & my bike riding so that you will know that I am not the kind of customer who is mainstream. I am 70 years old and I just ride for exercise, but I ride about 12 miles to get aerobic points.

I think the seat is great, but for me it was too hard, so I just bought one of those gel pads and put it on there and that fixed it for me. My bike is a Schwinn 12 speed "World Sport" and is probably 15 or more years old. Not a mountain nor dirt bike. I live in Austin, Texas and wanted to tell Lance Armstrong about the seat but do not really know how to contact him even though he lives here too. He is out of town & out of the country a lot.

I had seen other seats that were actually two seats split like yours, but I have not seen one in a long time - years that is. Regular seats really irritated my prostate and it got to be so uncomfortable that I had just about quit riding my bike. That is when I started looking for double seats on the internet and found your seat. Anyway, I would recommend your seat to anyone who rides a bike. I believe women would even like it better than conventional seats. Even though it is too hard to suit me, others might not think so. Good luck, and I hope you sell thousands of them.

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I purchased the bicycle seat for myself for my Schwinn Airdyne exercise bike when I found out that I needed a total hip replacement. I was required to do specific exercises for seven (7) weeks prior to the surgery and this included thirty (30) minutes on the bike every day. The original seat was so uncomfortable I researched seats on the internet and after talking to reps from other makers and to you I decided on the Bycycle seat.

I found the seat fairly easy to adjust by using the instructions, but finally wound up leaving all the set screws a little loose, riding the bike for (10) minutes, stepping off the bike without disturbing the seat then tightening the set screws. Since that time I have had to make no other adjustments. (Note: the seat mount from my old Schwinn LaTour worked fine on the AirDyne)

I found the seat to be a bit firm before the surgery (probably due to irritation from the pain of the bad joint) so I fashioned a pad the exact shape of the seat with the same space in the center from one-half-inch thick medium firmness foam. Then after the surgery (I was instructed to restart the bike riding one month after surgery), I continued to use the pad and will do so for quite some time until all the tenderness is gone. This is probably an exception to the general riders, but is a valid observation directed to those with the same needs and maybe perhaps a softer or more padded version could be offered for those with a medical necessity.

Thanks again for your candid offerings of information when we discussed my needs prior to the purchase and, yes, I can personally recommend this seat to those who have the same needs as I. For those who ride for other reasons, I believe they would benefit, also.

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I ride the seat myself. It's a mountain bike. It gives the relief I was looking for, should be no problem for me to now ride and enjoy myself. Thanks. I believe the seat could be a little bit longer, and/or, the slope at the back could be a little less steep.

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Hello. The seat I bought from you I gave to my brother who uses it on his mountain bike. He really likes it. I couldn't use it and not because it is a bad product, but because I have an injury that prevents me from sitting on a bicycle seat. I thought your seat might do the trick but it didn't. I gave it to my brother who was having a problem with his prostate or hemorrhoids. Not really sure. But he likes the comfort and it also gives his bike a unique look. He doesn't have a computer or an e-mail address so he can't contact you directly.

Your seat will be a hit because I have checked out many male-safe seats and yours is a great design. Have you ever heard of Dr. Irwin Goldstein? He is a world renowned urologist who treats male sexual dysfunction and is the leading doctor in the world promoting the dangers of the classic bicycle seat. Look up his name on the internet and you'll find plenty of stuff related to bicycling. He is my doctor and I have appeared on 20/20! with him to help educate the public. He would really be interested in your seat because the last time I saw him 2 years ago he was testing many different seats and yours was not one of them. He might be a worthwhile person to contact to evaluate your seat on it's potential benefits to male riders who do not want to sustain trauma to their perineal areas and cause sexual dysfunction. I have already been injured and any pressure from a seat causes discomfort. Dr. Goldstein performed successful surgery to repair the damaged arteries but I still cannot sit on a bicycle seat. I am sure he would be interested in seeing your design. If you want I could send him your e-mail address but only if I get his permission first.

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I am the inventor of the saddle you purchased. Thank you for the leap of faith you made to purchase something on the Internet that you couldn't feel and see firsthand.

Actually I saw it in a bike shop in Portland last fall and ordered it on line when I got home (Santa Barbara).

1. Are you (or the person you bought it for) using the saddle?
I am.

2. What kind of bicycle is it mounted on and what sort of riding do you do?
Mountain biking. City and trails. Not real rough stuff, but I need to keep up with my 12 year old son, so we get in over our heads sometimes.

3. Was it easy or difficult to setup and adjust?
Not too bad. The templates are a nice idea.

4. Other comments, observations, insights, or recommendations?
I find the finish a little too tacky and sticky. I don't think I would like it too slippery, but I find my shorts being grabbed by the seat surface as I mount and dismount. It seems to put more pressure on my arms and hands, even though I have a fairly up right position. I'm still not sure it's the perfect seat for me, but it's better than the two round tubes type seat I tried before yours. I'm going to play with it some more.

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Yes, I am the person who bought the saddles and the person using them. I have two of them. And may require a third. They are mounted on two road bikes...with crosstraining tires. Use them for hard exercise riding as much as 30 miles at a clip. Had a prostatectomy and these saddles do the trick of keeping all pressure off in sensitive areas. Let me know what your new price may be so that I can acquire another at a lesser cost. Thanks.

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The bike on which I originally mounted the saddle was a Marin cross-bike. I found it straight forward to adjust. I bought it at a time when I was getting back into long distance biking and preparing for Ragbrai 2000. It got me "over the hump." I subsequently bought a Trek 5500 road bike that came with a Specialized Body Geometry Comp.

I found this saddle hits me in the "sit bones" and have used it ever since for both training and quite a few centuries. I like your saddle in principle but am conservative by nature and like the fact that the Specialized has a 'conventional' appearance. I wish you success in your future endeavors and service to bikers.

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2. What kind of bicycle is it mounted on and what sort of riding do you do? My wife has one on her mountain bike, mine has been on my mountain bike but is currently on a Lifecycle stationary exercise bike.

3. Was it easy or difficult to setup and adjust? A little difficult but it's like you told me--take's trial & error to find the best setting.

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1. Are you (or the person you bought it for) using the saddle?
Yes.

2. What kind of bicycle is it mounted on and what sort of riding do you do?
Hybrid; In city and 10-15 mile country rides.

3. Was it easy or difficult to setup and adjust?
Yes, it was easy.

4. Other comments, observations, insights, or recommendations?
I needed to cushion it a bit more, so put on an old conventional design padded seat cover, which looks stupid. But generally I'm pleased.

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1. Are you (or the person you bought it for) using the saddle?
Yes...on occasions that I use the bike, anyway...

2. What kind of bicycle is it mounted on and what sort of riding do you do?
Mountain/ATB - not rock-buster, but not road bike either...

3. Was it easy or difficult to setup and adjust?
Moderately difficult because I didn't know for certain if it was "hitting" the right spots, i.e., what pain was good pain...

4. Other comments, observations, insights, or recommendations?
Make it softer if at all possible...And send another when you do!

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#1 Yes

#2 Schwinn AirDyne exercise.

#3 Not a big deal

#4 I am a big boy, and the Double "POPS" could be bigger. The seat is fine I'm sure for these young folk who are slim, trim and hard. This is the only seat of many tried that I can sit on for 30 minutes or more and not be numb, but it certainly could be better. I would think that there are a lot of old folk like me who use the stationary bike to stave off heart attacks because we have on or more bad knees and can't treadmill or jog. Keep up the good work. If you can, make it more comfortable and I'll buy another !!

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We actually purchased 2 double POPS saddles. Both were for me. One is on my Novara mountain bike, the other is on the stoker position of our Burley Tandem. The Novara mountain bike is used for short 10-15 mile rides on relatively flat terrain, around our home. The Burley tandem is used for moderate rides of 20-50 miles. This also includes organized fun rides. We purchased our tandem to keep us in the same "time zone" when riding. My husband Jim is a much stronger rider than I am.

After several months on a conventional saddle, I started experiencing pain in my lower back and tailbone. My husband installed several different saddle types, including having me switch to his recumbent, with the thought of purchasing a recumbent tandem if the fit was correct. It wasn't. I was diagnosed with 3 bulging discs.

We decided to search the internet for seats before I gave up riding and we sold the tandem. We came across the double POPS and curiously reviewed the literature. We also showed the literature to our chiropractor, also a cyclist. Our chiropractor felt the seat may help. The initial double POPS saddle cost was about $75, a small price to pay when compared to mothballing a $2000 tandem.

We received the saddle and immediately installed it. The installation was easy, with the templates provided being very helpful for initial adjustments. On our first tandem ride, it "felt weird". During the first few rides we had to make a few minor adjustments, but the allen set screws make this very easy.

Now over 1100 miles later, it is the best thing ever invented. I am able to ride with no pain, and cycling is enjoyable. We also installed a suspension seat post to help dampen some of the bumps. When we purchased the Novara, the Double POPS became a mandatory purchase. I thoroughly enjoy riding again and routinely recommend the Double POPS when people ask about it. Good luck.

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I have enjoyed my special bicycle seat. At first my sister-in-law laughed because it looks like I need TWO bicycle seats! But I told her that technically we have two bottoms, so why not two seats! Seriously, I was starting to think that I would have to invent my own bicycle seat when I found yours on the Internet. I am only a casual rider, but I can't stand a regular "saddle" that rubs in all the wrong places (well, only one in particular for us girls, but you know what I mean!).

This seat is so amazing that I don't understand why it's not in every bicycle shop. (My husband is a more serious rider than I am. He considers visiting a bike shop as recreation.) See answers to your specific questions below:

1. Are you (or the person you bought it for) using the saddle?
YES

2. What kind of bicycle is it mounted on and what sort of riding do you do?
First mounted on a 10-year-old "mixtee" frame (Raliegh make, I think). Now mounted on a Pacific Scorpio (bought at Target) with front fork and seat post shocks. Riding around the neighborhood.

3. Was it easy or difficult to setup and adjust?
Very easy to set up and adjust. The instructions were just right. The angle templates were a helpful start.

4. Other comments, observations, insights, or recommendations?
Get it in more stores and shops. Women will really enjoy it. At first, it took a little getting used to, primarily understanding that you "lean" on the seat rather than ride right on top. But I found that leaning helps me maintain better posture on the bike. I found that I use my abdominal muscles more, which helps overall conditioning.

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1. Are you (or the person you bought it for) using the saddle?
I am using the saddle.

2. What kind of bicycle is it mounted on and what sort of riding do you do?
It's mounted on an exercise cycle, one that I use regularly (several times per week).

3. Was it easy or difficult to setup and adjust?
Very easy, although I had to jury-rig the mount, as my exercycle has adifferent post than a bicycle.

4. Other comments, observations, insights, or recommendations?
It would be nice to have some sort of adapter kit for exercise bikes, but I suspect your market for that would be very small. I like this saddle very much -- it is much more comfortable than a standard saddle.

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1. I purchased the saddle due to the bike becoming my main exercise for cardiovascular activities.

2. It is mounted on a stationery bike. I ride it 3 to 4 times a week for between 35 to 45 minutes each time.

3. The saddle was very easy to put on and adjust. Much easier, to me, than the conventional saddles.

4. I purchased the original hard saddle and am considering the soft one. 3 to 4 times a week for 45 minutes is not a lot, but the butt feels the saddle.

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You may remember me since we have had several dialogs about your seat. I now own 2 of them. I have one on my road bike, which I ride regularly and one on my mountain bike which is used more casually. I love both of them. I intend to purchase a third seat in the near future because I am in the process of acquiring a spinning bike for my home training.

I am very satisfied with the seat. At times I wish it was a little softer, however I also recognize the importance of it being firm. I found little difficulty in setting up the seat. I would not conceder any other seat at this time.

Since I switched to your seat I have not had any numbing problems related to pressure on soft tissue. I spent many years with pain and numbness associated with other types of seats, including ones that claimed to be designed for those type problems. I will be in touch with you regarding the purchase of my third seat. I expect to have my new spinning bike in the next couple of weeks. Nice to hear from you.

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1. Are you (or the person you bought it for) using the saddle?
I am using the saddle.

2. What kind of bicycle is it mounted on and what sort of riding do you do?
I have it on a Bridgestone hybrid, which I have set up in an upright touring style for commuting several times per week.

3. Was it easy or difficult to setup and adjust?
The setup was relatively easy. I had to adjust it several times before I got the right width apart at the front and angle of seating.

4. Other comments, observations, insights, or recommendations?
I am thrilled to be without a chafing center-seat saddle! I am satisfied with your product but have two constructive criticisms. 1) Since I sit relatively upright I find that the ridges on the back of the pads are very uncomfortable and will probably shave them off because they are so irritating. 2) Softer cushions would be more comfortable.

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Jim, sorry to get back to you so late. Lot has been going on in our family. Yes, I am the person that purchased your double pops bike seat. I had originally bought it because I was having problems with my prostate and after riding a number of bike seats my doctor told me to stop riding the bike because the seats hit in the area the prostate is located in.

I had moved down to Florida and inherited my son's bike, a Mongoose, and I tried again to ride, but could not get satisfaction because of the irritation the bike seat caused to my prostate. I stopped into some bike shops and tried to find a better seat. Never did find one that would solve my problem.

I went onto the internet and started to search for a bike seat that would allow me to ride my bike. Mind you I am only a casual rider, four to five times a week for early morning rides. These are for approximately 2-3 miles. Well, I found your double pops bike seat. At first I was skeptical, and I even called you to discuss the bike seat. You said I should try it and after a little break in period I would like the seat. I received the seat and installed on the Mongoose.

It did take a bit to get used to it but I did. What I liked about it, it took my weight and distributed it to two seats and the best part of the whole thing was, that I no longer had the problem of the seat putting pressure on my prostate. I rode the bike and it felt good about riding around the neighborhood. I have had to stop riding for a while because I had to have the prostate removed. I had developed cancer. I am still recuperating from that surgery but am looking forward to going back onto the bike in the near future.

What I did find out that this bike seat helps those that suffer from prostate problems or will suffer if they keep on riding the bikes with the "banana" seats. Let me know of your progress. In the meantime, Stay Strong!!!

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1. Are you (or the person you bought it for) using the saddle?
Yes

2. What kind of bicycle is it mounted on and what sort of riding do you do?
It is mounted on a Bianci Volpe road bike. I ride for exercise about an hour a day in the warm months.

3. Was it easy or difficult to setup and adjust?
It was easy to adjust. If it hadn't been for the description I found of the sit bones (on your web site I think), it may have been difficult to adjust. But once I understood what you were trying to do it was easy.

4. Other comments, observations, insights, or recommendations?
I found the seat too hard. I rode four or five days a week for probably six weeks and just couldn't get used to it. It was working great for my enlarged prostate but it was just too hard. I went to an auto upholsterer and got some 1/8 inch foam that was pretty dense. I taped this on one layer at a time until I found three layers to be comfortable. He is now making me a cover incorporating these three layers of foam. I am fifty-nine years old and just need a little more padding. So, for me, I would like the seat better if you made it a little softer.

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1. Are you (or the person you bought it for) using the saddle?
Yes

2. What kind of bicycle is it mounted on and what sort of riding do you do?
Giant Mountain Bike. While I ride on relatively smooth surfaces, I purchased the Giant for its sturdy structure, as I am heavy. I use the bike as a means of exercising and I wanted a more comfortable seat - that is why I bought the BiSaddle.

3. Was it easy or difficult to setup and adjust?
Not difficult

4. Other comments, observations, insights, or recommendations?
The BiSaddle wasn't quite what I had expected. I thought that the seat surface area would be larger for my big behind.

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I got your bike seat as a gift. I have never gotten it adjusted so that it is comfortable to ride. I've tried to ride on it and lasted for about 30 minutes. I've spent approximately 2 hours trying to get it right. I've got it on a mountain bike. I'm back to a more conventional seat until I have more time to try to figure out the funky seat. Thanks for asking for input.

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I bought it for myself. I'm not using it. I got it for my exercise bike, and I'm away from home for a while. I've struggled for a while trying to get it set up, and I have not been successful. It's still pretty uncomfortable. I had a lot of trouble getting it to fit my exercise bike. The post on my bike was quite a bit larger than the seat could easily accommodate, and I had to do some jury-rigging.

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Hi I am the person who bought the bike saddle. It was mounted on a Peugot. I found the seat to improve my riding comfort but have seen wider and larger padding (with a similar design) and less expensive seats since purchasing your saddle.

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1 Yes
2 Schwinn
3 Easy
4 No springs makes for a bumpy ride.

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1. Are you (or the person you bought it for) using the saddle?
Yes I am...

2. What kind of bicycle is it mounted on and what sort of riding do you do?
It was mounted on a trek...

3. Was it easy or difficult to setup and adjust?
Easy

4. Other comments, observations, insights, or recommendations?
I don't use it because with it I lack the control of holding onto the seat.

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I bought the seat for a road bike due to some testicular pain I was having, which was later corrected surgically. I found the seat impractical for proper road bike riding position (seat had to be too low, handlebars too high). I'm back on my old seat. I would say your seat would have better application for casual riders who ride in a more upright position.

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Have not been riding since knee injury 2 yrs ago. As I remember, seat is uncomfortable. The seat is too "HARD" and I believe I'd like it better if it were covered with a half-inch of gel - or some other soft surface Maybe it's designed "hard" because it does not have the stability of a traditional saddle (a traditional saddle has the inner-thigh stability). For what it's worth, that's my 2 cents

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1. Are you (or the person you bought it for) using the saddle? If it is not you, would you also please forward this email to them.
No

2. What kind of bicycle is it mounted on and what sort of riding do you do?
I tried to mount it on my exercycle but never succeeded.

3. Was it easy or difficult to setup and adjust?
It was completely impossible.

4. Other comments, observations, insights, or recommendations?
I would like my money back.

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1. I bought this for myself.

2. I had it on a Mongoose mountain bike. Riding is recreational - through the neighborhood and on trails when camping.

3. I couldn't get it adjusted so I gave up. Put my old seat back on and adjusted the forward tilt (you told me how to do this). It's not great but better than I could get the BiSaddle to work.

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I did buy and install your bike seat. I DO NOT like it at all and have replaced it with the one I initially wanted to purchase. Your material on the seat surface is very sticky, hot and not comfortable to adjust to while riding. It also takes the lint and fabric off your pants and sticks to the seat. It also felt like your were always tilted forward and couldn't really adjust it to be comfortable due to the high rounded "backs" of each section. Sorry, but that's my experience.

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INVENTOR'S NOTE:

We are working to develop a model of the saddle that has additional padding for those that want it. It will not be recommended for riders that do extended distance riding because of the possibility of the additional padding wrapping around the bones and putting pressure on nerves, arteries and veins that run along the inside of the bones.

We also strongly encourage riders to adjust the tilt of the saddle so that they spread their weight along the ischiopubic rami and the Ischial Tuberosities. This can eliminate the need for additional padding.