Foreword
While all bicycles have obvious similarities their frame geometry can be radically different from an ergonomic perspective from one model, brand, or style to another.
Therefore, of the thousands of models of bicycle manufactured these past 50 years alone, it is impossible for us to pre-set our fully-assembled RealSeat in such a configuration where it won’t require a simple adjustment or two from rider to optimize seat performance for their particular bicycle and body type.
In other words, a little common sense combined with either an adjustment of the seats overall height (by lowering or raising the seat from the crank) or an adjustment of the seats pitch angle (by pivoting it fore or aft a few degrees) or both will make all the difference in the world to enhance comfort and performance.
And while we do believe our RealSeat is a significant improvement from that of traditional saddles, it is by no means perfect. So, if you somehow expect your rear end to be magically suspended in perpetual weightlessness in defiance of the principle laws of gravity and your own body weight, then you are deeply mistaken and should consider an alternate load bearing device.
However, if you happen to be one of the untold millions who can no longer tolerate a saddle and you want to ensure that you realize all of a RealSeat’s comfort potential, it is then imperative that you take 10 minutes and consult this page in its entirety.
2-Step Installation
1.) Establish what style of seat post you have on your bicycle be observing the 2 examples below.
Example A
Round Top Seat Post
Example B
Integrated Seat Post
IMPORTANT NOTE
Our RealSeat will ONLY install onto Exp. A. But the goods news is if you have Exp. B we sell exact fit 'round top' replacement seat posts for use with RealSeat that will work perfectly on your bike!
Round top seat post shafts (EXP. A) have a main shaft diameter that varies on one bicycle model to another but all taper down to a diameter of 7/8 of an inch at the very top of the shaft - they were once the norm on all bicycles. And the very top of a 'round top' seat post shaft is what the mount on our RealSeat will clamp and tighten to. So, if you already have a 'round top' seat post shaft then feel free to skip down to section #2 of this tutorial.
As a general rule, 'integrated' style seat post shafts (EXP. B) are routinely included as original equipment on high end bicycle brands like Cannondale, Trek, Specialized, etc.
If your seat post shaft does resemble (EXP. B), then you do indeed have an 'integrated' seat post shaft and you will have to replace it with a traditional 'round top' seat post shaft - that, again, we sell.
IDENTIFYING THE DIAMETER OF AN 'INTEGRATED' SEAT POST:
Before you can replace an 'integrated' seat post shaft with a 'round top' seat post shaft you will need to remove the 'integrated' seat post shaft from your bicycle to determine its diameter. Typically the diameter is stamped directly on the seat post shaft itself below its minimum insertion line and it will be a metric number like 27.2 or 30.9, etc.. And often times, too, the stamped metric number is obscured by grease and not easily legible. If the diameter is not stamped on the seat post shaft it will then need to be measured with a pair of calipers or micrometers to establish its exact metric diameter.
WHERE TO BUY A REPLACEMENT 'ROUND TOP' SEAT POST:
We offer a full assortment of replacement 'round top' seat post shafts for sale on our SHOP SEATS web page or you can visit your local bike shop to acquire the exact diameter replacement 'round top' seat post shaft you'll need to use a RealSeat.
2). Position the slotted hole on the RealSeat mount directly over the top of the 'round top' seat post shaft on your bicycle and gently lower RealSeat until its mount is fully seated atop the 'round top' seat post shaft. Then square up the front edge of the seat cover with the crossbar on your bike and tightened the (2) 6mm hex head cap screws on the RealSeat mount back and forth until both screws are equally tightened.
Now that RealSeat is installed to your bike, test that BOTH the seat is sufficiently tightened to the top of the round top seat post and that the seat post quick release lever on the bike is tight, too. You can achieve this simply by straddling the rear tire between your legs and laterally tug on the seat with reasonable force to verify that it will not easily shift while in use.
And if the RealSeat should ever shift while in use, you will need to pinpoint which of the 2 is not sufficiently tight and tighten further - and more often than not it's the seat post quick release lever on the bike (and you might instead have to tighten the nut on the opposite end of the lever with pliers - just be careful not to leave tool marks).
Adjust Seat Height
TO LOWER OR RAISE THE SEAT HEIGHT:
Loosen the seat post quick release lever (physically attached to your bike) and raise or lower the seat post and re-tighten.
SEAT LOWERING TRICK:
Since ALL RealSeat seat covers have safety reflectors sewn to rear flaps of seat cover, you can remove the plastic reflector assembly that is likely wrapped around the seat post shaft that came with your bicycle to lower the seat an additional inch or so if needed.
Adjust Pitch Angle
To change the pitch angle of RealSeat, locate and loosen the 14mm flange head nut threaded onto the carriage bolt on the right side bracket radial slot and re-pivot the seat fore or aft and re-tighten flange head nut.
THE 3 'BASIC' POSITIONS OF PITCH ANGLE
LEVEL
FORWARD
BACKWARD
There is a full 33 degrees of radial pitch built into RealSeat frames that give you lots of possibilities and the most comfortable pitch angle is really whatever you like. So, if you feel pressure to the back of your thighs, then just pitch the seat angle forward a couple of degrees. The non-slip strips will keep you firmly planted on the seat cover and you won't slide-off. And, in addition to pitch angle, thigh pressure can be further minimized just by lowering the seat a little or even by raising the handle bars a little so you don't have to hunker forward so much to steer the bike, too.
Adjust Cover Tension
Due to fabric stretch from use, periodic tightening WILL be required to maintain seat cover tension - especially after the seats first use. And keep in mind, too, if you allow the tension to decrease too much you'll likely bottom out at some point - which won't be very comfortable.
TO INCREASE TENSION ON SEAT COVER:
Locate the 2 webbing straps underneath the cover and pull apart the hook & loop sewn to the 2 webbing straps. Next, secure seat and apply leverage to pull on the webbing straps to tighten then re-mate hook & loop together.
TO DECREASE TENSION ON SEAT COVER:
Locate the 2 webbing straps underneath the cover and pull apart the hook & loop sewn to the 2 webbing straps. Next, lift up on the metal buckles to release the webbing tension then re-mate hook & loop.
First Test Ride
Now that we've covered how to install and adjust everything - it is nearly time to take your first test ride!
But before doing so we highly recommend that you start your first test ride by pitching the seat angle slightly forward from level and make certain, too, that your tires on bicycle are properly inflated. If your bikes tires are under inflated tires you will have to push harder than normal on the pedals (and ultimately on the seat!) just to get bike rolling forward.
Let's get testing!
Mount bicycle and position yourself where you're straddling the main crossbar of bike with both feet flat on the ground. Now place one foot on a down-stroked pedal, and with your other foot give yourself a good push to get the bike rolling BEFORE you attempt to sit in the seat. And once you get rolling you can sit and begin to pedal.
Upon completion you'll likely want to experiment with RealSeat by fine tuning the pitch angle or height to optimize ride. For a couple degrees difference in pitch angle (fore or aft) or a change of the seat height (up or down) can have a major affect on the overall level of comfort and performance. But one thing is absolutely certain, the seat will not adjust itself.
And, until such time you have mastered its use do NOT take-off while seated!
Useful Mounting Tip
Unless you are VERY limber and can easily swing your leg over the entire RealSeat without falling over, it is a good idea instead to lean the bicycle to the side opposing you where you can more easily lift your leg over the main crossbar to mount your bicycle.
Seat Cover Care
If, at first, you can't get cover clean with a damp wash cloth then:
1.) Immerse with water
2.) Apply liquid dish soap
3.) Scrub with bristle brush
4.) Rinse with garden hose
5.) Allow to dry thoroughly
NOTE: To prolong seat cover life limit unnecessary exposure to sunlight or the elements.