Part 14: 200 Miles on the First Article - What We Learned
QuickSet seat on the trail, patent pending spring plungers in full view.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve logged more than 200 miles on our first-article QuickSet seats. From a comfort standpoint, they performed just like our prototypes, exactly as expected.
The new laser-engraved guide rail made it easy to see each width setting at a glance, and the larger stainless-steel knobs were much easier to grip and adjust mid-ride. The only thing I didn’t love was that the first-article seats slid a little more stiffly than the prototypes. I was eager to take them apart afterward to find out why.
Inviting More Riders to Test
With two first-article seats and two prototypes, Anita and I decided to share the experience. We invited our longtime friends Wayne and Joan, neighbors since 1987 and practically family, to join us for a test ride.
Two great friends, Wayne and Joan, on a test ride of the QuickSet seat
We’ve raised kids together, camped together, played on the same neighborhood softball team, and been in the same fantasy-football league for more than 25 years. Wayne’s my “brother from a different mother,” and we’re about the same size, which made him a perfect tester.
We met at the Wobegon Trail trailhead outside Saint Cloud and installed the QuickSet seats on Wayne and Joan’s e-bikes. I asked Wayne to share his honest feedback, and as always, he did.
Wayne’s Review (lightly edited for conciseness)
First Impressions
“I installed the QuickSet on my e-bike and started with the medium width. It felt firmer and a bit narrower than the gel seat that came with my bike, not uncomfortable, just different. I planned a 30-mile ride, about two hours at my usual 15 mph pace.”
On the Ride
“After about 45 minutes, I switched to the wide setting. The change took maybe 15 seconds: pull the pins, slide the halves, click them into place. The wider setting felt noticeably different: firm, supportive, but broader than my original seat. After another 30 minutes, I switched back to medium. No discomfort, I just preferred the balance it offered between comfort and support.”
Long time friends, Jack and Wayne, put real miles on the QuickSet seat in St. Joseph, MN
The Outcome
“By the end of the ride, I was pleasantly surprised. No soreness, no lingering pressure. That’s a win.”
Final Thoughts
“The QuickSet isn’t a super-plush, cushy seat; it’s built on smart design rather than soft padding. But being able to adjust the width mid ride really makes a difference. It’s simple to use and helped me stay comfortable over a long distance. If you ride a lot and struggle with saddle soreness, it’s definitely worth trying.”
Joan gave me verbal feedback. She loved how easy it was to adjust the width and could feel the difference right away, but ultimately preferred her soft gel seat. And that’s fair. Not every rider wants the same feel, and good friends will always tell you the truth.
Foam vs. Gel: What We’ve Learned
Our QuickSet seat uses one inch of high-density memory foam in the primary seating surface. It’s a firm seat by design. Every bike shop I’ve talked with has said the same thing: for long rides, memory foam outperforms gel.
High-density memory foam cushions your sit bones and resists bottoming out, delivering stable support on longer rides
That doesn’t mean it’s the best seat for everyone. We named our company Best Bike Seat because it’s easy to remember and easy to find, not because we believe one seat can fit every rider’s preference.
For fun, I asked AI (ChatGPT) to compare a soft gel seat and a high-density memory foam seat. Here’s what it came back with:
Soft Gel Seat
- Feel & Support: Instantly plush and cushy. Absorbs surface vibration well for short rides. Over time, gel can displace under pressure and create uneven support or “hot spots.”
- Performance: Best for short, casual rides or upright cruiser positions. Not ideal for longer rides because gel can shift rather than conform. Temperature sensitive: softens in heat and stiffens in cold.
- Durability: Can break down or leak over time. Tends to lose its shape faster than foam.
- Drawbacks: Can feel unstable under strong pedaling. Heavier and more reactive to temperature swings.
High-Density Memory Foam Seat
- Feel & Support: Feels firm at first, then contours to your sit bones with body heat and pressure. Provides consistent support for longer rides. Distributes pressure evenly to reduce soreness.
- Performance: Ideal for medium to long rides and for riders who prefer stable support. Handles weight shifts well, a good match for adjustable-width designs like QuickSet. Maintains shape and rebound over time.
- Durability: Resists deformation and breakdown with repeated use. Performs well across temperature changes.
- Drawbacks: Initial firmness can feel less plush to casual riders. Can retain a bit more heat on very warm days.
For me, the takeaway is simple: there’s no single “best” seat, but there is a best seat for you. The QuickSet’s firm, supportive design and adjustable width give riders the chance to dial in that personal comfort zone.
Jack and Anita on the Lake Wobegon Trail. The journey continues.
What Comes Next
Our next step will be to disassemble the first-article seats, examine every component for wear, and send feedback to the factory before green-lighting full production.
It’s been a long ride to get here, but mile by mile, the QuickSet keeps proving itself.
Thank you to everyone following our story so far. Every bit of encouragement helps keep us pedaling.
You can follow our Kickstarter page here and get a notification when we launch.