Hammer

Why a plastic bag over the bicycle seat?

Wax Crayon asked:

I often see people cycling around with a plastic bag over their bike's seat.

Why do they do this?
I see people with them on while they're riding, and they don't look like particularly serious cyclists.

19 Comments »

billyandgaby rated this:

Water proofing?

# 25 December 2008 at 4:48 am

paul633uk rated this:

No wet assssss..!!!

# 27 December 2008 at 8:36 pm

claire_gibbens rated this:

Maybe they don’t want the saddle to smell! Sorry had to say that.

# 28 December 2008 at 3:42 am

tunachunks199 rated this:

Comes in handy if you have a panic attack

# 28 December 2008 at 12:49 pm

mrselange rated this:

So they don’t get the ball sweat all over the seat…..( that stuff is so hard to get out)

# 30 December 2008 at 3:23 pm

jordan close rated this:

so if there seats wet……..??? the dont get there assssssssss wet?

# 2 January 2009 at 11:23 pm

Lady Jane rated this:

To stop the seat getting wet,I guess.If it rains when its parked up,they just take it off and its dry underneath.You already know this one don’t you.

# 5 January 2009 at 12:26 pm

mrogynist rated this:

Dual purpose,

It waterproofs the seat protecting it from rain which can make it shrivel up and when a cyclist sweats it wont soak into the seat making it uncomfortable by causing chafing.

# 6 January 2009 at 10:40 pm

ash#0 rated this:

protect their seat if it rains, thats what i fink. water could damage the seat, i fink…or they dont wanna get their arse wet wen they sit down.

# 9 January 2009 at 5:42 pm

Hidden rated this:

I’ve always wondered the same thing…

# 10 January 2009 at 11:35 am

tony_rly rated this:

Can’t think of an answer to that one! I’m a serious cyclist and I wear shorts with absorbent padding that wicks perspiration away and also stops saddle chafe. My saddle is a good one and fits me and I can’t think of anything worse than doing a century ride with a plastic bag under me. The wrinkles must cut you to pieces!
Being a man it’s bad enough keeping one bag out of the way without putting another one in the way deliberately!!!!

# 13 January 2009 at 1:10 am

lcynbl rated this:

so your but does not get wet and it keeps your bcycle saddle looking clean and so the colour fades away.

# 14 January 2009 at 5:30 am

bob s rated this:

keeps your balls from being blown off

# 16 January 2009 at 7:39 pm

brogdenuk rated this:

To keep it dry.

# 19 January 2009 at 5:12 am

alwyn rated this:

Hm I do have a covering on my seat too, though it’s swimwear material more like, and fits the saddle like a glove. It protects the leather surface underneath, and cools it down too.

An actual plastic bag is stupid though: it doesn’t breathe, which will cause your bum to transpire a lot more. On top of that it makes noise, and it’s slippery even when you’re wearing jeans. I imagine it’s a bit like people covering their leather sofas with plastic – it keeps the leather in good shape maybe, but you can’t enjoy the sofa at all.

A plastic bag over the seat may keep it dry, but there’s downsides to be reckoned with: more bum-smell, more cramp in the upper legs for slipping off, and more noise to make the ride more pleasant.. :S

# 20 January 2009 at 8:34 pm

Sally rated this:

they may have a bladder problem.

# 23 January 2009 at 5:39 am

Gaz rated this:

It water proofs the saddle, stopping any water from getting into the foam.

If your seat gets wet it can lead to chaffing on longer rides.

Personally I would only but one on my seat if I was locking my bike outside when it might rain, I would take it off to ride the bike.

# 25 January 2009 at 7:30 pm

cannondalerick rated this:

I have never seen this. My seat is carbon fiber so I wouldn’t think I would need to keep it dry. Maybe they are good people and they pick up trash when they see it.

# 26 January 2009 at 8:49 am

Dave rated this:

Because the covering on my saddle is falling apart and the gel’s coming out, and it sticks to my pants. That’s why I’m reading this site- to find a new saddle.

# 11 April 2010 at 12:13 pm