Unique Dual Action Seat for Bicycles Review
Here’s something unique and unusual for you bikers out there, it’s called the Dual Action Seat for biking or DAS. This unconventional bicycle seat relieves pressure to the groin, tailbone, perineum giving you a new experience on your road bike that you may just be interested in. The DAS is geared for touring or stationary bikes.
The first thing you notice is the shape of course, it reinvents the bicycle seat utilizing 2 separate seat pad areas. The vertical axle allows the seat to swivel left to right about 45 degrees or so in either direction, and the two seat pads on the horizontal axle rotate as well to coincide with your leg extension at the bottom of your pedal stroke.
Each pad measures about 5″ wide with 2″ separating the pair. If you have a lot of junk in the trunk wider pads can be made upon request. Each seat pad gel is velcroed to each seat platform. It’s super sturdy made from aircraft grade 6061 aluminum alloy with stainless steel bolts, nuts, Velcro®, Blue Diamond Gel® and Neoprene®. Total weight for the seat not including the seat post is 3 lbs 13 oz.
Installation
In our tests, we took the DAS out for a run on my Cannondale Killer V from 1998 but will fit onto any straight seat post with a 7/8″ diameter on top.The first thing I notice is the weight, it’s sturdy but carries some fair weight with it. It’s super easy to install, just use your quick release seat post clamp or allen wrench to take out your old seatpost and slide in the new one with the DAS attached.
Determine the center the unit by swiveling left then right and secure your seat post. The pad platform swivels 45 degrees from center in either direction. The short curvature of the seat pad will be facing forward. Then you will also need to adjust your angle, we chose a slight angle forward, some will prefer a flatter stance. The pads themselves, located on the horizontal axle rotate 45 degrees as well.
Our setup was geared to be just a little more sitting than leaning, about 60/40, but your personal setup may vary. You may find you will need to re-adjust and angle slightly more or less after a short ride once you are accustomed to how the new DAS seat works.
“DAS is designed for comfort and pain relief – May require adjustment of higher handle bars and lower seat height”
Our Experience
I recommend to start off riding in a standing position till you get moving before you sit, I had a tendency to lean on the seat too early and ended up sliding off. Once moving the ride is not quite as odd as it looks since the unit is designed to ergonomically follow your leg extensions when you’re pedaling. Each pad will rotate forward with you even at your full extension.
Men especially for obvious reasons have bigger issues with traditional saddle designs then women but most agree it’s fairly uncomfortable for extended periods of time. I’ve tried gel seat covers and they tend to be padded a little too much but more importantly can slide off when your riding in certain situations. The DAS was very comfortable, though I can’t say it helps much when you have to go “#2” but the pressure to your perineum, which can potentially lead to erectile dysfunction for males, is nil. So if you’ve got medical issues or just want to take some precautionary measures, this is a great thing for you.
The platform swivels or rotates on both horizontal and vertical axle’s as described and after a little getting used to, was comfortable to ride on a casual ride or somewhat spirited ride. I recommend keeping a separate seat post for this so you can quickly swap back and forth depending on the terrain you will be negotiating that day.
I’m not a road biker per say, but I do spend a fair amount of time on the pavement on my mountain bike for local riding, dip into the woods and find a trail, in those situations, I’d say the DAS is fine. Hardcore speedcyclists and downhill mountain bikers alike would probably would not necessarily be interested in this. The sheer weight and lateral/forward movement is just not desired for performance sports. I don’t think you’ll see anyone using this downhill or single track traversing at Killington. It’s pretty comfortable but I would not suggest this seat for anything other than road riding, casual or stationary bikes.
If the seat had some sort of recoil to center (however light of resistance), as well as an adjustment to limit the amount of travel or swivel left to right would give a bit more stability I suppose, I’m not sure. Though we didn’t get a chance to install this onto a stationary exercise bike, we can see how the DAS would work very well that capacity; Rehab facility or at the gym where you have no forward movement.
If you put in long hours doing some lengthy miles for exercise or even for leisure on the road, in the gym or for medical reasons, the Dual Action Seat offers you a new kind of comfort from the traditional saddle design. DAS offers a 30 day money back guarantee if you’re still not a believer after owning it.
Available from dualactionseat.com
for $198..00
