softening a Hardtail bicycle?

[Itchy]

Since the weather has improved a bit, the CBR600 is in the workshop having things done to it, the XT600 is also wheel less due to a rear wheel rebuild I am (motor)bikeless , but I do have a bicycle a very very old (think 1999) hard tail 'mountain' bike which was cheap in 1999 when it was bought.

It takes me longer to get anywhere but this doesn't matter as I don't exactly have much to fill the empty hours and instead of 10 minutes to get to the next town 30-50 minutes slowly riding seems ok.

The problem is , is that it has NO rear suspension and the front
Infact it looks like Maurice's bike

https://www.motocapers.com/bcf/France096bcf.jpg

What is the cheapest way other than riding it stood on the pedals all day to soften the ride? , on motorbike/car I don;t feel the bumps much due to its ok suspension , on the push bike the bump shock goes right through me.

How much difference will a gel seat make? , they seem reasonably cheap £10-£15 ,

Any thoughts?

Ta
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[D O G]

Meh, toughen up. 'Best' way is to buy some good quality padded cycling shorts and avoid the bumps like the plague. You should be able to avoid 90% of nasty bumps, and if not you can just raise your arse off the saddle when an impact is unavoidable.

[stinkwheel]

Suspension makes it a hell of a lot harder to pedal. You don't need suspension on the road.

You can buy sprung saddles which are the way to go in my oppinion.
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[Ariel Badger]

Harden up, suspension drains energy.
Use your legs to absorb shock, I MTB on and off road with no suspension. Hell, I off road motorcycles competitively that only have front suspension, you just get used to it.
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[eddclarke]

I do a lot of downhill mountain biking, and my bike had 6 inch rear travel and about 7 on the front. Riding it on the road is HOPELESS, so much energy is absorbed by the shocks.

You could try getting a suspension seat post?
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[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

As others have said rear suspension sucks your energy away. You lose about half of the energy you put in due to the shock IIRC. You get used to get.
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[JonB]

Ah but a lot of suspensions have lock out systems now. My bike does, it is a godsend for hills. Used to hate having 25% of my energy absorbed through the front suspension.
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[Itchy]

Meh , I see , best just get an iron butt them I suppose...
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[Davo]

As others have said, you don't need suspension on road. You'd be better off spending the money on getting a good saddle (that fit's you)

If you do really find your wanting a bit of suspension you could look at investing in a suspension seat post.

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/mc/Cycle/7/Post_Moderne/Seat_Posts/

(for example - haven't tried one myself)

[Ste]