I've never been much for bike on the road. It bores me and it puts my life into someone elses hands.
When younger, I spent lots of time on bicycles of all types. My ideal would be 24 inch wheels with a long frame. Suspension in front for my now older wrists and the rest of the body. I like the full suspension systems, but they don't always go well with rack and panier bags. I like the dirt, back trails, 4x4 roads, etc. I like the lower center of gravity and the ability to wheely over rocks and steps. I like low and high gears, but not a gazillion of them, maybe ten. No one is making a bike like this. It is a cross between BMX and mountain bike. The new bikes are built to make time and roll over rocks, even 29 inch wheels these days. That is just competition and speed to me. I like to get INTO the road or trail, and maneuver stand up and use the whole of the body and RIDE the bike. I also like to explore, cruise the back country, to sit comfortably, when I'm ready, on a nice cushioned springy seat, leaning back. The weight is more on the rear wheel, the balance focused on that one point. A sturdy light weight contraption is good too.
Back to the issue of chaffing. I road many miles as a kid never wearing out my pants on those wide seats. After getting more middle aged weight on my bones, and not riding for a few years, I noticed the inside thighs of my pants shredding. Maybe it isn't the seat at all? I can see the point of a thin seat for efficiency in redundant motion with legs together, racing. I like to sit back and coast, too.
I do like the river walk here. It is just two lane bike track made of asphalt that has curves and dips in a park-like atmosphere. It is much more fun than a road.
Jbee