Bike Seats and Saddles Buying Guides
The bike seat 
is the main part of the bicycle that determines your comfort for the duration of your ride. Many people simply stick with the saddle that comes with their bike of choice, but getting something more personalized can help you go the extra distance. A common misconception among some cyclists is that seat pain is inevitable. But with the proper seat, you can be comfortable through all of your rides, whether they are 10 miles or 100 miles. This guide will help you through the buying decision and make sure you find the right seat for your biking needs.
Tips for Ending Seat Soreness
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- Check Height and Angle: The first thing to check before investing in a new seat is the height and angle of the seat. If your saddle is improperly adjusted, it will cause discomfort and/or pain.
- Ride More: Let's face it, you're not used to sitting your tush on such a small surface. With a regular riding, you may find that your seat works just fine, it was you that needed warming up. Also remember that many saddle complaints are traceable to leg fatigue. If you are not ready for the 30 mile ride, don't go on it.
- Move Around: Some cyclists get into the bad habit of sitting in one place on the seat. Try occasionally moving around on the saddle to change the pressure points. Some suggest standing about every 15 minutes to take all the pressure off the seat.
- Wear Proper Clothes: Once you start riding faster and longer, you will need to wear the proper clothing. Definitely invest in a good pair of cycling shorts , which should have flat seams and padding in the crotch area and be made of a moisture-wicking fabric to keep you dry.
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Hot New Product
Selle SMP Strike Composit Saddle : This seat is the result of extensive studies analyzing the various positions a cyclists takes throughout a ride and the constant interaction with the saddle. It is designed to prevent the male genitals from getting squashed and to increase the blood flow to leg muscles. |
Buying a New Seat
So you've gone through the checklist above and you are still experiencing discomfort during your rides. Now it's time to pursue buying a new saddle. First thing you can do is ask some of your biking friends what they like about their seats. While everyone's bum is different, this might help you determine what features to look for in your new seat. The next step is to go into a store and try out a bunch of saddles to see which feels best. Keep in mind there are lot of different options. Below are some things to consider before making your purchase.
Material
The main debate in the bicycle seat arena pins leather against plastic , while the new gel options are beginning spice things up. Your choice will depend on how far you plan to ride and how sensitive you are to moisture. People tend to find a material that fits and stick with it.
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Leather - Tried and true old-school option.
- Needs to be broken in for about 100 miles.
- More comfortable after broken in.
- Requires a lot of maintenance.
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Plastic - Weighs less than leather.
- Weatherproof, so it keeps you drier.
- Doesn't need breaking in.
- Tends to be cheaper than leather.
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Gel /Gelfoam - Gel molds to your body and has true volume that never reduces over time.
- Gelfoam has a pliable feel and springs back into shape, but will compress with use.
- You can get gel and gelfoam inserts for any saddle.
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Saddle Features
As you may have read or heard there are many reports that have come out discussing the impact of regular bicycle riding on impotence in men. There is no clear-cut answer one way or another in this debate, but men should keep an eye out for any numbness in the groin. To handle what may or may not be a growing problem, saddles today come with a variety of features to ease pressure and increase blood flow. It is important to test out these features in a riding situation to truly gauge how it will help. Most high-end bike stores will allow you to test the seat on a stationary bike to get a feel for the various features. Remember, though, you can't test for how the seat feels on bumps and rough terrain when on a stationary bike.
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Hole Saddles - Also called cut out saddles .
- Features holes in strategic locations to increase comfort.
- Studies are mixed on whether or not this is an added benefit.
- A good amount of riders prefer saddles with holes to those without.
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Pressure Point Gel Insert Saddles - Similar concept to the hole saddles.
- Features gel inserts in key spots to provide support.
- A popular type for women riders.
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Raised Pelvic Saddles - Features extra padding at the two pressure points where your pelvic bone meets the seat.
- Claims to release pressure from your posterior.
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Width
Many new cyclists assume that a narrow bike seat is synonymous to an uncomfortable one. This is not always the case. Many people liken this to how most people assume that soft mattresses are best, while most people prefer something firm. Most distance riders, whether racing or touring, find a the narrow saddles more comfortable than the wider ones. Wide saddles fix you in a position and that is generally where you stay. This keeps pressure on one spot. Width is another thing you should test out in a "real" riding situation. Ask your retailer if you can test different widths to see what works best for you.
Ladies, don't forget that you have different needs than the men and most bikes come fitted with a man's saddle. The obvious truth is that a woman's pelvic bone is constructed differently than a man's, which definitely impacts the saddles you choose. Female-specific saddles take this gender difference into account. These saddles are wider in the back, shorter from nose to back and feature more pronounced cutaways at the sides.
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