Have you ever ridden a bike that had an uncomfortable seat? The bike seat, also called the saddle, should provide you with padding and comfort so you enjoy the ride, not dread it. Whether you take a short bike ride a couple of times a week or are an avid racer, you need to make sure you choose the right saddle for your body type and the type of riding you do. Interestingly, getting the proper fit can be the difference in a few inches.
Okay, to put it bluntly, we are all shaped differently so the concept of “one size fits all” simply does not apply to bike saddles. In addition to dimension variances, everyone has his or her own sensitivity level. Because of this, we see a huge choice of bike saddles, something for everyone. To find the saddle that fits you best, you will literally need to sit on many bikes. Although the information for the bike will provide you with information, you need to do the sit test.
Unfortunately, bike manufactures will say quite a bit to guide consumers to buy. Many times, they will even go as far as making guarantees to the level of comfort but again, comfort is a subjective thing, meaning everyone’s comfort level is different. You will also need to consider the various types of saddles. For instance, you could purchase a gel saddle, which is often a great choice for a racer.
Typically, the wider, padded saddles are more comfortable for short rides but as the ride becomes longer, the saddle will put pressure on the nerves, which then causes discomfort or pain. Then you have racing saddles, which are designed to be very lightweight. While these too work great for short distances, they do little for the backend on long rides. You will also find ergonomic saddles on the market. Interestingly, for some people these saddles help with nerve pressure whereas for others, they make it worse. The key is to sit on the bikes and if possible, try several out before buying. While that is not always a possibility, if you have a friend or family member with a bike, take theirs for a spin.