How to Pick the Perfect Bike Saddle
Are you wondering how to pick out a new bike saddle? The good news is, you have options! The even better news is that we’re here to help guide you through them! We always recommend that people try the stock saddle that comes with their new bike for two weeks, but sometimes the stock saddle isn’t right for people. If you’re on the hunt for something comfortable, we’re here to help. Let’s talk through some of the details, and stop by our shop with any remaining questions you have!
How to Pick the Right Bike Saddle for your Riding?
Different bike saddles are designed for different style of bikes! The most important factor is the angle of your torso when you are riding. Here we’ll dig into all the things you need to know when picking out a bike seat to keep you comfortable and safe on all your rides!
If you ride a cruiser bike in an upright position, you probably want to try a saddle designed for casual, recreational cycling. The saddles ideal for an upright position, are often wider with plush padding, and sometimes have springs for cushioning in the back.
If you’re racing or riding lots of miles on your road bike, you’ll want a road cycling saddle, which will be longer and narrow with minimal padding. The narrow shape reduces friction of your thighs against the saddle nose when your in a leaning forward position. Minimal padding is to support your sit bones, not let them sink in.
For long-distance riding such as bike touring, you may want to look for a saddle similar to a road saddle with a bit of mountain bike seat blended in. Saddles for bike touring typically provide a little more cushioning for your sit bones and a fairly long, narrow nose.
Regardless of whether a saddle says it’s for men or women, choose the option that fits your body the best. Nothing beats sitting on a saddle and seeing how it feels. So, if you don’t already know what width saddle you want, we recommend stopping by the shop and trying a few.
And if you’re a commuter!! You might be interested in a saddle with a bit of cushioning, but not too much. You’ll also want to think of the weather resistant materials in your seat. Bike commuters who ride rain or shine may want to consider the weather resistance of the cover materials.
Differences Between Saddles for Men and Women
Many bicycle seats are built to protect your perineum—the area between the sit bones, through which traverse a plethora of nerves and arteries. These saddles reduce or eliminate the material in the middle of the saddle, both relieving pressure on the perineum and providing airflow and comfort during long rides.
Because everyone’s anatomy is different, some riders find great relief with a perineal cutout; others use a saddle that either has a small indentation in the saddle or no accommodation at all. This kind of pressure-relieving design benefits many people but is truly a personal preference. The main differences between men’s and women’s saddles are:
cutout design/size/location
pressure relief channel
length of saddle nose
How to Choose between Bike Seat Materials?
Synthetic: Most saddles are made entirely of synthetic materials, from the molded shell to the foam or gel padding and saddle cover. They are lightweight and low maintenance, and require no break-in time, making them a popular choice for most riders.
Leather: Some saddles substitute a thin leather covering for a synthetic one but are otherwise very similar in materials used. Other leather saddles, however, are made solely from a leather cover that’s stretched and suspended between the rails of a metal frame. After a break-in period of about 200 miles, the leather molds to your weight and shape. Like an old baseball glove or a trusty pair of leather hiking boots, the initial period of use may include some discomfort, but the end result “fits like a glove.” Not everyone likes a leather saddle, but those who do usually love it.
One downside of leather is that it is not waterproof, which means you may need to treat it with a leather conditioner on occasion. This can protect against moisture and against drying of the leather through UV exposure. Check the manufacturer's care instructions before using a conditioner on a leather saddle, as some manufacturers recommend against it.
Cotton: A handful of saddles feature cotton as the cover material. Cotton covers are designed to stretch and move just a little while you ride, offering excellent comfort and control while pedaling. Another plus is that cotton requires a much shorter break-in period than leather.
How to pick a Bike Saddle of the Right Size?
Bike saddles come in different sizes to accommodate different body types. Finding a bike saddle that is the right size for your body mostly has to do with the width of the saddle and how well it supports your sit bones. Generally, you want a saddle that’s wide enough for good support, but not so wide that it causes rubbing and chafing on your thighs.
Men’s and women’s saddles are designed to accommodate differences in hip width and sit bone size based on “typical” gendered body types. Regardless of whether a saddle says it’s for men or women, choose the option that fits your body the best. Nothing beats sitting on a saddle and seeing how it feels. So, if you don’t already know what width saddle you want, we recommend stopping by the shop and trying a few.
How to Choose Your Bike Saddle Position?
Just as important as picking the right saddle for your body, you want to be sure that saddle is in the proper position for comfortable and effective riding!
Saddle height: If your saddle is too high, it can cause you to shift your weight from side to side, which often results in irritation to your sensitive sit bone area. For road bikes and hybrid bikes, the right saddle height will result in your leg having just a slight bend (roughly 80–90 % of full extension) when your foot is at the bottom of the pedal stroke. To check this, have a friend hold your bike upright while you hop on the saddle and position the pedals until you reach the desired, comfortable height. You can also take the bike on a few rides and note how the saddle feels - if there is tension or cramping in your knees the seat is too low, but if you feel strain on your Achilles tendon or your locking out you knees, it’s too high.
Saddle position: When your right foot is at the 3 o’clock position of the pedal stroke, your knee should be aligned straight over your forefoot. If your knee is too far forward or back, then you need to adjust it forward or backward. Simply loosen the saddle binder bolt at the top of your seat post and underneath your saddle and slide the saddle forward or backward as needed. Finding the ideal saddle position can take some time and trial and error. Getting a bike fit helps a great deal so if this is an issue for you, consider getting a fit!
More Tips to Improve Your Comfort in the Saddle
Even with the right saddle, a bumpy ride or long days of riding can still cause saddle soreness. Sometimes it’s not just about the right saddle, but also how you ride on it! You can try standing up on your pedals briefly to give yourself a short break, and standing just slightly when riding over big bumps, which will help use your legs as shock absorbents. Wearing padded bike shorts helps minimize friction and bumps on long rides, and can wick moisture that would otherwise create irritation. Chamois cream is also makes a big difference for a lot of people.
A Final note:
If you have lasting numbness or major discomfort, it’s a great idea to get a professional bike fit - a trained fitter will analyze your riding positions and bike anatomy to make the perfect adjustments for your body. If you have swelling or pain, a trip to your doctor could also be a good idea. However, for most people using these tips and testing out some different saddles will help a lot!
Come into the shop and chat with us about any questions you have - we’d love to talk saddle fit and help you find the perfect seat for your ride. We also have a demo saddle program where we lend out our most popular saddles for you to test for a week at a time, so you can find the perfect fit!
