How to Select a Bike Saddle

The bike saddle is the part of the seat that rests against your bum. It has a great bearing on habitual bicyclists, who often develop sores and other problems when they don't have good saddles. You want to select a bike saddle that allows the maximum amount of comfort and provides durability for a long time.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Decide whether you want to use a gel saddle. Gel material conforms more specifically to your contours and some cyclists believe it makes for a more comfortable ride. It usually comes down to a matter of preference, but if you aren't sure, you should at least look into a gel saddle. Examples of gel saddles include the Butterfly saddle models from Terry Saddles, ErgoGel saddles from Aero Tech Designs and a variety of models from The Comfort Seat (see Resources below).

2. Select a bike saddle of the proper size. The saddle should be wide enough support your tailbone adequately, but narrow enough to allow you to peddle without bowing your legs. If you go too far in either direction (too wide or too narrow), it will lead to chafing and sores.

3. Check how hard or soft the saddle is. A softer saddle is not necessarily a more comfortable saddle. Saddles which are excessively soft may not provide the support you need, reducing your comfort rather than enhancing it. Hard saddles, on the other hand, provide little comfort of any sort. You want one that provides at least some padding between you and the metal frame, but which doesn't elevate you unduly or otherwise interfere with your cycling.

4. Examine the saddle's material. Most saddles are made of either leather or plastic, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Leather tends to break in better over time and last longer, while padded plastic breaks in more quickly and usually requires less care. Particulars depend on the preference of the cyclists.

5. Weigh the saddle. Heavier saddles tend to cause more problems than lighter saddles and may cause bike parts to wear out more quickly. When in doubt over two saddles with identical features, go with the one that weighs less.

Tips & Warnings

• You may need to select a bike saddle through trial and error. The best saddle for you may not come without practical experience, which means spending time riding on a number of different types before you find one that works.
• Beware of anti-impotency saddles. Some cyclists worry that the wrong seat will cause sexual problems for them, but there is very little substantive facts to back up such rumors. People often use those to sell gimmicky saddles with "anti-impotency" features or other expensive add-ons that don't do much for you besides take money from your wallet.

Resources

• Bike saddles at Aero Tech Designs
• Bike saddles at Terry Bicycles
• Bike saddles at The Comfort Seat

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!

[vikont]

on 5/7/2009 Try as many saddles as possible. It's all about the fit and comfort. The one i found that works for me is ism adamo racing saddle from www.tribug.com