Hard or soft, wide or narrow, plastic or leather --- these are all features to be considered when choosing a bike saddle. Whether it's for racing, mountain biking, or leisure, bike seats come in all shapes and sizes, making it difficult to choose the right one. There is no one-size-fits-all model for bike saddles,which is why it's important to get the the saddle that best suits your riding needs.
Hard vs. Soft
Just as the softest mattress is not necessarily the most comfortable to sleep on, the softest saddle is not the most comfortable to cycle on. Soft saddles are good for short rides, while harder saddles are good for longer rides. This is because a saddles with thick padding can cause discomfort by increasing the pressure between your sit bones, the two bony parts felt under you when you sit straight up on a hard surface. Soft saddles, unlike harder ones, also can cause chafing of the inner thigh as your ride increases in length.
Wide vs. Narrow
Narrow seats are typically designed for racing and mountain biking. These seats are built to maintain a rapid pedaling pace, and are ideal for long rides. Wide saddles, on the other hand, are made to accommodate slow riding. These seats typically are padded to withstand the pressure placed on the seat as you ride.
Gel
If you experience numbness or soreness in the groin after you ride, then Gel seats are ideal for you. These seats are made of a closed-cell foam that molds to your body. They are often slightly wider throughout and have depressions on them to support the sit bones.
Plastic vs. Leather
Bicycle seats typically come in either padded plastic or stretched leather. Leather is more of a high-end material and is ideal if you enjoy longer rides at a moderate pace. These seats absorb your body heat, keeping you cooler, and you can break them in over time. Plastic seats aren't typically as high-end as the leather seats, but they are usually made of a flexible plastic that will conform to you as you ride.
Member Comments