To find the most comfortable road bike saddle for you, visit a specialty bicycle shop. Ask to try out the different seats to find the one that works best for your body shape and for how you intend to ride your bicycle. Many specialty retailers will allow you to take prospective purchases out for a test ride.
Types
Comfortable bike saddles for road bikes can be difficult to find. Road bikes are usually constructed with speed in mind, with firmer, narrow saddles. When you do decide on a bike saddle, choose one designed specifically for men or women. According to retailer Dick's Sporting Goods, some saddles have cut-out sections and gelled areas to accommodate male anatomy. Female road bike saddles should have wider areas to accommodate the pelvis, and a shorter nose.
Features
When you try out the road bike saddle, it should be wide enough to accommodate your sit bones. If the seat is too narrow, you will feel pressure on your thighs because the sit bones hanging off the seat while you ride. However, you should not buy a road bike saddle that is too wide, because this can lead to uncomfortable chafing during use.
Considerations
The road bike saddle you choose should not have excessive padding; this will not make it more comfortable, the Bicycling Life website warns. You should avoid buying seats with large gel inserts or covers with lots of foam padding that you are instructed to place over the road bike saddle.
Benefits
The ISM Adamo Podium Saddle and Selle San Marco Regal Titanium were two road bike saddles reviewed favorably by the Competitive Cyclist website. The website deemed both very comfortable without interfering with performance. The Selle San Marco Regal Titanium has a stiffer saddle with less flex and helps place less pressure on the buttocks during use. The ISM Adamo Podium Saddle has a wide split nose and more padding in the front than the rear, which helps position you forward for added comfort.
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