Bicycle seats come in all shapes and sizes. The most comfortable type for one person may cause discomfort in another rider. To find the best bike saddle for you, visit a bike shop and try out the offerings. If you feel any numbness, chafing or pain while riding, choose another bicycle seat.
Features
To find the most comfortable bicycle seat, you need to position yourself on the saddle. While on the bike, get into your usual riding pose. Your sit bones, the two pressure points on your rear, should rest in the center of the bike saddle. If the bicycle seat is too narrow, you'll feel excess pressure on the sit bones. If it is too wide, you are more prone to chafing.
Types
To increase your comfort level, choose an anatomically correct bicycle saddle. A saddle that has been designed with your body structure will help you avoid pressure on certain parts of the anatomy. For instance, men's saddles may have cutouts or extra gel padding to prevent numbness in the lower regions. Women's saddles are typically wider to accommodate a larger pelvic region. The nose is also usually shorter on a woman's saddle.
Considerations
A bike saddle can be made more comfortable by simply making a few adjustments. If you have the seat too high, you'll need to rock your hips more, which may cause discomfort in your buttocks. Lower the seat slightly to remedy this issue. Angling the bike seat to the left and right slightly may also ease saddle discomfort. It is not necessary to use gel saddle covers to improve the comfort of the seat.
Warning
Avoid bike seats with excessive padding if you want a comfortable ride. Although a lot of foam and gel padding may seem like it can cushion the bottom, it may actually end up putting more pressure on the sit bones and make the ride uncomfortable. Gel seats may feel comfortable for a short ride, but chafing and sliding can occur on longer treks.
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