The Right Saddle for Every Biker: Road, MTB, All-Rounder, E-Bike

Aside from grips or handlebar tape and the pedals, the saddle is one of three contact points between the bike and its rider. If something goes wrong in the relationship between cyclist and bike – such as back or seat pain – the first place to look is the saddle. The good news: there is a saddle for every butt!
The fact is, hardly any other adjustment increases your fun while riding as much and for as little money as a proper saddle. Particularly when you’ve bought a new bike and haven’t found your groove with it right out of the box, keep in mind that bike manufacturers are forced to find a compromise in choosing a saddle that works for as many people as possible. This is done without accounting for gender, height, weight, hip width, etc. However, a one-size-fits-all saddle for every rider does not exist. We can show you in a few simple steps what you should consider when choosing your own saddle.

The right saddle for your riding posture: upright or extended?

Your riding posture is one of the fundamental parameters in the search for the right saddle. As a rule of thumb, the more athletic and extended you are on your bike, the more your hands and arms will have to work to support you. This means that your saddle has to be narrower and harder. Conversely, the more upright you ride, the more you have to pay attention to the right padding and a larger saddle width, as the pressure on the sit bones and perineal area is now higher. Of course, your anatomy also plays a part in deciding on a saddle width. Ergonomics specialists like Ergon or SQlab offer special tools to measure the width of your pelvis, hip or sit bone distance, such as the simple but effective SQlab Measuring Cardboard. By the way: there is no correlation between sit bone distance and weight. Those who buy a particularly narrow saddle for vanity are usually making a mistake.

Are there different saddles for women and men?

One of the most hotly debated questions around proper posture: do men or women need special saddles? Also, how do they differ? Different manufacturers give different answers to this question. Companies such as Specialized, Selle Italia or Brooks offer unisex saddles with or without a cut-out, in different widths or degrees of hardness. The Koblenz-based manufacturer Ergon takes a different approach and basically divides its saddle models into women's and men's-specific versions, which are also available in different widths. Some of the models differ significantly in structure, padding or the position of the recess. SQlab is different: the Munich-based company always offers its saddles as unisex versions with different widths and basic designs. However, one thing can be said: the claim that women only needed soft saddles, lots of padding and recesses is wrong.

Special coils: Brooks and others

Who doesn’t know the bend leather saddles with a coil spring between the saddle shell and the frame? Brooks in particular made this construction world-famous. Saddles like the Brooks Flyer are extremely popular with long-distance riders, comfort-seekers or people who appreciate particularly durable products. The German accessory manufacturer Contec also has such saddles in its range. What they all have in common is that you have to break them in, tighten the coils and maintain the leather from time to time. You will be rewarded with fantastic comfort. Perhaps too bulky for mountain bikes or road bikes, but a great choice for randonneurs, touring bikes or people who like a little more comfort on their bike.