Finding the Right Road Bike Saddle

The saddle is the most individual component of a bicycle. Hardly any other product is replaced as often after buying a bike as the saddle. This is not very surprising, especially with road bikes, because you spend a lot of time in a very stretched position on the saddle. Sometimes you notice directly that something isn't right, sometimes only after a few hours. No matter when or how: An unsuitable saddle can significantly spoil the fun of riding! In this article, we'll introduce the differences between various road bike saddles and what you should look out for to find the right one for you. A little spoiler at the beginning: It's not so easy - but possible!

... and different shapes of the road bike saddle 

Here, you'll find a variety of (road bike) saddle shapes, differing not just in width. Which shape suits you depends on various factors. One influencing factor is your pelvic position on the saddle. If you tilt your pelvis far forward while riding – for example, if you're very flexible – the main weight usually rests on the front part of the saddle and thus on your pubic bone. For this seating position, slightly (!) V-shaped saddles* are often well suited, as they offer you more support in the area of the pubic bone. A slightly elevated rear can also be helpful in this case to better distribute your body weight on the saddle. If your pelvis is more upright on the saddle, your sit bones are more stressed. In this case, you should choose a Y-shaped saddle*. This gives you a slightly wider seat area in the region of the sit bones, improving pressure distribution. Moreover, this saddle shape offers a bit more legroom – matching your pelvic position. Furthermore, for special applications, such as for triathlon or time trial bikes, there are special saddles. The seating position in aero is extremely stretched, hence triathlon or time trial saddles are wider and often shorter in the nose area than normal road bike saddles. This way, they distribute the pressure in the area of the pubic bone over as large an area as possible, without restricting your pedalling movement.

Not just the outline differs from saddle to saddle, but also the curvature, i.e., how much the saddle drops from the center to the sides. Some saddles are more curved, and others are flatter. The rule of thumb here is: The more often you experience problems with pressure and numbness in the perineal or genital area, the more likely you are to benefit from saddles that are flatter. They shift the weight further outwards and thus more onto the bones. If you're very sensitive to pressure on the bones or to skin friction at the transition between the sitting area and thighs, we recommend a saddle that is a bit more curved: It distributes the pressure somewhat more evenly across the entire sitting area.

*V and Y-shaped saddles 

This refers to the outline that the saddle closely resembles when you view it directly from above. A V-shaped saddle is a bit wider in the middle area than a Y-shaped saddle.

The way you pad is the way you ride 

How thick or thin you want your saddle's padding to be is largely a matter of personal preference. But as a rule of thumb: the more sporty and extended your riding position, the less padding you need. With a saddle that has thin, firm padding, your sit bones can't "sink" in as much. This allows your muscles to work without restriction, nerves and blood vessels won't get compressed, and you won't chafe – provided the saddle's shape and width fit you. If you often ride on rougher terrains or even off-road, a certain degree of padding can provide pleasant damping though. Some manufacturers also use foam or gel pads in the area of the sit and pubic bones to enhance the saddle's damping and adaptation to the body. In the high-end segment, you'll now find some saddles manufactured using 3D printing. Manufacturers promise enhanced comfort through optimally adapted harder and softer saddle zones as well as smooth transitions to the edges or cutouts (if present), all while keeping the weight low.

By the way, there are even saddles that completely forego padding: Here, the saddle shell is made of carbon, and if the shape is right, many avid cyclists swear that the shell's flex is enough to offer the desired comfort. Even padded saddles in the top segment often have a light and flexible carbon fiber or carbon fiber-reinforced shell. For further weight savings and additional comfort, carbon seatposts can also make a difference since they can flex more than aluminum posts if designed accordingly. 

An age-old alternative to high-tech are (core) leather saddles. Here, there's no saddle shell or padding. Instead, there's a frame connected to the saddle rails at the back and front, between which the leather is stretched. You have to break in leather saddles as well as regularly lubricate and occasionally retighten them. Over time, they adapt excellently to your rear - although they usually perform better in an upright riding position than in a stretched position, especially for women.

It's all about the adjustment 

To feel comfortable on your new saddle, it needs to be properly adjusted. The correct saddle height, saddle setback, and saddle tilt are crucial. In our Bike Ergonomics 101, we guide you through adjusting your saddle or the entire bike – after all, everything plays together. Don't forget: You should test any new adjustment for several kilometers - not just a quick spin around the yard - before adopting or discarding it. Of course, you can also visit a professional bike fitting if, after some trial and error, you still don't feel right on your bike.

Conclusion 

The impact of individual anatomy isn't always predictable, and a test ride with practical impressions to see if the saddle truly fits remains crucial. However, our tips can help you consider certain aspects beforehand and find your favorite. 
By the way, you shouldn't underestimate the positive impact of a good, padded cycling shorts that fits you and your saddle. Moreover, chamois cream is particularly useful for long rides to definitively say goodbye to chafing issues. If you haven't delved into the topic of chamois cream or want to know what's new, check out our blog article on Chamois Cream for Cycling.