How do I choose a saddle?
Discussion
Got an ebike that's been sat in the garage for three/four years but grandson (7) talked me into taking him on a bike ride and though the lekky bit worked well, the saddle was really uncomfortable. Popped into Rutland bikes to buy a new one, and tbh the chappie there seemed uninterested. Said I couldn't try a saddle, would just have to buy whatever I liked the look of. Not overly helpful?
So how do I choose a comfy one? I'm really old (70) and overweight (18st) and a bit unfit so where to go to try different seats and what should I look for?
So how do I choose a comfy one? I'm really old (70) and overweight (18st) and a bit unfit so where to go to try different seats and what should I look for?
Finding the optimum set up between saddle, bars and pedals can relieve saddle pressure points. Centre of forward knee joint directly above pedal axle with cranks parallel to the ground and saddle perfectly level. Also with an e-bike less pressure is needed on the pedals so more transfers to your bum but as others have said you'll adapt to the saddle with more use.
In the meantime you could use one of these hateful gel padded covers. Some swear by them, allegedly...
In the meantime you could use one of these hateful gel padded covers. Some swear by them, allegedly...
I dont know what your budget is, so this might not be an option
If you can find a bike shop that stocks Fizik saddles, they have a "Demo" scheme where they will load you a saddle so you can try before you buy. They have 3 main models ( might be more now ) so I would have thought you'd find one that feels comfortable, but as said above I'd be inclined to try padded shorts first rather than look to a straight saddle swap
To be fair most decent bike shops would / should be able to advise if they've actually got any stock or not thats a different matter...
If you can find a bike shop that stocks Fizik saddles, they have a "Demo" scheme where they will load you a saddle so you can try before you buy. They have 3 main models ( might be more now ) so I would have thought you'd find one that feels comfortable, but as said above I'd be inclined to try padded shorts first rather than look to a straight saddle swap
To be fair most decent bike shops would / should be able to advise if they've actually got any stock or not thats a different matter...
My wife always beats about here saddle, what I keep telling though is she isn't giving it a chance. 1 ride every 6 months, of course your arse will be sore lol. Get some half decent padded shorts and If I havnt ridden for a few months, I'll do 2 or 3 rides over 3 or 4 days. Leave it for 3 or 4 days to wait for the bruising to go and I'm usually good to go. Try that if your saddle is still giving you grief, 1st thing I would suggest is find a local bike shop that has interested staff and have your bum bones measured. You can then at least buy the right size.
I hated the standard one on by Canyon e-bike so bought one of these;
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393121967816?var=0&...
Nice and cheap, and perfect for my commute
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393121967816?var=0&...
Nice and cheap, and perfect for my commute
Find your nearest Trek dealer, the in house P&A brand is Bontrager. All Bontrager products come with a 30 day comfort guarantee, if you don't get on with it you can try a different model/size or ultimately return the item.
If you don't get on with an indie, try a Trek DOTS store (Direct Owned Trek Store).
If you don't get on with an indie, try a Trek DOTS store (Direct Owned Trek Store).
Sit bones... measure (guides on you tube etc). make sure the saddle is supporting you properly.
Clothing... Doesn't need to be lycra but can get casual trousers/ shorts with chamois pad. I'm fine in cycling shorts, but whenever i cycle in normal clothing with boxer shorts, it is uncomfortable.
Exposure.. There is an element of your body getting used to different pressure points and 'toughening up'. Only thing for this is more cycling, but the above needs to be right or else it will always be painful.
On my road bike i went through many saddles, but the correct width for the sit bones and thinking about saddle shape made the biggest difference. It went from literally eye watering pain to all okay. It was a good moment on finding the right saddle. The pressure relief cut outs also didn't work for me either, so not an automatic benefit. Also, the saddle doesn't necessarily need to be thick padding for comfort.
Clothing... Doesn't need to be lycra but can get casual trousers/ shorts with chamois pad. I'm fine in cycling shorts, but whenever i cycle in normal clothing with boxer shorts, it is uncomfortable.
Exposure.. There is an element of your body getting used to different pressure points and 'toughening up'. Only thing for this is more cycling, but the above needs to be right or else it will always be painful.
On my road bike i went through many saddles, but the correct width for the sit bones and thinking about saddle shape made the biggest difference. It went from literally eye watering pain to all okay. It was a good moment on finding the right saddle. The pressure relief cut outs also didn't work for me either, so not an automatic benefit. Also, the saddle doesn't necessarily need to be thick padding for comfort.
You might like a more traditional approach - something like a Brooks which supports (and cushions) in a completely different way to a 'modern' saddle...
I can use mine for a couple of hours with no padded shorts at all (assuming no awkwardly placed seams...) or all day with.
That's after not riding for years, and having soreness with the saddle that came with the bike. I'd still not 'toughened up', but from day 1 it was absolutely perfect. Just seemed to support everywhere without actually placing pressure anywhere.
I can use mine for a couple of hours with no padded shorts at all (assuming no awkwardly placed seams...) or all day with.
That's after not riding for years, and having soreness with the saddle that came with the bike. I'd still not 'toughened up', but from day 1 it was absolutely perfect. Just seemed to support everywhere without actually placing pressure anywhere.
Try a different (better) bike shop. Many have either a pad you sit on which leaves an imprint they measure, or they have a caliper they measure the bones directly on your butt.
As suggested, it might be that the saddle is ok, just you need to get used to it, and padded shorts/underwear will help. The pad does matter too - for example I have some Castelli stuff with their high-end X2 pad which I wear often, and I could ride *forever* in them, but I have some pairs of Alé shorts I wear now and then and I can definitely feel they have different support on my sit bones. I'm sure if I wore the Alé shorts all the time I would get used to them and then the Castellis would feel 'wrong'.
As suggested, it might be that the saddle is ok, just you need to get used to it, and padded shorts/underwear will help. The pad does matter too - for example I have some Castelli stuff with their high-end X2 pad which I wear often, and I could ride *forever* in them, but I have some pairs of Alé shorts I wear now and then and I can definitely feel they have different support on my sit bones. I'm sure if I wore the Alé shorts all the time I would get used to them and then the Castellis would feel 'wrong'.
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