If you are finding it hard to get a comfortable bike saddle, then you may be getting frustrated and looking for a way to achieve this…
How can I find a comfortable bike saddle?
If your saddle still seems too thin and uncomfortable, the best thing to do is to look for manufacturers that specialize in wider saddles. Check your local bike shop and look for vendors that provide some of the more diverse designs, such as SMP, Adamo, SQLabs, and Cobb.
You might have to try a few before you find the perfect fit, but there is a saddle out there that’s going to be the perfect fit for you!
Where can I find a comfortable bike saddle?
You’ll find a number of options at your local bike shop and we recommend going a little wider – bike saddles are notoriously thin, but unless you’re competing, there is not a lot of need to go ‘spartan’ where your comfort is concerned.
Also, look online and check out riding positions – sometimes a simple shift of your body and posture is all it takes to make that odd-looking saddle a comfortable one. This happens a lot with relative newcomers to cycling, so be sure to check your posture and go with a wider saddle – you’ll see a difference very quickly.
What can I do to make my bike seat more comfortable?
Start with a padded seat cover. These can make a big difference and they are inexpensive. Next, if you don’t have an adjustable saddle pad that uses gel inserts, then you are missing out on the comfortable ride that you COULD be having.
Finally, if extra padding and adjustability don’t do the trick, consider getting a custom saddle. You can get them made to your specific measurements and the difference is like night and day when it comes to your comfort.
How do you deal with an uncomfortable bike seat?
Try adjusting the height from the default – sometimes it’s not so much the seat, as where it is placed, and this might be all that you need. If this doesn’t work, you can also try a padded seat cover or you might even invest in a saddle with a cutout in the design.
There are saddles available that have more adjustability and use gel inserts for added comfort, and these will sometimes do the trick, but if all else fails then you could also get a custom saddle made and that should settle the comfort issue.
Why is my bike seat so painful?
It’s generally about friction and weight distribution. You have positions that you adopt when coasting, as well as when you are pedaling. Then you have to factor in things like fatigue, lack of familiarity with the seat (if you’re new to cycling), and finally, the saddle might just be too thin.
The easiest fix is usually going to be a gel-insert bike saddle that gives you some extra cushion that adjusts to your body, but before you get one of those, try lowering or raising the seat first. It’s funny, but that little trick is sometimes all you need.
What is the best type of bike seat for comfort?
Comfort is a personal thing, so it’s probably best to provide you with some brand examples that have gotten rave reviews from other cyclists. Saddles such as the Fizik Adaptive 00 VS EVO, Romin EVO Pro, and the Specialized S-Works Power saddle are all great examples of a superior comfort design.
You don’t always have to get an entirely new saddle, however. Try just getting a seat cover first that uses gel inserts and see how it feels. Gel is great make for just about any seat a perfect one, so you can save a little money trying this out (and if you do upgrade, you can add the gel cover to this TOO).
Is it normal for a bike seat to be uncomfortable?
Yes, this is a common complaint for cyclists who are new to cycling, but usually, once you have gotten used to your bike and made a few adjustments to the height of the saddle and the overall padding (by adding a seat cover, for instance), it will quickly become a thing of the past.
If all else fails, you can invest in a custom saddle, and that should solve the issue, but make sure that you’ve tried padding it and adjusting the height first if you are new to cycling. It doesn’t seem like much, but a simple height adjustment or a thin layer of padding can make an enormous difference.
Is a wider bike seat more comfortable?
While it ultimately depends on the design, wider seats are usually going to be more comfortable than thinner ones. It’s all about weight distribution. With a thinner seat, all of your weight is placed on a thinner plain, so the points of contact will get more friction and pressure.
A wider seat means more room for distributing your body weight and so naturally, this is going to be more comfortable unless it’s an awkward fit.
Are bigger bike seats more comfortable?
When riding for fun or general fitness, then yes, bigger bike seats are much more comfortable. Thinner seats are only the better choice for racing, as they are lighter and you will be pedaling a lot, so you won’t be seated much of the time for simply coasting.
As such, you should invest in a broader, more comfortable saddle if you will be using the bike for your fitness or entertainment. The added comfort will motivate you to use your bike more and since you aren’t racing, a lighter and thinner seat isn’t necessary.
Why do bike seats hurt your bum?
It could be because you aren’t yet used to the seat, but in general, it’s just a matter of all of your weight being centered on a thin saddle. Add in that you are pedaling, sweating, and constantly moving, and it can get uncomfortable after a while.
Try changing the height a little and invest in a padded bike seat – it’s a cheap way to upgrade your comfort, but if you go with a nice gel pack seat cover, you’ll notice a big difference.