Which Ergonomic Bike Seat Is Right For You?

Are you having fun on your bike rides? Although it is often believed that cyclists have to tolerate some sort of discomfort with their bicycle saddle, many experienced cyclists with ergonomic bike seats will tell you that you'll be able to enjoy even lengthy rides while hardly noticing your seat at all!

If you are a novice rider, it is only common to experience a little soreness after riding because your body is getting used to the cycling position. However, if after a few weeks and the soreness doesn't go away then it's very likely that you're riding on a seat that's not right for you.

Shopping For the Right Ergonomic Bike Seat

If you enjoy cycling, pause for a moment and evaluate if your bicycle seat is ergonomic and how well does it fit you?.

If your seat is badly fitted, you will compromise on your cycling experience and comfort. You may not cycle as much as you want to, and not knowing that you've been subconsciously affected by your bicycle seat.

Even if you are comfortable, you may unknowingly place too much stress on other parts of your body.

Some traditional bicycle seats may create pressure points which place unhealthy pressure on the prostate, irritate the urethra, damage the pudendal arteries and dorsal nerves, and cause the development of cysts on the tailbone.

Picking the wrong ergonomic bicycle seat can also cause the same. In short, invest a little time and knowledge and pick the right seat!

What Bicycle Do You Ride On?

1. First, what kind of bicycle do you have? 2. Do you ride upright or bending over? 3. What kind of terrain do you usually ride on?

# Check out this helpful article on selecting the right bike seat according to these three questions.

How to Pick An Ergonomic Bike Seat

Shopping For Ergonomic Bike Seat Checklist

Saddle

Padding on Seat

Width of Seat

Suspension System

Saddle on your bike

The most important thing to remember about the saddle is how it fits your body and the position you'll be in when cycling. How wide your legs will be when you are cycling will depend on the type of cycling you do (leisure or speed).

How much cushion or padding on the saddle? The rule of thumb is if it is for leisure, choose lots of padding. For longer rides, lots of padding is not recommended.

Saddle Support - look for saddles that support your weight rather than letting you "sink in" to it. This will cause unncessary strain.

Importance of Width

Thankfully, there is a variety of saddles with different widths. Cycleryusa.com says the ideal width of a seat is "rear shape that fits the width of your ischial tuberosities" or, sitting bones. How to find your sit bones? The two points when you sit on a chair with your legs up.

"The right saddle will support and cushion you in just the right spots. Your sit bones should be centered over the rear of the saddle. Often there are anatomic bumps in the area for this purpose."

Cutouts, Cutaways Of The Ergonomic Bike Seat

"An interesting and effective innovation you'll see in many modern saddles is a cutout or cutaway in the top, which looks like a groove or hole has been cut out of the top of the saddle. The idea is to remove the part of the saddle that's usually responsible for pressuring sensitive tissues and causing numbness and pain."

"Different saddle makers have different ideas about the best shape of the cutout and whether it should go all the way through, be a deep groove or maybe just a slight recess. What's important is that you select a saddle that feels right to you. If the cutout is in the wrong spot for your anatomy, it won't do any good. So, it's important to sit on a seat and get a feel for which design works best."

Another feature of an ergonomic bike seat is that it has a suspension system, which makes it helpful for tough terrain riding.

Shop for ergonomic bike seats

You might be interested in:

Top Three Best Selling Ergonomic Bicycle Seats

Go back to Cycling, Bike, Car Ergonomics.

Go back to Transportation Ergonomics.

Return from Ergonomic Bike Seat to Ergonomics Info Home