Buyer's Guide to Saddles

Get it right and you don't notice a good saddle, get it slightly wrong however and an uncomfortable...

perch will detract from the ride experience and leave you very sore. There's no other component that comes down to personal preference more than saddle choice.

The saddle must fit your body and type of riding. From a leisurely cruise to time trialling there's a saddle to fit every shape and style This doesn't make selection any easier and it's not surprising that there are such a huge variety of saddles to choose from. Follow these guidelines to help you make the right choice and take the guess work out of choosing a saddle that is right for you.

Shape and style

The shape of the saddle varies depending on the type of riding and the rider it's intended for. High miles and speed puts your body forward, increasing the weight on your hands and feet but reducing the load on the saddle. The lightweight race saddle complements this style by being thin, long with a narrow rear section so as not to impede fast pedalling. More relaxed riding moves you up and back and as a result the saddle becomes shorter and broader at the back to support your weight and extra padding laid down for improved comfort.

Making the switch

If you've got a saddle you like, check out the upper surface. Is it flat or rounded accross the nose? Does the back curve down toward the outsides or is it level? If possible, try a few sadles before you buy. Also, there was a lot of height variation in the saddles tested so measure your old saddle height, fore/aft distance and the angle before switching and make small adjustments until you achieve a position that's right for you.

Materials

The material used in the rails of a saddle affects weight and feel. Lightweight titanium tubing is found on top end saddles. It's light but also has a degree of 'give'. Carbon rails are becoming more popular at the top end too. Cromoly or steel rails are heavier, cheaper and found on less expensive saddles.

The shell of the saddle is generally made from reinforced plastic with the padding sitting on top. Strong and light reinforced carbon shells are becoming popular but the ultimate is bare carbon. Check out FSA's K-force lite saddle. Not the most comfortable of designs but it shows how far saddle design has come compared with the classic Brooks offerings.

Padding and support

With increased time in the saddle supports becomes the defining factor in saddle choice. This is basically down to experience as a hardened behind needs less padding for comfort.

Grooves and cutouts

The long nose of a saddleprovides extra control and a perch for fast pedalling in the tucked position. Some people find the nose uncomfortable as it puts pressure on the nerves, reduces blood flow and causes numbness. The cut out is designed to alleviate this problem without reducing support.

Specialized Body Geometry saddles are well known for their cut out. They have been specifically designed to reduce pressure on the pudenal arteries and padding that decreases strain on the nerves. There are many other saddle designs incorporating cutouts and if you find the nose of a saddle uncomfortable consider giving one a try.

Women's sadles

Width and shape of the saddle are the biggest factors to finding perch comfort. Women tend to have wider sitbones, so you'll see a greater selection of wide sadles. You can even get them measured by specialized dealers with a simple gel pad. If a saddle is too narrow it'll rest between your sitbones and put weight on your pubic bone - not designed for sitting. Too wide and the rear portion will interfere with your pedalling.

Unfortunately, women who have wide sit bones but ride for speed have the smallest selection to chose from. At the moment, the specialized Jett is the only performance saddle available in different widths - up to 155mm. Of course, shape is also a very personal thing.

Source: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/buyers-guide-to-saddles--921/