How To Pick A Good Bike Seat?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,
  • Most Comfortable Overall: Bikeroo Oversized Comfort Bike Seat.
  • Most Comfortable Affordable Option: Roguoo Bike Seat.
  • Most Comfortable Gel Seat: Gincleey Comfortable Exercise Bike Seat.
  • Most Comfortable Wide Seat: Schwinn Commute Gateway Adult Bike Seat.

How do I choose a good seatpost?

The dimensions of the seat tube can vary from bicycle to bicycle, so when choosing a seatpost, it’s important to

get the correct diameter

. The most common diameter is probably 27.2mm, but other sizes between 21.15 and 35mm are often found, as well. Seatposts also vary in length.

Should a bike seat be hard or soft?

Assuming your saddle is the proper width, the best saddle for riding is a

hard and firm platform

that supports your ischial tuberosities (sit bones) and keeps your lady/boy parts from being smooshed and compressed.

How do I choose a bike seat?

  1. Find the saddle with the right shape. No two people are the same. …
  2. Take account of your flexibility and your position on the bike. Test your flexibility. …
  3. Measure the width of your sit bones. Saddles come in different widths. …
  4. Set the saddle to the right height. …
  5. Saddle position.

Why are bicycle seats so uncomfortable?

There are multiple reasons why bike seats might be uncomfortable.

Bicycle seats aren’t meant to carry the riders full weight, but only their sit bones

. Their unusual shape allows thighs to move freely when cycling. Proper rider form and seat adjustment can also make a big difference in comfort.

Why do bike seats hurt so much?


A combination of pressure from your bodyweight bearing down on the saddle, friction from the constant pedalling motion, moisture from sweat, an increase in temperature and reduced blood flow

can produce a perfect storm for discomfort and the formation of sores.

Does seat post length matter?


Seatpost length is a further consideration

. While a longer post is generally regarded as offering more comfort, the amount of post ‘sticking out’ of the frame will largely be dependent on your frame size/geometry and your own dimensions (inside leg length etc).

How do I choose a seatpost setback?

Straight and Setback Seatposts


The amount of setback or offset is best determined through a basic bike fit at a participating bike shop

. They will look at the relationship between your knee and pedal axle, as well as your hip angle/mobility and will determine how far you should sit behind your crankset.

What seatpost length do I need?

a) Seatpost should end

at least 25 millimeters below the lower part of the horizontal tube weld to the seat tube

. b) Total inserted length should be at least 90 mm from the top end of the seat tube.

How can I make my bike saddle more comfortable?

  1. Check your reach. (Image credit: Future) …
  2. Check handlebar height. …
  3. Try a different saddle. …
  4. Check saddle height. …
  5. Check your saddle angle. …
  6. Check cleat positioning. …
  7. Double wrap bar tape. …
  8. Reduce tyre pressure.

Why is a hard bike seat better?

New riders are often surprised by how hard their bike saddle is, but this

firm surface allows you to be stable and produce power

. In stark contrast to a comfortable living room sofa, a bike seat is not meant for moments of relaxation and cushioning.

Is a bigger bike seat better?


Wider saddles tend to be more comfortable

so are good for long rides or leisurely riders where extra weight from more materials isn’t an issue. Thinner saddles tend to be better for short efforts – such as racing – where comfort isn’t dispensed with entirely but is compromised in favour of other factors.

What is the difference between men’s and women’s bicycle seats?


A man’s seat is usually narrow and long, while that of a woman’s is wide and short

. A woman’s seat (like Bikeroo’s universal saddle) is wide to reflect their generally wide hips. Women have their pelvic bones set wider apart than men, hence the wide seats.

Are gel saddles any good?

Gel saddles are quite comfortable when new. Unfortunately, the gel tends to get displaced over time, so the comfy-ness tends to not last. However, as geoffc pointed out,

these saddles are good introductory saddles for new riders

.

What size saddle do I need cycling?

Measuring sit bone width

Sit with your feet tilted up long enough to leave a good impression. Stand and find the two deepest indentions your sit bones left behind and mark them both with a point. Measure from one point to the other with your measuring tape in millimeters.

Add 20-25mm to determine your saddle size

.

Why do women’s bike seats have holes?

The purpose of the hole in bike seats is

to promote ventilation, reduce pressure in the crotch area, and encourage fast cleaning

. The result is better seating comfort.

How do I stop getting a sore bum when cycling?

Does biking make your butt?

As it’s an excellent exercise, it reduces the fat in your lower body, helping you tone down, reshape your butt and strengthen your leg muscles. While you may notice a reduction in fat around your butt as it looks slimmer,

biking doesn’t really make your butt bigger or smaller

.

Does bike seat pain go away?


If you catch them early, they typically go away after a few days off the bike, but deeper sores may take few weeks

, he says. See your doctor if you notice that they return frequently; last more than two weeks; or if you have pain that dramatically increases, fever and red streaks at the site.

How far should my legs extend on a bike?

Proper position: With your foot at the bottom of the pedal stroke, you should see a slight bend in the leg, reaching about

80-90 percent of full leg extension

. This is true for road, mountain and hybrid bikes.

How far should saddle be from handlebars?


For a performance road position, the top of the handlebar should be about 5-6 cm below the mid-point of the saddle

. 4. For a recreational road bike position, the top of the handlebar should be level with the mid-point of the saddle, or maybe a couple of centimetres below.

Can a seatpost be too long?


As long as the minumum length is inserted into the frame you will be structurally safe

. You can buy a shorter post of course. However, if you need to drop the saddle all the way to the frame the bike is likely too large for you and possibly dangerous, as you will have no standover clearance.

What is setback on a bike?

Saddle setback in cycling refers to

the horizontal distance between the centre of the bottom bracket and the front tip of the saddle

. Over the past few decades two principle methodologies for determining optimal saddle setback have emerged in the bike fitting community.

Do I need setback on my seatpost?


Achieving a good weight balance nearly always requires a setback seatpost

, to move the saddle back and reduce weight on the riders hands. I found that moving my saddle back not only improves comfort, but also allows me to tolerate more saddle to handlebar drop.

Do I need a set back seat post?


Touring, city, and recreational riders tend to need more setback then a racer does

. The more upright position requires more setback to put your legs in a more efficient bio-mechanical place. The other factor is the rail length of the saddle.

Rachel Ostrander
Author
Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.