The saddle part of a bike is designed to support most but not all of the rider's weight. The saddle's nose also assists in balancing and steering.
22
votes
7answers
2k views
How do I determine the correct position for my bicycle seat?
I have been suffering from IT band problems on my outer knee, which I'm pretty sure were caused by raising my seat height too much. I raised the seat on the advice of a friend who said that a higher ...
15
votes
12answers
2k views
How can bum / testicle / inner thigh pain from a saddle be prevented?
I occasionally commute a 50miles round trip and by the end of it, things are usually not feeling very good down below.
I've tried a couple of different saddles, but they both gave me problems. One ...
14
votes
7answers
893 views
Is a leather saddle appropriate for all-weather riding?
In our climate, it rains pretty steadily for 3 seasons. Would a leather saddle (like a Brooks) be appropriate for my bike, or should I look for a different material?
14
votes
4answers
396 views
How to choose a bicycle seat
I'll need a new saddle for my bike soon. I use it mainly for short commutes (30 minutes). About once a year I go touring for a few days, up 8 hours in the saddle.
My current saddle just came with the ...
13
votes
5answers
437 views
Does anyone still use the old Brooks-style saddles?
About 30+ years ago I bought my first road bike. It had an old (used) Brooks leather saddle on it, whose design probably dated back to 1900 AD. To anyone who hasn't seen these,
they look like a ...
12
votes
4answers
1k views
Padded saddle VS padded shorts
Why do cyclists use padded shorts instead of padded saddle? It seems like putting padding on the saddle would be more optimal. Doubly so for triathlon.
12
votes
5answers
2k views
Why doesn't “butt soreness” affect serious cyclists?
Over time, my seat (butt) has been broken in by my saddle. I don't have a callus, and nothing obvious has changed. Physiologically, why doesn't riding cause seat soreness anymore?
On the flip-side, ...
11
votes
10answers
6k views
Protecting quick-release seats and wheels from theft
I have to say I am not a fan of quick-release, especially for seats. I do not need to raise and lower my seat nearly enough (almost never) to justify the annoyance of having to take my seat with me or ...
11
votes
4answers
606 views
What can women do to get comfortable in the saddle?
I am fairly new to cycling and have a road bike which I am really enjoying but I cannot get comfortable in the saddle. Not so much bum bones, but lady bits! Any suggestions?
10
votes
3answers
2k views
How do I keep my seat from tilting back?
When I first got this bike, I got the saddle adjusted almost perfectly. Recently it slipped back (so that the nose sticks up). I loosened the bolt under the saddle, tilted the saddle back into the ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
How do I maintain a Brooks leather saddle?
I've got a Brooks leather saddle and i like it a lot, but i am entirely clueless on how to care for it. I know i am supposed to rub some sort of fat on it, but i have no idea what kind of fat, or how ...
8
votes
2answers
1k views
At what height should I have my seat on a road bike?
I am currently riding a loaner from my brother in-law, and I have set the seat height based upon feel. I was wondering though as to how I can set it to the right height for me to ride more ...
8
votes
3answers
444 views
What are the main differences between road saddles and mountain saddles?
There are thousands of saddles out there. Some are designated as road saddles while others are mountain saddles. However, the marketing copy does not seem to describe the difference between the two ...
7
votes
8answers
2k views
Brooks B-17 isn't breaking in, how to accelerate the process?
I have two bikes with Brooks B-17 saddles on them:
My full-frame touring bike: The saddle has a nice patina of age, having been used for several tours and some commuting.
My Bike Friday Tikit ...
7
votes
1answer
222 views
What is the purpose of the channel in my seat?
What is the purpose of the channel in my seat? Is it just for comfort or does it have some medical benefits?
7
votes
2answers
2k views
How to adjust seat saddle and saddle position for knee pain?
I understand that a seat too high can cause:
hips rocking trying to extend to pedals
pain in the back of the knee
And that a seat too low can cause:
can't fully extend legs
pain in front of the ...
6
votes
2answers
257 views
Clipless pedals, saddle height and proper starting (and stopping)
I commute ~20 km a day and decided to give clipless pedals a try. I installed my cleats following a guide on the web: under the ball of the foot, very slightly behind to relieve the toes, especially ...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
How do I remove rust from my seat tube?
I just pulled my seat out as the first step of breaking my bike down for winter storage, and found that rust has formed between my seat tube and my seat post. The rust starts maybe 3" down the tube ...
6
votes
2answers
124 views
How much of the saddle rail is suiteable to use
Is it possible to safely set the seat to the max to get the saddle as far forward as it will go. Or should it only be clamped within the marked range 0 to 3.5? I have marked the points in red. The ...
5
votes
4answers
2k views
Should I use a gel saddle or not?
My girlfriend have just bought a gel saddle for her hybrid bike. She does day trips with it (30-50 kms) and a bit of commuting. Some say this saddle is useless and she should buy bike trousers ...
5
votes
4answers
3k views
Is it possible to measure your sit bones at home?
Some bike shops have gel pads that you sit on to measure the distance between your sit bones. Is it possible to take this measurement on your own at home, or does this really require special-purpose ...
5
votes
3answers
579 views
Should I use a narrower saddle on a road bike than I would on my hybrid commuter?
I ride a hybrid (Trek Fx 7.3) as a daily commuter and have found a 143mm saddle to be the right width for me. However I am looking into getting a road bike for long rides and am finding 130mm ...
5
votes
2answers
634 views
What type of saddle doesn't hurt the pelvic bone?
I have been having issues with my pelvic bone when riding my bike. I have a very good bike, and the saddle is wide, but after riding 10 minutes my pelvic bone kills me to the point that I have to stop ...
5
votes
2answers
925 views
Why do I do the “saddle shuffle” when riding?
I was browsing some time trial videos on YouTube and came across a video on saddle shuffling, and I've been noticing that I do the same saddle shuffle a lot when riding hard. Did not really know it ...
5
votes
3answers
5k views
What is the best treatment (not prevention) of saddle sores
What is the best way to treat saddle sores?
Loose clothes, Gold Bond medicated powder, or Moisturizer?
What seems to help reduce the painful symptoms of saddles sores once you already have them? ...
5
votes
1answer
160 views
How to lace up a mishapen brooks?
I have a brooks saddle that has bedded in, slightly out of alignment so that one side is lower than the other. I have heard that it is possible to 'lace up' the saddle in order to retain its shape? ...
4
votes
2answers
193 views
Why are some leather saddles laced at the bottom and should I do this to mine?
Some Leather saddles, such at the brooks b17 imperial have holes at the bottom for lacing.
What does lacing a leather saddle do and should I (or when should I) do this to my own leather saddle? ...
4
votes
2answers
312 views
I can't sit on my sit bones
I'm 195cm and 80kg. For as long as I can remember, I haven't been able to sit on my sit bones comfortably. In hard wooden chairs I slouch or lean far forwards. Plastic seats, such as on a metro, are ...
4
votes
6answers
2k views
How can I make my own chamois cream?
I am about to ride a 300km brevet, and the plan is to let the faster bike alone at home, and go with a heavier one, for a lot of reasons, and one of them is the riding position on the fast one makes ...
4
votes
3answers
257 views
Does anyone make a split seat clamp?
I built an 'Urban Mountain Bike' and I sometimes like to take it off drops. Accordingly, I cut the 'nub' that sticks up above the top tube so that the seat can be removed without a scary open pipe ...
4
votes
3answers
194 views
Saddle height vs absorbing drop impacts
Let's assume the following saddle heights:
ultra low (bmx, DJ)
low (slopestyle)
medium
high
ultra high (XC)
In videos on the internet we sometimes see pro DH riders riding with a medium to high ...
4
votes
4answers
381 views
Guidelines for buying a new seat
So far my only approach to buying a seat is "That looks like a good one, I'll buy it and hope it works for me."
That isn't very cost effective... I don't think the bike store will let me return it ...
4
votes
2answers
157 views
What should I consider when buying a saddle?
My current saddle is starting to show its age and isn't as comfortable as I'd like on longer rides. I am considering buying a new one.
Obviously saddles differ in price and weight, but what other ...
4
votes
1answer
155 views
What to get for my second saddle?
I am a 16mi/day commuter and have been for the last two years. When I bought my bike the first thing I replaced was the warn stock saddle with one of those "couch on a stick" models. Say what you ...
4
votes
1answer
474 views
What are the strengths and weaknesses of Rido saddles?
I've started riding more often now (big plus), and as a result am getting, ahem, saddle issues with my classic San Marco Rolls saddle. I'm an average build, 5' 8-9". The saddle issues are mainly ...
3
votes
4answers
2k views
How long does it take to get used to a hard saddle?
I recently "upgraded" to a Romin Comp Gel saddle from a soft racing saddle because my old one, while extremely comfortable on long road rides, wasn't working for the TT position I'm now practicing for ...
3
votes
2answers
270 views
How do you protect the underside of your brooks leather saddle?
I'm new to leather saddles and I'm working on breaking mine in. I'm using a Brooks B17 Narrow. I use clip on fenders with my bike when the weather is bad. However, sometimes I get caught in the rain, ...
3
votes
4answers
362 views
Is a sprung saddle the answer to the saddle problems on my commuter bike?
The current saddle on my bike is getting past it use-by date, so I will shopping around for a new one. I use my bike for commuting to work, about 40-45 mins, 50% on seal roads and the rest on forest ...
3
votes
3answers
2k views
How do I properly apply chamois cream?
There is a lot of advice out there to use chamois cream on long rides to prevent sores and chafing. How are you supposed to apply it?
In particular I'm curious about the following:
Do you apply ...
3
votes
2answers
4k views
Adjusting saddle angle on a road bike (drop bars)
I'll preface this by saying that I've been a mountain biker for over a decade, including XC racing for a couple years. I've never had a hard time adjusting the saddle angle (tilt forward or back) on ...
3
votes
4answers
947 views
Keeping a leather saddle in good condition
Is shoe polish a good or at least adequate solution for keeping a leather saddle in good condition? And/or better options?
3
votes
1answer
83 views
longer seatpost for a folding bike
I bought a Hopper 20" Folding Electric bike. This is basically a white-branded Viking E-Go bike when sold via Tesco UK.
But I am quite tall so I need a longer seatpost for it to be comfortable to ...
2
votes
5answers
766 views
Can a hybrid bike seat be used on a road bike?
I'm new to road bike riding. At my local bike shop they fitted me for a Bontrager Nebula Plus to replace the stock seat that came with the bike.
The Bontrager website says this seat is designed for ...
2
votes
4answers
194 views
Saddle for beginner rider!
I havent ridden a bike since I was a kid. And now I just purchased a second hand one to go to and from work and I found the seat like sitting on a block of wood. It was horrible! What is the best seat ...
2
votes
1answer
209 views
Seatpost won't let me set my saddle “level”
I recently changed my saddle and I've found I'm unable to get my new saddle level (as measured with spirit level).
The problem is the seatpost clamp - it has teeth on both the concave top of the ...
2
votes
1answer
120 views
Saddle Rail Failure?
I've been running a non-brand name full carbon saddle for less than a year. It lasted through a couple of crashes and 'cross season. But when my usual ride stopped for coffee, I found out both rails ...
2
votes
2answers
366 views
Why are BMX saddles so low?
I've seen a lot of teenagers riding BMX bikes recently.
It seems that most if not all of the guys I've seen riding their BMX bikes around the streets, car parks, local parks, etc have a frame that's ...
2
votes
2answers
999 views
Cube Scape seat creaking
Having some problems with my seat. I have a Cube Analog Disc 2012 bike, the blue color-scheme. After only 100km, the seat started creaking. I sent it back to the shop and received a brand new seat ...
2
votes
2answers
149 views
Uncomfortable road saddle, how to choose a saddle for my riding?
I have a selle royale laser saddle. Its pretty uncomfortable but not bad for pedalling. I would like to change my city road bike saddle. Does anyone have recommendations, and rules of thumb for ...
2
votes
2answers
103 views
Getting the right cockpit position. Sliding forward. What should I adjust to keep my sit bones on the seat?
I am experienced rider and I'm looking for some advice on how to adjust my cockpit position. I am a daily commuter, and do regular 40-50k rides on the weekends, and with the warmer weather will work ...
