There are three factors that to consider when choosing the right saddle:
- Width
- Curvature
- Profile
Width:
Most bike stores these days have one type of saddle sizer or another. The idea of these is to get a measurement of how far apart your sit bones are. The average width for men is 118mm, whereas for women it’s 130mm (this is why we can give birth and men cannot!). A saddle sizer will help you pinpoint what width you need.
The wrong width can cause discomfort because the area of the saddle that is meant to be below your skeleton will either be on the outside of it, or too narrow, both of which can focus pressure on the soft tissue. This area of support is referred to as the curvature.
Curvature:
The curvature is the area of the saddle that is designed to support you the most, and effects the way forces are transmitted from the saddle to your bone structure.
It is essentially the sweet spot of the saddle, and what your body is trying to find with all of that shifting. It’s also the thing that can feel terrible if it doesn’t match your shape. The more aggressive your riding position, the more important a role curvature plays in your comfort. Saddle curvatures should either be flat, concave, or cut out (as in, a saddle with a cut out).
Profile:
The saddle profile is how it looks when viewed from the side. It will determine how easy it is for you to ‘settle in’ to the saddle, and how well you can use the saddle for different riding conditions (like sprinting, or climbing).
Think of pushing against the saddle when you want more power. The more aggressive your riding position, the more ‘curvy’ the saddle profile should be. If you are an upright rider, then a wider, flatter saddle will be more ideal.
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