How to choose the right saddle
Having the right saddle can be the difference between taking to your bike for a great ride every weekend or leaving it to gather dust in the corner. No one wants to be uncomfortable while they ride – and we don’t have to be. It’s not as hard as you might think to choose the right saddle and it all comes down to how you want to use your bike.
How do I choose the right saddle?
- Comfort: No one enjoys an uncomfortable ride and a poor saddle will make you less likely to want to go cycling again in the future. Comfort truly is king in the world of saddles.
- Gender: Men and women are different sizes and shapes, which means they have different requirements when it comes to saddles. With more soft tissue around the contact points between body and bike, women are also more susceptible to discomfort in the saddle so tracking down the perfect saddle is essential.
- Saddle type: The right type of saddle depends on the type of riding you want to do. Generally speaking, casual and leisure riders should focus on wider saddles with more padding, while mountain bike or road riders should consider longer and narrower styles.
- Saddle size: Bigger doesn’t always mean better when it comes to saddles. Just because a saddle is larger, it doesn’t guarantee that it’ll also be more comfortable. Equally, just because you have a more generous behind, doesn’t mean you need a larger saddle (that’s a common misconception).
How can I maximise my comfort while riding?
There are lots of factors that influence which bike saddle is right for you, including gender, anatomical differences, riding style – and, perhaps most importantly, riding position.
- Ideal type of riding: Casual and leisure
- Saddle characteristics: Saddles are wider, with more padding
- Suitable bike types: Classic bikes, where more weight is going through the back of the saddle and the handlebars are higher than the seat
- Additional advice: Look out for foam, gel and memory foam saddles for greater comfort
- Recommended saddle: Selle Italia Kalaam Fill Saddle
- Ideal type of riding: Commuting and leisure
- Saddle characteristics: Saddles are generally a bit thinner in width, but still have plenty of padding to support a more relaxed ride. They help to evenly distribute weight, which is great if you’re carrying a rucksack!
- Suitable bike types: Urban bikes, electric bikes and most hybrid bikes
- Additional advice: Look out for foam, gel and memory foam saddles for greater comfort
- Recommended saddles: Selle Italia Zoo Saddle and Selle Italia Garda Gel Flow Saddle
- Ideal type of riding: Road cycling and off-roading
- Saddle characteristics: Saddles are longer and narrower to help prevent chafing. They’re also lighter and offer further support in the middle and front for when your weight is further forward.
- Suitable bike types: Road bikes and mountain bikes
- Recommended saddles: Selle Italia X3 XP Saddle and Selle Italia X1 Saddle
How do I choose the right saddle?
There are lots of factors that influence which bike saddle is right for you, including gender, anatomical differences, riding style – and, perhaps most importantly, riding position.
All of our Selle Italia saddles come with a 30-day comfort guarantee. If you find that you aren’t happy with the comfort of your saddle after 30 days, then you can return it to us free of charge and we’ll be happy to replace it for you.
It’s also a good idea to look out for gel, foam and memory foam saddles as they have been specifically designed to maximise comfort. Another option is to try wearing padded cycling shorts. They offer an extra level of protection are a great choice for people who want to spend more time in the saddle.
Finally, make the most of your saddle by ensuring that it’s set up at the right height. This will help to mitigate any discomfort you might experience in your knees and thighs. Adjusting the angle of the saddle will also help to distribute the pressure more evenly.