Road Cycling - A silly question, perhaps...bike saddle...

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RandyMcD
07-25-04, 02:07 PM
I've read lots of comments regarding bicycle saddles, and it seems most people recommend against buying a large padded saddle. Why is this? What are the disadvantages to the seemingly more comfortable saddle with lots of padding?

I ask because the (I assume original) saddle on my bike is breaking down...and the LBS only has the big padded ones in the price I'm willing to spend right now (which can be stretched if the reason is valid).

catatonic
07-25-04, 02:29 PM
reason is padding may be more comfy for a short 2-block ride....but whathappens is the padding puts pressure on spots elsewhere too, like the perinnium...and if your male...you do NOT want pressure there.

I had a padded seat that was intelligently designed (serfas RX) , and it was great. I decded to try to get used to the speedV that came on my current bike. I'm a mtn biker so my seat choices my not go well with your app, but same seat conepts apply.

Basically you ust want something that makes your sit bones comfy, thats about it. You dont need a huge, wide seat for that. One problem is folks sit too far forward on their saddles, and this keeps their sit bones from resting in the right perch...so they go and buy a huge padded thing.

It makes me sad when i see a nice motobecane or old-school bianchi with a over padded cruiser seat.
RandyMcD
07-25-04, 02:33 PM
and if your male...you do NOT want pressure there.


Enough said!

shokhead
07-25-04, 04:37 PM
Most saddles are around 128-132mm wide. Then a few are in the 138-142 range. I'm 6' so i'm looking at the 138-142mm range.
velocipedio
07-25-04, 06:27 PM
i explain the soft saddle vs. firm saddle paradox this way: some people like to sleep on soft mattresses. most people prefer firm matresses. why? because soft matresses don't offer much support and, as you sink into the matress, you end up with pressure points. same with the saddle.

as for the shape of the saddle, you need to match the saddle to the riding posture of the bike. a more upright posture places your butt further back, requiring more support for more butt. a road bike puts you in a more forward position, necessitating less support area.