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I Love Bicycling is a website that is geared towards cycling for beginners with road cycling tips, training articles, nutrition tips, weight loss, how to’s and bike repair articles.

Finding The Best Road Bike Saddle For You

February 8, 2016 by Wade Shaddy

best road bike saddle

The majority of cycling articles focusing on bike fit don’t fully address saddle fitting. Fitting a road bike saddle works best when you start with the right size bike, or at a minimum, a bicycle that is close enough to your correct size to be comfortable and efficient.  Finding the best road bike saddle should focus primarily on the contact points between the cyclist and the saddle assuming that your bike fits you.

Don’t Compromise When Searching For Your Best Road Bike Saddle

Bicycles are symmetrical. The human body is not. A saddle that is not right for your body and butt can compromise your position on the bike as well as your comfort. One saddle may be great for one rider while being the worst option for the next. A general rule of thumb for saddles is that it fits when it disappears, meaning that you’ve forgotten all about your saddle and don’t even know it’s there.The only thing on your mind is the ride and the scenery.

One Exception

An exception to this general rule of thumb is if you have been in the saddle all day for miles and miles. At this point, you’ll likely take note of your saddle. The thing is, if it didn’t fit, you wouldn’t have ridden this far.

The Finger Test

Changing a saddle can take up to 15 minutes per seat when choosing and testing saddles.  This means that many cyclists skip the hassle and make a seat choice by pressing a finger into it, testing it’s firmness or lack of softness.

Widely Advertised

Another option widely employed is simply choosing a saddle based on the one that is most advertised. This might actually work for the majority of cyclists, as most high-end saddles are tested and proven to be comfortable for the wide majority of riders. This is more down to chance however. You get what you pay for, both in time spent deciding and money.

Gender or Not

Keep an open mind as you search for the best road bike saddle. Most bike shops start you out by indicating saddles that are specifically designed for men and women with most women’s saddles being wider towards the rear. But some men find that women specific saddles are actually really comfortable and ideal for them. At the same time, some women realize that a men’s saddle is the better choice for themselves also. Gender specific is worth taking a look at, but choose the saddle that’s the most comfortable for you.

The Cutout

A popular design for bike saddles includes a cutout in the center of the saddle to relieve unwanted pressure in sensitive areas. A good-fitting saddle may not need a cut out if the support is in the ideal area for you. It varies from person to person but in general, male or female, it means not too much pressure in the front or in the center of the saddle. A cutout design may prove the most comfortable but at the same time, don’t discount saddles without a cutout before trying them first. You might be surprised as to which feels best.

Saddle Width

Saddle width has been a source of controversy for many years. A comprehensive study sums saddle width up like this:”Stresses within the perineum are reduced when saddles are sufficiently wide to support both ischial tuberosities”. (Your sit bones). You should find a saddle that is wide enough for your sit bones by measuring them and choosing the right width.

Back in the Saddle

With all that information fresh in your head, here are a few options for your best road bike saddle starting off with narrow and ranging toward wide.

Selle SMP 

This full carbon model is at the top of the list. It’s designed for cyclists looking for the lightest weight possible. It sports a completely free central channel, eagle-beak nose and raised design that gives these models an aerodynamic touch. They are suited for smaller sized people with narrow pelvises.

Selle SMP Evolution 

A good saddle for racing, and cycling in your free time. It’s a   composite model with minimal padding. It relies on foamed elastomer padding where the ischial tuberosities (sit bones) and rear rest. The minimal padding also makes it particularly suited for thinner cyclists with narrow pelvises.

Specialized Phenom Expert 

The Phenom Expert is designed with ‘adaptive edge’ construction. It allows the outer edge to conform to your body for a custom fit. Lightweight, stiff and efficient, this saddle features hollow titanium rails and the perfect amount of padding for those long grinds in the mountains.

fi’zi:k Road Arione R5 K:IUM
The Arione R5 features a Carbon Reinforced Nylon base and Wing Flex technology. This saddle is made for competition. It aids in high-performance because it takes into account that cyclists have varying degrees of flexibility, and human flexibility is in direct relation to riding behavior when cycling. Popular with pros such as Sir Bradley Wiggins and Geraint Thomas, this saddle has no cutout, and they like it.
Infinity N-Series Infinity N-Series Bike Seat
Bare bones saddle — it looks like a skeleton — this saddle is perfect for the cyclist who wants all the performance with none of the frills. One of the lightest saddles on the market, weighing in at just 210 grams, the N-Series Seat is made of injection-molded nylon. Its has two purposes: Comfort and Performance. Don’t let the odd look of the saddle deter you; it’s built to withstand the rigors of even the longest rides.

Learn More:

  • How To Find the Best Bike Saddle For YouHow To Find the Best Bike Saddle For You
  • Avoid the Pain in the Butt: Find a Comfortable Bike SaddleAvoid the Pain in the Butt: Find a Comfortable Bike Saddle
  • A Guide to the Best Cycling SunglassesA Guide to the Best Cycling Sunglasses
  • What Size Bike Should I Ride?What Size Bike Should I Ride?
  • Considerations for Larger CyclistsConsiderations for Larger Cyclists
  • Why Do You Get A Sore Butt Biking?Why Do You Get A Sore Butt Biking?

Filed Under: Bike Fit, Reviews Tagged With: best road bike saddle, bike saddles, road saddles

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