Ladies Bike Saddles

CHOOSING LADIES BIKE SADDLES

by Nadezhda Pavlova, Managing Editor

LADIES BIKE SADDLES
Nadezhda writes about the specific needs of being a woman and choosing a saddle for your bike. After all, you’re built differently…

Whether you’re viewing the rolling greens of the countryside, conquering the mountains or planning a cycle across the bustling streets, the bottom line is – your bottom is in the line.

No matter what the scenery might offer, without the right saddle and perfect padding for your tush it isn’t fun and you won’t be able to push as much power as possible. There’s no reason to tolerate aching muscles and pressure points when you can find a seat that goes the extra mile.

Know your body

You might know whether you’re an apple, pear or hourglass in clothes but there are plenty of butts out there too. Each of us is beautifully unique and so the seat we need can vary.

You might have had an existing seat that just didn’t sit right (pun fully intended) which is a good place to compare from. If your hip bones hurt when you ride, you might need a wider saddle. Additionally, if you have a wider hip set, this can be a great option in terms of comfort. If you aren’t excited by crotch numbness or aches after a long ride, you might need a larger cut-out. If your inner thighs are getting chafed, you might need a narrower saddle so that there’s less friction.

The easiest way to find out is to try a few – many stores offer test saddles.

Think about how you ride

The type of bike you have, and the way that you ride it, can determine the type of saddle that will suit you best.

If you prefer to ride in a more leaned over position, you will naturally put more pressure on your soft tissue, which is something that needs to be compensated for. In this case, you need a saddle with a wider cut-out. This is because leaning forward on the saddle puts pressure on the sensitive area of your vulva, which can quickly lead to pain, numbness and lasting soreness. Definitely something that will take the pleasure out of your ride, but it doesn’t have to be, not with a wider cut out.

But what kind of cut out do you need? Here’s how to work that out.

Some saddles have a cutaway in the hull, with these there are either a hole right through to the top of the saddle, or soft foam over that hole. Either way, they are good options. Some just use softer foam under the crotch which is perfect for shorter journeys but not always long term cycling. Irregular shaped seats are also available, these are the ones which are shaped to better support a women with wider hips and so take pressure off between that gap.

Pressure reducing saddles are also an option. There are quite a lot of ways to make this happen, but they can be pricey.

Alternatively, if you have a more upright bike with a less aggressive reach, or you just like to sit with a straighter posture, then you should try out a saddle with a wider saddle or slightly more padding for your bottom. Even those of us with a big ol’ peach need extra padding sometimes.

Get a Professional Fitting

If you are a serious biker then we recommend getting a professional bike fit from your local store. Depending on how much you use, or intend to use, your bike, this might be an unnecessary expense – or it could save your butt, literally.

CHOOSING LADIES BIKE SADDLES