4 Reasons for Saddle Discomfort and How to Deal with It

From promoting cardiovascular and mental health to weight management and motor control stimulation, cycling offers a lot of health benefits. However, many have complained about experiencing cycling discomfort, especially in the saddle area.

There is a multitude of reasons for saddle discomfort. This article will discuss some of those and give you tips to find the most comfortable bike seat for you.

Incorrect Saddle Choice

One of the most common causes of saddle discomfort is saddle choice.  Most people would settle for the saddle that comes with the bike they bought or go with one their friend says is the most comfortable.

You can consider several factors when choosing a bike saddle. But it ultimately boils down to you and how you ride. That is why the saddle that came with the bike or the saddle that your friend recommends may not be the greatest option for you.

What You Can Do: Try different saddles while considering your physiology and riding style until you find the one that feels right.

Worn-Out Saddles

New saddles have the right amount of padding and a cover with a good grip. While the padding supports your sit bone, the cover’s grip prevents your bottom from rubbing against the seat too much. These features ensure you are comfortable during your ride.

On the other hand, worn padded bike seats no longer have these features. Often, aged saddle paddings will be condensed, unable to support your bone properly. Furthermore, the saddle cover will lose its grip and let you slip around, creating more friction between you and the saddle.

What You Can Do: The best course of action is to change the saddle once you feel that it’s well-worn. You can also check how your saddle is every 15,000 to 20,000 kilometres.

Improper Saddle Position

Saddles are meant to be installed broadly and horizontally atop the saddle post. It ensures that your weight is evenly distributed while you sit and comfortably at that.

If your saddle is not positioned properly, you can either slip or experience increased pressure on your nether regions. A few degrees too low and you may fall from your seat and create friction between your bottom and the seat. A few degrees too high and you would have increased pressure on your perineum.

What You Can Do: Finding the right saddle position for you is different from setting it to the right height. To determine your preferred saddle position, you can start with the basic horizontal position and adjust it to your liking.

Wrong Bib Shorts

The chamois’ main responsibility is to become the barrier between your saddle and your sit bone. Finding the right one for you is essential to eradicating or at least minimising saddle discomfort.

Oftentimes, cheaper bib shorts have thinner chamois sewn in them. Although these shorts may be okay for short distances, they are not meant for longer rides.

What You Can Do: Bib short style choices depend on your personal preference. If you cycle for long distances, you may want to get shorts with thicker chamois in them. They may be a bit pricier than the thinner ones, but they are well worth it.

Conclusion

The battle against saddle discomfort can be won. You just have to find the right padded bike seat for you, install it according to your comfort, and wear the correct bib shorts. Always remember to consider your physiology, usual biking distance, and riding style.

If you’re looking for some of the most comfortable bicycle seats in the UK, turn to Cushbike! Our store features a wide array of high-quality bike saddles to suit any need, preference, and budget. Browse our shop and start riding more comfortably today!