What is the one thing many new bikers say is sore after their first big rides?  Is it their thighs from doing long, arduous hills?  Is it their hands from gripping during those fast descents?  For most, it is their backsides.  Riding a bike requires more than strong legs and lungs; it requires that we be able to endure sitting on an uncomfortable little seat for hours at a time.  Doesn’t sound appealing, does it?  Veteran cyclists know that bicycle seats are the key to making each ride not only bearable but enjoyable.  Now that sounds much more appealing. 

Cycling can be much more comfortable if you make a few adjustments to your bike and saddle before starting off on a ride.  The first thing to look at is the tilt of your saddle.  Does it incline too much forward?  If it does, you will feel the weight in your arms and shoulders.  On the other hand, if it tilts too far back, you will have more tension and weight affecting your backside.  Start with it level and parallel to the ground.  Move it just a tiny bit (one millimeter at a time) back or forward until you achieve the right tilt for your body.  This can do a lot to help you feel refreshed instead of sore after a ride.

Similarly, you want to make sure that your saddle is at the right height so you are not putting undo pressure or weight on your knees or hips.  Move the pedals so they line up at six and twelve o’clock.  Your six o’clock leg should be fully extended.  If you can’t quite reach, lower the seat.  If your knee is bent, raise it.  The right fit is essential for your entire body’s comfort.

Depending on what type of biking you do (mountain, racing, cross-country, etc.), your saddle will be designed differently.  Racing seats may make new bikers cringe because they are very narrow.  But many cyclists prefer the design and hard surface of these saddles and say they are more comfortable than padded models because they do not cause perineal numbness. 

If you prefer a padded saddle, you are far from alone, and you can find many models that are much wider and have a thicker gelfoam padding.  These are great for shorter rides.  For longer rides and races, many find that the padding actually makes them sorer because it causes more pressure to be placed on the soft tissues of the buttocks. 

One of the reasons why people become uncomfortable is that they treat their seats like seats instead of saddles.  Seats are designed to hold all of a person’s weight, and saddles are designed to hold some of it.  The legs are supposed to take some of the slack as well.  Beginning bikers are usually those that complain of sore backsides, and this is because they put all their weight on the saddle.  Their legs tire more quickly, and they sit more heavily.  So you could have the most comfortable saddle and still be uncomfortable if you are not using your legs to support some of your weight. 

The best way to be comfortable is to make sure your bike is adjusted properly and that you start with short distances.  As your legs get stronger, you can work up to longer rides. This way, you will find those racing seats that once looked so painful are actually quite comfortable, and that you can perch on top of your bike frame for hours without soreness or numbness.

Read the next Bicycle Components article on Bike Frames:  Which One is Right for You?