One of the reasons why newcomers to cycling do not enjoy it or why some never even start is that the saddles can be extraordinarily uncomfortable.  While you do expect your legs to burn and your heart to pound, you’d rather not feel numb and sore after each ride.  You’d rather not cringe when even thinking about getting on a bike again.  Is this possible?  It absolutely is if you get the right type of saddle for your needs.  If long rides have been causing pain, pressure, or numbness, know that this does not have to be part of cycling.  A switch to a quality gel bicycle saddle may be all you need to take joy in each and every ride. 

Imagine you put two saddles side by side:  one is a wide, padded retro Schwinn-style seat, and one is an ultra-narrow Selle Italia Max Flite.  Which would you say is more comfortable?  Most newcomers would choose the wide, padded model over the very narrow one because it just looks more comfortable.  Who would want to sit on something that looks like a torture device when they could choose something that would fit their entire backside?  And this may be why they are experiencing pain and discomfort.  For long rides, narrower models, and ones with the right type and amount of padding, are ideal.

It seems counterintuitive that narrower, less padded seats would be more comfortable.  At fast speeds, the sides of wider seats can interfere with pedaling motions, causing athletes to lose valuable seconds.  But padding is really where people get lost:  more padding is more comfortable, right?  No.  When you ride on a bike, the seat should support your sit bones.  If you sit on a hard bench, you will feel your sit bones.  This is where your weight should sit in order to support your body.  If you parents have ever had your child sit on your lap, you know all about sit bones.  They’re the bony things that dig into your leg.  Your child knows that they have to be supported so they’re nice and comfy, and this is exactly what you should be aiming for with your saddle.

A cushioned saddle disperses weight off of your sit bones to the surrounding tissue.  This is far less supportive, and this is why you get sore and numb.  Initially, heavily padded seats feel much better, but during longer rides, you will feel increasingly uncomfortable as the perineal nerves, blood vessels, and other tissues withstand far more pressure than they should.  A seat that has strategically placed gel inserts will be far more comfortable on long rides.

The Max Flite Gel Flow, for instance, would look very narrow – and quite uncomfortable – to someone who has just started cycling.  But, you need only to go on a long ride to see and feel how much better gel is when used correctly and combined with a great design.  The Max Flite has differentiated-thickness padding (silicone gel), an anatomical cutout (which is simply a design feature which alleviates pressure), and ample support. 

Finding the right seat for your body and for your style of riding is challenging, but certainly not impossible.  A good start is to measure the distance between your sit bones and find a saddle which offers matching support.  Sit on a hard surface and assume your usual riding position.  Have a friend, a good one, measure the distance between your sit bones, or the points where you apply pressure when sitting.  This will help get you the right shape.  And gel inserts can provide the extra measure of comfort you need to make long rides not only endurable but enjoyable.  To learn more about other options like the WTB Rocket V, click here.

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