Saddle comfort can be the deciding factor between an enjoyable ride and a miserable one. Like your helmet, your saddle is also an equally important accessory. It can stop cyclists from riding their bicycles all together, itÛªs that painful. Contrary to popular belief, saddle sores are caused by friction and not pressure. Bicycling is supposed to be fun, not painful. Yet, it's quite common for even somewhat-experienced cyclists to tolerate saddle discomfort believing it's simply an inevitable part of the sport. Wrong! On the right saddle, you will be able to enjoy even lengthy rides while hardly noticing your seat at all.
Causes
- Poor Saddle: The most common cause of saddle discomfort is a poor saddle. Some saddles are hard as a rock and some are too cushy.
- Poor Saddle Tilt: A saddle tilt that is too nosed up will put additional pressure on the front soft tissues. Saddle that is too nosed down will cause you to slide forward on the saddle and make you sit on the wrong part of the saddle.
- Saddle is too high: A saddle that is too high will cause your hips to rock, causing side to side movement and chafing.
- The Saddle is too far back: This will cause the rider to stretch too much in front and hence moving to the edge of the saddle.
- The Drop between the seat and the handlebars is too large: A more aggressive position at the front of the saddle will put more weight on the hands and the pelvic thus causing pain.
Prevention
- Wear a good pair of cycling shorts with a good quality seamless material.
- Just as a runner uses Vaseline on areas of repeated friction to prevent chafing sores, so cyclists should apply cream to the saddle area.
- Every 10 to 15 minutes stand on the pedals. Getting off the saddle will relieve constant pressure and improves blood flow.
- Know your saddle size before buying one. Size of the saddle is as important as the quality.
- As a beginner, the saddle area needs to get used to that pressure. Start with short rides and gradually increase your distance and time.
