About This Review
There is no more intimate—figuratively as well as literally—connection to your bike than the saddle. At the same time, the saddle is maybe the most overlooked component on bikes today. Everyone always brags about their new handlebars, how much travel their dropper has, their new tires or wheels, but no one really talks up their brand new saddle. But here’s the truth: a saddle, whether you’re a man, woman, newbie, or pro, can make or break the fun-o-meter of a ride quicker than just about anything else.
So if a saddle is so critical, how do you find the right one? First, look for a saddle that suits your preferred riding style: a DH/park rider needs something very different than an XC racer. Second, what’s your riding position? The more you bend forward, the more pressure you’ll put on your pelvic area. It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman—soft tissue relief is a real thing. Third, how flexible are you? People without a lot of flexibility tend to shift around more; a rounded shape tends to suit them better. Super flexible riders tend to prefer a slightly curved saddle. Reasonably flexible riders (most cyclists) typically have a stable position on a bike, which translates to a flat saddle. Fourth, and most critical, is measuring your sit bones to dial in exactly how wide of a saddle is optimal for you. Once you have this info, finding a saddle that’s “customized” for your bum becomes a much easier task.
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