How To Choose A Road Bike Saddle

So you want to buy a new saddle for your road bike. Chances are, this is because your current saddle isn't very comfortable for you. Choosing a saddle can be an absolute minefield - with different widths, cut outs, and shapes to contend with. But don't worry, there's plenty of options out there for riders of all different shapes and sizes and, in this video, Ollie talks you through everything you'll need to know next time you buy a road bike saddle.

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What do you look for when purchasing a new road bike saddle?

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[DonnyDonnMendoza]

"bum-o-meter" is the best term ever!

[briand]

Reminds me of an old joke "I got a job measuring bums in a bike shop; $10 an hour" "$10 bucks an hour, that's not much!" "Well, it's all I could afford."

[grimp]

Finding a fitting saddle is sometimes more problematic than finding a partner for the rest of your life.

[ricksnyder]

Great video Ollie. It deserves a sitting ovation!

[qua]

'Road saddle is not an arm chair' - quote of the year.

[OLLIEDOESVLOGS]

Super helpful! I've got lost in the ammount of saddles out there, but I feel like I now know how to approach upgrading my saddle. Thanks ollie! (also great name!)

[simonwoodford]

Probably the best posting yet from Oli whose equipment choices/recommendations are at times perplexing. I'm not a Specialized fan but they were an early proponent of dealer fitting programs and I went to a presentation over ten years ago in Melbourne (Australia) where Andy Pruitt, one of the most prominent cycling body mechanists at the time, spoke and proudly showed off the Specialized "arseometers" their dealers were using for body fits.

Saddle comfort is such a personal thing that recommending one to someone else is a perilous exercise - I am with Oli on loving the Fizik Arione (despite being older and and on the wrong side of 80kg) but know they are not for everyone. Given the problems that females often encounter in getting good advice on this subject, this posting could also have done with some input from Manon to discuss things to look for in women specific saddles as I don't think men are necessarily the best qualified to do this.

[juliann]

Good video Ollie!! I recently switched from a softer, wider saddle to a narrower and harder saddle, and I'm way more comfortable now :D

[recstoppauseplay]

Great presentation Ollie! Thanks. The most important topic of cycling and it's all to do with our various undercarriages. I had the pleasure of buying a new bike last year and the shop was terrific in letting me try a number of saddles. I finally settled my ischial tuberosities (love that term), on a Selle Italia STS. The difference is all it takes to either 'like this bike' or 'not like this bike.' Compared to my older bike which had a pain inducing stock saddle by MTB, I can now ride at a leisurely pace pace for hours and concentrate more on cadence, position, endurance, coffee stops and the beautiful trails and country side.

[anprenen]

Had to change to a wider and more s-shaped saddle after the birth of our son. Apparently, 2 kids making their way down there within 2 years somewhat modified the shape and dimensions....

[srvaughan]

I did a proper bikefit yesterday. Suddenly my horrible saddle feels amazing!

[chrisnenzel]

I love love LOVE the Selle SMP Well saddle. It's just the right width for my sit bones and the design is super comfy for long rides. I've demo'ed numerous other makes and models and this is the one for me!

[slickvic]

Thank you seriously I had this giant wide saddle for my spin bike, and I hated ridding because it was so uncomfortable. now I upgraded what a difference. You just saved me a couple thousand I almost purchased a treadmill.

[Rachel_Son]

Thank you for your videos; especially for the more recent ones. They have coincidentally coincided with my purchase of a new bike. I feel that a lot of your videos have guided me through before my bike purchase through some adjustments I am considering... such as that of a saddle!

[leeoien]

11:40: Ollie I may disagree with you on the top reason why a GNC viewer may want to upgrade their saddle (discomfort with current saddle). As with any bike, bike parts, and accessory, a top reason for any upgrade is watching too many GCN and GCN tech shows and falling in love (lust??) with the latest bike tech and innovations!! Thanks a lot for the show?? :)
To gold chain or not to gold chain...that is the question!

[sgbryant]

Good job Ollie. I know there are a hoard of different saddles out there, and the one I’ve found to combat numbness is an ISM PN1.1. They are a bit different looking than most saddles but work very well.

[lauraclayton]

I have an Ergon Women's large Smc Sport Gel Saddle on my Santa Cruz and the road version on my Boardman, best buys ever as I went through too many saddles since my pregnancy and injury to my pelvis during labor I felt I needed something different to reduce my pain levels when riding, my mate suggested a cutaway saddle and gave me a loan of one have never looked back since I don’t have the pain levels I had as it was getting to the point I was considering giving up cycling

[elorz]

Thanks for finally doing a video on this and stopping at the "saddles are very personal" point.

[ime]

One of the most useful videos I've seen about cycling! Thank you so much!

[tmbmtl]

Bought an Argon 18 last year, saddle is a fabric ALM. I was sure I was in for a world of pain. Not having a cutout was something new. My sit bones are perfect for a 142mm wide saddle. Did a few 200 km rides, best saddle I've ridden so far. Got a Trek this year, the Bontrager Montrose Comp, steel rails, 138 mm width is a bit too narrow, not a world of pain, but, you know, the saddle is in the way kinda feeling. Bummometer, arf. Kudos for another smooth vid.