5 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Saddle

If your current saddle is uncomfortable, don't put up with it! Many people stick with the saddle that came with their bike and beginners often get put off by uncomfortable saddles... That’s why we’re here to explain the 5 things you need to know to choose the perfect road bike saddle! The right saddle can make or break your riding experience, and by understanding these key points, you'll be able to find one that’s just right for you!

00:00 How to Choose the Right Bike Saddle
00:52 Position
03:12 Width
04:15 Shape & The Evolution of Road Bike Saddles
07:01 Cutouts
08:36 Materials
11:42 Those Were Our 5 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Saddle!

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What do you look for in a saddle? 🚲 Did we miss any other tips? 👀 Let us know in the comments below! 💬

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#gcn #cycling #roadcycling #roadbike #bike #bikes #bikelife #bikesaddle #saddle #selleitalia #bikecomfort #comfort

📸 Photos - © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Sirotti Images

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[gcn]

What kind of saddle do you use? Why? 🤔

[OllieBridgewood]

Hope you find this video useful, if i look spaced out, its because about 12 hours earlier, i finished the 10x up monte grappa ride. If you are wondering what that is, watch it and you will understand 😂

[noptimized]

I’m growing suspicious of GCN’s ties to Big Hair.

[paulgrimshaw]

The best tip I’ve read is to strip one half of a piece of corrugated cardboard. Keep the wavy bit. Place that on the saddle. Get on the bike and go for a short ride without padded shorts. Your sit bones will make an impression on the cardboard. Measure the distance between deepest impressions. That will be your sit bone distance.

Look at the shape of the impressions. If the pressure points are equal and broad, your saddle size and shape is in an acceptable range. If they’re not, go shopping.., with a few extra pieces of fresh corrugated cardboard.

Don’t obsess seeking perfection. Once you ride a pretty good saddle with a good pair of padded shorts, your ass-saddle fit will be fine.

[johnpaul]

I struggled with comfort in saddle until I landed on the 3D printed Novus. As Ollie pointed out, the padding on it is different. Super comfortable. But another bonus is the texture. I find I slide around far less, which has been a problem for me when I fatigue.

[tomas]

I believe shorter saddles are popular to pros because they can use it to somewhat bypass the minimum 5cm saddle setback set by UCI. Shorter saddle nose effectively makes the position "more forward" compare to usual 272 saddle length.

[lesand]

I once got a saddle at a local bike shop where they measured my sit bones and I described my position on the bike. It's been amazing for years. Now, I'm riding in a more progressive position, so I'm considering getting a new one, as it's now getting uncomfortable on longer rides. But to everyone wondering whether it's worth it visiting a local bike shop for a saddle, I can only recommend it.

[eudaenomic]

I took the OEM Peugeot saddle and using a heating tool dropped the center of the saddle. I've been using it for more than 27 years though I've had it re-leathered 4 x.

[FlatSpinMan]

Helpful. I’ve been riding a while now but genuinely feel this helped me understand the market.

[markusseppala]

Don't be fooled that the selle italia endurance versions are just for beginners and "endurance riders", I think they have the correct amount of padding for most ppl instead of the normal models. It's just a tiny bit more. The SLR endurance has about the same amount of padding as the stock Flite.

[eduardocarvalhoneto]

Nice video with details and examples. GCN is getting some nice video recently with information and graphics.

[johnnunn]

I had a Selle Flite on my road bike, back in the 90s and it was so comfortable I got one for my MTB and it was ace on that too.
Edited to add. Neither had a channel in them.

[sadverysad]

after being sized and riding a 148mm wide saddle for years

took your advice a switched to 130mm wide slr

saved my arse

thx ollie

[jacquesduplessis]

oh my word, those "Seat Seats" are amazing😆😆

[JayLato]

I find my all Carbon SLR Tekno Superflow more comfortable than the SLR carbonio padded version. The cut out on the full carbon is rounded off whereas the cutout in the plastic shell is sharp.

[bubblesezblonde]

Always love your vids Dr. Bridgewood. High quality saddles, high quality pedals and ergonomic grips are essential for comfort. I found 'my saddle', slapped them on all my rides.

[derekmccord]

Freaking awesome that Dallara is working with Selle Italia to make their saddles! Nothing like race car tech being used in the bike industry.

[camgallagher]

After trying a dozen or so saddles Selle Italia is my saddle if choice. But I carry an Allen key and sometimes adjust height or position by 1 or 2mm during a ride for say aching knees or muscle pain. An older rider suggested it once and it works. Then again he might have been handicapping me.

Great, very informative video, thanks Ollie x

[kamolhengkiatisak]

This gem applies to all: beginners and experts alike.