The seat post
by Matt
A couple of days ago I wrote a Training article about getting acclimated to long hours on the bike. In that post I promised to talk more about seats.
They’re actually called “saddles” on a bicycle—most likely because early bicyclists had a lot in common with horse riders. And, there are countless variations on the saddle. Some of them look hideously uncomfortable, while others appear to be merely a tad inconvenient.
Yet the saddle is a relatively efficient way for a bicyclist to be mounted. It aids balance, keeps leg power from being absorbed by the buttocks, and can be quite comfortable with some acclimation.
The key to saddle comfort, at least in my humble opinion, is keeping one’s body from sitting on delicate tissues (especially the blood vessels and nerves that abound Where You Sit). In that regard, there is at least one misconception, and several positive developments.
The Misconception
It would make good common sense that the whole problem of shielding nerves and blood vessels can be accomplished by using a good, wide, cushy seat — the more padding the better.
Wrong!
Your riding will suffer (and presumably so will you), because your legs will be forced out of the ideal line for pedaling. Over two or three miles you might not notice it. But over tens of miles a day, you will begin to feel discomfort at your hip and knee joints.
The padding will also absorb some of the energy you are trying to put into pedaling. You will end up working harder to go the same distance, especially up hills.
A semi-cushy, efficient seat
A much better option is a seat with a so-called “cutout” — it actually has a wedge cut out of the middle of the seat. They are built differently for women and for men, because in addition to the obvious anatomical differences, our pelvic bones are configured a little differently as well.
This kind of seat puts no pressure on the delicate nerves and blood vessels. It supports your upper body weight on the so-called “sit bones” of the pelvis rather than up near the nose of the saddle. It can be padded with a gel cushion, or can be like the more traditional hard racing saddle, but it’s not cushy.
The results: an efficient and pain-free line for your legs, a comfortable sitting position, and no numbness in your lower extremities after a long ride.
How to get this
Seats of this type cost between $25 and $75. You don’t have to spend a lot fot a good-quality seat. They are relatively easy to install, and if you purchase one at a bike shop, you can ask for it to be installed as part of the purchase.
Adjusting it is an ongoing process. Ask for guidance from a mechanic.
