Road saddles

How to choose a road saddle

The saddle is the most personal component on a bike, and the only one whose comfort can’t be judged by price or foam thickness. Four measurable criteria help narrow the choice before you try one out.

Width — the most important criterion

It must match thedistance between your sit bones, the two bones you sit on. Common saddle widths range from 135 to 155 mm. A saddle that’s too narrow puts your weight on soft tissue; one that’s too wide rubs the insides of your thighs as you pedal. Many shops can measure this distance in a few minutes, and the measurement doesn’t change over your lifetime.

The central cut-out

• A open cut-out (Superflow from Selle Italia, Open-Fit from San Marco, PAS from Prologo) removes material beneath the perineum and relieves pressure on nerves and blood vessels.
• A recessed channel without a full opening offers a compromise, with a more continuous seating surface.
• A solid saddle remains a good choice if your pelvis tilts very little and you feel no discomfort — don’t create a problem you don’t have.

Flat or curved, short or long

A flat lets the pelvis move forwards and backwards, suiting flexible riding positions and long distances. A curved holds the pelvis in one position, favoured for low, aggressive riding positions. The short-nose saddles — with a truncated nose — have become standard for aerodynamic riding positions: they remove the front section that gets in the way when you lean forwards.

The rails

• Steel, Tirox or manganese : the most affordable, heavy but virtually indestructible.
• Titanium (TI316), Kium, Crmo : save considerable weight and absorb some vibrations.
• Carbon (Nack, composite) : the lightest and best at absorbing vibrations, but they require a compatible saddle clamp and tightening to the specified torque — a clamp designed for round 7 mm rails won’t accept oval 7x9 mm carbon rails.

Women’s models

They differ in more than colour: women generally have a wider pelvis, so the saddle is wider at the rear and has a more generous central cut-out. Selle Italia Diva and Lady Gel, San Marco and Prologo all offer dedicated versions. That said, sit-bone width remains the deciding factor: some women are more comfortable on a unisex model, and the reverse is true too.

Adjustment makes all the difference

A good saddle is still uncomfortable if poorly adjusted. Height, fore-aft position and, above all, tilt — a few degrees are enough to shift all the pressure — should be adjusted before deciding a model doesn’t suit you. Give it several rides before judging.

To find out more: How to choose your road bike saddle

See also: Road seatposts · Seatpost clamps and saddle clamps · Road cycling shorts