Saddle Test Results & Findings

[Blackheart]

Over the last 2 weeks I have been test riding saddles, I thought I would share my findings with you.

For those interested I have attached a spreadsheet with more detail.

 

Background: I am a cyclist of average ability, I ride MTB only now, most of my training during the week is done on the road on my MTB, weekends are for the dirt and for races.

I have competed in various sports, at varying levels since junior school, ranging from complete hacker to representing my country.

I follow a fairly relaxed training plan, but it is still a plan.

I ride between 10 and 15 hrs per week. I'm conscious of what I eat, but am not fanatical about it. I don't weigh my food. I do pilates and yoga to supplement/balance the on bike work.

I have been riding and racing bikes for 25 years, in the last 3 years i have been drawn to the longer marathon and 'ultra' marathon type events, Trans Karoo, Baviaans etc.

As my training and racing distances have increased I have become more intrigued by the idea that at some stage comfort becomes speed. Or is speed actually, always just speed.

it seems like the obvious place to start (assuming a correctly set up bike and a reasonable level of fitness) is the bit you sit on.

 

My Bike set up: Without getting into too much detail, I ride a carbon hardtail, a Niner Air9 Carbon, carbon seatpost, carbon handlebar, carbon rims, I run an X01 crank with a 34T blade, an XT 10 spd cassette with a wolftooth 40T. I tend to ride more with low revs and torque than with high cadence. Rig weighs in at 10,3kg ready to race.

 

Which Saddle?: It used to be that you just bought the one you liked the look of, or the one with the best MBR review and then got on with getting broken in (you, not the saddle). Now, with the variety of saddles available to test ride, and with the various manufacturers own recommendations, a lot of the pain has been taken out of making the right choice.

My first step was to use the manufacturers recommendation as a starting point, each has their own system. Specialized measure the 'sit bones', Fizik work off spinal flexibility, Fabric off morphology - using height and wrist diameter as a guide, San Marco go on age and riding style. They were all remarkably consistent in a general kind of way, in that they all agreed which saddle type I should be on.

I needed a wide (140 - 155mm) saddle with a wave shape in both directions, heavily padded and with a cut out where one was available.

These are the ones I started with, with a couple of wild cards just for the sake of scientific research.

 

The Test: The test route chosen had a variety of climbing, descending and flat, 80% tar 20% dirt. The route would be ridden sitting at all times. The route was exactly 1 hour in duration. The bike set up was re done after every saddle change to account for variances in thickness, rail size etc. The route was ridden in the same weather conditions, and testing was not done when fatigued. If a saddle caused pain, enough time was allowed to recover so as not to influence the perceived comfort of the next.

 

The findings: The wider, wavyer (wavier?) more padded saddles were generally more comfortable on the 'sit bones' but only if one remained in that position. They did not allow any moving around when climbing for instance. All the wider saddles compressed the upper inner thigh muscle (insert correct name here please), and had the feeling of constraining the extension of the hamstring. This resulted in a noticeable loss of leg speed and power.

One of the wide saddles affected my hip movement to such a degree I could not maintain any cadence and felt as if injury would result after long term use.

The narrower, flatter 'wild card' saddles were a revelation. Leg speed and power increased significantly. It felt like the brakes had come off. The trade off was comfort however. Generally they did increase pressure on the 'sit bones' and the perineum. Until I found the one which fit me. It was the flattest, narrowest, least padded of all, and the complete opposite of what all the theoretical data dictated I should be using.

I backed up this finding by riding for 5 hours on sunday, with no pain whatsoever.

 

Conclusion: While the theory may be fine as a starting point, and may probably work as a generalisation for most people, there is no need to settle for an uncomfortable or unsuitable saddle. Try, try and keep trying all you can before deciding. 

 

I hope this helps, and thanks for reading this far - It's been a bit long winded in the end.

 

PS - If anyone is wondering why I have been putting 'sit bones' like this, it's because there is a lot of false science around this and it's worthy of a research paper all of it's own...

 

 

 

Saddle Test Results Sheet1.pdf

[Traverse]

I used to own a Giant Anthem 29er with a stock saddle and was able to do long distance races without a problem. I then upgraded to a new frame and the Giant saddle didn't look to good on my new steed so I also upgraded my saddle with a nice expensive saddle. To make a long story short I am back on my Giant stock saddle without any pain! So much for my expensive WTB Volt carbon saddle!

[Jay_B]

If i may ask where did you get all those saddles to test? From a shop or did you own them already?

 

Ive been thinking of  a new saddle for a while but dont want to splash out the cash and then its not what i need, a test ride would be ideal but i dont know of any shops that have saddles to test?

[Blackheart]

Hi Jay_B

 

Fizik, San Marco, Selle Italia and Specialized all have test saddles, any of their retailers should be able to supply you.

 

Good Luck and don't settle for something you're not happy with.

[Speeltyd]

Thanks - interesting read. From my more limited experience, I also tend to find the "narrower" saddles more comfortable - but then I am medium built.

This leads me to another question/remark on this topic - perhaps I should post it as new - but just for now...

Our gym (Centurion Virgin) has just been completely refurbished with amongst others new IDT's. However, their saddles are over 20cm at the back!! I find it impossible to sit on them for more than 5 minutes - the Management thinks it's fine, but I believe this is unacceptable. Are there negative aspects when saddles are that wide?

[raptor-22]

Fizik arione and tundra work superb for me. Both flat and narrow set up with nose down. Basically the nose to centresection is flat and the tail kicks up. The insisted I was using it incorrectly and told me the warranty would be void if it broke.

 

Lol...

 

Next one will be purchased on line so your problem goes away and I save lots of cash

[Pah Bear]

Thanx Blackheart for your contribution.

 

Mostly do Road Bike and bought a MTB recently but not ridden enough to comment on.

 

Regarding the Road Saddle, I use a Spez Body Geometry Phenom (155) and it took me quite a while to get used to it. Suffered plenty sit bone (bruising?) that left me too sore to sit after for a while. Things have improved somewhat but always wandering if it's a case of "got use to it" or ... another saddle would work better?

 

Ride a rather aggressive position and with the slight rise in the front (saddle bow shaped), still suffer some discomfort when leaning forward..

 

Saddles are damn expensive and I've been loath to spend money on more experimentation, so thanx for the thread. Given me some food for thought.

[Pah Bear]

Oh yes, found some manufacturers that don't have test saddles. but have a money back guarantee if you not happy after a month. Considering options.

[Spoke101]

Hi Jay_B

 

Fizik, San Marco, Selle Italia and Specialized all have test saddles, any of their retailers should be able to supply you.

 

Good Luck and don't settle for something you're not happy with.

You can add WTB to that list.