Saddle pain used to cut my rides short. I tried five different seats over two seasons before figuring out what actually works. Most of the advice online is wrong or oversimplified.
The Padding Myth
Everyone’s first instinct is to buy more cushioning. I did too – bought a big gel seat from Amazon. Felt great for the first 20 minutes. By mile 15, I was more uncomfortable than on my original saddle.
Thick padding doesn’t support your sit bones. It just squishes everywhere, pressing against soft tissue that shouldn’t bear weight. Firmer, properly shaped saddles are counterintuitively more comfortable.
Get Your Sit Bones Measured
Your sit bones have a specific width – the two bony points you sit on. Saddles come in different widths to match. A saddle that’s too narrow puts pressure in the wrong places. Too wide, and the edges dig into your thighs.
Most bike shops can measure this. You sit on a gel pad for a minute and they measure the impressions. Takes two minutes and gives you a number to work from.
What’s Worked for Me
I ended up on a Specialized Power saddle. It has a wide pressure-relief channel down the middle and a shorter nose. Completely eliminated the numbness I was getting on longer rides.
Other riders swear by the Brooks B17 (leather, molds to your shape over time) or the ISM noseless designs (removes the front entirely). Everyone’s anatomy is different.
Position Matters as Much as the Saddle
A good saddle poorly adjusted still hurts. Height should let your leg have a slight bend at the bottom of the pedal stroke. Start with the saddle level, then make tiny adjustments. Nose down takes pressure off the front but can make you slide forward. Nose up does the opposite.
Give It Time
New saddles take a few rides to judge. Your body adapts. But if you’re still in pain after five or six rides, it’s probably not the right saddle. Move on and try something else. Life’s too short for painful rides.
