Why a Softer Bike Seat Won’t Help Your Sore Butt
Just as the softest running shoe isn’t the most comfortable in the long run , the softest bike seats aren’t the best either. If your buttock hurts while riding, there are a few other things to check before buying a new saddle — and other considerations besides how soft it is.
Here’s the problem with soft saddles, as cycling guru Sheldon Brown explained :
Imagine that you are sitting on a coffee table. Your weight is concentrated on the two bulges of the ischial bones, also known as the ischial tuberosities. These parts of your body are designed to support the weight while sitting. In most cases, saddle discomfort arises from the load being transferred to the soft tissues between the sit bones.
Imagine putting a soft pillow on a coffee table. Now, when you sit on it, the sit bones squeeze the pillow, which yields until the sit bones are almost on the table surface again. The difference is that you now have pressure between the sitting bones from the middle of the pillow.
Likewise, a saddle with an overly soft and thick padding can make you less comfortable due to the increased pressure between the sitting bones.
Rather than opting for a softer saddle, you’ll first want to check if your bike is properly seated by distributing the weight comfortably between the saddle and handlebars. (Cyclists use the term saddle because they say the seat supports your entire rear; the saddle supports you in strategic locations.)
If your butt still hurts from a properly adjusted bike, you need to buy a saddle that matches the distance between your sitting bones (which you can measure by sitting on a zippered bag full of flour). You will also want to choose the right type of saddle for your ride: everyday riding, short races, or longer touring trips. Your local bike shop can help you choose the one that’s right for you, but in the meantime, you can find out more about the considerations at the link below.
My ass hurts when I ride my bike. Which saddle do you recommend? | Cycling Touring Pro
Photo by Daniel Aynes .
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