How to Choose a Right Bicycle Saddle

It is important to get a right saddle for your bicycle before you start to ride. Most people think once they buy a new bicycle from the store, they are ready for a ride. Before you know it, some pain and discomfort might have been developed while riding and could cause serious problems such as numbness and infections, or prostate problems. Here are some basic facts to help you choose a right saddle for your bike:

For fast and speed riding, you want to choose a racing-style narrow saddle, also known as performance bicycle saddle. Because the faster you ride, the more you pedal. The narrow saddle will reduce the interference from the side of the seat to your soft tissue areas.

For a casual ride such as on a cruiser bike ride, you would want a wider and soft cushioned saddle. Because you pedal much less and sit more relax while riding a cruiser bike, you want a wide comfortable cushion seat for it.

Softer not always better. A soft paddle could be good for a short ride, but as the ride goes longer or more frequently, excessively soft, thick padding saddle could cause some pain on your sit bones because after a extent period of sitting and paddling, the padding between the sit bones and the seat will be compressed thus increase the pressure between your sit bones.

A gel saddle is better? Gel saddle is made of shock absorbing material that usually molds to your comfortable fit. It provides more support to the sit bones and better for a long ride. Although for some cyclists, gel just another hype of new saddle type and has little to do with comfortable. But for others, it releases the numbness and ease the irritation of groin and sit bones.

How about  old fashioned leather saddles? Most of the modern bike saddles are padded plastic saddles. They are generally lighter and better cushioned thus become more popular after 1970s. Dispide all the advanced features a plastic saddles may offer, leather saddle still holds a strong position on the choices of bike saddles for the high-mileage riders who like their saddles to break in to fit their body. Plus, leather tend to "breathe" better and keep your cool during long rides. Some chose leather saddles simply love the classy look of the bikes.

There are many types of saddles to choose from. Before you hop on a ride, it is import to do some homework and get yourself a right saddle. It is pretty personal when it comes to a saddle. After all, it only you know your body and how you are planning to ride the bike. Don't be afraid to try on different saddles. Just like a pair of shoes, you have to try and see if they are comfortable.

Check out some of the top brand bicycle saddles below: