How I Choose the Best Road Saddle | NorCal Cycling
Source: NorCal Cycling Youtube Channel: How I Choose the Best Road Saddle
Video How I Choose the Best Road Saddle with NorCal Cycling
Video How I Choose the Best Road Saddle with NorCal Cycling YouTube Channel.
How I Choose the Best Road Saddle
When searching for a new saddle, it’s important to consider two key factors that will ultimately lead to increased comfort and performance on the bike. In a recent review, Performance Bike provided new offerings from Specialized in order to help cyclists find the perfect saddle. The first and most important consideration when selecting a new saddle is your sit bone measurement. The sit bone is the very bottom of your pelvis, and measuring it can be done simply by using a piece of aluminum foil and a towel. By sitting on the foil and then standing up, you can mark the impressions with a dot and measure the distance between them to find your sit bone measurement. This measurement will be the basis for your saddle selection, and it’s essential for finding the right fit.
Cycling has taught many cyclists that sit bones vary widely between men and women, and even among men. Traditionally, bike fitters would add 25mm to the sit bone measurement to determine the width of the saddle. For example, if the sit bone measurement is 90mm, the saddle width should be 115mm. However, this method can be misleading and may result in the purchase of the wrong saddle. For instance, individuals with narrow sit bones may find that a saddle width of 115mm is too wide for their comfort. In fact, some cyclists may prefer a slightly wider saddle in the back for extra support during climbs, which is not accounted for by the traditional method.
Another important consideration when choosing a saddle is the style of riding you’ll be doing. Different riding styles require different types of saddles, which is evident in the variation among the saddle offerings from Specialized. For example, the ISM saddle is designed with triathletes and time trialists in mind, as it accommodates the rotated position of the hips and pelvis in an aerodynamic posture. This design features prongs that come inward to support the rider’s rotated hips, but it is not as forgiving for rapid movements and transitions. On the other hand, the Specialized Power Saddle is more refined and suitable for road racing, providing stability and support for riders in a crit racing environment, where quick movements and position changes are frequent.
The Specialized Power Saddle, specifically the S-Works Power Saddle, is a top-of-the-line offering with carbon rails and a more forgiving design that is ideal for crit racing. It takes the concept of a narrow, forward-rotated saddle one step further by providing a flat and forgiving surface for sit bones in a low and narrow position. In contrast, the Specialized Roman Evo saddle offers a different style and support for longer road races, making it a better fit for such endurance events.
In summary, the selection of a saddle should consider both the sit bone measurement and the style of riding. It’s important to find a saddle that caters to the individual’s unique sit bone width, as well as the demands of their preferred cycling discipline. Specialized offers a wide range of saddle options to accommodate different needs, and individuals should explore these offerings to find the perfect fit for their cycling endeavors. Whether it’s crit racing, time trialing, or long road races, there’s a saddle designed to meet the specific requirements of each cyclist. Thanks to Specialized and Performance Bike for providing these saddle options for review, allowing cyclists to make informed decisions based on their individual needs.
The opinions expressed in this space are the sole responsibility of the YouTube Channel NorCal Cycling and do not necessarily represent the views of CicloNews.
