| I used to think that if you bought the right size bike - | | | | buy the right saddle for your gender. Men and Women |
| that was it! I did not have to consider anything else. I | | | | have differing requirements of support due to their |
| even thought that I could take it straight out of the | | | | differing private lower areas. Enough said about this I |
| shop and go on a 20, 30 or 50 mile ride and I | | | | think! |
| wondered why I suffered many pains. I learnt that you | | | | The second thing that is important is how the saddle is |
| need to be able to buy the right saddle and also be | | | | fitted and adjusted on the bike. So for saddle fitting, the |
| able to fit the saddle on the bike correctly. This will give | | | | first thing is to make sure the saddle is straight by |
| you the best chance of avoiding problems with body | | | | considering the following points |
| pains etc. So the first thing is to purchase the correct | | | | 1. Make sure the saddle is straight with the handlebars |
| saddle. You need to choose the correct saddle with | | | | 2. Make sure the saddle is parallel to the road. |
| the style of riding that you are likely to do. | | | | 3. The saddle should not be tilted up or down. Some |
| For example, if you are a bit of a "racer" and speed is | | | | people angle the saddle down believing this will be a |
| the important thing then the style of saddle that may | | | | more comfortable ride. In my experience this is not |
| be more appropriate would be a thin narrow type. This | | | | true. You end up sliding down the saddle toward the |
| would allow greater movement for your legs. Your | | | | front of the bike. |
| body position would be leaning forward so that your | | | | The second point for correctly fitting the saddle is |
| weight is more supported by your arms. You may | | | | ensuring the saddle height is correct. The correct |
| have a more "casual" style of riding and not interested | | | | height will help to provide the maximum optimum pedal |
| so much in how fast you want to go. You may want | | | | power. So how do we get the correct saddle height? |
| a more relaxed ride (my sort of style). In this case a | | | | To get the correct saddle height sit on the saddle with |
| wider saddle with supporting padding would be | | | | one leg hanging free and your hips square to the bike |
| appropriate with a body position that is more akin to | | | | and keep this in the upright position. Adjust the saddle |
| the sitting up position. | | | | height so that your other foot can touch the pedal with |
| In the case of Football or Rugby you need to buy the | | | | your leg fully extended when the pedal is at the most |
| correct studded boot depending on whether you were | | | | southerly point. This will give you the best saddle height |
| playing Football (soccer) or Rugby. In the same way it | | | | and will prevent side to side rocking straining your back |
| is important to buy the right saddle for the style of | | | | whilst you are riding. |
| riding you plan to adopt. In addition to this make sure | | | | In summary 2 main elements for the best ride is to |
| that you buy a saddle you can sit on (as silly as it | | | | ensure you have purchased the correct saddle and to |
| sounds). A lot of saddles can be "implements of | | | | ensure this saddle is correctly fitted. This will ensure |
| torture". Therefore find one that is simply "nice to site | | | | you get the most comfort and enjoyment from your |
| on". Another simple point to note is to make sure you | | | | ride and give you many days of happy cycling. |