If you think an hour on the trainer is torture, imagine eight hours in the saddle. Now imagine you’re simultaneously getting painted blue.
When Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence talked with Jimmy Fallon about her role as Mystique in the X-Men movie Days of Future Past, she explained that receiving her daily dose of blue body paint for her costume wasn’t easy. The process took eight hours to complete, every time. “I stood or I had to sit on a bicycle seat… Which every woman knows is our dream come true,” she said.
Lawrence is correct: Women do have some anatomical differences that make saddle choice tough. “Distance between sit and pubic bones is wider for women, pubic bones show a more rounded shape in women, and this might lead to more pressure in the pubic bone area,” says Janina Haas, ergonomics designer for component maker Ergon. Guys’ pubic bones are flat, with a wider surface to distribute pressure more evenly, Haas says.
In addition to wider, rounder hips and bones, women’s skin is thinner and more sensitive, Haas explains. And, of course, there’s the fact that men’s and women’s genitals are positioned differently. “If [a women’s] saddle has a hole or a relief channel it needs a different design from a men’s saddle to relieve the genital area,” Haas says.
That said, saddles most definitely do not have to be uncomfortable. Here’s some advice that can benefit anyone—male or female—who’s shopping for a new bike or seat.
Discomfort Isn’t Okay
Chances are that you’ve been riding the saddle that came with your bike. But if you’re experiencing pain, numbness, or find yourself shifting to find “just the right spot” to sit, it’s time to look into other options. Most shops have test-saddle programs that let customers feel out a few models before committing.
Pick Your Width
One of the keys is to find a saddle in the proper width, which depends on riding style and sit-bone width—look for a bike shop with a fitter on staff to take this measurement, Haas says.
Flat or Curved?
Additionally, “a flat saddle design leads in general to more concentrated pressure in the sit bone area; a round saddle design leads in general to a more distributed pressure distribution, including the perineal and genital area.” If you have problems with pressure, Haas recommends a seat with a cutout or channel.
Pick Your Padding
If your rides are short and infrequent, Haas recommends a softer saddle with thick padding. “But get a firmer, sportier saddle if you are pedaling frequently and doing longer rides,” she says.
You’re Special
Different saddles work for different body types, so what works for your ride buddy may not be as good for you. Here are some suggestions on choosing a bike seat to get you started.
Dial In Fit
If your saddle is generally comfortable but you’re still getting numb or sore on longer rides, make sure you’re riding at the correct seat height. If that doesn’t solve the problem, consider investing in at least one session with an experienced bike fitter.
Still looking for your dream saddle? We review the latest and greatest here.
Watch Jennifer Lawrence talk saddles at 4:30 in this video with Jimmy Fallon.
