{"id":133101,"date":"2016-01-21T10:27:33","date_gmt":"2016-01-21T08:27:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/?p=133101"},"modified":"2016-01-21T10:28:43","modified_gmt":"2016-01-21T08:28:43","slug":"upgrading-your-saddle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2016\/01\/21\/upgrading-your-saddle\/","title":{"rendered":"Upgrading Your Saddle"},"content":{"rendered":"

You don\u2019t need to be a shop mechanic to change a saddle, so we often compromise the saddle when choosing a bike.\u00a0 Why not when you know you can upgrade later?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Think of your riding style<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Your<\/a><\/p>\n

Your saddle should match your riding style\u00a0so if you have Indurain\u2019s time trial technique, you want a stiff, light, thin saddle.\u00a0 If you\u2019re pummeling over rocky surfaces you might want something a bit heavier, cushioned, and forgiving.<\/p>\n

Comfort<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Your saddle should be comfortable so try out a few in your local bike shop.\u00a0 Evansa in the UK lets you test ride bikes for a 1p deposit, so there\u2019s no excuse not to try out a few saddles.\u00a0 Don\u2019t ride off with the bike, or they\u2019ll charge it to your card!\u00a0 Bike thieves beware\u2026<\/p>\n

Like bike, like saddle<\/h2>\n

\"Avoid<\/a><\/p>\n

Regardless of the type of bike you want to ride, the lighter the better, the stronger the better, both strong and light will be more expensive, and a carbon or titanium chassis will cost you.\u00a0 Beware that many of the expensive saddles are designed with the assumption that you\u2019ll be wearing padded shorts on your ride.<\/p>\n

MTB<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Mountain bikes encourage the rider to get out the saddle, so when you need your bum to connect with the saddle, you\u2019ll want some flex for comfort.\u00a0 For this reason, MTB saddles are, generally speaking, more appealing to the uninitiated \u2013 but take a look at any Danny Macaskill video and total up the time spent in the saddle.\u00a0 Not long, is it?<\/p>\n

Road bikes<\/h2>\n

\"Saddles<\/a><\/p>\n

Saddles\u00a0for road bikes are designed to be comfortable for the long haul on tarmac, so compromise on the padding to better support the power you put into your pedals.\u00a0 To the inexperienced they can seem uncomfortable at first, but given time your rear will toughen up, and your legs will thank you after 10 miles or so.<\/p>\n

Commuter saddles<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Comfort saddles are sometimes marketed as commuter saddles, and are generous with padding and space to plant your behind.\u00a0 This might seem appealing, but the width of these saddles can interfere with your legs\u2019 range of movement and reduce the power you can push into the pedals.\u00a0 They may be comfortable on short journeys, but your legs may tire more easily.<\/p>\n

Watch your crown jewels<\/h2>\n

\"Look<\/p>\n

Avoid numbing your private parts by choosing a saddle with notches and grooves.\u00a0 If your appendages go numb after a long ride, you probably need to change your saddle.<\/p>\n

Heritage saddles<\/h2>\n

Heritage saddles like Brooks are for connoisseurs of style as well as comfort.\u00a0 Made from quality leather, and chamfered with the sharpest of knives by grizzled veterans in England\u2019s Black Country, these saddles will only look better with age \u2013 providing you look after them.\u00a0 Maintenance and care is essential, but the saddle will shape to your body, and provide you with a pleasure beyond your last cycle ride.<\/p>\n

Forget the advertising<\/h2>\n

\"If<\/a><\/p>\n

Ignore the mystical hype companies like Fizik use when marketing their saddles, and think about the benefits instead.\u00a0 Fizik ask if you\u2019re a snake or a bull when you ride.\u00a0 The best thing to do is find a retailer that lets you try all their saddles.\u00a0 In spite of this, Fizik produce some great saddles \u2013 and with the right support and a happy bum, your ride will only get faster.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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