{"id":196792,"date":"2024-09-19T12:22:44","date_gmt":"2024-09-19T12:22:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/?p=196792"},"modified":"2024-09-19T12:24:31","modified_gmt":"2024-09-19T12:24:31","slug":"opinion-the-gel-pad-saddle-cover-myth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2024\/09\/19\/opinion-the-gel-pad-saddle-cover-myth\/","title":{"rendered":"Opinion: The Gel Pad Saddle Cover Myth"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019m a cycling guide for people that want to explore Europe on a bicycle for a week, but in doses. 50 to 70k daily divided by a delicious picnic lunch in a breathtaking landscape and a cultural visit is perfect for them. Most aren\u2019t passionate cyclists, but they understand the joy of riding a bicycle to explore lands unknown.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Whether they are on an electric or a pedal bike, ninety percent of them request a saddle gel pad cover for their trip. I shake my head every time. Don\u2019t they know it\u2019s a myth? A gel pad saddle cover provides no relief and can even make it worse or cause other problems. There are better solutions. Let me explain.<\/p>\n

Everyone gets their turn<\/strong><\/h2>\n

No cyclist, zero, escapes saddle discomfort<\/a> from time to time. When you\u2019re new to the sport, or getting back on after an extended break, you have to go through a pseudo break-in period again. It only lasts a day or two, that feeling of light pressure on a bruise. It\u2019s a rite of passage in cycling.<\/p>\n

The more aero your cycling position, more of your body weight rests on your \u201csit bones\u201d (ischial tuberosities). These are the points where your body meets the saddle. As you lean forward to ride, your glutes<\/a> (bum muscles) move to the side, exposing your sit bones. If your riding position is more upright, the sit bones are more protected by the glutes, but won\u2019t exclude you from the process. Suck it up. You wanna be a cyclist, right?<\/p>\n

Increased pressure and chafing<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Adding a gel cover to protect from saddle discomfort isn\u2019t the solution and can even add to the problem. It may provide a sensation of relief for a few minutes, then the squishy gel material displaces, increasing pressure on other spots from the uneven distribution of the rider\u2019s weight.<\/p>\n

This increased pressure from the gel material leads to reduced blood circulation, causing discomfort, tingling and\/or numbness to the area, including the sensitive bits. The added bulk also contributes to chafing. And both issues defeat the purpose of the gel pad cover. And, dear cycle-tourists and new cyclists alike, underwear worn under your riding shorts is a no, no. Yep, commando is the way. It eliminates any chances of chafing caused by fabric folds or stitched clothing seams.<\/p>\n

\n
\"self-guided-vs-guided-tours-which-one-is-right-for-your-next-cycling-vacation\"\/<\/a><\/div>
\n Explore & Travel<\/a>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n

Self-Guided vs Guided Tours: Which One is Right for Your Next Cycling Vacation?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n<\/div>\n

Hygiene, heat and moisture retention<\/strong><\/h2>\n

You may have just learned that not wearing underwear under your cycling shorts is the way to go. While it doesn\u2019t sound very hygienic; it is. There\u2019s no problem, provided you wash your kit after every ride. You change your underwear every day, don\u2019t you? The same goes for cycling shorts. You should have at least two pairs. Dry one while you wear the other.<\/p>\n

An often overlooked drawback to using gel pad covers is how they generate heat and moisture. The effect is even worse on longer rides or in hot weather. The gel material isn\u2019t breathable and acts as an insulator. And what does bacteria love? Moisture and humidity. It\u2019s warm enough down there already, particularly during exercise. Why add to the equation?<\/p>\n

Invest in quality cycling shorts<\/strong><\/h2>\n

You want the gel saddle cover for your comfort, to help reduce road vibrations and shocks, correct? Investing in a proper pair of riding shorts with a quality pad, aka \u201cchamois\u201d is vital. You\u2019ve spent a bundle on the trip, bike, and\/or travel already, so why skimp on the shorts?<\/p>\n

Cycling shorts comprise an inner pad, and panels stitched together with flat seams to avoid chafing. The more panels, the better quality the short, and typically, a superior quality inner pad, too. Check the product tag before you buy. Some brands rate the pad for cycling time. A quality pair of shorts is more effective than a gel pad.<\/p>\n

You may not ride a lot, yet, but don\u2019t buy the least expensive pair you find browsing the internet. And they need to be tight fitting to function. The size you need may not equate to your everyday clothes either. This is new territory. You gotta try them on. Hold them up before you buy them. Do they have an ergonomic shape? If they hang straight, like curtains, keep looking. A quality pair of cycling shorts might cost more than you wanted to spend, but it is an investment in you, your comfort.<\/p>\n

\n
\"the-main-reason-why-having-fun-doing-a-sport-is-so-important\"\/<\/a><\/div>
\n Health & Training<\/a>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n

The Main Reason Why Having Fun Doing a Sport Is So Important<\/span><\/h3>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n<\/div>\n

Saddle shape and width are key<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Never buy a bicycle saddle based on how far you can push your thumb into its cover. A saddle doesn\u2019t have to be soft and squishy to be comfortable. It\u2019s about the saddle shape and how it works with your anatomy. The distance between everyone\u2019s sit bones is different, too. Saddles come in different widths for precisely this reason. Check with your local shop professional to measure yours.<\/p>\n

Saddles can be flat, curved, long, short, with or without a cut-out, 3D customized and more. With so many choices out there, it\u2019s easy to understand why cyclists may not be riding the optimal saddle for their anatomy. There is no need to put up with saddle discomfort because you think it\u2019s part of cycling. It isn\u2019t. Most bike shops have a saddle test ride program so you can try it before you buy it.<\/p>\n

Get a professional bike fit<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019ve exhausted several avenues trying to get comfortable on your bike saddle, including the infamous gel saddle cover, it might be time to consider a professional bike fit to address your discomfort.<\/p>\n

A professional fitter assesses a rider\u2019s biomechanics, flexibility, riding position and makes adjustments accordingly. This goes for bicycle size too. Your current rig may be too big. This personalized approach eliminates the need for temporary solutions like gel pad covers. And in today\u2019s work of AI and technology, get a bike fit before you buy. Most fit professionals can tell you which models and brands are best for you.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s up to you<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The immediate conclusion that a gel seat cover could help prevent or solve saddle discomfort is understandable. A plush layer of cushioning between you and the saddle seems inviting, but as we\u2019ve learned, it isn\u2019t the answer. In reality, a gel cover falls crucially short in providing lasting comfort, and may even aggravate the situation. So before you get a gel pad cover, remember that cycling and saddle discomfort do not go hand in hand. You\u2019ve got options. But in the end, it isn\u2019t about me, is it?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I\u2019m a cycling guide for people that want to explore Europe on a bicycle for a week, but in doses. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":99,"featured_media":191181,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[334],"tags":[7285,8018,8017],"global-categories":[3366],"class_list":["post-196792","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-socialising-and-culture","tag-bicycle-saddle","tag-gel-pad-cushion","tag-gel-pad-saddle-cover","global-categories-cycling"],"yoast_head":"\nOpinion: The Gel Pad Saddle Cover Myth - \u0160koda We Love Cycling<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"I\u2019m a cycling guide for people that want to explore Europe on a bicycle for a week, but in doses. 50 to 70k daily divided by a delicious picnic lunch in a\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2024\/09\/19\/opinion-the-gel-pad-saddle-cover-myth\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Opinion: The Gel Pad Saddle Cover Myth\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"I\u2019m a cycling guide for people that want to explore Europe on a bicycle for a week, but in doses. 50 to 70k daily divided by a delicious picnic lunch in a\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2024\/09\/19\/opinion-the-gel-pad-saddle-cover-myth\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"\u0160koda We Love Cycling\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-09-19T12:22:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-09-19T12:24:31+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/d2p6e6u75xmxt8.cloudfront.net\/2\/2022\/11\/A-group-of-cyclists-profimedia-0740097025-CVR.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"990\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"660\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"tereza\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jiri Kaloc\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2024\/09\/19\/opinion-the-gel-pad-saddle-cover-myth\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2024\/09\/19\/opinion-the-gel-pad-saddle-cover-myth\/\",\"name\":\"Opinion: The Gel Pad Saddle Cover Myth - 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