HOW TO FIND YOUR PERFECT PERCH

LENGTH

The distance from tip to tail determines how much room you have to move forward and back, which relates to your riding style.

Long Nose: If you like a multitude of positions, from the rivet to the rear, this provides the most places to sit.

Short Nose: Most people sit on the back third of a saddle, so short-nosed shapes eliminate unused real estate and take pressure off soft tissues when you tilt forward into an aggressive position. Mountainbike saddles often have shorter noses so that you don’t hook your shorts.

Noseless: Time triallists and triathletes barely need a nose, as they assume extreme aerodynamic positions for extended periods.

CONSTRUCTION

Your soft tissues will always bear some weight, but they shouldn’t be supporting so much that you get numb.

Cut: Some saddles are equipped with channels or cutouts to relieve pressure. This is a personal preference: some riders like a generous cut-out; others find this causes issues such as swelling, and they prefer more subtle soft-tissue support.

Cushion: Padding is a very personal preference; but generally, more aggressive saddles have less padding, and comfort saddles have more. Many riders find that a good chamois with a less-padded saddle is more comfortable for the long haul than the opposite.

TOPOGRAPHY

The surface of your saddle can be flapjack-flat or wavy. What you’ll like best largely depends on your preferred riding positions.

Flat: A level top is good if you like to move around; if you ride in a more upright position; or if you’re so flexible, your sit bones remain in the right spot even when you’re in the drops.

Waved: These saddles are higher in the rear, dip in the middle, and flatten or dip at the nose. They cradle your anatomy and can provide extra support if your pelvis tips forward as your torso drops.

WIDTH AND TAPER

Saddles are generally sold based on width, the measurement across the area that supports your sit bones. A too-narrow or too-wide saddle will put pressure and/or rub where you don’t want it to, and disrupt your pedal stroke. Equally important is how the saddle tapers from rear to front. The outline has to match your anatomy and how you ride.

Teardrop: This traditional shape is wide in the back and tapers at the nose, which minimises thigh rub.

Linear: This shape has less taper and tends to be shorter – you have a solid perch under your pelvis, but not much up front. This is good for aggressive riding, but thigh rub can be an issue if it’s not a good match.

Straight: Noseless saddles often feature minimum tapering. Because you’re sitting so far forward, you don’t have to worry about thigh clearance.