hair by Andi Yancey; makeup by Andi Yancey; modeled by Ariel Kellog; photographed by Jens Ingvarsson. If you recently saw the Amy Schumer movie I Feel Pretty, then you might be feeling a little bit wary of bikes, because the plot revolves around a particularly gruesome SoulCycle bike seat accident,
- But as far-fetched as that scene was, there was some truth to it: Bike seats can be pretty uncomfortable.
- It’s normal for your butt to feel slightly sore after a ride, because when you sit on a bike seat, most of your weight gets distributed on two very small bones on the bottom of your pelvis.
- That can lead to soreness, especially if you’re on a long ride, explains Maddy Ciccone, a SoulCycle instructor in Boston.
But Ciccone ensures us that there are ways to prevent soreness ahead of time — and as someone who spends between 15-20 hours on a bike per week, she would know. Whether you’re curious about indoor cycling or are taking up Bike to Work Week this year, ahead are Ciccone’s tips for making bike seats more comfortable.
Why are bike seats made so uncomfortable?
A Bike’s Discomfort – When I first started biking, I was curious why bike seats were stiff and skinny. I found them difficult to sit on, especially on long trips, because they gave me constant sores and back pains. Then as I met fellow bikers in the long run, they explained that there are many reasons why bicycle seats are shaped like that and that the discomfort I felt came from improper sizing and other factors.
Is a bigger bike seat better?
Saddle shape – The shape of the saddle determines its best use. Wider saddles tend to be more comfortable so are good for long rides or leisurely riders where extra weight from more materials isn’t an issue. 
Thinner saddles tend to be better for short efforts – such as racing – where comfort isn’t dispensed with entirely but is compromised in favour of other factors. That said, your sit bones are the vital thing. You need to be careful, if the saddle is too wide it can chafe whilst too thin can put a lot of pressure on soft parts. 
One of the best ways to determine what width of saddle you need is to measure your sit bones (the bones at the bottom of the pelvis) as they carry most of the weight on the saddle. This will help determine what width you need. Our retail store has a sit bone measuring seat (pic above) which makes things much easier. 
Lots of modern saddles also have a grooved or cut away central section which eases pressure on sensitive parts. This also helps the saddle flex a little more so can aid comfort on thinner, racier saddles. 
Some time trial specific saddles are cut down at the front and also have a large cut away section making them look like two well padded prongs sticking out but are surprisingly very comfy despite the rather odd looks.
What is the correct position for a bike seat?
Why is my bike seat so uncomfortable?
Saddle fore/aft – As we’ve already covered, there are also a number of other factors, besides the measurement from the bottom bracket to the top of the saddle, which can impact on finding your perfect position. Pedaling style can make a difference to saddle height.
A rider who has a toe-down style can reach a longer saddle height, without altering their knee angle, than a rider who pedals heels down. Saddle fore/aft (where your saddle sits on the rails) is another important consideration when adjusting your saddle, and should be considered once you’ve established your saddle height.
Burt says it has a significant bearing on your pedalling efficiency and comfort. Where your saddle sits on the rails also has a significant bearing on pedalling efficiency and comfort The ideal position is to have your knee directly above the pedal spindle (known as the Knee Over Pedal Spindle, or KOPS, rule) when the crank arm is in the three o’clock position.
Typically you can measure this by dropping a plumb line from the bottom of the knee, and then adjusting the saddle until the line cuts through the pedal spindle, but Burt instead recommends using a metre ruler as the plumb line can move. Place the metre ruler in front of the knee cap and make sure it’s just in front of the pedal spindle.
“If your saddle is too far forward and puts your knee in front of the pedals then that can be problematic,” Burt warns, “and it can be the route of some people’s knee issues or pain.”
Why are spin bike seats so uncomfortable?
Why are stationary bike saddles so uncomfortable? – · Beginners assume that a saddle is the same as a seat. · Beginners may not have racked up enough time in the saddle to get used to it. · Incorrect saddle height, width or angle may put additional pressure on the sitz bones.
· No saddle is universally comfortable, Riders should find the most suitable one for them which may mean swapping one saddle for another. · Too much friction between the saddle and the leg can create chafing and sores. · Not enough time standing up and out of the saddle during classes to relieve pressure.
· Women using male saddles and vice versa but also · Riders assuming that saddle gender will solve all discomfort issues · Too little or too much padding for an individual’s need. · Not wearing appropriate clothing · Not using chamois cream Indoor cycling bike seats are often uncomfortable when we first start riding them.
- Fixing that may just be a matter of getting used to it or it can be a process of trial-and-error using the bike’s ability to adjust or by purchasing accessories such as clothing or chamois cream.
- How to make an exercise bike seat more comfortable often comes down to finding your own preferred methods through experience.
If you’re experiencing longer-term discomfort, you may need a new saddle. Speaking to a bike specialist can help road cyclists. If you’re in a class, talk to your PT or instructor. Your at-home bike may have a removable saddle, so check with the manufacturer.
If the soreness or pain continues without reasonable explanation, visit a doctor or medical professional to rule out any medical issues. The Energym RE:GEN is now ready to pre-order for delivery in 2022. It’s a smart electricity-generating indoor bike that captures and converts the power from your workout, turning it into clean useable electricity.
And it has a removable saddle, so you can use an indoor bicycle seat that’s right for you. 
