HOW TO AVOID SEAT PROBLEMS ON THE BIKE?
Saddle sores can really spoil the fun of cycling, but fortunately there are ways to remedy them. Do you suffer from saddle pain? Then there are 3 points of attention that are usually the cause of your pain.
1. Adjustment of the saddle
The first thing to examine is the adjustment of your saddle. We often see that with a saddle adjusted too high, people quickly suffer from saddle pain. Many people slide forward on their saddle when it is adjusted too high. If you cannot find out whether your saddle is too high or too low, you can enter your measurements on our website for a bicycle, which will then give an indication of what the correct saddle height should be.
In addition, the angle and position of the bicycle saddle can also cause saddle pain. Again, sitting too far forward or back on your saddle can cause saddle pain. If you creep forward or backward too much while cycling, you can adjust your saddle position accordingly, forwards or backwards. Incorrect saddle adjustment is the number one cause of saddle pain, if you sit on a saddle incorrectly, then almost any saddle will be uncomfortable.
2. Type of bicycle saddle
It could also be that the saddle on your bike does not suit you. Every person is different and so the original saddle is not always suitable for you. It may be too narrow or too wide, or the shape may not suit you. What type of saddle is suitable depends on your bike. The further forward you sit on a bicycle, the narrower the saddle you need. This is why a city bike has a much wider saddle than a road bike.
How hard a bicycle saddle is also has a lot of influence on how it sits, especially when you sit on the bike for a longer time. If you have a saddle that is too soft, you will notice that after a few hours of cycling you will suffer from saddle sores. If the saddle is too soft, you sink into the saddle and there is pressure on the tissue around your sit bones, which is unpleasant. With a harder saddle, you stay on your sit bones. By building up slowly, your sit bones get used to the pressure, after which you can often cycle for hours on a hard saddle without any problems.
Check out our full range of saddles here or visit one of our shops for a saddle measurement and tailored advice.
3. Wear good cycling shorts
Finally, it is very important to wear good cycling shorts. Our mountain bike and road bike saddles are designed to be used in combination with cycling shorts with chamois. You will also see quality differences in cycling shorts. A better quality chamois keeps its shape longer. So during shorter rides you won't notice the difference immediately, but after a few hours you will notice that a better chamois keeps its shape longer.
We have a wide range of cycling shorts in all different shapes and sizes, check out our women's and men's range here or drop by one of our shops.
Maximise riding pleasure, minimise pain
In the pursuit of a comfortable cycling experience, adjusting the saddle, choosing the right type of cycling saddle and wearing good cycling shorts are essential factors in preventing saddle sores. By paying attention to these three points, you as a cyclist can maximise your riding pleasure and minimise bothersome aches and pains. Whether you are a recreational cyclist or an avid cyclist, adjusting these elements can make a world of difference to your comfort on the bike.