Why are Bike Seats so Uncomfortable?
Bike riding shouldn’t be a painful activity. However, since way back, saddle discomfort has been the most common complaint and it has left even the most experienced riders with a pain in the butt, quite literally!
Given the information above, your saddle has always been the main suspect but interestingly enough, it’s not always about the saddle. Sometimes, other factors including the bike size, seat angle, height, or the lack of seat padding can also contribute to numbness, backache, and other body pains.
In this article, we’ll explore the factors that inconvenience and cause discomfort to the biker as well as discuss the different ways and options to make your bike seat more comfortable.
I also hope the tips and recommendations shared will help you get back to enjoying your riding.
Why are Bike Seats so Uncomfortable?
There are so many reasons your bike seat is uncomfortable. From the bicycle size, saddle design, and riding posture, here is a list from which you can figure out the cause of your problem.
a) Seat Size and Setting
There’s nothing like one size fits all when it comes to bicycle seats.
The saddle size and design are dependent on your type of riding. For professional riders, an aerodynamic design is best while for general cycling a curvy and wider seat will work just fine.
There are gender-specific saddles. These are saddles designed with the human body anatomy in mind.
The female version is wider to provide additional support, whereas the male version is thin and extended in length.
If your seat is fitted improperly, you will experience imbalance, pain, and discomfort while riding.
A seat that is too high causes pain in the butt and crouch while one that is too low results in imbalance when taking sharp corners.
To make sure your seat is adjusted properly, ensure that the seat is the same height as your hipbone from the ground.
Try out as many saddles as possible to find the one that’s agreeable to your physique.
b) Seat/Saddle material and design
Wondering if the seat material matters and if it affects your riding experience? Yes, it does. Most bike seats come in either leather which is not only hard and durable but also gets immensely comfortable with time or synthetic covers which are less comfortable and get rough as they wear out.
However, you can get padded seat covers for high-quality and comfortable rides, terrains notwithstanding.
Your saddle design might make or break your ride. If you are using the wrong seat for your cycling needs, you will definitely experience a lot of discomfort.
For your everyday ride, the skinny light design with a curved shape and narrow front give you good leg space with minimal friction, and the off-ride bike requires comfort saddles with thick cushioning. You will realize that a partial cut-out saddle design will be more comfortable than the standard design.
c) Incorrect Bike Size
Riding a bike should feel natural and not cause pain and stress to your body.
As with saddle size and design, getting an ill-fitting bicycle can greatly affect your seating position by causing too much pressure or friction on your seat bone.
An incorrect bike size can also cause you to experience, knee, shoulder, and even back pain.
I highly suggest you try out as many bikes as possible until you get the right fit.
Related article: Women’s Bike Size Chart – Women’s Bike Sizing
d) Wrong Handlebar Position
You might think that the handlebar position doesn’t affect your comfort in riding, but it does. An improper handlebar position can make your ride not only tiresome but can result in pain in your butt, literally.
If you find that you are leaning too much forward or backward, likely, your handlebars are wrongly positioned. When the handlebars are lower than the bike seat, you will experience more pressure and genital numbness, as well as your wrists and arms.
Adjusting the handlebar height to align with the saddle, will make sitting on your bike more comfortable.
e) Clothing
Wearing the right biking gear is essential as it significantly increases your riding comfort. The padded biking shorts also known as chamois provide great riding comfort by controlling vibrations and moisture, increasing aerodynamic efficiency as well as reducing pressure points.
Getting the right fit can give you a great turnaround.
How to make the bike seat more comfortable
If you’re a biking enthusiast you know that to increase efficiency and enjoy your ride, you will need a comfortable seat. Here are a few tips to make your bike seat more comfortable.
a) Cushioned seats
Bike seats that come with the bicycles are normally stiff and can hurt or cause you saddle sores if you are a long-distance rider.
Instead of investing in an entirely new seat, you might need to consider getting a padded seat cover as it is more economical. The cover is removable and is like a cushion inserted into the bike saddle. It comes in various sizes and textures including leather, cotton, vinyl, and nylon depending on your preference.
Even with the seat cushion, you need to learn how to balance your weight by leaning forward and shifting your mass to your feet.
The cushioned seat acts as your perineum’s shock absorber from the jerks on rough terrains.
The cushioning in the seat comes in 2 forms
b) Foam
This is the best option for biking enthusiasts who ride for long periods and are looking for comfort and better support. Heavier riders experience more comfort with the form bike seat as opposed to the gel one.
Foam seats last longer than gel seats and that’s value for money.
However, foam-covered seats are tougher to get used to and so you will need one that fits your bottom well because the weight distribution might be uneven.
c) Gel
Gel seats are squishy and very flexible and mold according to your body shape to support your bottom in a hugging way
These are preferred by beginners or those people embarking on short rides. It’s also a great choice for teens and the elderly.
The downside of the gel seat is, that the warmth of your body when cycling rises, and this can deform the gel and make it uneven leading to discomfort.
While cushioning may feel comfortable, remember too much of it will have your butt sink in rather than sit on which is not good for your perineum and posture.
d) Cushioned Bike Shorts
Another way of making the bike seat more comfortable and has nothing to do with the saddle is getting yourself some padded cycling shorts. Also known as chamois, the padded shorts provide great comfort and safety during rides.
It is important to note that chamois are gender-specific. A man’s chamois is normally cut out at the center to allow blood circulation while riding, while a woman’s chamois is a bit shorter in length and wider at the rear section to accommodate wider seat bones.
Contrary to many beliefs, cycling shorts are not just for the hardcore roadies. Any rider who values comfort and safety can benefit from riding in high-quality chamois.
Other benefits of the cushioned bike shorts are;
e) Removing Pressure points
When pedaling, you move around shifting your weight. This causes the seam line on your normal athletic shorts to move and rub on your sensitive areas causing chafing and irritation. On the contrary, a chamois stays in place since it’s sewn into fitted stretchy spandex shorts. Ensure that you get the correct size that stretches and compresses without being too tight.
f) Controls moisture
To get a good chamois you will need to spend more. A good chamois is made from soft, comfortable, and breathable microfiber fabric that wicks moistures, and dries faster.
g) Controls vibration
If you ride off-road, the uneven surface will cause high-frequency vibration, also referred to as road shock. Over time, these shocks could cause you pain in the groin area and dampen your riding spirit.
However, with the chamois, the pressure points are elevated and the shocks are dispersed reducing the vibrations significantly.
Finally, a chamois is designed to be worn against your skin as any clothing underneath can cause friction.
Related article: What Gear to use when Going Uphill on a Bike?
h) Adjusting your Bike Seat the Right Way
Improper seating position can affect the quality of your ride. Therefore adjusting your bike seat to fit your body and align it properly is essential to prevent injuries. It is recommended that you adjust your bike seat to the same height as your hipbone.
Tilt your saddle according to your comfort level. Tilting it a bit downwards or saddle level is usually the best for riders. Upward tilting increases pressure and causes sores on your groin.
i) Getting off your saddle
When approaching a steep gradient or when increasing your speed, consider getting off the saddle.
Riding while standing on the pedals helps because all the weight and pressure are not put on your backside. This way, you give your butt a break as all the muscular work will be coming from your core and legs.
In the same breath, if you are on a long ride, take breaks hourly to give your seat a rest.
j) Replacing your bike’s seat.
If all the above options fail, consider replacing your bicycle seat with one that closely meets your needs.
This may not be the most economical thing to do, but it’s worth it if it eliminates the stress and pain caused by using the hard stock seat.
You might even consider getting a custom-fit seat because you’ll get exactly what you need, from the perfect size to the right amount of padding, and this will be value for money.
FAQ – Why are Bike Seats so Uncomfortable?
Q. How long until the bike seat stops hurting?
It might take a few weeks to get accustomed to the bike seat pain. Start by riding at least 3 to 4 two-hour rides a week and remember to schedule at least 2 days of rest in between to give the sensitive muscles and tendons time to respond. By the time you are completing 2 weeks, you’ll be way past the butt ache stage. To ease the pain and swelling caused by saddle sores, use a chamois butt’r cream. If it gets worse, visit a doctor.
Q. Why are bike seats so small?
Unlike conventional seats, bike seats are not meant for comfort or to support your full weight. Your weight should be on the pedals to give you power and momentum. A small seat prevents your weight from interfering with pedaling fast.
Q. Why are bike seats so hard?
Bike saddles are meant to be just that, hard, albeit to a certain degree. This is because they are made for the rider’s sit bones and not their full weight. You’ll realize that once you learn how to use the seat, you won’t find it as hard.
However, correct riding gears and proper seat cushioning can make a big difference when it comes to comfort.
Q. How to sit on a bike seat
How you position yourself on the bicycle seat can make or break your ride. Analyze how you sit on your bike and correct your position accordingly to improve your comfort.
Start by getting a bike that is the correct size. If it’s too small or too big, your sitting comfort will be greatly compromised.
Setting up the seat height is important as it eliminates crotch pain. The correct size is when your hip bone is the same height as the saddle from the ground.
Once the height is adjusted to the right size, lean forward to reach the handlebars. The correct handlebar position should not have you leaning too forward or backward as this can cause friction to
your groin area as you tilt back and forth in your seat.
Once all this is set, your sitting position should be correct and your body in an aerodynamic shape, which will greatly improve your efficiency without any strain or discomfort
Q. Why does my bike seat keep tilting?
This can be due to several factors
- Your Seat column is loose. If the clamp that connects your bike’s column to the seat is not tight enough, the saddle will tilt. Sometimes the tilting will be a result of worn-out screws. To fix this, tighten the clamping bolt. If it proves hard, lubricate the bolt with grease and try again. If that doesn’t help, your screws might be worn out and need replacing.
- Loose seat rails may cause your bicycle to tip back and forth if it doesn’t fit on the seat clamp or if there is debris between the seat rail and the seat clamp causing it to loosen. In this case, unscrew the saddle from the clamp and clean thoroughly with a soap solution and a brush. Don’t forget to air dry the bolt before screwing them back in.
Conclusion – Why are Bike Seats so Uncomfortable?
It is very crucial to know exactly what you want when it comes to choosing your bicycle seat. You should also know that it is your responsibility to make your bicycle seat comfortable to maximize your riding experience.
And with so many options available in the market, it may prove hard to narrow down the choices while finding the balance between performance and affordability. Therefore, do some thorough research and see which one fits you and your budget perfectly.