How to Choose a Bike Seat for Women

The difference between an enjoyable bike ride and a painful one has a lot to do with your bicycle seat, or saddle. The saddle should support and cushion your pelvis without excessively compressing the tissue. The saddle also should avoid pinching nerves that will make your legs go numb.

Finding the right saddle is a very personal experience. The saddle that works best for your friend may feel horrible to you. The process of choosing the right saddle may take several days, but is well worth the time and effort.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step 1

Make sure that your bicycle is a proper fit before worrying about your saddle; a bike that is too big will cause you to sit differently on the saddle and wreak havoc on lots of muscles. You should be able to straddle your bike with feet flat on the floor and still have an inch or so between your body and the bike. When seated on the saddle, you should be able to comfortably grasp the handlebars without stretching too far forward. Once you are sure that your bike is the right size, you can focus on finding the right saddle.

Step 2

Determine where your sit bones are. Women have wider hips than men, but depending on your frame, your sit bones may be more narrow or wide than others. To figure this out, sit down on a curb or the edge of the stairs. Sit straight up and notice where you feel pressure points. These two spots are the bones that you want cushioned while on the bike seat.

Step 3

Head for your favorite bike shop. Try to go during a time that won't be busy so you can talk the salesperson into letting your try different saddles. Make sure to find a store that carries women's saddles.

Step 4

Sit on a demo bike to get a feel for how wide a saddle you need. Those with narrow hips will need a more narrow saddle, and vice versa. If you try a narrow seat and it feels like your sit bones are hanging off the edge, you need a wider one.

Step 5

Look at the available saddles and choose a few to try. Gel saddles are popular with some women; other women complain that these saddles compress too quickly. Some women prefer heavily padded saddles; others like a hard leather. Grab a variety.

Step 6

Ask the sales associate to put several of the saddles on a bike so that you can tell the difference. If the store isn't busy, this shouldn't be a problem.

Step 7

Choose the saddle that feels the best. Keep your receipt and packaging. Most bike seat companies offer a 30-day return because they recognize that it's almost impossible to find the right saddle without riding on it for several miles.

Step 8

Ride, ride, ride. Get out and try your new saddle. Your bottom shouldn't be overly sore during or after riding, and nothing should be numb. If the seat isn't comfortable, take it back to the store and try again.

Tips & Warnings

Most women find that padded bike shorts help. Give these a try as well.

Article Written By Cate Rushton

Cate Rushton has been a freelance writer since 1999, specializing in wildlife and outdoor activities. Her published works also cover relationships, gardening and travel on various websites. Rushton holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Utah.

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