For every rider, their is a need of right saddle for mountain bike. Mountain bike saddles can be tricky to find – here are a few things you must do to simplify the process. In theory, you should be able to find the perfect saddle for your mountain bike much more straightforward than it is. You only need something that fits well, lasts a long time, and doesn’t cost much, right?
It might seem impossible to understand how such a simple process could get so complicated when walking into a bike shop or surfing the internet for ideas to find out the best saddle for mountain bike. The walls of large bike shops tend to have saddles hanging but with so much of options you get confused.
Half-saddles are sometimes needed; some are wide, narrow, flat, and curved, with slots so large that your hand can pass through them. Do you know what to do first?
You should consider your cycling frequency, type, experience, position on the bike, weight, hip width, and gender and your weight, hip width, and riding position. Every cyclist wants to ride comfortably, especially mountain bikers who ride frequently. Finding a mountain bike saddle tailored to your riding style can be a little confusing, especially with so many options available on the market.
If you stumble upon this article, you can say goodbye to your dilemma because we will provide you with brief information about best bike saddle for mountain bike and tips for to choose a saddle you love to ride.
Enjoy your read, and don’t miss a single point in this article!
Mountain Bikes: What are they?
In the late 1900s and early 2000s, mountain biking was considered as an extreme sport. As a result of its enhanced durability and excellent performance over rough terrain, the bike then got designed to allow its rider to go off-road riding.
In the beginning, mountain bikes were made like ordinary road bikes, with a broader frame and fork to have wider tires. Mountain bikes thereafter evolved including the latest technology to provide riders with incredible, fun rides allowing them to excel their confidence on any trail they choose.
What are the types of saddle for mountain bikes?
A bike saddle comes in different types, we have listed few of the right saddle for the mountain bike:
Road Bike Saddle
Rather than distributing your weight evenly across the saddle, saddle for mountain bike allows you to shift your body weight forward into more aggressive positions. If you want to know the characteristics of the road bike saddle you can see them as; thinner, more rigid, lighter, and stiffer are the characteristics of road bike saddles.
There is usually a narrower and more streamlined saddle on a road bike. The system is designed to transfer power as efficiently as possible. Road bikes are typically composed of lightweight materials like carbon fibre since one of their characteristics is being fast and aerodynamic.
Mountain Bike Saddle
On a bumpy terrain, a mountain bike saddle provides comfort and ease. Usually, reinforced panels on mountain bike saddles protect them from wear and tear due to falls and extreme weather conditions.
Saddle for mountain bike typically reviews feature for pressure-relieving channels especially on the longer rides which adds flexible edges to reduce pressure and prevent soreness. Classic leather or faux finish can be used to cover and protect it from damage and crash.
Remember adding more padding won’t make any saddle for the mountain bike more comfortable. Although mountain bike saddles are unlikely to lack padding, professional saddles rarely have more than a few milimetres.
A comfort saddle for mountain bike comes with more weight. While taking a stroll on the market, you can come across two basic types of extra padding i.e. gel and foam padding.
Tips for Choosing the Perfect Saddle
After understanding the types of saddle for mountain bike, now here we share the tips in choosing the perfect saddle for mountain bike. Some people recommend mountain bike seat as the best match, but remember that everyone’s needs are different, and you need to read the following tips before making any decisions.
Choose the Right Shape Saddle
There are many saddles available on the market because every rider has different requirements for a comfortable saddle. And a typical women’s saddle is more comprehensive, designed to fit a female’s anatomy, making the riders get more comfortable for while enjoying the mountain bike ride.
Adjust the saddle height and position as needed
It is not enough to have a perfect saddle. To gain maximum comfort, you’ll need to ensure it is set at the right height.
If you want a bike saddle that fits you perfectly, consider buying from a shop that offers professional assistance. Apart from keeping your saddle horizontal, ensure that you are not pointing it too high or too low to avoid discomfort in some unwanted areas.
Choosing the riding position
You can find out how far you can reach with your hands by sitting on the ground and seeing how far you can get.
Flexibility is determined by how well you can come forward. As a result, saddles with rounded shapes are more suitable for riders who are less flexible in general.
You will find more benefits if you choose a slightly curved saddle if you can reach your toes in that sitting position on the ground, then yes go for it. Lastly, riders who get halfway are considered flexible, allowing a more stable position on the bike and providing more freedom to move.
Cut-outs, channels, and grooves
It is common for saddles to feature central channels or cut-outs that relieve pressure. By doing this, you’ll be reducing soft tissue pressure and enhancing blood circulation. Consider saddle as a main channel or cut-out if you are experiencing numbness while riding.
Are saddles with cut-outs still acceptable if you don’t experience numbness? Almost everyone does. The most important thing is to find what kind is more comfortable for you. A cut-out near the channel edge can cause pressure points for some people.
It’s a good idea to consider a saddle without a full-depth hole if your riding often takes place in bumpy conditions. Several saddles are explicitly designed for off-road use which have draining shelves to prevent the occurrence of bumpiness.
Price of the saddle
Do you have a budget? A saddle’s price is primarily determined by the materials used.
Usually, a carbon-fibre shells and rails cost more if you require a robust and lightweight design. If you are willing to purchase Deity component speed trap AM saddle, with the highest quality EVA foam, you must pay $67.99.
Conversely, entry-level saddles made from polymer shells with alloy rails can be reasonably priced, and the weight difference won’t make much difference to a whole bike.
Material of the saddle
Considering the saddle top-surface, material is another important factor. Durability and intended use are essential factors to consider before buying any saddle for mountain bike.
For an immediate attraction, we prefer, leather. Which is beautiful and malleable, but leather does not respond well. On the other hand, synthetic materials can be less breathable and more susceptible to deterioration in the weather. So find a good quality material saddle for the every day ride.
How to correctly measure the saddle for mountain bike?
You can measure a bike’s width with special tools in a bike shop, but you can easily calculate it at home if you don’t want to go there.
A saddle’s width is easy to measure when shopping for one. Those are the distances between your pelvic protrusions.
Seats and saddles are available in various sizes and shapes to fit different riders – typically based on their sit bones.
It is also possible to use the width of your wrist to estimate your sit bone width. For the right measurement you can take support from the store keeper or use the basic measurement guide lines for the saddles.
What is the reason for your uncomfortable bike saddle?
The saddle of a bicycle is designed to support only a portion of the rider’s weight. Your arms support some of your body weight when you lean on your handlebars and provide to your weight.
You can also support your weight with your legs if you pedal consistently. You’ll notice that your saddle feels less comfortable when you haven’t ridden your bike for a long time.
As your saddle wears and tears over time, it will further suffer a fair amount of wear and tear. As your saddle stiffens, it will no longer offer the same level of support as it did when you first bought it.
Finally, the saddle you used may not have been the right choice for you from the start. New bikes come with saddles that are fine for short rides but not suitable for long rides.
Regardless of the reason, if your saddle is uncomfortable, just change it instead of compromising on every ride.
