Expert tips to help you choose the right bike saddle

Saddle discomfort can affect all levels of cyclist, whether you’re a new starter or a seasoned professional. So choosing the correct saddle that is right for your needs and your body shape is vital to ensure greater comfort, enjoyment and performance on the bike.

There are so many options out there it can be difficult to know what style you need, which brand you should choose and what level of padding is required. We’ve asked professional bike fitter Jake Yarranton from Precise Performance to share his insider advice. These are his key points to consider when selecting a new saddle.

Think about the width and the shape of the saddle

One of the first things to consider is whether the width of the saddle is going to be able to support you properly. Contrary to a lot of belief, that’s not necessarily the width of your sit bone area, which Jake suggests isn’t as relevant as it used to be as we don't actually sit on our sit bones in a saddle. Rather this should be more about the forward rotational support you get as your body connects to the mid-section of the saddle.

Jake advises you should look for a saddle that features a cut-out section. This is exactly as it sounds – an area of the saddle that is cut away to help relieve pressure on your soft tissue. Also, think about the saddle’s wings and whether that might catch on your thighs and force you to sit forward more.

Pick the right type of saddle for the riding you do most

Try and identify where you actually sit on the saddle. This might seem obvious but isn’t always apparent, unless you're really clearly seated with half the saddle on view. The best way to determine this is to get a friend to take a photo or video of you either on the turbo or when riding from side on. This should help show your position more and determine the type you might need.

• Read more: Should all cyclists get a bike fit?

Think about the type of riding you're going to be doing most. If you're looking to be as low and aero as possible then a short-nosed saddle could be an option.

Try out different saddle brands

There are lots of differences between saddles that different brands offer. It's very difficult to determine the right saddle just from pictures online so try and visit your local bike shop and test some in-store. Some brands offer 30-day trials where you can try out the saddle on your bike to see if it feels right. There’s no better way than actually riding on the saddle to judge the fitment.

• Read More: Saddle angle - have we got it all wrong?

Also, think about pricing. The more you spend on a saddle isn’t necessarily going to provide more comfort. What you do get at higher price points is lighter-weight materials so it’s worth considering what your needs are or the benefits you’re looking for.

More padding doesn't necessarily mean more comfort

Although it may sound counter-intuitive, generally the lesser padding you have on the saddle, the more comfort you'll feel.

The more padding that a saddle has can mean the more you’re likely to sink into it. This leads to more instability which encourages your pelvis to rock from side to side which in turn can lead to pain or discomfort in other areas like the knee or chafing of the thighs. So think about opting for a saddle with less padding than some of the big sofa-like saddles that you see.

Wear padded bib shorts for more saddle comfort

Bib shorts are really important for comfort on the saddle. Ideally, you should look for a pair that fit without too much overhang or excess material around the thigh area as this can cause rubbing and friction when moving, ultimately resulting in saddle sores. If you have the right shape and size saddle for your body then the padding in your bib shorts should be all the padding that’s required, so it can be minimal on the actual saddle itself.

For more riding advice and tech how-to's check out our dedicated section on the GCN website. Let us know your experiences with saddles in the comments below.

GCN Core 2.0 Cycling Bibshorts - Black

The Core 2.0 Bibshorts are stacked with features that make them ideal for everyday rides - without having an everyday feel. Key Features: Made with a blend of technical polyamid and microfiber elastic for aero performance Core Evo foam pad for your saddle comfort Elastic on the base of the leg avoids creep and helps them stay in place Fabric Features: Main fabric: Lycra (75% polyamid, 22% elastane) 190 gr/mq Sublimated inserts: (80% polyester, 20% elastane) 250 gr/mq Mesh: 85% polyester, 15% elastane 150 gr/mq   Hank wears a small, Alex wears a large, Conor wears a 2XL