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Since getting a gravel bike I'm spending a lot longer in the saddle so thoughts turn to the vexed question of finding the ideal perch. I've been doing a bit of reading to try to understand the reasons behind the various designs. I'm OK with length, channels and curvature from front to back, but I can't understand why one would want a saddle to be curved from side to side.
The consensus seems to be that more curvature is better for longer distances, but I can't understand why? Surely any curvature from side to side just means that your sit bones are lower, bringing the middle of the saddle closer to those delicate parts. So, what advantage does it bring to offset that?
I can see that it might "lock" you in one position a bit better, by stopping you from sliding from side to side. But is that an advantage? Surely being "stuck" in one position increases the changes of developing sore spots rather than decreasing it.
I can’t understand why one would want a saddle to be curved from side to side.
I want one because after 40 miles off road on a rigid bike I can barely sit back down on a flat saddle whereas 50 miles on a curved saddle is no issue.
I want one because at 80 miles on the road a flat saddle starts to hurt whereas a curved one is good for 125 miles or 3 100 mile days back to back.
I'm quite short so don't have much saddle to bars drop and on the rigid mountain bike a probably have the bars slightly higher which maybe why it works for me
I had no idea flat saddles existed. Why would you want one of those? Is your crotch made of Lego?
Because we're all different shapes - eg this
I want one because after 40 miles off road on a rigid bike I can barely sit back down on a flat saddle whereas 50 miles on a curved saddle is no issue.
I want one because at 80 miles on the road a flat saddle starts to hurt whereas a curved one is good for 125 miles or 3 100 mile days back to back.
is the opposite of my experience and preferences.
Saddles are based on combinations of 2 formats, convex or flatter side to side and flat or 's' curved front to back. And width.
I was using a Nukeproof vector downhill saddle for around 6 months last year and found it very comfortable. It is the flatest saddle I have come across.
I do tend to like flat saddles though 9 (i.e. SLR)
Thanks folks. I don't doubt that some people like a rounded saddle and obviously we're all different. It was more a matter of why? What benefit does it bring?
As far as I can tell it seems to have a lot to do with flexibility, which determines how much your pelvis rotates when you lean forwards to grab the bars.
Somebody with a high degree of flexibility in their lower back will not rotate their pelvis forwards as much in the riding position and these people tend to prefer a saddle that is curved from side to side but flat from back to front. Somebody less flexible may prefer more of an S shape from back to front, but flatter from side to side.
Well, that seems to be the theory anyway. Still not sure I understand it.
Obviously there is width as well, but that's a bit easier to understand since we all have pelvises that are different widths.
I don't get it either , because I did some of those 'flexibility tests' a few years ago and was recommended a saddle for the most flexible body yet the one I found most comfy was the one for a stiffer person, my mate who is what we call in Yorkshire a stiffish bloke (fat) thought it was like riding on a razor blade, horses for courses try before you buy. My most comfy saddle by far is a 35 year old Brooks B17 narrow, just retensioned it the other day and it's good for another 35 years, which is more than me.
The Spesh saddle which came with my Diverge was flat to the point of plank like. Didn't suit me at all. Now using a Brooks Cambium which is curved. Fits nicely.
Obviously there is width as well, but that’s a bit easier to understand since we all have pelvises that are different widths.
I've got a Radius Scoop Gel on the mountain bike, the widest and most curved they do and aimed particularly at women. Works really well for me a flexible man with the build of a pipe cleaner. The guides and theories are a starting point but not a matter of fact. As I said above my flexibility is rather irrelevant if my height means I never have to use it. If I spent long periods on the drops on the road bike it might be different but generally I don't.