How do I know my bike seat size?

Get off and measure the distance between the centers of the two biggest divots in the foil. This number, in millimeters, is your sit bone width. To choose a bike saddle based on your sit bone width, add 20mm to your measurements.

What size saddle do I need cycling?

A narrow sit bone width would be 100 mm or less, medium 100 to 130 mm, and wide over 130 mm. Saddle width is measured from edge to edge across the top of the saddle. Specialized, for example, recommend a 130 mm saddle width for narrow sit bones, 143 mm for medium, and 155 mm for wide sit bones.

Where should your sit bones be on a bike saddle?

The optimal saddle width guarantees that the sit bones lie completely flat on the saddle. This is the only way in which pressure is relieved on the sensitive area in men and on the pubic arch in women and ensures more efficiency. A saddle should fit like a pair of shoes!

What height should my bike seat be?

If your saddle height is correct, your heel should just graze the pedal at the bottom of the pedal stroke (in the 6 o’clock position). When riding, if you encounter pain at the front of your knee, raise the saddle slightly. If you have pain in the back of the knee, drop the saddle.

Why do my sit bones hurt when cycling?

Improper fit on your bike could be the main reason for your saddle discomfort. If your saddle is too high, too low, too far forward, too far back, not level, or if you are reaching too far to your handlebars, you could be experiencing pain as a result.

Can a bike saddle be too wide?

Bike saddles can be either too wide or too narrow because of an initial improper adjustment when the bike or saddle was purchased. So, don’t simply throw away a bike saddle because you think it is uncomfortable. Instead, try to have it adjusted properly.

Is a wide bike seat more comfortable?

Wider is more comfy. Certainly, sleek racing saddles don’t look comfortable but wider seats create more friction and chafing when you’re doing lots of pedalling (say on the road, or in a race). In general, the more you ride and pedal, the thinner and less obtrusive a saddle should be.

How do you sit on a bike so it doesn’t hurt?

What Can You Do To Avoid Problems In The Crotch.

1. Set your saddle at the right height. This is another reason to get a bike fit.
2. Try a saddle with a cutout. A cutout redistributes pressure in the crotch and may relieve pain.
3. Get the right shorts.
4. Use the right lube.

How do I know what size English saddle to buy?

A good rule of thumb is that an English saddle seat size will run around two inches larger than a Western saddle. So, if you ride a 15.5” Western saddle, you will likely need a 17.5” English saddle.

Where should you sit on a bike seat?

Sit as far back as possible on the widest part of the saddle. Tilt the front of the saddle down slightly. Optimize geometry (SQlab recommends Body Scanning CRM)

How do I know if my bike saddle is too narrow?

Your saddle supports your sit bones – the ends of your pelvic bones that protrude when you sit down. If your bicycle saddle is too narrow then your sit bone or ischial tuberosity will extend over the side of the saddle, placing your weight on the soft tissue of your genitals.

What helps a sore bum from cycling?

How To Solve Saddle Sores

1. Improve your bike fit. If your seat is too high, your hips rock on each pedal stroke and strum your soft tissue across the nose of the saddle.
2. Stand frequently.
3. Move on the saddle.
4. Choose a smooth chamois.
5. Select a supportive seat.
6. Lube to reduce friction.
7. Keep clean.
8. Strip quick.

Should your feet touch the ground when on a bike?

When you are sitting on the saddle, you should be able to touch the ground with your tiptoes, but you shouldn’t be able to put your feet flat on the ground. If you do find that your feet are flat on the ground, then your saddle is too low, and it will need to be raised.

What happens if your bike seat is too high?

If you go too high, you’ll notice you rock on the saddle or feel a strain at the back of the knee. Pedalling will cease to be smooth and circular, and you may feel your snatching at the bottom of the stroke. If you go too low, you’ll feel compression at the front of the knee.”

Should I be able to touch the floor on a bike?

5 Answers. For a standard bike in normal use you should not, from the seat, be able to touch the ground (without leaning, or except, perhaps, on extreme tip-toe).