Which bicycle saddles

This is why pros tend to ride such minimalist saddles. Ultimately, getting it right is a matter of trial and error. However, let our guide steer you in the right direction with eight of our favourites…. Saddles are a personal choice, but the Scoop has scored highly with almost every one of our testers.

Its understated looks are matched by a simple design whose smooth profile is likely to get along with the majority of bottoms while also fitting the aesthetics of most bikes. Available in three shapes dubbed flat, shallow and radius, these suit positions from flat-backed to more upright. Its relatively gentle curvature and medium padding were an instant hit for day-to-day riding.

Just as the basic model can be tailored to different ride positions via its profile, so to can each saddle's construction be tailored to the constraints of your wallet. We tried the mid-level titanium-railed Race model. Latest to come to the line is the stubby Power range, of which the Expert, with its hollow titanium rails, is the cheapest. Shorter and broader than previous offerings, the design is said to concentrate on getting the best possible contact points for the sit bones for long-ride comfort.

The Power Expert sees Body Geometry technology taken to the next level — and at a fair price, too. For a general-use saddle, when first sat upon, it can feel a little under-padded. However, its clever shape and mix of orthopaedic comfort foam with OrthoCell pads soon won us over. Like many saddles, the SR has a central channel to relieve pressure on the perineal area. Despite low overall weight, both the scales and your eyes will tell you this is no Skinny Minnie saddle. Compared to flatter and more austere saddles, the generous padding means instant comfort from the off.

Fizik's latest saddle incorporates an innovative new construction process and aims to create a custom, fit-to-body feel. We found it provides excellent support, this saddle allowed our tester to ride in total comfort.

The only major downside is the cost, which is largely attributed to the fact that this is new technology. The Romin Evo is a long-nosed saddle, suited to riders who like to move around on the bike, sitting on the nose during efforts and placing their weight back on the climbs. The cut-out is long and provides a good level of relief, though it is relatively narrow. This saddle comes in three widths, so there should be an option for most riders, and you can buy it with carbon or steel rails at varying price points.

Initially marketed as a men's saddle, we've had male and female testers get on with this option - suggesting it has a wide appeal. Effectively, it's a middle ground between the currently fashionable short-nosed saddles, and traditional long-nosed options.

Our tester found it one of the best in terms of all-around comfort and loved the loud colorways. But it doesn't come cheap, and of course not everyone wants a saddle that catches the eye as much as this one. The lightweight Fizik Antares R3 saddle provides a great balance of comfort and freedom of movement.

The use of more affordable materials mirrors the fit of high-end versions without the sky-high price tag whilst flex at the rear moves with the rider. Fizik offers detailed analysis to help riders to choose the right saddle for them, with this one tailored to 'Chameleon' riders, eg those not as flexible as the 'Snake' or as inflexible as the 'Bull'.

It's an in-between option, for advice on which Fizik saddle to choose check out the brand's handy app. The Specialized Power was the saddle that kicked off the short and stubby trend that has since seen just about every saddle brand launch their own version. With a wide profile and sizable pressuring releasing cutout, this best suited to those who ride in an aggressive position, or spend a lot of time in the drops.

The MIMIC range, designed to alleviate soft tissue pressure some female riders experience when using saddles with large cutouts, has proved extremely popular among male riders too. An oft-reported downside of the Power is that the rear fans out, and can rub against some riders' hamstrings, the Power Arc is a variation which avoids this via a more rounded rear.

A short-nosed saddle which might feel a bit strange if the stubby genre is new to you, but we found the design incredibly comfortable. Since you're encouraged to sit in a static position, the set up can take a little longer but it's well worth the effort. There's not many saddles that we've sat upon that offered us so much comfort. This saddle is well suited to both road and time trial riding, as it really locks the cyclist into a set position, helping them to stay put throughout the effort.

A weight weenie's dream at g, this saddle will suit a rider who wants a flat, narrow saddle. Whatever your riding position, even aggressive on-the-nose styles, this saddle allows you to sit exactly how you wish without any obstruction or lack of comfort. It's not totally perfect - such lightweight has to compensate in at least something, right? Fizik are famous for categorizing their saddles based upon flexibility and riding style. The Arione is suited to flexible riders and is quite a narrow perch.

The length provides plenty of room for a rider to move around, but the width means it won't suit everyone. Fabric offers low weight saddles, thanks to their unique method of gluing the padding and cover to the base. It looks like a traditional saddle, but squish the surface and you'll discover a thick layer of comfort. Their perches come in several styles: the Flat models are ideal for those who sit in a more aggressive position; the Shallow versions suit more endurance orientated riders; and the Radius is ideal for those in an upright position.

A stubby saddle, a lot like the Specialized Power, the Pro Stealth has a wide pressure relief channel that suits riders who like to sit in an aggressive position and stay there. Unlike the Power, the rear is flatter and doesn't splay out quite so much, so it's a good option for those who find the power rubs their hamstrings.

It's a unisex option that comes in two widths and will suit time trial riders as well as regular roadies. ISM saddles are renowned for serving time trial riders and track riders particularly well, since the noseless design reduces pressure when you're riding on the rivet.

ISM saddles are seen frequently aboard time trial bikes for this reason. They can work well on the road too.

Most dealers offer test saddles want to try one out before you buy. The rails of a saddle create a frame under the seating area that fits into the clamp at the top of your seatpost. Most modern bikes conform to the same standard, so any reputable saddle will fit any reputable bike.

A Fizik Arione saddle with carbon rails. This was often the saddle of choice for Bradley Wiggins. Rails are one of the main areas that affect saddle price. Entry-level saddles have steel rails, and the further up the price bar you move, the more you encounter manganese, titanium and carbon. As you progress through the materials, they get lighter and more expensive. Carbon rails are the most expensive and the lightest.

Regardless of who has more problems in the saddle department, when looking for the right saddle, the same rules can be applied to both genders. Your saddle soul mate is determined by the type of riding you're doing and your physiology - including flexibility, core strength , sit bone width and soft tissue distribution. Riders in that aggressive position are likely to need more soft tissue relief, in the shape of a cut out or relief channel. For a lot of women, finding the right cut-out or relief channel can present problems - as discussed, vulvas vary dramatically, and so the perfect shape, depth and size of gap will be individual.

Getting it right comes down a lot to testing saddles, and visually comparing those that work, and those that don't. Some women find they sink in to a cut-out, resulting in what is affectionately called 'flapmash', something Specialized has looked to combat with its MIMIC technology.

However, the shallow recess won't suit all. Those riding time trials will need even more pressure relief at the front, Burt recommends models like the ISM split nose design and short nose saddles. Flexibility can't be ignored.

Some riders may want to adopt an aggressive position, but don't have the ability. Once you've nailed down your riding style, you should have an idea what sort of shape you should be looking at. Sit bone width can be measured in most good bike shops.

It's not to do with your jeans size, lightweight riders can have wide bones and vice versa. Most not all women will have wider sit bones, by nature of having wider hips designed for childbirth. Taking it up a gear, saddle pressure mapping is often available as part of a bike fit, and an expert will be able to where you're placing pressure and thus which saddles may help to alleviate this.

It moves you closer to the better option for you," Burt says. Then you may need specialists solutions. Or to work on your trunk strength," Burt says. Similarly, your problem could be down to an asymmetry caused my something like a leg length discrepancy, or a condition causing you to sit heavily in just one position.

A clear symptom of this is repeatedly getting saddle sores on the same side. This can often be countered with bike fit solutions, and Burt recommends a physio led assessment and fit. Again, women can be more susceptible here.