MTB Saddles

Mountain Bike Saddles for Comfort and Performance

Getting the right saddle for your mountain bike is absolutely essential for enjoying your ride. If you have a saddle that’s not quite right for your body, it’s hard to ignore. On the other hand, finding a saddle that you can forget is underneath youis one of the fastest ways to achieve trail riding nirvana.

Finding the Perfect Saddle Fit and Shape

Mounting the perfect mountain bike saddle on your bike starts with getting the fit dialled in and finding a shape that works for you.

Mountain Bike Saddle Fit

Mountain bike saddles are often available in multiple widths so that you can matchthe width of your sit bones to the contact points on the seat. The easiest and most accurate way to figure out how wide apart your sit bones are is to visit your local bike shop. Alternatively, you can figure this out at home by sitting down on a piece of paper with some ink or dirt on it – just measure the distance between the impressions your body leaves behind.

Nose Length

Every mountain bike saddle has a nose, but the length of that nose relative to the rest of the seat can vary considerably. Saddles with short noses typically make it easier for you to adjust your position while riding. A longer nose, on the other hand, gives you more room to shift your weight forward, which can be very helpful for climbing steep grades.Nose length ultimately comes down to what feels comfortable to you. If you find yourself running out of room to shift forward during climbs, a longer saddle mightbe right for you. If the nose feels more like a common pressure point on your body, try switching to a short-nosed mountain bike seat.

Shape

The shape of mountain bike saddles from front to back can also differ dramatically. Some saddles are perfectly flat to give you more room to shift positions, whileothers have a raise back end to provide more support. Saddles also vary in whetherthe sides are rounded or flat, which can make a big difference in comfort for many riders.One shape feature that isn’t as much of a comfort issue is a tapered back end. Thisis something that most modern mountain bike saddles have in common because it’sdesigned to lessen the chances that baggy bike shorts get caught on the seat when standing and sitting.

Center Cut Out

Many saddles feature a cut out in the center, which can play a big role in comfort. This cut out is designed to reduce pressure on the perineum when you leanforward. Some riders swear by the cut out and would never go back to a traditional mountain bike saddle. Others don’t find that it helps. Ultimately, whether this feature is right for your bike comes down to personal preference.

Rail Materials

Another big difference among mountain bike saddles is the type of material the rails are constructed from. Steel and aluminium are relatively inexpensive and highly durable, but they’re also decently heavy. Titanium and carbon rails cutdown on weight for riders willing to pay a premium, but these materials are only really necessary for racers or those with much more disposable income!

Mountain Bike Saddles at bikester.co.uk

The best way to find your perfect mountain bike saddle is to shop our wideselection at bikester.co.uk. We carry hundreds of saddles in every shape and width so that you can find the seat that perfectly matches your body.