The traditional bicycle seat is known as a “horned” seat, due to its pointy nose. According to an Oct. 4, 2005 article by Sandra Blakeslee in “The New York Times,” “Researchers have estimated that 5 percent of men who ride bikes intensively have developed severe to moderate erectile dysfunction as a result.” But men are not the only ones suffering from bicycle seat-related ailments; women too experience compressed nerves, irritated genitalia and chafing when using conventional bike seats, says Jim Langley, cyclist, author and technical editor of “Bicycling Magazine.” Fortunately, bicycle seat manufacturers have designed dozens of new saddles to reduce the stress on your body’s most vulnerable parts.
Gel Seats
While conventional bicycle seats are filled with foam, gel seats are filled with gel. Both saddle varieties are bound by synthetic leather. According to the website 100MileRiders.com, gel seats are appropriate for cyclists riding primarily in an upright position and for rides lasting less than 10 miles. PickyGuide.com states that gel seats—which can be used with most types of bicycles—help relieve pressure on your body’s most sensitive structures and prevent you from experiencing chafing or developing bruises during prolonged bouts of riding. Unlike foam padding, gel padding contours to your body’s shape.
Suspension Seats
Saddle-related discomfort stems largely from the jarring impact of your bicycle’s wheels with bumps or potholes on the road or trail. One of the best damping mechanisms you can use to reduce the effects of repetitive impact on your body is a suspension seat. According to PickyGuide.com, suspension bike seats are wide in the back and possess short, narrow tips, and typically are lightweight. Although they usually don’t have gel or foam padding, their built-in suspension systems are more shock-absorbent than the gel or conventional foam models.
Cutaway Seats
Cutaway bicycle seats possess the same design as conventional saddles, except that they have a slit in the middle, which reduces point-pressure on your perineum, minimizing perineal pain, numbness, tingling and irritation. Ideal for long bicycle rides or multi-day trips, cutaway seats are constructed of either foam or gel padding. According to the website BicycleSeats.org, using alternative bicycle seats, such as cutaway seats, helps reduce the likelihood of trauma and prevents permanent injury by distancing your most vulnerable vascular and nervous system structures from potential impact points.
About this Author
Martin Hughes is a chiropractic physician and freelance writer based out of Durham, N.C. He writes about health, fitness, diet, lifestyle, travel and outdoor pursuits. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology at the University of Waterloo and his doctoral degree from Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Ore.
