Last updated 2/10/17
If you’ve never struggled to find a comfortable saddle, consider yourself lucky. For most new riders and even seasoned veterans, the struggle to park your butt on a comfortable perch is all too real and can put a serious damper on riding time. Even the best bike saddle can wear out and collapse over time, suddenly turning into a torture chamber.
Finding the perfect saddle doesn’t have to be a pain in the butt. Just avoid these five common mistakes.
Riding should never be a pain in the butt. Whether you ride for fitness or for fun (ideally both), having a saddle that is comfortable can be the difference between finishing a ride tired and happy or finishing the ride and not being able to sit for a week. If finding the perfect saddle sounds as elusive as nabbing a pro’s Strava KOM, this article will guide you closer to finding the perfect mountain bike saddle for all riders and budgets.
In the middle of the summer, my saddle started going south. There’s no worse feeling than slaughtering yourself on climbs all day only to come home to a saddle sore. I had been straddling a Specialized Toupe for years. Sure we weren’t great friends, but we had an arrangement that appeared to be working…until now. I decided to give the Selle SMP Drakon a try for a few reasons. Mainly, as a manual muscle therapist and movement geek, I was drawn to the way the saddle perfectly positions the pelvis. However, there are a few tricks to getting it set up in the perfect position, which I’ll cover in my full Selle SMP review.
Selle SMP saddles have a distinctive look that's focused on making your ride as comfortable as possible. The model here, the Drakon, is one of its most popular, and like the rest of the brand's lineup.
Selle SMP Drakon | Competitive Cyclist
Check Price
Buy at Amazon.com
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
Nothing can derail the perfect ride faster than a saddle sore. It’s the bane of amateurs and pros alike and most cyclists have experienced this painful condition at some point. Despite having an expensive chamois or high-end saddle, this ailment can still affect even the most experienced riders. How can you keep this from turning into a chronic condition? Here are some tried and tested tips to prevent and treat saddle sores.
There’s nothing sweeter than that first ride on a new bike. Your hands settle into a comfortable groove on the bars as your feet march into a smooth rhythm. You seek out a punchy climb only to feel the bike lead ahead with a weightless acceleration.
But what happens when the honeymoon period is over? We’ll always love our bikes, but how do we get that initial spark back?
What are the best bicycle upgrades? Here are seven tips to help bring back that new bike feeling — without the hefty price tag.