Comfortable bike saddle - find the right one!
Whether you are a city biker, a passionate road cyclist or a little adventurer on a children's bike - the right saddle can make the difference between a pleasant ride and a painful one. Comfort is crucial and very individual. One person swears by a gel saddle, for another nothing beats a leather saddle. We will introduce you to the different uses and fits. In the end, it's up to you to decide whether the bike saddle is comfortable. Let’s find out what suits you best!
The individual fit: saddle width depending on the intended use
A bike saddle should fit your body shape and riding position perfectly. The right saddle shape and width are crucial to maximise comfort.
Setting a marker
Changing the saddle angle or position can lead to an improvement in seating on the bike. In a separate How-To, we explain how to adjust the saddle correctly.
Which is better: a narrow or a wide saddle?
The saddle width depends on the width of your bones. If you lean further forward when cycling, the contact surface slides further up the pubic bone. The distance between the bones is smaller here. So if you ride in an upright position, for example on a city bike, you need a wider saddle. A narrower saddle is the better choice for a forward leaning posture, as is often the case with road bikes.
Ergonomic design: support for long journeys
Modern bicycle saddles are ergonomically designed to relieve pressure on sensitive areas of the body. This is particularly important for long tours where comfort is paramount. Ergonomic shapes and recesses help to reduce pressure and increase riding enjoyment.
With a cut out or without?
There are so-called perforated saddles on the market. CONTEC also offers saddles with holes. They have the addition "Zone Cut" in their name. Opinions differ on the functionality of perforated saddles. Some say that the hole offers men in particular more space and relief in the perineal area. Others defend the theory that the pressure on the rest of the surface is increased by a cut-out. This would mean that a hole leads to more pressure instead of relief. CONTEC offers another way in between: Saddles with a lowered center section. These saddles are labeled "Sport Zone".
Men's or women's saddle?
Every now and then you see the words "ladies" or "men" on saddles. Is there a gender-specific distinction here? There are also different opinions on this. The difference is probably marginal.
More important when choosing a saddle is the area of use, the distance between the ischial tuberosities and personal preference!
Materials and upholstery: comfort meets functionality
The choice of material and padding plays a major role in your comfort on the bike. Gel and foam padding are ideal for absorbing vibrations and shocks. Special materials can also prevent signs of fatigue so that you can pedal for longer without discomfort. Breathability is key, both to allow sweat to evaporate and to prevent the saddle from overheating in the sun. The new CONTEC saddles, for example, do not get hot even when exposed to the sun for long periods.
Sustainable saddles - do they exist?
Consumers are attaching more and more importance to sustainability when buying new products. As a result, saddle manufacturers such as CONTEC are switching to more environmentally friendly models. Both the foam filling of the new saddles and the elastomer suspension, for example, are made from 100% recycled foam pieces from other productions that would otherwise have ended up as waste. More than a third of the saddle frames and lower shells are made from recycled materials.
CONTEC has also thought sustainably through when it comes to packaging. It is made of cardboard and is 100% plastic-free.
Fitting the bike saddle
Have you found a new saddle and now want to fit it to your bike? We'll show you how to do this in a separate How-To.
The variety of saddle types: find your favourite
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Mountain bike saddlesNarrow and light for more control off-road, also breathable and durable (resistant to sweat and abrasion)
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Road bike saddlesslim and sporty for a flat riding position, ergonomic and aerodynamic
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City saddleswider seat surface for upright sitting and minimal pressure, waterproof
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Trekking saddlesErgonomically designed for long tours with good padding, waterproof.
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Leather saddlesRetro look with natural adjustment to the rider
On-site advice: How to find your dream saddle
To determine the correct saddle width, measure the distance between your sit bones. You can do this at home using corrugated cardboard or at your local bike store. Remember that authorised specialist dealers can help you choose the perfect saddle - they offer personal service and individual advice.
Saddles made from recycled materials
The special feature of the new CONTEC saddle series Anatomic, Sonic, Logic & Majestic is in the detail. Here you can find out which materials we use and which variants are available.
Vary your sitting position while riding to prevent discomfort.
But there are also advocates of leather saddles. They swear by their durability, breathability and adaptability to the rider's anatomy over a longer period of use. Waterproof saddles are also important to many cyclists. After all, nobody wants to sit on a soaked saddle after a rain shower.
