Your mantra for riding with a new saddle should be “Short but Often”.  It is much better to go for several short rides than one long one on a new saddle. So how do you get the right balance between riding to check if the saddle is a good match but not over doing it or stressing anything?

Great question… but not easily answered.  There are cues you will get from your body so you need to be tuned in and observing how you feel. Have a good routine while on your bike of checking in and being aware of how you feel.  Change your position, even if it is just a slight movement.  No ones body enjoys being static for too long and movement will insure that nothing is being compressed for too long and that your blood is flowing and reaching all the areas it should be.

Week One:  First rides should be short 20-30 minutes.  It is better to be shorter and go more often, 3-5 times in the week.

We have written a series of stories to help with saddle issues.  If you have suffered from a problem that has led you to trying a new saddle please take a look at the list to see if you need to read one;

Sit Bone Aches & Pains.    Tail Bone Discomfort.    Soft Tissue Compression.    Chaffing & Saddle Sores

For your first few rides try to be kind to your body by choosing well graded, smooth surfaces to test your seat on.  It is a lot easier to access how you feel on the saddle if you are not being bumped around or constantly having to get up off your seat to navigate challenging terrain.  You should be checking in with your sit bones (the boney structures you sit on) – do they feel supported?  Do they have a base and support they need.  Your aim is weight transfer through these structures which may not feel great to begin with but given time your body with adapt. It will feel a little achy, bruised, slightly red… to understand more about what is normal and what is not, please read Sit Bone Aches & Pains

For these first few shorter rides, stop more often than you need to.  Take a water break or just stop and look at the scenery – get off your bike and have a bit of a walk around.  This changes the muscles you are using and gives your body a moment to reset.  Remember you are trying to transition gently not shock your body now is not the time to be pushing any boundaries.

How your body interacts with your bike saddle will greatly influence your comfort. A good riding position, what we call an ‘A’ body shape and core strength is essential to have your body connecting with the seat in the right places.  You need to be thinking about your body and making constant slight adjustments during these first few rides on your new saddle.  Any bad habits can lead to inefficient movement and create discomfort not only at your seat but in your lower back and knees.

You are aiming for straight back, open chest, relaxed elbows.  We recommend that as you ride on your new saddle you constantly check in with your body position.  Ask yourself simple questions like… Is my tummy lifted?  Is my lower back flat or rounded?  Learn more about these simple cues and what they mean.

‘A’ Body Position – Chi Riding,    Core Strength and your Riding Position– Chi Riding.

‘A’ body position needs to be constantly checked

Even a perfect saddle won’t be comfortable immediately.  You will notice the difference in the areas that are making contact and taking weight.  What you need to feel is support and that when you adjust to this new supported feeling it will be a positive change not a negative one.  Put more simply this saddle should feel intuitively similar or better than your last one (depending on whether you are replacing a worn out saddle or trying to find a saddle that will give you comfort).

For any feelings of slight discomfort add padding with a pair of female specific padded bike pants or bike underwear.  A Gel Cover could be an option to help for a short period of time.

Why Wear Padded Bike Pants?   A Gel Seat Cover – Is it an option for you?

The biggest clue will be you inability to just stay seated on the saddle.  If you constantly have the feeling of wanting to move this is a sign your body is not being supported correctly.  

Pain rather than discomfort is the other biggie.  Pain that doesn’t settle or diminish.  Pain in places that shouldn’t be taking your weight, like your tailbone or soft tissues.

Do your have the right width?  Do you have the right shape? Do you have the right padding?