Your saddle is a very important contact point with your bike. It should provide the support & comfort you need to ride for as long as you like. Saddles come in a lot of different shapes and width is often discussed as important. Let’s learn why.
Supporting you to SMILE when you ride.
What Influences Width?
Saddles come in a huge variety of shapes and designs. So the width of saddles is also hugely variable. If they are all trying to do the same job why are they so different? There are several things that will influence the width of a saddle.
Gender – There is a physical difference between the widths of men and womens pelvic structure. The majority of women are normally wider (this is not true for all women). You may need a womens saddle that has a wider width than a mens saddle.
Type of Riding – The interest in doing different types of riding has lead to different types of bikes being made. These different bikes put riders in different body positions. These different positions leads to some variation in how your body will make contact with a saddle. This has lead to different saddle shapes to get the best outcome for the body position you are in when on your bike. The more forward bent you are the narrower your saddle will be.
Time on the Bike – As you spend longer on the bike the type of saddle that you need tends to change. So there are also differences between recreation and endurance saddle shapes. In terms of width, saddles need to provide the right support without interfering with repetitive pedalling.
Saddles are designed in a variety of shapes and widths depending on gender, the type of riding and time on the bike.
When the Width is Not Right.
Having the correct width so that your sit bones are the bones that are taking the majority of your weight is crucial. There are signs and clues your body will be giving you if this is not the case.
Constantly moving about on your saddle. This is caused by a need to find support. Your boney structures need feedback, they need an area or base directly underneath them.
Discomfort or chaffing. If these types of issues are not improving or reducing your saddle width may be to blame. Lack of correct support may mean other areas of your body not designed to weight bear are being compressed or coming into contact with your saddle when they shouldn’t be.
We have written a series of stories to help with saddle issues. 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
How to Get the Correct Width
The average width between female sit bones is 130-135mm (most commonly ranging from 112mm to 148mm). Depending on your body position on the bike, your saddle will need to be wider than this to provide a good flat contact surface under your sit bones. So to get an idea of what kind of width to be looking for
- upright riding/straight back should add 40mm = 170 – 175mm
- add 25mm for slight to mid forward bend = 155 – 160mm
- add 10mm for mid to aggressive forward bend = 140 – 145mm
If you purchase a saddle to suit the position you ride in you should get the right saddle width match. All goRide saddles a matched to your riding position.
Relaxed upright rider. Average width is 170-175mm
Slight to mid forward bend. Average width is 155-160mm
Mid to aggressive forward bend. Average width for a female is 140-145mm
This gives you a rough idea of what your saddle width should be. Now take a tape measure and go and measure across the widest point at the rear of your current bike saddle.
Optimum Saddle Width for You: Another thing to do, to give you an even better idea of what might be ideal for you… is to do a measurement of your own sit bones. Take a piece of cardboard that has a corrugated layer in it that can be squashed when you sit on it. Place the cardboard on a hard seat and sit down onto if with a straight back and shoulders back. Mark the mid point of the indentation made by your bones, then measure between these two points. As we did above add to your measurement depending on your riding position.
This gives you a guideline or place to start from. This kind of cardboard measuring has better outcomes for people who ride in a more upright position. How a saddle feels can not be conveyed or taken into consideration with measurements. You also are not static on a saddle but dynamic – you move when you pedal. And finally, every body has a history of use and injury. This can play a big part in how you feel when you sit on a bike saddle.
Is it time to get a saddle with a different width?
You should now know what the width of your current saddle is. You should have an idea of what your ideal should be… Do these two measurements match up? If not it is surely telling you that trying a different width saddle is worth a go, especially if you need to have more comfort when you sit on your bike seat.
We have a great range of saddles . For different types of riding and different times on the bike. Have a look at our Saddles and get a saddle that matches you as a rider.
Your bike riding success is different to others… use our stories and support, get the right solutions.
Stories & support
Full range of comfort on the bike seat stories on one easy to navigate page.
Guide: Comfort on your Bike Seat
Learn how you can support your comfort on your bike seat and enjoy your riding.
Bike Seat Sweet Spot
The position of your saddle can effect your comfort when you ride. Learn about saddle position.
How to Break a New Saddle In
Your body needs to adjust to a new saddle… do not expect to get a new saddle and immediately be able to go for long rides.
How to Adjust your Bike Saddle
Learn how to make minor adjustments to the position of your bike saddle so you improve your comfort on your bike seat.
Your core & riding
Understand why having a strong core and using it is important to your riding.
A Gel Cover or Not?
Learn how to use a Bike Seat Gel Cover and understand if it is a comfort solution for you?
Guide to Riding for Longer
A fantastic goal to have is to be able to ride for longer…there are so many benefits and it opens up what you could achieve on a bike.
Padded Bike Pants
Should you be wearing padded bike pants or padded bike underwear to help with comfort on your bike seat?
When to use chamois cream
The position of your saddle can effect your comfort when you ride. Learn about saddle position.
Want more from your riding?
Be supported to Ride as a Family, Progress Your Riding and/or receive Seasonal Inspiration. So you can SMILE when you ride.
All new members are automatically entered into our Seasonal Prize Draw.
SMILE when you ride
Support & Inspire other riders and families
Share your riding outings, adventures and experiences on our quick and easy question and answer forms. Join us in helping others ride bikes.
All entries are automatically entered into our Seasonal Prize Draw.
Women
Padded Bike Underwear
Pants for Biking
Tops for Biking
Jackets & Over Trousers for Biking
Riding Clothing for Larger Sizes
Warmth Accessories
Bike Saddles
Bike Helmets
Mountain Bike Helmets
Bike Gloves
Protective Padding
Bike Bells
Hydration
Handlebar Grips
Kids & Youth
Padded Bike Underwear
Bike Helmets
Mountain Bike Helmets
Riding Clothing
Jackets for Biking/Outdoors
Protective Padding
Bike Gloves
Bike Lights
Bike Bells
Handlebar Grips
Bike Saddle
Bike Locks
Hydration
Family
Ride with a baby/ 1 year old
Ride with a 2-6 year old
Ride with a 4 + year old – on their own bike
Full Range Kids Bike Seats – Attached or Towed
Create a Family Biking Holiday
Ride More Places with Kids
Men
Padded Bike Underwear
Bike Helmets
Mountain Bike Helmets
Bike Saddles
Bike Tops,Jackets & Over Trousers
Bike Gloves
Protective Padding
Handlebar Grips
Bike Bell
Be comfortable & confident
Successfully Ride an E-Bike
Beginner Rider
Heavy Riders – Enjoy Biking
Be Comfortable on your Bike Seat
Riding in Cooler Weather
Riding in Wet Conditions
Be Visible on the Bike
Enjoy a Biking Holiday
‘Fun Up’ the Kids Bike/Biking
goUnders- Padded Bike Underwear
Women, Mens, Youth & Kids
SHOP goUnders.
Clothing & Bags
Padded Bike Pants & Underwear
Pants & Shorts for Biking
Bike Tops
Bike Jackets
Over Trousers for Biking
Headbands & Neck Warmers for Biking
Bags, Baskets & Panniers for Biking
Rider Safety & Protection
Bike Helmets
Mountain Bike Helmets
Bike Gloves
Protective Padding
Bike Lights
Bike Bells
First Aid & Personal Care
Hydration
Bike Tow Ropes
Bike Parts & Care
Bike Saddles
Handlebar Grips
Bike Locks
Bike Carriers
Bike & Chain Cleaning
Bike Tools & Tool Kits to Carry
Kids Bike Seats & Bikes
Rear Kids Bike Seats
Mid Kids Bike Seats
Front Kids Bike Seats
Towing Kids who ride their own Bike
Bike Trailers for Kids
Kids Balance Bikes
HIRE Kids Bike Seats
Be Comfortable & Confident
Comfort on your Bike Seat
Be Visible on the Bike
Beginner Riders
Get Started – Ride with a baby
Heavy Riders – Enjoy Biking
Riding in Cooler Weather
Riding in Wet Conditions
‘Fun Up’ the Kids Bike/Biking
Bike Path Riding
Beginner to Fitness
Multi-Day
With Kids of all Ages
Kids Riding Bikepaths
Multi-Day with Kids
Bike Path Riding Guide
Ride more Bikepaths
Mountain Biking
Women Beginner to Intermediate
Men Beginner to Intermediate
Multi-Day
With Kids of all ages
Kids Mountain Biking
Multi-Day with Kids
Mountain Biking Guide
Ride more Mountain Bike Trails
Riding in Traffic
Be Visible in Traffic
Commuting
With Kids of all Ages
Kids Riding in Traffic
E – Biking
E-Biking in Traffic
E-Biking on Bikepaths
E-Biking on MTB Trails
A Biking Holiday
E-Biking Guide
Multi-Day Riding
Multi-Day on Bike Paths
Multi-Day on MTB Trails
Multi-Day with Kids on Bike Paths
Multi-Day with Kids on MTB Trails
Multi-Day Guide
A Biking Holiday
Family Biking Holiday
Ride more Multi-Day Rides
Family Riding
Full Range Kids Bike Seats – Attached or Towed
On Bikepaths with Kids
MTB with Kids
In Traffic with Kids
Family Biking Holiday
Family Riding Guide
Ride More Places with Kids
Kids Attached or Towed Buying Guides
Rear Kids Bike Seat
Mid Mount Kids Bike Seat
Front Kids Bike Seat
Towing Kids who ride their own bikes
Kids Bike Trailers
Kids & Youth Buying Guides
Kids Bike Helmets
Kids Riding Clothing
Kids Padded Bike Pants
Kids Padded Protection
Kids Handlebar Grips
Kids Balance Bike
Comfort on the Bike Buying Guides
Womens Bike Saddle
Mens Bike Saddle
Padded Bike Pants
Bike Jackets
Carrying Gear
Handlebar Grip
Hydration
Rider Safety Buying Guides
Bike Helmet
Mountain Bike Helmet
Protective Padding
Be Visible
Bike Glove
Bike Light
Mountain Bike Light
First Aid & Personal Care
Gear & Care for Bikes Buying Guides
Bike Carriers
Bike Cleaning
Bike Locks
Chain Cleaning and Lube
goUnders- Padded Bike Underwear
Women, Mens, Youth & Kids
SHOP goUnders.
Women & Families Learning
Comfort on your Bike Seat
Clothing for Biking
Family Biking
Improve your Riding
Carrying Gear
Care for ‘you’
Care for your Bike
Ride More Places
Ride more Bikepaths
Ride more NZ Cycle Trails
Ride more Mountain Bike Trails
Ride more Multi-Day Rides
Ride more Places with Kids
Riding Gear
Bike Helmets
Bike Saddles
Padded Bike Underwear & Pants
Bike Gloves
Bike Jackets
Protective Padding
Bike Locks
Bike Lights
Bike Tools to Carry
Handlebar Grips
Bike and Chain Cleaning
Kids Bike Seats & Bikes
Kids Bike Trailer
Towing kids who ride their own bike
Rear Kids Bike Seats
Mid Mount Kids Bike Seats
Front Kids Bike Seats
Balance Bike
Types of Riding
Bikepath Riding
Family Riding
E-Bike Riding
goUnders- Padded Bike Underwear
Women, Mens, Youth & Kids
SHOP goUnders.