GUIDE – Be Comfortable on your Bike Seat

goRide your Bike Seat Comfort Specialists – supporting you to enjoy your riding and ride more.

Get the solutions & support you need to be comfortable on your bike seat.

SMILE when you ride

Bike seat comfort is so important to your riding enjoyment but many riders suffer on their saddle.  Commonly it does not come down to a single solution but requires working through a combination of strategies to find comfort.  

Discomfort on your saddle often comes on when you

  • increase your riding time and/or increase how often you ride
  • have a new or worn out saddle or a saddle that does not suit the rider you are.
  • if you are new to riding or returning to riding after a break

Comfort on your bike seat can be achieved but how that is achieved will often be different for every rider. Our guide will help support you on your journey to comfort. Read our stories, gather information and make change. If you would prefer one on one support, advice and a comfort plan …then you can purchase an online bike seat comfort consultation from goRide.

Ride in padded underwear or padded pants

Key things to know… a chamois is the padding sewn into the inside of bike specific clothing like padded bike pants and underwear (goUnders). This padding sits between you and the bike seat. The padding provides cushioning helping to reduce discomfort and allows you to sit on your seat for longer. A chamois should be worn directly against your skin with no other fabric or seams touching it. Therefore just to clarify you do not wear normal everyday underwear under your bike underwear(goUnders) or your padded bike pants.

Best way to solve these issues is to wear bike specific underwear or pants that have a chamois (padding) sewn into it when you ride. There are different types of chamois available so you can match the padding density & shape to your riding and comfort needs. There are solutions for all riders with a wide range of sizes to choose from.

winter gloves

goUnders (Padded Underwear) & Padded Bike Pant Solutions

Womens goUnders 

View the range…

Womens goUnders are available in a High Waist Brief or a Mid Waist Brief as well as a Boy Leg Style. Available in a wide range of sizes… LEARN MORE

Mens goUnders

Sizes S to 3XL

Mens goUnders in a fitted boxer style for comfort & protection over distance & time on the bike. Available in a wide range of sizes… LEARN MORE

Kids Bike Pants buying guide

Kids/Youth goUnders

View the range…

Kids/Youth goUnders are available so you have comfort solutions for the whole family. A fun colourful boxer style for kids 3yrs+ as well as solutions for youth girls and boys… LEARN MORE

3/4 Padded Bike Pants

View the page…

Lycra 3/4 padded pants available in a Casual or Endurance style in a wide range of sizes… LEARN MORE

Ride Well to be Comfortable

Key things to know… how you ride plays a large part in your bike seat comfort and is particularly important if you are new, returning to riding or wanting to spend more time on your bike. How you ride includes your riding position on the bike, your pedalling technique, where you sit on the saddle as well as how you manage spending more time on your bike (increasing how often you ride and/or your biking time/distance).

Best way to solve these issues is to read these stories and gain some understanding of how you can improve your riding to support your comfort on your bike seat. When you ride be aware of your position, how you pedal and where you sit on the saddle. If you are wanting to increase the amount you ride understand how best to achieve this without stressing your body.

Ride on a saddle that matches to you

Key things to know… the saddle that comes with your bike may not be the right saddle for you… most often, especially for women, it is not. Saddles vary in the materials they are made of, the width, the length, the shape.  They vary in where support and comfort is positioned within the saddle. To get the right saddle you need to understand yourself as a rider (your rider profile) and then match that to the correct saddle. Once you have the right saddle it is important to get that saddle in the correct position for you.

Best way to solve this is firstly to understand whether you are a Casual, Fitness or Consistent Rider. goRide has categorised saddles into these 3 categories which will help and support you to get your correct saddle match. Click on the category that matches you as a rider… Casual, Fitness or Consistent.

Once you have the right saddle you can work on your saddle position. Is your bike seat straight, is it the right height, what about up or down tilt as well as your reach to the handlebars? These are all things you can alter and fine tune when adjusting your saddle, to find what we call your bike seat ‘Sweet Spot’.

womens boyleg goUnders

Casual Rider... enjoys shorter ride times and leisurely trips.  Usually less than an hour.  Can be a new rider or returning to riding after a long break. The riding is gentle and easy and can be anything from once a month to daily.

Fitness Rider... enjoys short to mid length riding on a regular basis, often 2-3 times a week.  Usually riding from 30 minutes to 2 hours with occasional longer rides.  Can be working towards or training for a specific trail. The riding is varied, usually social and at times is moderately challenging.

Consistent Rider... consistent, confident rider, committed to a riding lifestyle.  Usually riding from 30 minutes to 2 hours+. Takes the opportunity for regular longer rides.  Maintains a high level of bike fitness. Will happily ride alone and rides through all seasons.  Skilled in different environments. Is strong and in control even when the terrain or traffic is challenging.

Saddle Solutions

Casual Rider Saddles

View the Range…

Our selection of saddles that match to a Casual Rider. See definition above.

 Fitness Rider Saddles

View the Range…

Our selection of saddles that match to a Fitness Rider. See definition above.

Consistent Rider Saddles

View the Range…

Our selection of saddles that match the consistent rider. See description above.

Gel Saddle Cover

View the Range…

Use a gel cover to help with comfort on your bike. This cover goes over your saddle for extra padding. Ideal when new to, or getting back into riding or wanting to increase your riding distance…  LEARN MORE

Chamois Cream

Natural product

Lanolin based lubrication that will protect, soothe or heal any chaffing or sores that my occur from riding your bike… LEARN MORE

Manage Specific Comfort Issues

Key things to know… there are 4 common issues that riders have challenges with. Sit Bone, Tail Bone and Soft Tissue discomfort as well as problems with Chaffing. Each of these 4 issues have different causes and different things for you to consider. We have written stories on these 4 common saddle complaints to help you improve your bike seat comfort. These stories will help you identify the problem you are experiencing and provide suggestions on possible causes and solutions. In addition to these 4 stories we have a story to help heavy riders understand some of the challenges they may face and ways to manage these challenges.

Best way to solve challenges is to read the stories that relate to your particular issue or issues and gain some understanding of what will improve your comfort on your bike seat.

bike pants - recreation

Comfort Issues

What are the successful Bike Seat Comfort solutions for you?  Your success is different to others… use our stories and support, get the right solutions.

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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

Smile when you ride

Successfully Ride an E-Bike

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.

Smile when you ride

Be Comfortable on your Bike Seat

Beginner to Fitness Bikers

Get Started - Ride with a baby

Heavy Riders - Enjoy Biking

Riding in Cooler Weather

Riding in Wet Conditions

Be Visible on the Bike

'Fun Up' the Kids Bike/Biking

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

goUnders- Padded Bike Underwear

Women, Mens, Youth & Kids

SHOP goUnders.

Bike Path Riding

Bike path Riding Guide

Beginner to Fitness

Commuting

Multi-Day

With Kids of all ages

Kids Riding Bikepaths

Multi-Day with Kids

Ride more Bikepaths

Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking Guide

Women Beginner to Intermediate

Men Beginner to Intermediate

Multi-Day

With Kids of all ages

Kids Mountain Biking

Multi-Day with Kids

Ride more Mountain Bike Trails

Riding in Traffic

Be Visible in Traffic

With kids of all ages

Kids Riding in Traffic

E - Biking

E-Biking Guide

E-Biking in Traffic

E-Biking on Bikepaths

E-Biking on MTB Trails

A Biking Holiday

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

A Biking Holiday

Family Biking Holiday

Ride more Multi-Day Rides

Family Riding

Family Riding Guide

On Bikepaths with Kids

MTB with Kids

In Traffic with Kids

Full Range Kids Bike Seats - Attached or Towed

Family Biking Holiday

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

Kids Bike Trailer

Towing kids who ride their own bike

Rear Kids Bike Seats

Mid Mount Kids Bike Seats

Front Kids Bike Seats

Types of Riding

Bikepath Riding

Family Riding

E-Bike Riding

goUnders- Padded Bike Underwear

Women, Mens, Youth & Kids

SHOP goUnders.