If most road bike saddles are designed for men, how are female triathletes and cyclists supposed to comfortably ride a bicycle with a saddle that was designed for a man’s anatomy?

Besides the obvious differences between men’s and women’s anatomy there are some other not so obvious differences as well. The difference that has the greatest impact on bicycle saddle comfort is pelvic width. Because of this extra width, and actual pelvic geometry, a women sitting on a men’s bicycle seat can place the “sit bones” outside of the area of support. This transfers the support from skeletal -pelvic support- to soft tissue which is very uncomfortable.

A comfortable bicycle saddle should definitely support the rider from the “sit bones” and apply little or no pressure at all to sensitive soft tissue areas. For this you should opt for a saddle that closely matches the width and geometry of your “sit bones” while you are sitting on the bike.

Be aware that your position on the bike has a lot to do with your saddle comfort. For instance if you ride a triathlon specific bike and it is set up properly, your pelvis will have a slight forward rotation. Without the correct saddle there will be tremendous pressure on sensitive areas.

The first thing you need to look for is a saddle that has a width that closely matches your “sit bones” while you are on your bike in the riding position. The correct width is the most important aspect of saddle selection.

The second thing to look for in a saddle is the padding. The seat should feel firm yet slightly forgiving. The firmness will help keep your pelvis locked in place and prevent excessive movement. If you get the width correct you will not need excess padding.

Once you have selected the appropriate firmness you should take a look at the nose area of the saddle. It should be narrow enough to allow for your thighs to move freely without chafing on the saddle. Most women’s saddles today have this cutout or relief. This is a mixed solution. On one hand it can take pressure off the sensitive areas, however it can also increase pressure because of less surface area. If you are riding in an upright position you may not need or want a saddle with this cut out.

So, regardless of the saddle you choose you should opt for a professional bicycle fit which will help you make the right saddle choice and help you ride with greater comfort.