Covid-19 has prompted many people to change their mobility behaviour. The concept of 'active travel', which includes cycling, offers commuters, holidaymakers and day trippers the opportunity to get out and about in the fresh air instead of sharing space with others on public transport. Active travel is booming - you only have to look at the streets of any city to see that there are currently a significant number of new or returning cyclists on the road. This is especially true because cycling offers a way to bypass traffic congestion caused by the increasing amount of private transport.
In response to this huge change in people's travelling habits, huge investments are being made in improving cycling infrastructure. These improvements are likely to play an important role in convincing many new cyclists to continue commuting, exercising and travelling by bike in the future.
However, comfort is also crucial in ensuring that this change remains permanent. A common complaint from many new cyclists is that the saddle on their bike is uncomfortable. However, many people who want to use their bike for commuting and leisure don't realise that they don't have to live with uncomfortable saddles. In fact, a simple saddle replacement can suddenly change everything and make cycling as comfortable as possible.
Why can a saddle be uncomfortable?
The comfort of a saddle is a very personal matter. Just because a saddle is perfect for one person doesn't mean it will work for everyone. Not only are our bone structures and soft tissue positions unique to each of us, but our riding styles vary from person to person. Whilst a saddle may be perfect when riding in an upright position, it may cause too much pressure when pedalling in a more aggressive forward leaning position. Choosing a specific saddle design that interacts correctly with a person's sit bones and other contact points is therefore key to enabling comfort when riding in a particular position.
Manufacturers such as Selle Royal use scientific analyses and findings to find out what makes the perfect saddle for every cyclist. The aim: to find the perfect saddle for everyone and keep each individual on their bike for longer.
Together with researchers from the German Sport University in Cologne, Selle Royal has developed Scientia: a series of 9 ergonomic saddles that are suitable for all cyclists.
In-depth research, including data collection and scientific analysis of gender differences, saddle shape and sit bone distance, has uncovered the fundamental design features required to create a comfortable and effective saddle that suits the anatomy of all cyclists.
Through this research, two critical characteristics were identified as essential to finding the optimal saddle for each cyclist: the riding position and the sit bone distance.
The riding position is the angle that the back forms with the road. At 90 degrees it is Relaxed, at 60 degrees Moderate and at 45 degrees Athletic. Athletic, Moderate and Relaxed then correspond to specially designed saddle profiles and a central notch.
The sit bone distance is then measured by sitting on a special gel measuring cushion, a thick piece of cardboard or memory foam and measuring the distance between the two indentations. A sit bone distance of less than 11 cm is Small, 11-13 cm is Medium and over 13 cm is Large. Small, medium and large correspond to the three saddle widths.
By taking into account the combination of different seating positions and sit bone distance, Selle Royal has been able to develop the Scientia line, which includes nine unique saddles that are customised to the preferences and body shape of the individual rider. This customised approach allows cyclists to find the best ergonomic conditions for their body and thus increase their overall well-being on the bike.
Find out more about the ergonomic Selle Royal Scientia range at selleroyal.com: scientia-saddle
