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Pimples, burning and numbness on the bum are not only annoying, but can also be dangerous - especially if family planning has not yet been finalised. To understand the problem, we need to look at our body, especially the pelvis. The pelvic bones take up the entire weight of the body. When we sit down, the weight of the upper body is carried by the sit bones.
Find the right model before adjusting the saddle
In relation to body weight, the contact surface of the sit bones is very small, about the size of a 10 cent piece. Nevertheless, we can sit on them for a long time without pain. Provided we have become accustomed to the strain. This is why the body weight should be absorbed by the sit bones as much as possible. Nevertheless, depending on the sitting position and saddle width, some of the body weight is absorbed by the pubic bone and perineal area.
And here we come back to the problem described at the beginning: pressure on the perineal area can lead to pain and numbness. The extensive network of nerves and blood vessels in the perineum should therefore be relieved as much as possible. How does this work? SQlab Managing Director Tobi Hild has the answer: "Width, padding firmness, trousers, saddle shape and possibly seat cream."
The width of the saddle on the bike should be adapted to the sit bones and the trousers should not be too thickly padded. Only then will you be sitting on the sit bones, which can take the greatest load. The vessels, nerves and blood vessels in the perineal area must be relieved, and saddle angle and posture are two important factors for this.
A large selection of MTB saddles is available from Maciag Offroad or Rosebikes.
How do I adjust my MTB saddle correctly?
The most important points when buying and adjusting a saddle
- Determine suitable saddle width
- Determine and adjust the correct seat height
- Adjust saddle angle and saddle alignment
- Determine the ideal knee plumb bob
Expert interview: The saddle width is crucial
BIKE: Bikers used to ride fast, too. There were no special saddles then. Do you need ergo saddles?
Florian Bissinger: I fight against this awareness every day. Many athletes think that pain or numbness are part and parcel of cycling. With the right saddle width comes the aha experience. Many ask themselves: Why didn't I do this earlier?
Can you prove the problems with figures, the feeling of pressure, the pain?
Yes, that's part of our daily business. We use pressure measurement foils during fitting, which are placed over the saddle. This allows the athlete to see immediately where the pressure is and how high it is. This is very important for the customer, as they first understand visually what hurts and where pressure should and should not be.
So everyone should test the right saddle width for themselves - bar stock doesn't work?
Basically yes. We have few customers who fit a standard saddle. By measuring the sit bone distance, everyone realises how wide the saddle should be. However, athletes often sit on the perineum, which is painful. This also wastes energy, as the energy transferred to the pedals does not have the necessary abutment, the sit bones. The athlete literally pushes himself to the left and right. There is often an unrecognised reserve of power in the right saddle.
