Finding the right cycling saddle among the various options is one of the biggest dilemmas for cyclists. A comfortable saddle not only improves comfort during rides, and therefore performance, but can also prevent aches and pains that, in the long term, can lead to health problems, especially for those who frequently embark on long bike rides. Here are some tips for finding the saddle that suits your needs.

Measure the distance of your sit bones

The first step to finding the ideal bike saddle is to measure the distance between your ischial tuberosities, the bones on which most of your body weight rests and on which pressure is concentrated when you sit on a hard surface. Measuring them will help you determine the ideal saddle width.

To meet the needs of all cyclists, Repente has designed saddles in three different widths: 142 mm, 142 mm, 152 mm. The measurement can be carried out by a bike fitter or at a specialized bicycle shop. Repente has created a special kit for measuring the ischial distance, available to its retailers.

Consider your discipline and style

The type of cycling you practice will influence your choice of bike saddle. Cycling saddles differ in shape, size, and materials, so it is important to consider your riding style. A mountain bike saddle will be different from a road saddle or an urban cycling saddle because the cyclist's positions and, consequently, the anatomical support points are different.

How flexible are you?

One parameter to consider is our dorsal flexibility: a cyclist with greater flexibility tends to adopt a more aerodynamic position and will have no difficulty holding the handlebars in the lower part, whereas a less flexible cyclist will prefer a more upright position. For a cyclist with limited flexibility, a saddle with a round cross-section is recommended (e.g., Prime 3.0), while a flat saddle (e.g., Quasar) is suitable for those who can maintain a low position for extended periods.

If you choose a wide saddle, pay attention to the “delta”

In recent years, wide-seated saddles, chosen based on ischial distance, have become increasingly popular. Analyzing the results of several biomechanical studies, Repente has found that there is a high incidence of problems related to this type of saddle. While a wide seat provides effective rear support, in most models, the width hinders the free movement of the leg, sometimes causing inflammation in the muscles of the inner thigh. To find the necessary comfort, the cyclist unconsciously tends to move forward on the saddle, nullifying the advantage of the width and adopting an incorrect position.

In the Prime 3.0, Artax GLM and Spyd 3.0 models with a width of 142 mm, Repente has adjusted the delta, meaning the lateral profile of the saddles, freeing up thigh movement without compromising the effectiveness of the support. This particular type of design has been named Ergo Shape.

Saddle with a cutout or anatomical channel

These are referred to as anti-prostate road bike saddles, although the prostate is only relatively involved. In any case, saddles with a central anatomical cavity provide an undeniable benefit, relieving pressure on soft tissues, especially when pedaling in a lowered position. There is a downside: if the edges of the cavity are too rigid or sharp, the ischial support area is reduced to a few millimeters, causing pain, numbness, and sometimes cysts. In short, solving one problem can create a worse one.

Choose high-quality materials

The supporting structures of cycling saddles are made of plastic materials or carbon fiber. One of the most common problems with plastic saddles is the sagging of the shell, which over time becomes a permanent deformation. This results in a change in the support height (with associated joint and muscle discomfort) and pain in the perineal area. Repente has overcome this problem by reinforcing the shells with flong carbon fibers instead of the more commonly used carbon fragments. The quality of the material used for the padding is also important.

How to adjust the saddle correctly

Even the right saddle can cause discomfort if not adjusted correctly. Make sure to set the saddle height and angle according to your personal needs. Saddles are typically fixed in a perfectly horizontal position ('level'), but in some cases, it may be necessary to lower the nose by 2-3 millimeters. A bike fitter can advise you on the ideal setback, which is the distance of the perpendicular from the anatomical point of the saddle to the center of the bottom bracket axis.   

Don't underestimate your feelings

Don't settle for a saddle that causes you discomfort or forces you to constantly change your position. After ensuring that your bike fit is correct, take some time to evaluate the comfort and support the saddle provides. If you experience any signs of pain or numbness, check the exact positioning of the saddle, and if the problem persists, consider trying a different model.

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English version

Bike saddle fitting: how to find the best bike saddle

Finding the right saddle is one of the cyclist's biggest dilemmas. A comfortable saddle not only improves comfort during pedaling, therefore also performance, but can prevent pain and discomfort which, in the long term, can become health problems, especially in those who are used to frequent and long bike rides. Here are some tips to find the saddle that suits your needs.

Cycling saddle sores: how to measure sit bones

The first step to find the ideal saddle is to measure the distance between the ischial bones, the ones on which most of the body's weight rests. They are the two bony protuberances on which pressure is concentrated when you are sitting on a hard surface. Measuring them will help you determine the ideal saddle width. To respond to the needs of all cyclists, Repente has designed saddles of three different widths: 142 mm, 142 mm, 152 mm. The measurement can be carried out by a bikefitter or at a specialized bicycle shop. Repente has created a specific kit for measuring the ischial distance, available to its resellers.

Consider your discipline and style

The type of cycling you practice will influence your choice of saddle. Cycling saddles differ in shape, size and materials, so it is important to take your riding style into consideration. A mountain bike saddle will be different from a road saddle because the positions of the cyclist and, consequently, the anatomical support points are different. 

How flexible are you?

A parameter to take into consideration is our back flexibility: a cyclist with greater flexibility tends to assume a more aerodynamic position and will have no difficulty holding the handlebars in the lower part, on the contrary a less flexible cyclist will prefer a more raised position. For a cyclist with little flexibility, a saddle with a round cross section is recommended (e.g. Prime 3.0), while a flat saddle (e.g. Quasar) is suitable for those who can maintain a lowered position for a long time.

If you choose a wide saddle, pay attention to the "delta"

In recent years, saddles with a wide seat, chosen based on the ischial distance, have become increasingly popular. By analyzing the results of some biomechanical studies, Repente found that there is a high incidence of problems related to this type of saddle. In fact, if the wide seat produces effective rear support, in most models the width hinders the free movement of the leg, sometimes creating inflammation in the muscles of the inner part of the thigh. To find the necessary comfort, the cyclist unconsciously tends to move forward on the saddle, nullifying the advantage of the width and assuming a wrong position. In the Prime 3.0, Artax GLM and Spyd 3.0 models with a width of 142 mm, Repente has intervened on the delta, i.e. the lateral profile of the saddles, freeing the movement of the thigh without compromising the validity of the support. This particular type of design was called Ergo Shape.

Choose a saddle with anatomical slot or channel

They are called "anti-prostate" saddles, even if the prostate is relatively involved. In any case, saddles with a central anatomical cavity give an undoubted benefit, relieving pressure on the soft tissues especially when pedaling in a lowered position. There is a "con": when the edges of the cavity are too rigid or sharp, the support area of the ischium is reduced to a few millimetres, causing pain, numbness and sometimes cysts. Once a problem is solved, a worse one can be created.

Choose high-quality materials

The supporting structures of cycling saddles are made of plastic materials or carbon fiber. One of the most common drawbacks of plastic saddles is the sagging of the shell, which over time becomes a constant deformation. This results in a change in the height of support (with related joint and muscular discomfort) and pain in the perineal area. Repente has overcome this problem by strengthening the shells with long carbon fibers rather than the more commonly used carbon fragments. The quality of the material used for the padding is also important.

Adjust the saddle correctly

Even the right saddle can cause discomfort if it is not adjusted correctly. Be sure to set the saddle height and angle to suit your personal needs. Saddles are normally fixed in a perfectly horizontal position, but in some cases it may be necessary to lower the tip by 2-3 millimetres. A bikefitter will be able to advise you on the ideal setback, i.e. the distance of the perpendicular of the anatomical point of the saddle compared to the axis of the bottom bracket. 

Don't underestimate your feelings

Don't settle for a saddle that causes you discomfort or forces you to change your position often. After checking that your position on the bike is right, spend some time evaluating the comfort and support that the saddle gives you. If you feel any signs of pain or numbness, check the exact positioning of the saddle and, if the problem persists, consider trying a different model.