Do women need different bike saddles than men?
At Ergon, we firmly say: “Yes!” According to our studies, women and men need different saddles. Through numerous saddle pressure measurements conducted by our sports scientists from the R&D team, in collaboration with renowned universities and institutes such as the German Sport University Cologne, we have proven that there are differences in saddle pressure distribution between men and women. The better the saddle fits your individual anatomy and seating position, the higher the likelihood that you will sit comfortably and avoid discomfort. Therefore, in addition to various saddle widths, we have developed different saddle concepts for men and women.
Why do women talk less about saddle problems?
Pain or discomfort in the genital area are very intimate topics that women do not easily discuss in the male-dominated cycling world. Most bike shops are staffed predominantly by men, and many scientific studies only address male-specific saddle problems. However, women are no less frequently affected by saddle issues, and the consequences are just as far-reaching.
What consequences can an ill-fitting saddle have?
An ill-fitting bike saddle can have a variety of negative effects:
- Painful pressure points at the muscle and tendon attachments of the sit bones and pubic bone
- Sore skin areas
- Inflamed hair follicles, boils, and even deep abscesses
- Numbness in the genital area
- Infections of the urogenital area
- Painful coccy
- Swelling of the labia, leading to irreversible lymphedema
The list of potential saddle-related issues is long (and unpleasant). Clearly, cycling with such discomfort is not as enjoyable as it should be. Therefore, a well-fitting saddle is essential.
How can you tell if a saddle fits?
Unfortunately, you can only tell if your saddle is 100% right for you after a few rides. During the first rides, you might feel slight (!) pressure points on the pelvic bones – your buttocks sometimes need a short adjustment period. However, if you experience severe skin irritations, swelling, numbness, or pain, something is wrong.
You should note that the entire system of saddle, padded shorts, and bike setup must fit together. You can have the right saddle, but with ill-fitting shorts, incorrect saddle height, or an overall non-ergonomic bike setup, you can still experience saddle problems. On our Bike Ergonomics channel, you will find tips for the right padded shorts and the correct adjustment of your bike. For the latter, the Fitting Box, Ergon’s DIY bike fitting tool, is a great help.
Why does a woman need a special saddle?
The pelvic geometry of women and men differs fundamentally. The female pelvis is designed to provide enough space for the baby’s head during birth. Thus, the pubic rami are at a greater angle to each other, and the pubic arch (the area where the left and right parts of the pubic bone meet) is lower than in the male pelvis. With the wrong saddle choice, the body weight is not supported by the bony structures of the rear seating area but also rests further forward in the sensitive genital area. The soft tissue is then literally squeezed between the saddle nose and the pubic bone. “In cyclists, the perineal area is more at risk, while in female cyclists, it is the genital area. The vulva is not ‘mobile.’ With an unsuitable saddle model, the pressure peaks endanger the external female genitalia and the blood vessels, lymphatic, and nerve pathways that supply them,” explains Dagny Hilpert, an ergonomics specialist at Ergon. “Therefore, as one of the few saddle manufacturers, we have a women’s saddle and a men’s saddle for every application area in our program.”
Is the sit bone width greater in women than in men?
“The average distance between the sit bones is greater in women than in men, but only on average. There are women with a smaller and men with a larger sit bone distance than the typical gender average. For this reason, our saddles are always available in two sizes,” explains Simon Schumacher, head of our ergonomics department. The sit bone distance can be quickly and easily measured at any Ergon dealer to determine the right saddle width for you. If you don’t have a dealer nearby, our online Saddle Selector can help.
What does a bike saddle need to ensure women can ride pain-free?
To guarantee pain-free cycling for women, the saddle must transfer the pressure to the pelvic bones and relieve the sensitive soft tissue.
Here are the key points to consider:
- The saddle should match your gender (pelvic shape, soft tissue).
- The saddle width should match your sit bone distance.
- The saddle shape should match your bike type (riding position, purpose).
- The padding should match your riding duration and frequency.
At Ergon, we naturally recommend a women’s saddle for women. Tailored to the pelvic shape in the respective riding position, we work with a deep relief channel or a cut-out, i.e., a hole in the saddle. This way, the pressure is optimally distributed to the bony structures depending on the pelvic position, and the pressure in the genital area is reduced. However, a saddle with a hole is not a solution per se, because if the concept is not well thought out, the edges can cause unpleasant pressure points. Unlike a stepped saddle, the Ergon concept also offers you sufficient freedom of movement in all situations:
- When you climb a steep hill on your mountain bike and want to slide onto the saddle nose.
- When you switch between handlebar positions on your road bike and need to vary your posture accordingly.
- When you want to slide a little forward or backward on your e-bike during a long tour to give your buttocks a short break.
Finally, regarding the padding: The longer and more frequently you ride, the thinner and firmer the padding can be. This characterizes a comfortable saddle for long tours. If you ride only irregularly and very short distances, you can opt for a softer, thicker padded model.