There is hardly anything that can spoil the joy of cycling more quickly than this scenario: You have been looking forward to the weekend bike ride for days, your bike is ready, the weather is perfect. The first few kilometers go great, but soon the ride becomes uncomfortable. What starts as a slight pressure quickly turns into stabbing pain in the sit bones. You ignore it for a while, hoping you'll get used to it. But soon your sit bones are on fire, and you can't stay in the saddle – the ride is over, and your mood is ruined. Where does this pain in the sit bones come from, and how can you combat such discomfort? Here are some tips and tricks for a more comfortable ride.

A saddle that is too hard and rigid puts pressure on your sit bones, even if it is otherwise ergonomically shaped and relieves your perineal area with a relief channel. If the saddle padding is too hard while cycling, your sit bones are subjected to higher pressure from your own body weight and from shocks during the ride. Ultimately, you will develop pain in the entire pelvic region around the sit bones, sacrum, or even coccyx. If you expose yourself to this strain for too long, you risk not only pain but also irritation of the periosteum on the sit bones and coccyx, leading to periostitis, which could make you a case for orthopedics. You need an ergonomic bike saddle with padding tailored to your needs. These vary for different cycling disciplines, which is why road bike, touring, and mountain bike saddles are built differently. Padded cycling shorts can provide additional cushioning while cycling but are not a permanent solution. Ideally, good cycling shorts combined with an ergonomic saddle provide the best comfort while cycling. 

Ergon offers an innovation you won't find anywhere else: CORE 3D® saddle technology. Here, the saddle surface is floating on a core made of Infinergy padding material, which adapts to natural pedaling movements thanks to its 3D mobility. This relieves the sit bones, mobilizes the lower back, and effectively prevents irritation, numbness, or nerve inflammation. Saddles like the SM E-Mountain Core Prime Men, the ST Core Evo Women, or the SR Allroad Core Pro Carbon Men are just a few examples of saddles that use the revolutionary CORE 3D® technology.

If the padding in your saddle is too soft, not adjusted to your body weight, and the strain of the ride, your sit bones sink too deeply into the saddle's padding. In the worst case, they hit the hard saddle shell on the underside of the saddle during strong vibrations or impacts. Even worse is if your sit bones press on it permanently. This not only stresses the periosteum but potentially your entire buttocks, as it is likely exposed to greater pressure points on the saddle. The seat padding must therefore find the right balance between firmness and comfort. Something that can only be achieved with in-depth research and a lot of development – which Ergon has been conducting for over 20 years!

Even if you have found the right saddle for your use, the work is not done. Not all riders are the same. Depending on your height (and gender), your sit bone width varies, and you need the right bike saddle for it. Ergon offers all saddles in two sizes, covering almost all sit bone widths, because your saddle must not be too wide or too narrow to prevent too much friction and excessive pressure in the perineal area.

Another reason for an incorrect position on the saddle that can cause discomfort while cycling is the saddle shape. Men and women have different positions on the saddle while cycling due to the different shape and position of the pelvis and hips. Thus, the load on the sit bones on the bike saddle also varies. For this reason – and of course, because there are significant anatomical differences in the genital area that need to be considered for relief – it is important to choose a gender-specific saddle. 

If you are overwhelmed by all the details you need to consider, don't worry – just use the Ergon Saddle Selector. Here you can enter your data and easily choose the perfect saddle for you and your bike.

A bike fitting, i.e., the professional adjustment of all components on your bike, tailored to your body measurements and preferences, not only alleviates discomfort in the sit bones but also optimizes the posture of the hip joints, legs, back, shoulders, and neck – relieving muscles and nerves from head to toe. Choose the right one for you from the Ergon Fitting Boxes and adjust your bike precisely to you in seven simple steps, guided by the Ergon experts.