It is quite common for new riders to buy a mountain bike with intentions to ride it everywhere, take it for a ride for the first time, and find that they experience extreme discomfort or soreness.  Some even quit the sport entirely after just a few days.

While the bike seemed comfortable at the bike shop, it may actually feel different when you ride it as your normally do outdoors. It may take a few rides to finally adjust to the seat for some people while others continue to feel uncomfortable with the included seat. This is not the experience a mountain biker wants to be accompanied with while riding through various paths and coming across interesting sites. The seat of a mountain bike is by far one of the most important components and should be a right physical fit for both male and female bike riders as well as being suitable for a rider’s style.

If you have come to the realization that the pains and numbness are not going away, you probably may want to consider investing in another mountain bike saddle and the following overview will help determine what kind of saddle will work for you. These are just some of the factors you should consider when searching for the perfect bicycle saddle.

What Do You Need from a Saddle?

Before you go out searching for your next mountain bike saddle, take some time to do research and think about what you want the seat to accomplish for you. For this, you probably would have to consider what your riding style is which will in turn determine what type of saddle you need. Do you want to a saddle that will comfortably allow you to cycle for fitness benefits such as toning and weight loss? Do you want a comfortable saddle that you can ride on for leisure for long hours? These questions along with the following key bike saddle factors will help you decide on your final choice:

• Weight: Bike saddles are designed for certain purposes where the weight of your body is shifted towards certain parts. The weight of the biker is not the only issue because the weight of the actual saddle is important too. If you want a bike this is less heavy, the saddle should be a lightweight one like they use on racing or some mountain bikes. These use TI rails as opposed to steel, which is much heavier. Steel rails work for most people who are not concerned about weight. Wide seats, on the other hand, have a lot of cushion and are the heaviest.

• Durability: Depending on where and how you cycle, you will want a saddle that is durable. Saddles are made of different materials such as leather, gel and so on. Leather is the lightest one but can easily scratch. Other types can survive scratches and other damages should the bike fall.

• Shape: Take into consideration your riding style when you want to determine the shape. If you are a fast rider, you want a saddle that is narrow because your body leans more forward and the weight is distributed to your hands and feet and the weight on the seat is reduced. If you paddle fast while riding, a narrow shape will not have bulky sides to interfere with your paddling. If you ride your bike for leisure and often in upright positions, most of your weight will be on your saddle. For this, you would need a bike seat that is wide with a lot of padding to support the body.

• Type: Bike saddles come in a variety of types and mountain bike saddles are lightweight and often come in narrow shapes with medium padding. Although these shapes look unbearable, they are actually designed for off road paths and harsh terrains so that the saddle will adjust to the rider’s body when moving around. Suspension seats are narrow but are meant for riders who do not want extra padding for the weight but want more emphasis on the seat. The suspension system is actually built underneath the seat. Wide seats are for cruising around and have more cushion for comfort. Other types include Cutaways, gel seats and classic leathers. For mountain bike saddles, you have the option of downhill and cross-country style riding. The basic concept is that the more upright you sit on your bike, usually for downhill styles, the wider the seat you need with cushion. If you ride with your weight shifted to the front, such as for cross-country styles, you want a narrow seat.

• Color: Color depends on preference and on the color of the bike. Most bike seats come in various colors to match the bike.

• Price: The range of prices for bike saddles varies from thirty dollars to a few hundred. You can choose a saddle depending on your budget and your needs.

As a mountain biker, you generally ride on paths that have challenging terrain where not only your bike experiences some rough ride, but your body as well. Your body moves around quite a bit in reaction to the movements from the terrain and has to adjust back on to the saddle. Aside from this general idea, everyone’s body composition is different which is why there is a variety of saddles to choose from. Your best bet is to go to a bike shop and test the different brands on your own.

Different Saddles for Different Rear Ends

Bikes seats are different for men and men; women need saddles that are wider and shorter, while men’s saddles are longer and narrower. Women can ride comfortably on men’s seats but it is a good idea to use a saddle made for your body type according to your gender. Women need bike saddles that have enough room at the top of the seat to accomadate their anatomy and both sexes benefit from an anatomical cutout down the center of the seat. Female specific saddles tend to be wider in the rear as female sit bones are typically wider than the average male as well.

.Most people, both men and women, find that the nose of the seat is what gives them problems such as numbness, soreness, and genitalia irritation and there are a number of seats out there that reduce this issue through modern styles and innovations. If you find that you are experiencing unbearable pains, you really should look into your options to find the seat that best fits your body and style in order to eliminate the discomfort. The last thing you want during your bike rides is excruciating pain and any future fertility problems.

Once you find a seat that fits you and your needs, make sure that it is adjusted correctly both horizontally and vertically. Your kneecaps should be directly above the axle of the pedals and the position of the seat should be aligned with the bike. This will give less tension in your joints, more comfort and better endurance. The right saddle for the right body combined with proper bike riding clothes will ensure a comfortable ride for any mountain biker.

If you are ready to search for your perfect saddle, check out our extensive selection of bicycle saddle reviews.