Don't Change Your Bike Seat! | Last Resort for Saddle Comfort?

Don't Change Your Bike Seat! | Last Resort for Saddle Comfort?

If you struggle with saddle discomfort like a lot of people you might not want to swap that saddle out first thing. There are other things to do first that will make sure you have a comfortable tush in the long run….

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43 Comments

  1. Antti Hakkarainen on July 6, 2019 at 11:47 pm

    Alternatively – when changing the stem you should also consider the handlebar and it’s reach! Too often the stem is changed even though a bit too long reach could be solved with a different handlebar which will not affect the ride behaviour as much as stem length.



  2. sarethums on July 6, 2019 at 11:47 pm

    I got a new saddle as my previous one was the wrong size and was spent, sagging etc but my new saddle has been on for 3 weeks now and is still very sore. Is this normal?



  3. James Murphy on July 6, 2019 at 11:49 pm

    Thanks



  4. Sylvain Beauchamp on July 6, 2019 at 11:51 pm

    can you tell me what did you think about carbon saddle??



  5. Fark on July 6, 2019 at 11:53 pm

    And wow you got a big lebowski poster, I’m even more of a fan now.



  6. Skooteh on July 6, 2019 at 11:54 pm

    I’m pretty sure this isn’t your demographic but what should I say to my peers/parents who think that riding on the softest possible couch cushion would be best? Also what about the super upright geometry of grocery getter commuter bikes? I know I really don’t like them but when would they be worthwhile for someone?



  7. John Keiffer on July 6, 2019 at 11:55 pm

    How do you know if your hips/pelvic are back and stable?



  8. DFTA (Don't Feed The Animals) on July 6, 2019 at 11:56 pm

    Good video! I like the detailed explanation. I find I like all my bicycles to be slightly different, mostly depending on their purpose, but also the variety is a good thing so one part doesn’t get too sore.



  9. TheJoePavlik on July 6, 2019 at 11:57 pm

    Why not just move the saddle forward instead of shortening the stem? what would the difference be?



  10. Joseph Lorentzen on July 6, 2019 at 11:57 pm

    But as an old man, my doctor recommended a saddle change.



  11. Jack Zwick on July 6, 2019 at 11:57 pm

    how much rise is on that stem you have there on that bike?



  12. Bob Foster on July 7, 2019 at 12:02 am

    Solved all 3 problems. Still kops?



  13. tom8181 on July 7, 2019 at 12:02 am

    no thanks I’m optin fer a new Yosemite seat from cloud 9



  14. vic tor on July 7, 2019 at 12:03 am

    This is it! I wrote a comment under one of your videos where i was very sad about my comfort on fizik arione – numb perineum. And i’v tryed another thing trying to reduce the reach by rotating my seat post offset forward and moving my seat all way forward, yes it is wrong method because nose of the saddle is about 1-2cm in front of bottombracket, and my knee to pedal axis relation is too in front. BUT or BUTT? I must say that discomfort is disapeared, saddle that was painful to me started to be just right! This was just an experiment and i think swap it backwards a bit. BUT im very confused with my biggest problem – extra long legs and short torso. I’v found that every person who is comfort on a road bike has greate ape index – short legs, long torso, i;m on oposite side my heigh is 186 and inseam is 92cm. im confused which frame size should i ride my curent bike is 55cm ETT 120stem 9cm reach of bars. What frame size do i need to buy? all modern frames when having a longer HT having a longer TT and i need a short one. I also dont wana go on stems that shorter than 120mm. PLEASE make one of your videos for people who having problem of LONG legs and short torso. MUCH THANKS!



  15. Anthony Duncalf on July 7, 2019 at 12:03 am

    I reckon I’ve got one sit bone longer than the other. I always get pain in my right sit bone on the bike. I’ve tried different saddles and tried turning the saddle slightly off centre .When i sit on my hands i can feel the right sit bone more than the left.



  16. Not a fan on July 7, 2019 at 12:03 am

    Thanks for this video, it’s again very enlightening. For both a friend and I have a problem with our hands going numb on our new e-bikes, and I’m beginning to suspect that might be simply because we don’t put as much pressure on the pedals as we used to do before we had a motor doing some of the work for us. You have any ideas for that (apart from getting fitter and pedalling harder?? My friend has a city bike and sits in an upright position, I a trekking bike with a 45-degrees forward position, we both don’t ride for sport but to get where we want to go.



  17. panzerveps on July 7, 2019 at 12:05 am

    My road bike has had the same setup since I bought it, except for the handlebar which I dropped a bit before last year’s season.
    After 15+ months and 10k+ km without a single comfort issue, the fingers on my left hand are getting numb after a few kilometers of riding..
    Does anyone have a clue?



  18. The Snookman on July 7, 2019 at 12:07 am

    I wish Home Depot had a fitting service for their higher end toilets. I sit on the Throne longer than most cyclists. ๐Ÿ˜‰



  19. Shaun Blackstock on July 7, 2019 at 12:08 am

    Great post….In my experience,when making small positioning changes…saddle height, fore-aft,handlebar reach,cleat placement,etc….The rider should give him/herself a couple of rides,maybe weeks to get used to the new correct fit;smaller muscle groups are getting used to the new set-up, muscle "memory" from the previous set-up should be accounted for…I am not a bike fitter but a mechanic,however,when I notice that the rider is going through some minor discomfort on getting used to their new,correct positioning,I gently tell them to trust their bike fitter…



  20. Andrew Lee on July 7, 2019 at 12:09 am

    Or, sometimes, some saddles are just ass hatchets.



  21. DJDOKU on July 7, 2019 at 12:11 am

    Hopefully my sore ass goes away



  22. Life with the R family on July 7, 2019 at 12:11 am

    Iโ€™m having a lot of discomfort on my Peloton indoor cycle. I think I might be leaning forward too much cause my crotch is killing me! The seat is as far forward as I can make it. Maybe raising handle bars would help



  23. Grandma Granny on July 7, 2019 at 12:12 am

    Iโ€™m only trying to look up how to get my bike seat comfy my butt hurts Iโ€™m 12 and my bike seat is so uncomfortable so I might just leave this uh video and find another cause like I donโ€™t know how to do all this so uh bye bye



  24. Fark on July 7, 2019 at 12:13 am

    What do you think of ISM saddles for someone who want to avoid a perineal point of contact?



  25. Onenation on July 7, 2019 at 12:15 am

    I admit I learn something after being sceptical at the start!!! However, I would advise anyone to invest some money in a decent saddle rather than buy expensive cycling clothes to look good!



  26. Steven Wade on July 7, 2019 at 12:16 am

    What causes you to change a saddle on the first go around? I’ve had a basic bike fit and my problem is saddle discomfort, bu I go numb in about 10-15 minutes. I have no idea if that has to do with being on a trainer, or the fit, or the saddle.



  27. ShootAirsoftVideos on July 7, 2019 at 12:19 am

    The detail explanation really help out. I just started road riding nothing to insane. But I been thinking about how I been sitting as of late. Great video



  28. Jeffrey Fritts on July 7, 2019 at 12:20 am

    Here we go again with sage advice from our bike fit hero, John. I have been SUFFERING from numb perineal problems for what seems like ages on all of my different bikes with different saddles. Proper weight distribution may be the answer to my numb nuts. Can I get a package deal if I bring all three of my bikes for a fit?



  29. HydeMyJekyll on July 7, 2019 at 12:22 am

    What software do you use that lets you measure the angles of the foot/ankle, knee, hips, etc…? I’m trying to self-adjust my bike to get more familiar with what each adjustment actually produces as a result, and I’d like to be able to use video analysis to measure angles and alignments. I’ve got a good camera setup for my trainer now I just need a good way to quickly analyze the footage. Any help would be appreciated!



  30. Jody Hodge on July 7, 2019 at 12:22 am

    This sounds like the problem I am having. Just getting back into cycling after 20yrs. Having some hip discomfort and moving around in the saddle to find that sweet spot. On a hybrid given to me but don’t think I can change anything on the stem…



  31. PandawdyBob on July 7, 2019 at 12:23 am

    I have a Specialized Roll.. it’s a great bike, and it’s a great saddle. But still, it’s so painful. I’m a big guy trying to lose weight. Definately need to do something to make it more comfortable.



  32. Peter Owens on July 7, 2019 at 12:24 am

    Good deal of talking, many near useless animated diagrams, but little of any practical application. I have no clue what conclusions to draw on what was said related to the side views of riders in action. As for sitting on the wider section of saddle – well who would have guessed – Duh



  33. Jack Zwick on July 7, 2019 at 12:26 am

    how short of a stem can i go on a road bike? currently mine is a 90 mm. what kind of stem is on that bike ?



  34. Eric on July 7, 2019 at 12:31 am

    Riding posture comes into play also, when you try to flatten your back and drop your arms you naturally move back on the saddle.



  35. cunning wolf on July 7, 2019 at 12:32 am

    he talks like a doctor



  36. traineecanuck on July 7, 2019 at 12:35 am

    I think you may have just nailed why I have been having issues with saddles for so long. Are you likely to do a video on handlebar reach? I currently have my saddle slammed right forward, which I know is not ideal, but has been the best compromise so far. But I need to take my bike in and look at the stem length. Thanks for the great videos!



  37. App Man on July 7, 2019 at 12:35 am

    He really knows his stuff. Before I spend $5k, I want my bike fitter to watch these videos…



  38. shinnam on July 7, 2019 at 12:36 am

    Thanks for the information. The pelvic skeleton was a very good visual. Can you give advice more specific for a commuter bike? i.e city or comfort bike with more up right sitting position for city ridding



  39. Kirk Thorpe on July 7, 2019 at 12:39 am

    awesome info thank you! i ride mtb, but it seems like these same concepts will transfer. i was convinced i needed a new saddle but ill try some adjustments first!



  40. Analyst1946 on July 7, 2019 at 12:41 am

    He is absolutely correct-



  41. Jose Montano on July 7, 2019 at 12:42 am

    Thanks for this excellent video I shortened my stem and now I can ride all day.



  42. ืื•ื”ื“ ื•ืจื“ื™ on July 7, 2019 at 12:43 am


  43. budes matpicu on July 7, 2019 at 12:43 am

    That weight distribution has really some effect – I experienced quite some wrist fatigue and stiff neck on my MTB when doing longer road rides (on thin tires) … and what helped was pushing the saddle back as much as possible, while also levelling it up (had slight tilt in mountain setup)