The bicycle saddle is a component that has undergone a great transformation in recent years. New shapes and sizes have moved beyond high-level competition to make their way into the amateur field. The short saddle is a legacy of this whole movement. New options for cyclists have emerged, but they also bring some questions: Which saddle is the most suitable or comfortable? How do I know the correct height to set my bike saddle?
What advantages do anti-prostatic saddles offer?
Understanding the differences between a short saddle and a long one is important if you are looking for greater comfort on the bike. Here we offer you a comparison, so you can clearly see which one best suits your posture and the type of routes you ride.
The short saddle: characteristics and advantages
The trend of shortening the length of saddles, trimming the protruding front part or nose, started a decade ago in the world of triathlon and time trial bikes. The goal was to better accommodate the cyclist's pelvis and bring their position forward, closer to the handlebars, for a more aerodynamic and tucked-in ride. At the same time, brands like ISM, one of the pioneers in adopting this type of design, widened the rear part, the area supporting the sit bones, to compensate for the reduced support on the perineum. The sit bones are two bones located at the base of the pelvis that bear most of the cyclist's weight pressure. In practice, from the length of a conventional saddle (260 to 270 mm), models went down to 250, and even 240 mm.
Short saddles generally offer more ergonomic benefits than long-nosed ones. Let’s review some of them:
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More comfortable aerodynamic or aggressive posture. These saddles are recommended for competitive riders, whether in road cycling
, triathlon
, and even in the MTB
discipline of Cross Country
.
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Reduced pressure on the perineum. By moving the position forward, the perineum (the part of the pelvis located between the genitals and the anus) receives all the body's weight pressure against the saddle. Over the kilometers, this causes pain and numbness, given its proximity to the pudendal nerve. By reducing the size of the central and front part of the saddle, the pressure point is also reduced and shifted more to the rear pelvis or sit bones. An area further away from this nerve.
A short saddle will have a tip or nose that is 10 to 20 mm shorter (240 – 250 mm).
- Less chafing (for developed thighs). When the dimensions are compacted, the risk of thigh friction with the saddle is lower. This is especially true for cyclists with very developed thighs, generally rouleurs, time trial specialists, or track riders. They are the most loyal to the short saddle.
- Wider and more curved. Brands that manufacture short saddle models take the opportunity to widen the rear part, as it receives a significant portion of the pressure. Likewise, most are anti-prostatic, with a central channel that further relieves pressure on the perineum. Finally, the profile is usually not as straight as in a conventional model. It has a wavy shape that distributes pressure better, also relieving it from the central area.
- Saddle better adapted for women. The proliferation of short saddles is also beneficial for women, whose specific pelvic shape fits perfectly with this type of seat.
Long saddle: advantages and who it is for
Even with many points in its favor, the short saddle may not be the best choice for certain cyclists or disciplines. This means that the conventional design, with a longer nose, is still the majority option; especially in amateur cycling. Want to know why?
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Comfortable in upright positions. A long-nosed saddle is usually narrower and the support areas on the seat tend to move backward. This makes it the best option for riding a long time in a relaxed pedaling position, not so much for attacking.
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More practical for MTB. In this discipline, it is rare to ride seated and locked in for a long time. On the contrary, frequent position changes are needed to tackle slopes, make changes in pace, maintain balance, etc. For this reason, the biker needs a balanced saddle with different support areas, both at the front and rear. In addition, the greater width of a short saddle can be counterproductive on descents. The cyclist tends to move their body backward to compensate for the bike's inertia, which could increase the risk of catching their pants or baggies on this rear part.
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Less possibility of chafing. Related to the previous point, greater width is not always the most comfortable option. The cyclist's hip width must also be considered. A wide saddle for a cyclist with narrow hips could cause thigh chafing, discomfort, and inefficiency when riding.
- More economical saddle. The range of conventional saddles is broader. This means a greater variety of prices. A short saddle has specific ergonomics and a particular utility. These factors ultimately translate into a higher price.
Short or long saddle: factors to choose the right one
In short, several factors come into play when choosing the type or size of the saddle, which you should take into account. The first is your physique. The width of your sit bones is the basic measurement when it comes to finding the ideal saddle width for you. On the other hand, the degree of pelvic rotation (forward or backward) has a big influence, as it determines the length of the saddle. Greater pelvic rotation implies a more forward position, with more pressure on the central area.
The choice of one saddle size or another will depend on your physique, the number of hours spent sitting, your posture, and your cycling discipline.
Another decisive factor is the amount of time you spend sitting on the bike. Many hours riding seated will require choosing a more specific saddle or one with improved ergonomics. In this case, a short saddle will be the correct choice.
The posture you like to ride in also plays a role. If you like to sit towards the tip of the saddle, in attack mode, a short saddle will be the most comfortable option. On the other hand, if you tend to ride upright, more relaxed, a longer one will put less pressure on your pelvis. Finally, consider the type of routes and cycling discipline you practice. In general, short saddles are more associated with road cycling or XC. Long saddles are more common in Touring, Gravel
or more extreme MTB (Trail
, Enduro
, etc). The sum and balance of all these factors will make it easier to choose the ideal saddle for your bike.