The cycling industry is a constant hub of innovation. Brands and manufacturers of mountain bikes and road bikes invest every year in the development of new materials, designs, and technologies to improve cyclists' performance and comfort.
Innovations that are transforming cycling
One of the latest advances in this field comes from Specialized, which has filed a patent application with the United States Patent Office to register a smart saddle with automatic tilt adjustment based on the type of riding.
In mountain biking, saddle height is a key factor not only for the rider's comfort, but also to improve pedaling efficiency and power. On demanding climbs, such as on technical trails or enduro routes, it is advisable to raise the saddle to optimize traction. On technical descents, on the other hand, lowering the saddle provides better bike control.
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The dropper seatposts have been a major breakthrough in this regard, as they allow the saddle height to be changed automatically while pedaling. Now, with this new technology from Specialized, an additional functionality is introduced: the ability to adjust the saddle angle in real time. Tilting the saddle forward in the raised position can improve climbing efficiency, while tilting it backward on descents allows for a more stable and safer posture.
This type of innovation will not only benefit mountain bikers, but could also be applied to road bikes, optimizing aerodynamics and comfort on long rides. In endurance or time trial events, a dynamic saddle adjustment could make a difference in terms of performance and ergonomics.
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Will we see these self-adjusting saddles on upcoming models of mountain bikes and road bikes from Specialized? Without a doubt, the future of cycling continues to move toward greater customization and efficiency with every pedal stroke.