Choosing the correct size when we buy a bicycle is something that we have completely internalized, knowing the importance that this entails later during use. But we cannot say the same about the saddle, a component that many consider secondary, and of which many are even unaware that it can be purchased in different widths.
Although we are not fully aware of it, when we practice cycling we are supporting the 60% with our weight on the saddle, which, added to its continuous use for hours, makes it absolutely essential to carefully select the one that best suits us.
Let's not fool ourselves; There is NO ideal saddle that suits everyone. That's an urban legend. The same model can be the favorite for some, and a real torture rack for others, for the simple reason that not all bodies are the same. That is where our physiognomy, use and posture when pedaling will give us enough information to make our choice.
The width of the saddles
Using a saddle that is too narrow can cause excessive pressure in the perineal area, with the consequent cut off of blood flow. But one that is too wide will cause friction that will make our pedaling much more uncomfortable and inefficient. Solution? Determine our ideal width.
The main reason for making our choice will be marked by our sit bone width, although we should not leave aside other factors such as the type of use we give to the saddle (road, mtb, triathlon...), and the posture we usually adopt when we ride. by bike.
What are the ischiums?
The ischium bones are located in the lower part of the hip, and are responsible for supporting our body when we are sitting, in addition to being united with the ilium and the pubis to create the hip assembly.
The latter is very prone to damage and injuries, so it is vital to ensure that the support of the sit bones is perfect, especially in those cyclists who perform training sessions of many kilometers.
How are the sit bones measured?
Although a biomechanical technician is the best option to know what your sit bone width is, we are going to teach you a homemade, but quite precise, method that we can carry out at home with materials that we can all have on hand.
We need the following:
· A piece of corrugated cardboard (the one with the central layer corrugated)
· White chalk
· Pen or pencil
· A rule
With all this, we proceed as follows:
1. Ideally, we should do the test wearing cycling tights, which are a very thin material, and will undoubtedly help the marks on our sit bones to be better reflected on the cardboard.
2. We place the piece of cardboard on a chair or stool, taking into account that it is a completely flat and hard surface.
3. Sit on the piece of cardboard, keep your back straight, and lift your toes. Hold this posture for at least a couple of minutes.
4. Color the cardboard with white chalk. With this you will already perceive the two marks that will have been left when supporting the sit bones.
5. Draw a dot in the central area of each of the two marks. Finally, measure the distance between both points. With the result obtained, go to the table below to find out what your ideal saddle width is.
