What's the best bike saddle—and are expensive 3D-printed saddles actually worth the money?

Choosing a cycling saddle can be incredibly confusing. Width, shape, padding, cutouts, short noses, traditional foam, 3D-printed lattices—and prices ranging from under $100 to more than $400. So instead of simply reviewing a handful of saddles, we brought in someone who works with them every day.

Professional bike fitter Eric Peters joins us again to explain what cyclists should actually look for when choosing a saddle, why some riders struggle with saddle discomfort, and whether today's premium 3D-printed saddles actually provide meaningful benefits over traditional designs.

We also put him on the spot to rank some of the best cycling saddles available today.

We cover:

• What actually makes a bike saddle comfortable
• How to choose the correct saddle width and shape
• Short-nose vs. traditional saddles
• Saddle cutouts and pressure relief
• Why more padding isn't necessarily better
• How bike fit affects saddle comfort
• How 3D-printed bike saddles actually work
• Pros and cons of 3D-printed saddles
• Whether a $300–$400 saddle is worth it
• Common saddle-buying mistakes
• The best saddles for different types of cyclists
• Our bike-fit follow-up and what our fitter has learned
• Plus a ridiculous round of Bike Fitter Would You Rather

If you've been dealing with saddle discomfort, numbness, pressure—or you're considering spending hundreds of dollars on a new saddle—this episode should help you understand what actually matters before you buy.

Chapters:

00:04:03 - Components of a Saddle
00:16:45 - Carbon vs. Metal Rails
00:32:42 - Saddle Sores
00:41:15 - Women's Saddles
00:48:54 - Ranking the Best Saddles
00:58:07 - Bike Fit Follow-Up

Follow us: 

Rss Apple Podcaster
Podden och tillhörande omslagsbild på den här sidan tillhör Josh Montgomery & Greg Tieke. Innehållet i podden är skapat av Josh Montgomery & Greg Tieke och inte av, eller tillsammans med, Poddtoppen.