SITTING PRETTY?

Saddle discomfort is a sure-fire way to ruin your ride. We speak to the bike fitting experts to find out the secret to pain free cycling

- Nicola Smith

Cyclists love nothing more than to geek out with each other about anything to do with their sport. Well, almost anything. Saddle discomfort - and its associated problems might give even the most evangelical rider pause in sharing. As Tammy Corney, owner of Cognition Bike Fit and a British Cycling coach, says: "Asking a retail assistant for saddle suggestions because you have big blisters on your labia, are recovering from recent prostate surgery or experiencing erectile disfunction is embarrassing."

Despite appearances, saddles are a very complex and important bike component and should not be overlooked. And while a bike saddle will never feel like sitting on an armchair, you shouldn't experience pain. As Matt Hallam, sports scientist and owner of bike fit specialist Crimson Performance says: "If cyclists are wanting to get off the bike at any point in a ride because their saddle is uncomfortable, that's a red flag to have a bike fit. Discomfort can be a multitude of things, whether numbness, saddle sores or too much pressure on the sit bones, for example. Everyone will have a different view of what saddle comfort might feel like."