Is a hard bicycle saddle better?

Take a look at saddles usually installed on bicycles for long distance rides and you will know that for a comfortable ride, a wider plushy saddle is the better choice.

Manufacturers tend to provide saddles that are smaller and less padded in order to reduce the weight of bicycles.

This is why customers who have just started cycling tend to change the original saddles installed on the bicycles they purchased. As it will take about three months for the gluteal muscles at the buttocks to develop, saddles that are padded or larger in size provide them some relieve from the aches they have to endure when they started cycling.

Cyclists with pronounced posterior tend to choose the most padded saddles they could find in the shop.

Some may feel embarrassed about being seen with a larger saddle installed and will opt for padded foam or gel saddle covers.

Some may also opt to wear padded cyclist shorts.

There are many type of saddles in the market. Some brands supply them in different shapes and sizes for male and female cyclists. The ones for female riders tend to have shorter nose which can be uncomfortable for some male riders. Female riders tend to have wider hips which can make it uncomfortable for them to sit on saddles for male riders which tend to be narrower.

If you prefer hard saddle, the one you should consider getting should be made of leather. It is more expensive but as you sit on it over a period of time, the leather will conform to the shape of your butt to give you a more comfortable ride.

Just make sure that you install it correctly on the seat post as that can also affect the comfort of your ride.