Thursday, March 17, 2011

The Right Bicycle Seat For Men, Women And Kids

By Conan Hatch


Choosing the right bicycle seat for men, women or kids is just as important as choosing a handlebar, tires or bike frame. With the right choice, the rides will prove to be more enjoyable. So I have listed down five things that you can look for when choosing a bicycle seat. Is it worth following a list like this? Definitely yes. With some guidelines in place, you can confidently choose your right seat match.

1. Anatomy of the rider

The anatomy of the rider should have a huge effect on the kind of bicycle seat that is purchased. A woman would be more suited to a wide base and short length seat whilst a man would find a narrower base and longer length model more suited for his hip and pelvis area. The weight of a person would also have a bearing on the choice as a heavier person would find a narrow seat very uncomfortable.

2. Kind of Rider

Traditional bicycle seats have been the foundation of the bike seat world for many eons. They have changed slightly over decades as bicycle seat research have found this type of seat to be ideal for the pumping thighs and the hunched over posture of many bicycle riders. Changes to the traditional structure have been in the width, length and materials used. Recently, a hole has appeared in the middle of the seats to allow the groin area much needed relief. Unconventional models are slowly gaining support due to the medical research findings that there are some problems found with long distance riders. Unconventional models have done away with the nose area and focused on supporting the hip and pelvic bones.

3. Have A Budget For A Brand

There are traditional models that start from a wide base and flows into a more pointed end. These models have been the mainstay of bicycle seats for generations. They have also been changes such as a hollow in the middle which provides some relief for the groin area and the nose area has been modified to suit the different kinds of riders. Generally, casual riders would be matched to wider base and shorter length bike seats and serious competitive or long distance cyclists would be matched to shorter bases and longer lengths.

4. Base Your Choice On Whether You Are A Competitive Or A Casual Rider

I don't want to shock anyone but there are seats that run into hundreds of dollars. Of course, these are the high end models that are more suited for Tour De France. Bicycle seat development has come a long way and general prices amongst different brands reflect the research and funds that have been poured into their development. For everyday users, a huge variety is available online and in bicycle stores that carry affordable prices. It would be wise to choose a brand bicycle seat that is based in Europe or in the United States. The reason for this is that these countries have riders in regular International bike competitions and bike seat development is connected to these competitions.

5. Bicycle Model

Mountain bikes will have their own world of bicycle seats as do the BMX and competitive bikes. So the kind of bicycle you have will determine the basic seat that you should buy. A mismatch between the bicycle and the seat will be wasteful and a very uncomfortable ride. Choose a seat that complements your bicycle frame and the type of bicycling you intend to do.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment