How to Sit On Bike Saddle? Tips for All Mountain Bikes & Road Racing Bikes

When I try to discuss specifically how to sit on bike saddle with the novice squad, they instantly open their mouths in exasperation and say, is that a question?

All of us think that we know how to hop on a bicycle, where to put our hands and leg position, etc. Well, actually, we don’t!

“Bike saddle position bike type-wise, the terrain you will pass, and your physique.”

Why is Bike Saddle Position Imperative to Determine?

If you are not sitting on a bike properly, please note I am not talking about just settling on the saddle but “the Proper Sitting position” that professional bikers use; without this, a bike cannot do apt riding and showcase accurate skills.

If not, then you will:

1. End up with an aching body, especially pain in the whole back
2. Among men, erectile dysfunction
3. Genital numbness
4. Get tired too easily and too quickly
5. Not be able to complete your riding spell
6. Won’t enjoy biking
7. Cannot learn, utilize, and showcase proper skills
8. Low rate of falls and mishaps
9. Comfortable riding
10. There is a low chance of bike damage

There can be plenty of more technical reasons and benefits. But let’s call it a day and move to your requested query about how to sit on bike saddle.

How to Sit On Bike Saddle?

Sitting on the bike is a complete method and mandatory to make biking fun. After all, biking shouldn’t be a painful activity.

Here is what you need to do to sit properly on bike saddle:

1. Saddle Compatible with Your Physique

Having a proper saddle is the first thing to do when learning a proper seating position on the bike. Everyone has different anatomy, and abdomen shapes and sizes vary.

No guide can tell you about the compatibility of the saddle; you will have to judge it by sitting, testing, and taking rides. However, on a rough note:

• While sitting, check the comfort level of your sit bones or ischial tuberosity.
• Ensure the seat isn’t too narrow, or it can damage the blood flow toward the crotch and bring health-related complications.
• The position of your seat should be flat and just slightly domed. Otherwise, it can cause problems for your sit bones, contributing to crotch pressure.
• Do not go with thick padding; it can contribute to crotch pressure
• In the latest saddles, you find different patterns and designs in the seats, such as with holes, gel pads, or wedge-shaped cutouts (choose as per your comfortability)

2. ‘Sit Bones’ Be Supported By the Seat

Here, I would say that you do not try to adjust with the wrongly positioned or selected saddle because no matter what, in the end, you will have to bear the consequences unless you change it.

Therefore, when sitting on the saddle, check how densely and comfortably your sit bones reside on it. You can sit on a low stool or curb to have an idea.

Check the seat where it supports your weight without adding pressure to the genital areas.

3. Stay Comfortable On Longer Journeys

Think about it: when you take a pew somewhere for a bit longer, your body needs to change position because of the pressure built in the inside tissues. The same goes for how to sit on bike saddle properly.

You shouldn’t sit strictly for too long in one position on a more extended expedition. Keep shifting your weight occasionally to keep all the soft tissues and bones relaxed on the way.

4. Standing Riding On Hills

During mountain biking, the most apparent technique I and other practiced bikers use is standing riding. Let me explain its importance to you.

When you ride through the cliffs, your body jumps and bears jolts on the way. With this, it is obvious that the crotch will hit the saddle if you keep sitting.

Therefore, whenever you have to take off a jump, standing upright while riding is what you need to do, for help, you can add pegs to your mountain bike.

5. Ride In Higher Gear on Flat Terrain

Riding on flat roads is also not that simple. You have to put enough force to move the pedals and go at a swift rate. On a lower gear, your body will have to impose too much pressure.

With this, pressure on the ischial tuberosity will also increase to end you with an aching, painful, and sore back. If you ride in higher gear on flat roads, you can understand better how to sit on bike saddle properly.

6. Stand and Pedal For 30 Seconds Every 15 Minutes

Standing riding is not important in mountain biking but in road biking, too. The reason is the same: sitting for too long can cause pressure in your lower body.

Therefore, to release the pressure and bring the body into a comfortable position, try standing ride for 30 seconds every 15 minutes. If you are a pro at it, you can increase the standing riding span.

7. Be Careful About the Tendency to Bend Forward

We bent forward when it comes to putting too much pressure on the pedals while riding, whether during racing or while riding adventurously on the cliffs. But, you have to be mindful of the bending tendency.

A too much or too little bend can disturb your proper bike saddle position. It can result in falls, worn-out energy, aching in the muscles, and much more. The tip is to create a balance at this time.

Where Should I Sit On My Bike Saddle?

Suppose you ask specifically for a singular step, tip, or digit. In that case, I am afraid I cannot provide you with that because every person has a different body from the other, and the saddle position varies based on your sit bones.

You must take test rides by setting your bike size, saddle height, handlebar spot, and locus of your Bike’s pedals. I can hint that bike seat position varies on the road you are about to take.

When determining how to sit on bike saddle, the biggest mistake novice bikers make is they only look for a seat padded with foam, which is totally wrong.

It varies even gender-wise. For example, in my guide, can men ride women’s bikes? I have discussed the difference in the bike seat anatomy and position for men and women. (I have linked the guide; you can click and check).

As muscles of women’s pelvic area are more detailed and broader than men’s, the seats in women-only bikes come with significant width.  Therefore, you will have to determine yourself by testing.

How to Position Bike Seat?

This varies, and I cannot give you a to-the-point answer to your query. But, for help, I can suggest tips on how to sit on bike saddle while determining the position.

• The first thing that will play its part is the saddle height. It shouldn’t be too high, far from the handlebars, or too low.
• Test the tilt and fore/aft location on different levels to determine the accurate figures.
• Also, make sure your bike is apt to your size and isn’t too big. (For your help, I have prepared a complete guide on signs and helps regarding bike that isn’t your size; Signs your mountain bike is too big; you can read it for more information.)
• Test different sitting levels by riding to some extent. This is the key to successfully finding how to position bike seat.

Proper Bike Saddle Position

For proper saddle position, the location of your different bike gear matters, especially handlebars and pedals. Therefore, you may have to reposition everything for the correction and appropriate setting.

• Find knee length

For this, stand your bike upright against a wall. Take the seat height to its maximum level, open it as much as possible, and sit on it.

Now try stroking the pedals and check how much your knee gets bent when you do so. Your ideal position is where your knee bends a little. The place where your knee bends too much is incorrect, as it can wear you out too quickly.

• Handlebars

Handlebars come in different sizes and can be chosen according to height and arm length. The proper position of your handlebar is when your elbows are slightly bent.

It will help your arms absorb the shock and not jolt your neck or shoulder while riding on bumpy roads. Besides, these should be an optimum length for your body so you don’t struggle to reach them.

Bottom Line

This guide ends here. I hope you have learned all the details (major and minor) regarding how to position bike seat and the proper bike saddle position.

But, as always, if you have queries or questions about anything related to bikes, please go through my easy-to-read and most effortless-to-understand bike guides here. You can also comment on your queries below.