If you have ever been on a bike before – whether a stationary bike, a Spin bike, or even a mountain bike from your garage – you might notice that after a while, the seat can get a bit uncomfortable. This can happen regardless if you are a seasoned cyclist, or brand new to cycling, unfortunately!
While you might enjoy riding a bike for a plethora of reasons, being uncomfortable while you are on the bike is something that might be able to be fixed with some tweaks to the bike, and/or your riding position. That being said, you might have to play around with different options to see what works best for you!
Why Is The Seat Uncomfortable?
Before you make any changes though, let’s look at why it might be uncomfortable to sit on a bike. For one, the seats are typically small. Bodyweight must be dispersed over a somewhat tiny area, so riding (especially over an extended period) does not feel the best.
Another issue to think about is the seat itself – most of them are made with a harder material, so there’s no real “give” to it when you sit down.Together, these factors can make for quite an uncomfortable experience while riding – but it doesn’t have to be this way!
Let’s check out 3 ways that you can hopefully make your bike ride more comfortable!
Tips for Making Your Exercise Bike Seat Comfortable
One of the first things that cyclists do in regards to comfort levels on a bike is buying some cycling shorts. Yes, that’s right – a bike and a helmet are not the only two pieces of equipment you need before you hit the road. A high quality pair of cycling shorts can not only protect your inner thighs from rubbing together as you pedal, but some brands also have a bit of padding on the bottom – even a gel filled insert, so that you can have some cushion as you sit on the seat of your bike
These can be used while outdoors on a bike, as well as indoors on a stationary bike – or even in a Spin class!
Aside from cycling shorts, another tweak that you can make to your bike itself is to add a cover onto the seat. This fix would be similar to the shorts, except you’ll have the padding on the bike itself. There are several different types of seat covers on the market to choose from, and they vary in comfort and thickness.
One of the biggest things to keep in mind in regards to a cover for your bike seat is to make sure you get the right size….too small won’t fit, and too big will be sliding all over the place as you ride. Measure first, then go pick the seat cover that will work for your bike. Seat covers are relatively easy to take on and off but might be tricky if you’re using several different cycles with different seat sizes, so keep that in mind.
Lastly, another way to make your bike seat more comfortable is to change out the seat itself. This would most likely be the last resort, since it would require the most work (and cost more than the other two options).
Typically a bike seat, especially on a high-quality bike, is designed to fit with the main structure of the bike itself. However, if need be, you can take the factory seat off and replace it with one that is wider, skinner, softer, harder, etc. – whichever your preference is!
You might need to swing into your local bike shop to ensure proper installment and be certain the seat is a comfortable fit for you.
