Choosing the correct bicycle saddle is an important step when looking for the perfect bike. One needs to remember that the seat carries the burden of the bike - namely the rider and more than 50% of his or her weight. Not only do they need to be comfortable, but they also need to wear well. It needs to made of a good material so if the bike falls to the ground, marks are not made or it does not deteriorate from the friction of sitting on it for a long ride. It is a good idea to test bicycle saddles before committing to one and here are a few things to consider when looking to purchase:

PADDING

There are a couple of types of padding that are most commonly used on bike seats - polymer gels and urethane foam. Both are typically molded on the seat however each model of seat has different thicknesses and density depending the seat model. Sometimes both types of padding are used on one seat trying to add different textures to different pressure points, however more padding does not necessarily mean that it will be more comfortable. The purpose of padding is to disperse one's weight over the entire seat and sometimes thicker padding can move get lumpy in spots and can actually be more uncomfortable. If one prefers, there are still flyweight saddles that are made without padding.

SHELL DESIGN

The shell of a bike saddle can be made of a few different materials, depending on the flexibility required of the seat. Most saddles are made of plastic which is injection-molded, and typically made of nylon. These seats are usually the least flexible and heaviest so carbon fiber is added to create a lighter and more malleable. There are even a few types of saddles which are made entirely of carbon and are quite light and flexible. In order to make the saddle more comfortable and adjustable, manufacturers have added slots or holes in the nose of the seat which can disperse pressure away from softer tissues. According to Andy Pruitt, Ed. D. of the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine in Colorado, seats with a hole in the nose are more comfortable for approximately 80% of riders, though solid saddles are still preferred by some. If one wants an option other than a carbon or plastic shell,there are a few manufacturers that still use leather which is riveted to the rails.

RAILS

Titanium is the material of choice for today's saddle rails and is found typically on higher-end bicycles. Previously, rails were made cheaply using carbon steel that had been chrome plated, but this made the seat and bike unnecessarily heavy. Another common material is lighter, though strong steels such as chrome-moly, which is usually fashioned in a hollow tubular shape, keeping the bike light. Some more expensive seats have rails made of carbon fiber, but because they can be more easily damaged than steel, they are often wrapped in aluminum. There are still a few companies that have a dedicated seat with a beam system or monorail.

SHAPE

The shape of a seat is perhaps the most important aspect when choosing the perfect saddle. If the seat is too narrow, it will feel like there is not enough support. If it is too wide, however, it will often rub and end up chaffing. For women, a wider seat is typically more comfortable since the sit bones - ischial tuberosities to be technical - are wider than those of males. Since each rider is different some specialty shops have seats that come with special pads which measure the width of the sit bones to make it easier to choose the seat. Some seats are also curved and are rounded while others have squarer sides and a flatter top. There are also seats made for different bicycling purposes. A saddle made for off-roading, for instance is thicker over the whole seat while a seat made for a triathlon as more padding in the front of the nose to help the cyclist sit forward.

COVERING

The covering can vary greatly on bicycle saddles. They can be made from materials such as plastic, fabric, leather or even Kevlar on more expensive seats and can come in many different and personalized colors, though typically black fades and wears the least. In order to keep the rider from sliding around, some seat coverings have tiny holes to add friction. Saddles made for off-roading are usually made with durable materials and reinforced corners since they are heavily used.