Finding the correct saddle is key to comfort on the bike, and people have been known to give up cycling completely, even from a high level of performance, because saddle pain has become intolerable. Even with a correct bike fit, saddle comfort can be very dependent on individual physiology, so a recommendation from another rider or a magazine doesn’t always help. You may be lucky with the saddle your bike came with, or one you bought because it looked right, but equally you may be suffering with rubbing or chafing in places where you really don’t want this! Getting your bike fit right should help, but if your saddle is the wrong shape for your body, this will always limit comfort.
Our saddle test service gives you the opportunity to try saddles out, both during the bike fit and (assuming they are promising) for a few weeks afterwards, to help with finding a saddle shape that works for you. Test saddles are swapped onto your bike for a brief trial, and suitable candidates are then set up for further testing at home.
Our current test saddle stock is (as shown in the picture):
Comparison of Romin (T-shaped) and Power (V-shaped) saddles
Specialized Power Expert (143mm and 155mm widths). A popular saddle for moderately aggressive to aggressive positions. Well-liked by female riders with a cutout and a downward sloping nose.
Specialized Power Expert with MIMIC (143 and 155mm widths). ‘Filled-in’ cutout version of the Power Expert, designed to reduce pressure on soft tissue for those that find a full cutout uncomfortable.
Specialized Romin (143). A ‘T-shaped’ saddle useful for those who find saddles with wider 'wings' (like the 'V-shaped' Specialized Power) give thigh chafing (shown in comparison picture).
Specialized Sitero (130 and 155mm widths). Saddle for aerodynamic time trial positions, with a wide cut-out channel.
Prologo Scratch EVA. Specially designed for women, this saddle has a ‘filled-in’ cutout and variable density foam.
Selle Italia Diva Gel Superflow (not shown in picture). A comfort-orientated female-specific saddle with plusher padding and a long and wide cutout.
Fizik Vento Argo R3. Short-nosed saddle with a wide cutout.
Fizik Kurve. A now discontinued saddle with a conventional semi-curved shape and no cutout.
Fizik Mistica timetrial/triathlon saddle. Noseless design with a cutout, and gripper fabric on the main saddle which helps you to stay in position.
ISM PN 1.0. An unusually-shaped saddle designed to be positioned entirely behind your sit-bones. Some find these saddles an ideal solution for aggressive road bike positions, and especially for timetrial/triathlon bikes. They are very much a ‘marmite’ saddle though, and require a specific setup and testing.
Charge Spoon. A popular, low-cost all rounder saddle used for offroad and road riding by both women and men.
If there is a particular saddle you would like to test that we don’t currently stock, let us know and we will consider adding it to our stock.
Saddle test service
Saddles are tested in the bike fit studio, to get an initial feel for comfort in comparison with your existing saddle
Potential saddle candidates are set up for your bike, then rented out for a 4-week test period
If the test is successful, you keep the saddle
If the test is not successful, return the saddle and your deposit is refunded
£40 for in-studio testing service
£20 + saddle cost deposit (per saddle, per 4 weeks) for home testing
