Saddle Anatomy
We've heard it for years, "Saddle pain is a part of cycling”, “it’s something you'll just need to get used to". We feel the marriage between the anatomical shape of the body and the shape of the saddle has always been out of alignment. The following overview will help describe our thoughts.
Let's start with the male anatomy in relation to the Bike Saddle. The two most prominent features when sitting on a bike saddle are the Ischial Tuberosity (Sit Bones), and the Perineum or Perineal Area. Note, the perineum is actually the base of the penis, going through the Inferior Ramus into the body cavity.
Although we won’t go into it here, the perineum or perineal area is made up a number of nerves, veins and muscles. In short, it’s the area that never seemed quite right about the bicycle saddle. Ever felt numbness, or a loss of blood to your soft tissue area after a ride? Compression and bad saddle design is the main culprit.
We've heard it for years, "Saddle pain is a part of cycling”, “it’s something you'll just need to get used to". We feel the marriage between the anatomical shape of the body and the shape of the saddle has always been out of alignment. The following overview will help describe our thoughts.
Let's start with the male anatomy in relation to the Bike Saddle. The two most prominent features when sitting on a bike saddle are the Ischial Tuberosity (Sit Bones), and the Perineum or Perineal Area. Note, the perineum is actually the base of the penis, going through the Inferior Ramus into the body cavity.
Although we won’t go into it here, the perineum or perineal area is made up a number of nerves, veins and muscles. In short, it’s the area that never seemed quite right about the bicycle saddle. Ever felt numbness, or a loss of blood to your soft tissue area after a ride? Compression and bad saddle design is the main culprit.
Traditional Saddle
Now lets view a traditional saddle (side view), feel free to view your saddle.
Is the shape is relatively flat? Maybe some undulation, but usually less than a few millimeters. Nowhere close to the size of the Perinuem. As noted earlier, when a cyclist sits on a traditional flat saddle, the Perineal Area is compressed. See the diagram to the right. There's simply no were for the soft tissue to go when sitting in this more exaggerated aero position. The compression causes pain, numbness, sensitivity, loss of blood flow etc.
Now lets view a traditional saddle (side view), feel free to view your saddle.
Is the shape is relatively flat? Maybe some undulation, but usually less than a few millimeters. Nowhere close to the size of the Perinuem. As noted earlier, when a cyclist sits on a traditional flat saddle, the Perineal Area is compressed. See the diagram to the right. There's simply no were for the soft tissue to go when sitting in this more exaggerated aero position. The compression causes pain, numbness, sensitivity, loss of blood flow etc.
3 West Design Saddle
Now lets look at our saddle from the same side view, in the same if not more exaggerated aero position. The first major difference you recognize is the 3/4" drop. It's a real drop, not a few millimeters. It allows the Perineum to keep it's natural shape.
Now lets look at our saddle from the same side view, in the same if not more exaggerated aero position. The first major difference you recognize is the 3/4" drop. It's a real drop, not a few millimeters. It allows the Perineum to keep it's natural shape.
Top View & Saddle Fitting
Now from a Top View. Note the mid-saddle "V" shaped cut out. It's important to note the v-shape mimics the actual shape of the male perineum. It's a huge key to the saddle and it also aids during the "Saddle Fitting" process. You fit into the V-cut. A saddle fitter will place your ideal position in this V-cut. So you'll always know where the ideal spot is on the saddle.
Now from a Top View. Note the mid-saddle "V" shaped cut out. It's important to note the v-shape mimics the actual shape of the male perineum. It's a huge key to the saddle and it also aids during the "Saddle Fitting" process. You fit into the V-cut. A saddle fitter will place your ideal position in this V-cut. So you'll always know where the ideal spot is on the saddle.
The Active Surface
Your soft tissue engages the 'Active Surface', when the Sit Bones engage. A fully adjustable layer of air acting as a pillow for your Soft Tissue. Unlike 'no nose' saddles, the design offers support. We believe support is key to maintaining blood-flow to the soft tissue area. The Active Surface is a game changing attribute and the key to our saddle.
Your soft tissue engages the 'Active Surface', when the Sit Bones engage. A fully adjustable layer of air acting as a pillow for your Soft Tissue. Unlike 'no nose' saddles, the design offers support. We believe support is key to maintaining blood-flow to the soft tissue area. The Active Surface is a game changing attribute and the key to our saddle.
It's estimated that 35-60% of your weight can rest on the saddle. For new riders, or at the start of a season, the sit bones can be somewhat painful. That's completely normal. While the sit bones are engaged every day, your legs and buttocks displace much of your resting weight. On a bicycle, the legs play no part and the buttocks a much smaller role in displacing your weight. Note, how the x-ray captures the sit bones, and how saddle contact goes to the 'Pubic Symphysis'. Regardless of the style of the saddle the weight must rest somewhere, which is why we'll next explain the differences of a traditional flat saddle, a split nose saddle and ours.