Womens Saddle
Research Project
Introduction
GLORIA LIU recently published a magnificent article on Bicycling.com titled “Cycling’s Silent Epidemic” . This excerpt alone will hopefully explain the entire rationale for the project.
In 2023, Bicycling conducted its own survey. The results were startling: Nearly 50 percent of the female respondents told us they had long-term genital swelling or disfigurement, while 16 percent experienced ongoing numbness. Twelve of the 89 respondents—all amateurs but one—said their issues were serious enough to consider or undergo surgery. Women shared that they often rode in pain, cut rides short, or had to take long breaks from the bike.
If you haven’t read the article then please do. A huge step forward would be just promoting this article virally. It’s fantastic and exactly what we need to see more of. So why are we doing this project? Many women are finding well-marketed women-specific saddles just aren’t working for them and they are left lost thinking it must just be them. So we need to figure out why they aren’t working, what needs to change and how we spread the information and overcome the bike companies’ marketing departments who let’s be honest, want to make everyone believe that one size fits all.
Where is the project at now?
The next step in the project is in-person testing. Our first testing session on May 31st.
We are looking for females who both suffer and importantly don’t suffer with saddle issues.
Our focus for this session is for drop handlebar bikes ( TT and MTB positioning might be a later focus).
Our goal is to try to determine the variables that contribute to comfort instead of only focussing on the discomfort So if you are comfortable we would really appreciate your involvement.
The testing will be split into four stations
Bike metrics and ergonomics.
An assessment of your equipment as a whole. This will be bike fit metrics such as saddle height, crank length, handlebar drop as well as saddle make, model, width and density and your what cycling shorts you favour. We will also make an assessment of the bike itself for tyre size, tyre pressure, seatpost material / compliance technology.
This will be conducted during your Strength and symmetry assessment
Saddle Pressure Mapping and Video analysis
A capture of how you interact in the saddle and a few videos to determine body angles. We won’t adjust anything on the day but a summary of your biomechanical interaction with the bike will be made and you’re welcome to the data should it be helpful to you.
We would like to do pressure mapping with both padded and unpadded shorts. So please bring cycling shorts and then any suitable shorts or leggings. There is a space to get changed. If you don’t use bib shorts then we will just take one pressure mapping.
Strength and symmetry assessment
Conducted by physiotherapists and S&C coaches. No advice will be given on the day but the notes will be available on request.
On the day we will assess for imbalances in leg length, joint range of motion and pelvic alignment and assess core stabilty.
Anthropometrics
Sit bone width , inseam, body mass, leg circumference and greater trochanter spacing .
44% of recreational female cyclists have been deterred from cycling due to vulval/perineal discomfort.
Harrison & Edey 2023