As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
I saw an ELI5 recently about bike saddle selection and it got me thinking. While most advice focuses on sit bone width and riding style, how much actual biomechanical science is there behind it? It truly seems like a lot of it is indeed still trial and error, even with fancy pressure mapping systems. Are there studies comparing saddle shapes and materials to things like muscle activation in the legs or the efficiency of power transfer? Or is it mostly focused on preventing numbness and soft tissue damage, which, while crucial, doesn't really address performance.I guess what I'm wondering is if the "science" of saddle choice is more centered on materials science (foam density, shell flex) and preventing injury, rather than optimizing performance.I'd love to see research connecting specific saddle features to demonstrable gains in power output or reduced fatigue. Has anyone come across anything like that, or is it mostly anecdotal evidence and personal preference?