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If you’re anything like me, you love taking your fat tire bike off the beaten path. With the right equipment, getting out there couldn’t be easier. One of the most important pieces of equipment is your saddle, which can make or break how much you enjoy your ride.
In this guide, I will show you some of the best saddles for fat tire bikes on the market today.
How to Choose the Best Saddle for Your Fat Tire Bike
The saddle is one of the most important components of an off-road bike. It needs to be designed to resist the abuse of bumpy terrains and provide comfort for long rides.
There are different types of saddles for fat tire bikes, but not all are made equally. Some do not provide enough padding or other features, while others excel in these areas. Finding the right saddle can take some time, but it will be worth it when you find one that supports your body well and keeps you comfortable on long rides.
The following are some of the key factors you should consider when choosing a fat tire bike saddle:
Weight
Fat bikes are fairly heavy pieces of equipment, so one of the first things people do to make them lighter is to swap out the factory-installed components and swap them for new, lighter ones.
As well as peddles, handlebars and other components, buying a lighter saddle is a great way to reduce the overall weight of your fat bike.
Comfort Channel
Bike seats with central channel cut-outs are becoming increasingly popular in the cycling world. This is because the pressure is significantly in the sensitive perineum area.
When riding for a long time your saddle area can also become pretty hot and sweaty. The airflow you get through the cutaway section can help cool you down and also make for a more refreshing ride
Preferred Riding Position
Your riding position will have a large impact on the type of saddle you should use on your fat bike. If you prefer a more upright seating position, you should choose a saddle that is wide and well-padded to provide ample cushioning for your sit bones. If, however, you prefer a more aggressive riding position without as much weight on your hands and arms, there are plenty of saddles designed for this as well.
7 Of The Best Saddles For Fat Tire Bikes
Ergon Men’s SM E-MTB Sport Saddle
Key Features:
- The e-mtb-specific comfort saddle for men
- Tailored for prolonged seated climbing and particularly steep ascends
- Dynamic comfort padding and a ramping tail with a flat circumference for great freedom of movement
- Orthocell-inlays in the seating area generate the best possible pressure distribution
- Weight 335g
Selle SMP TRK Women’s Large Saddle
Key Features:
- Selle SMP completely free central channel
- Original eagle-beak nose offers flat base for efforts when sitting
- Raised rear profile avoids pressure on the coccyx when riding on rough roads
- Weight 400g
Selle Italia SLR SuperFlow Saddle with TI316 Rails
Key Features:
- Fibra Tek cover material
- Great anatomic cut-out for total comfort
- Lighter padding for maximum comfort and maximum cushioning
- Shell made from 30% Carbon composite
- TI 316 rails
Keenso Bike Saddle With Carbon Fiber Bike Hollow Seat
Key Features:
- Chrome-molybdenum steel suspension arch with high-modulus carbon fiber material function provides strong support
- Hollow design at middle, makes cycling more breathable and comfortable
- Made from high quality ultrafine fiber leather, elastic, shock absorption, good riding comfort, durable
- Weight: Approx. 124g
ENJOHOS Bike Saddle
Key Features:
- Shock proofing to reduce pressure on your coccyx when cycling
- Hollow middle to make for a more comfortable ride and breathable
- Made from high quality PU material with dual-density gel foam padding
Funn Adlib Mountain Bike Saddle
Key Features:
- Slim shape for comfort when peddling
- Cr-Mo rails and a vinyl leather, water resistant outer material
- Weight: Approx. 239g
Rockrider Saddle Mountain Bike Sport 900
Key Features:
- High-density foam to dampen jolts caused by the terrain
- The central channel helps to relieve pressure in the region of the perineum for optimum comfort, even after cycling for several hours
- The shape and seating width help to improve redistribution of pressure points
- Weight: Approx. 483g
Other Bike Saddle FAQs
When Should I Replace My Bike Saddle?
It’s best to replace a bike saddle as soon as it becomes uncomfortable or damaged, to avoid unnecessary discomfort and injury. If your saddle is beginning to wear down, you may notice that your pedal stroke and pedalling technique change. As the padding flattens, riders will often feel pressure on their soft tissue and experience numbness in their genital area.
Where Should I Sit On My Bike Saddle?
Think about your bike saddle position in terms of three different factors:
1. Riding style – do you sit upright or slouch? The position will depend on what you are more comfortable with.
2. The type of bike – if you have a road bike, the saddle will be lower so you can lean forward for maximum aerodynamics. Mountain bike saddles are designed to be higher and handle bumps more easily.
3. Your flexibility – if you have tight hamstrings, it is best to sit up higher because your legs will not be able to extend fully when sitting lower on the saddle.
How Long Do Bike Saddles Last?
The lifetime of a bike saddle varies on the type of saddle, the amount of wear and tear on the saddle, and how often it is ridden. Some saddles can last up to 10 years while others only last a few months. In general, more expensive saddles are sturdier and can last longer.
Should My Bike Saddle Be Level
Yes, your bike saddle should be level. This is because having a level saddle reduces the amount of time spent moving back and forth to get comfortable.
It also allows riders to stay in a power zone more of the time which enhances performance.
How To Position A Bike Saddle
Since there are many different types of bikes, the positioning of the saddle is very important for comfort and effectiveness. The following description will help to decide if your saddle is in the right position.
The bike saddle should be positioned two inches below the pubic bone. If you are sitting down on it correctly, you should not feel any discomfort. It may be too high if it causes discomfort or too low if you cannot reach the handlebars comfortably. The angle of your legs should be about ninety degrees at the knee joint with your feet flat on the ground. Your back should also be straight and not leaning forward or curved backwards.
The best way to see if your saddle is in a good position is to ride it around for a few minutes before making adjustments so that you know what feels comfortable.
Summary
I hope this guide has helped you find a new saddle for your fat tire bike. For me, the top picks are the Ergon Men’s SM E-MTB Sport Saddle and the Selle SMP TRK Women’s Large Saddle.
If you liked this guide, please share it on Pinterest. Also, please check out our other guides to all things outdoors.
Happy cycling!
