Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Reducing Discomforts Experienced When Biking By Selecting A Good Bicycle Seat

By Camilla Kruk


The use of bicycles has always been a popular means of transportation. With their easy to maneuver nature, as well as the fact that they are environment friendly, these two-wheeled vehicles are often used by students and workers alike especially during morning and afternoon rush hours. Another factor that contributes to the popularity of these types of transportation is the bicycle seat. This is the part of the bicycle that provides comfort to the cyclist when riding.

The bicycle seat is one of the three contact points of the bicycle to our body. It is commonly attached to the seat post where the height of the seat can be easily adjusted. The semi reclined position is also designed to support the rider's buttock and back while riding.

Three parts make up a bicycle seat. First among these is the shell which creates the shape of the seat and usually is round in shape. Depending on the user's preference, this part can be made from a variety of materials such as nylon and carbon fibers. Next is the cover which is placed on top of the shell and is covered with materials such as Lycra, vinyl, leather, or artificial leather. This part is made from a form of padding such as closed cell foam, gel, or gel-foam. Finally are the rails. These parts run along the underside of the seat from the nose to the rear and connect the seat of the rest of the bike. Materials such as steel, titanium, magnesium, and carbon fiber are often used in the manufacture of this part.

Various types of bicycles seats are available in the market that one can choose from. They usually vary in their materials, width, and overall construction with each variation designed for a different type of person with specific sit bones and personal specifications. The most common type of bike seat is the racing seat. This features a narrow, lightly padded saddle that's ideal for a pro cyclist's riding position and fast pedaling. Secondly is the mountain bike seat which is also usually lightweight but is not as narrow as the racing seat. It has a little more padding to help absorb the beating you take on tough terrain.

The third type of bicycle seat is the cruiser seat which is usually heavy, wide, and well-padded and designed for casual or everyday riding. The ample padding of this seat type is needed by the riders as most cruiser riders sit upright and put a lot of their weight on their seat. Longer rides with this type of seat however can cause chafe inner thighs and uncomfortable riding. Finally, there are also the alternative seats which come in unusual new designs that increase comfort and decrease physical problems. There are some which have inflatable padding and others with articulated parts that can move with your body.

Numbness and discomfort often result when an inappropriate type of bicycle seat is used while riding. With the number of types of these seats now available in the market, choosing the best one is now possible, though sometimes a tedious task. As such, riders should carefully choose the type of seat they'll use that would provide them the best results when riding.




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