A clickbait title but I’m sure I’m not in the wrong!
I knew for a very long time my saddle was not optimal, I compensated with thicker/endurance bib shorts.
I finally took measures and bought a saddle more fitted to me (after 1500km on SUF)
It changes so much things when your sit bones are well sited on the saddle:
you really feel the difference when your perineum is not pressured
because the connection with the saddle is stiffer, you are immediately able to put more power in the pedals
it’s easier to keep a straight back -> more power
it’s easier to control bouncing at high cadence -> more power
In my saddle search, I had bike shop vendors recommending me a saddle size equals to my sit bones spacing size, but I followed the Fizik recommendations (they have a saddle chooser) and took a larger size than my sit bones (a 150mm saddle for a 140mm sit bones spacing) and I think it’s the way to go, it works for me.
Fully agree. Until I had a bikefit w/sitbone measurements a few years ago, I had real trouble finding a saddle that was comfortable over time. Turned out I needed 155 mm width, and the widest I had tried up until then was 143 mm.
Whether it affected my FTP I don’t know, nevertheless, my experience is that you cannot perform 100% if sitting uncomfortably.
100% agree. As with @Magnito, I had a saddle that was far too narrow until I had a professional bike fit done at my LBS. I also had needed a 155mm saddle.
It truly enhanced my comfortability and endurance on the bike.
When I did my Knighthood I actually made a life saving last minute change. Typically I have my road bike (Trek Domane) hooked up to the Kickr. Which is does not fit nearly as well as the gravel bike I had built (Giant Revolt) to my exact dimensions. This was a life saver for the 10.5hrs I spent in the saddle that day…
