When I first started fitting cyclists professionally fifteen years ago, I noticed a peculiar pattern: riders would obsess over saddle materials, padding thickness, and cutout designs while completely overlooking one of the most crucial measurements-saddle width. It's like building a house with exquisite fixtures but forgetting to measure the foundation.
After fitting thousands of cyclists and testing countless saddles myself, I've come to regard width as the cornerstone of comfort. Today, I want to share what I've learned about 160mm saddles specifically-a dimension that has repeatedly proven to be something of a "sweet spot" for many riders I work with.
The Science Behind Your Sit Bones
Let's talk anatomy for a moment. Your ischial tuberosities-those bony prominences at the bottom of your pelvis that we all call "sit bones"-should bear most of your weight when properly seated. What many cyclists don't realize is how dramatically these measurements vary from person to person:
- Narrower spacing: 70-100mm (common in some male riders)
- Moderate range: 100-130mm (where many cyclists cluster)
- Wider spacing: 130-160mm+ (more common in women, but plenty of men too)
Here's the crucial insight I've gleaned from years of professional fittings: your saddle should generally be about 20mm wider than your sit bone measurement. This isn't arbitrary-this extra width accommodates the natural movement that occurs during pedaling and ensures your sit bones remain supported even during slight position shifts.
For riders with moderate to wider sit bone spacing, a 160mm saddle often provides that ideal platform. I've witnessed remarkable transformations when cyclists finally match their anatomy to the right saddle width-rides that once ended in numbness or pain suddenly become comfortable enough to extend for hours.
What My Pressure Mapping System Revealed
In my fitting studio, we use pressure mapping technology that visualizes exactly how a rider interfaces with their saddle. The data doesn't lie, and it's often revelatory for clients. When testing properly-sized 160mm saddles with appropriate riders, we consistently observe:
- Two distinct pressure points perfectly aligned with the saddle's support areas
- More balanced weight distribution between left and right sides
- Dramatically reduced pressure in sensitive soft tissue areas
I recall working with Mark, a dedicated 45-year-old endurance cyclist who came to me after struggling with persistent discomfort despite cycling through five different "premium" saddles. His pressure map told the story immediately-he was riding a 143mm saddle while his sit bones measured 142mm apart. After switching to a 160mm model, his pressure map transformed from a concerning "hot spot" in his perineal region to two clear, healthy pressure points under his sit bones where they belonged.
Three months later, he completed his first double century ride without saddle discomfort-something he previously considered impossible. These aren't isolated cases; I see this pattern repeated regularly in my practice.
How Riding Positions Change Everything
Through thousands of bike fits, I've observed something fascinating: your effective sit bone contact width actually changes based on your riding position:
- In an upright position (casual city riding), your sit bones contact the saddle at their widest point
- As you lean forward into an endurance road position, the contact points narrow slightly
- In an aggressive racing position, the contact narrows further as your pelvis rotates forward
This dynamic relationship between position and contact width explains why 160mm saddles hit a sweet spot for many riders-they provide sufficient width for comfortable endurance riding while still accommodating more performance-oriented positions when needed.
I work closely with several amateur racing teams whose members train long hours in moderate positions but race in more aggressive ones. Many of these athletes have found that 160mm saddles offer the versatility they need across both scenarios, eliminating the need to swap saddles between training and racing.
Performance Benefits You Can Measure
While comfort is certainly important, proper saddle width delivers quantifiable performance benefits that might surprise you. Last year, I conducted before-and-after testing with a local triathlon club after switching athletes from ill-fitting saddles to width-appropriate options (many in the 155-160mm range). The results were compelling:
- Average sustainable power output increased by 5-8% during two-hour steady-state efforts
- Time maintaining optimal aerodynamic position increased significantly
- Post-ride recovery time decreased, allowing for more consistent training blocks
As one athlete perfectly summarized: "I always thought saddle discomfort was just part of the sport. Now I realize I was literally sitting on untapped watts." This performance improvement makes sense-when you're not constantly shifting to alleviate discomfort, you maintain better form and conserve energy for pushing the pedals.
Material Science and Shape: The Supporting Cast
A saddle's width doesn't exist in isolation-it works in concert with other design elements to create the overall riding experience. On quality 160mm saddles, you'll typically find:
- Optimized flex patterns that allow the saddle to subtly adapt to your anatomy
- Variable padding density with firmer support under sit bones and softer material in sensitive zones
- Proportional cutouts that maintain structural integrity while relieving pressure
I particularly appreciate manufacturers who design their entire saddle architecture specifically for each width, rather than simply scaling the same design up or down. The best 160mm saddles aren't just wider versions of their narrower counterparts-they're comprehensively engineered for the biomechanics of riders who need that width.
Finding Your Perfect Width: A Practical Guide
While 160mm works brilliantly for many cyclists, it's not universal. Here's my practical advice for determining if this width might work for you:
- Get measured properly - Either at a professional bike fitting or using a home measurement tool (even a piece of corrugated cardboard on a hard bench can work in a pinch)
- Consider your flexibility and riding style - Less flexible riders and those who ride more upright typically benefit from slightly wider saddles
- Test before committing - Many shops now offer test saddles or 30-day return policies, which I strongly encourage taking advantage of
- Explore adjustable options - Some innovative saddles now offer width adjustability that includes 160mm configurations
The adjustable saddle approach has particularly intrigued me in recent years. After seeing how small differences in width-even 5mm-can dramatically affect comfort, having the ability to fine-tune this dimension can be game-changing for riders on the borderline between standard sizes.
The Complete Fitting Picture
While I've focused on width in this article, I'd be remiss not to mention that saddle comfort depends on multiple factors working together:
- Height and fore/aft position - Even the perfect width saddle will cause problems if positioned incorrectly
- Handlebar position - Your upper body position directly affects pelvic rotation and sit bone contact
- Riding shorts - Quality chamois design complements proper saddle selection
I always remind my clients that saddle comfort is a system, not a single product. The 160mm dimension might be the missing piece in your comfort puzzle, but it works best when the entire bike fit is dialed in properly.
Is a 160mm Saddle Right for You?
After years of fitting cyclists to their ideal saddles, I've come to see the 160mm width as something of a "Goldilocks zone" for many riders-especially those with moderate to wider sit bones, those who ride in varying positions, and those who prioritize endurance comfort while still maintaining performance capability.
If you've struggled with saddle discomfort despite trying different models with similar widths, exploring the 160mm option might be the breakthrough you need. The biomechanical advantages of proper sit bone support translate directly into more enjoyable, more powerful, and longer rides.
Remember, cycling shouldn't hurt. If it does, you haven't found the right saddle yet-and the width dimension might be exactly what you need to address. Your perfect saddle is out there, and understanding the importance of width puts you one significant step closer to finding it.