As cyclists, we've all experienced that moment-three hours into a ride, squirming uncomfortably on our saddle, wondering if the numbness we're feeling is simply an unavoidable aspect of the sport we love. For decades, I watched riders (myself included) accept discomfort as cycling's inevitable companion. But after 20+ years fitting bikes and testing virtually every saddle on the market, I've come to a different conclusion: saddle discomfort isn't inevitable-it's the result of forcing your unique anatomy to conform to a fixed-shape design.
This realization hit me full force during a particularly grueling 200km ride through the Dolomites last summer. As I shifted positions for the thousandth time, trying to alleviate pressure points that had long since gone numb, I wondered: why are we still using essentially the same saddle design that's existed for decades? This quest for answers eventually led me to BiSaddle's revolutionary approach.
Why Traditional Bike Saddles Fall Short
Let's examine the biomechanics for a moment. Your pelvis is as unique as your fingerprint, yet most saddles treat riders as anatomical carbon copies:
- Sit bone width varies dramatically between riders (anywhere from 100mm to 175mm apart)
- Your pelvic rotation changes significantly between aggressive racing positions and more casual riding stances
- Soft tissue arrangement differs widely between individuals (especially between biological sexes)
- Almost everyone has some degree of skeletal asymmetry-something I've confirmed after thousands of bike fits
Traditional saddle manufacturers have attempted to address these variations with multiple width options or pressure-relief cutouts. While these represent progress, they're still working from a fundamentally flawed premise: that one fixed shape can accommodate your dynamic body through different riding positions, disciplines, and terrain.
It's like expecting a single pair of shoes to work perfectly for sprinting, marathon running, and hiking. The physics simply don't add up.
The BiSaddle Breakthrough: Your Saddle, Your Way
I first encountered BiSaddle at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show three years ago. My initial reaction? Skepticism. After 20 years in this industry, I've seen countless "revolutionary" products that promised comfort but delivered disappointment. However, after testing BiSaddle with dozens of clients in my fitting studio, I became a convert.
BiSaddle's brilliance lies in its adaptability. Unlike conventional saddles, it features two independent halves that you can customize in three critical dimensions:
- Width adjustment: Slide the halves laterally to match your exact sit bone width
- Angle customization: Rotate each half to change how the saddle supports different parts of your pelvis
- Gap configuration: Fine-tune the central channel width to provide appropriate relief for soft tissues
This means you're no longer forcing your unique anatomy to adapt to a fixed saddle-you're shaping the saddle to fit your body. The first time I felt this difference was during a 6-hour gravel race where, for the first time in my competitive career, saddle discomfort wasn't the limiting factor.
Real-World Benefits You'll Feel Immediately
Restored Blood Flow = No More Numbness
The research on traditional saddles is concerning: studies show they can reduce blood flow to your perineal region by up to 82%. This isn't just uncomfortable-it's potentially harmful long-term, with implications for urological and sexual health.
With BiSaddle, I've helped riders eliminate numbness by precisely configuring the saddle to support their sit bones while creating space for soft tissues. One client, a 50-year-old triathlete who had accepted genital numbness as "normal," called me after his first ride on a properly adjusted BiSaddle: "I didn't realize what I was missing. I finished a 70-mile ride and actually felt normal down there. No pins and needles, no rushing to the bathroom to restore circulation."
One Saddle for Multiple Disciplines
As someone who rides road, gravel, and occasionally competes in triathlons, BiSaddle has been transformative. Here's how I configure mine for different types of riding:
For road racing:
- Medium-wide setting (about 145mm) to support my sit bones in an aggressive position
- Slight upward tilt at the rear to cradle my pelvis during high-power efforts
- Moderate central channel that provides relief without sacrificing stability
For triathlon:
- Narrower setting (130mm) with minimal front width to accommodate my rotated pelvis
- Flatter profile to support my forward-rotated position on aero bars
- Wider relief channel, especially up front where pressure is concentrated
For gravel adventures:
- Wider setting (160mm) for upright comfort when navigating technical terrain
- More pronounced rear support for frequent position changes during long days
- Moderate channel width balanced for comfort and control on rough surfaces
Instead of investing in three specialized saddles (and still compromising), I have one that adapts to how I'm riding on any given day. The adjustment process takes less than five minutes with a simple hex wrench.
Addressing Your Body's Unique Asymmetries
During my years as a professional bike fitter, I've observed that nearly 70% of cyclists have one leg slightly longer than the other or a pelvis that naturally places more weight on one side. Traditional saddles force you to compensate for these asymmetries, often leading to inefficient pedaling mechanics and even overuse injuries over time.
With BiSaddle, I can adjust each side independently to account for these differences. One client with a significant leg length discrepancy and resulting pelvic tilt described the feeling as "like someone finally built a bike specifically for my body." His chronic IT band issues began resolving within weeks of switching to a properly configured BiSaddle.
Getting Started with BiSaddle: Practical Tips
If you're intrigued by BiSaddle's approach, here's my engineer's guide to getting started:
- Start with measurements: Use the sit bone measuring tools at your local bike shop, or try the at-home cardboard method (sit on corrugated cardboard on a hard surface and measure the distance between the depressions).
- Begin with a neutral position: Set the width to match your sit bones plus about 15-20mm, with a moderate central channel and level angle.
- Make one adjustment at a time: Change only one variable (width, angle, or channel size) between test rides to isolate what's working and what isn't.
- Take detailed notes: Document each configuration and how it feels after at least 30 minutes of riding. Pay attention to different body positions and terrain types.
- Be patient with the process: Finding your perfect setup might take 3-5 adjustment cycles, but each iteration gets you closer to optimal comfort.
Yes, this process requires more effort than slapping on a standard saddle, but consider the payoff: potentially ending years of discomfort and preventing long-term health issues. For me, the two weekends I spent dialing in my BiSaddle have paid dividends across thousands of subsequent kilometers.
Beyond Comfort: Performance Implications
As both an engineer and competitive cyclist, I'm fascinated by how saddle fit affects performance. When you're uncomfortable, you constantly shift position, activate stabilizing muscles unnecessarily, and lose power transfer efficiency. I've measured this effect in my lab using pressure mapping and power meters-the energy wasted can be substantial.
A properly fitted BiSaddle can help you maintain your optimal position longer, potentially saving 10-15 watts that would otherwise be lost to compensatory movements. For competitive cyclists, this efficiency gain might be as valuable as the comfort improvement. During my last time trial season, after switching to a properly configured BiSaddle, I was able to maintain my aero position 23% longer before experiencing discomfort-translating to meaningful time savings.
The Future of Saddle Technology
BiSaddle isn't without limitations. The adjustment mechanisms add about 100-150g compared to ultralight fixed saddles. The aesthetic is decidedly utilitarian rather than sleek. And finding your optimal configuration takes more time than pulling a traditional saddle out of the box.
But these limitations are minor compared to the paradigm shift BiSaddle represents. Looking forward, I expect we'll see:
- Integration with pressure mapping for scientifically-optimized configuration
- Refinement of the 3D-printed padding already featured in their "Saint" model
- Potentially even dynamic adjustment systems that subtly change shape during rides to accommodate different positions
Having spoken with BiSaddle's engineering team at length, I know they're already working on addressing the weight penalty through advanced materials while maintaining the core adjustability that makes their product unique.
Your Bottom Line
After two decades in this industry, I've developed a healthy skepticism toward "revolutionary" products. Most offer marginal gains at best. BiSaddle is different-it fundamentally reimagines the relationship between rider and saddle in a way that acknowledges our individual anatomy.
If you've struggled with saddle discomfort, if you ride across multiple disciplines, or if you've resigned yourself to numbness as "just part of cycling," I strongly encourage you to consider an adjustable saddle solution like BiSaddle. The initial investment of time and money pays dividends in comfort, performance, and potentially even long-term health.
Because the truth is, cycling shouldn't hurt. Not there. Not ever. And now, it doesn't have to.
Have you tried an adjustable saddle like BiSaddle? What was your experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and I'll do my best to answer any technical questions you might have about optimizing your setup.