I’m not sure where the initial meme came from but from what I’ve seen it’s far less common than people who are on the wrong saddle, which in my view is the most important, most individual piece of equipment you have.
I have tried at least seven saddles in four years and I finally found the right one. By “right”, I don’t mean comfort, because I’ve been comfortable for years on the saddle that was winning the tournament. The right saddle is something you are comfortable enough on to stay in aero for the duration of your event but also the saddle that narrows the gap between your upright power and your power in your most aerodynamic position.
My first year I could hold the same power on TT and road because I was riding my TT bike like a road bike, like most people. I’ve been getting lower and longer every year and watching the gap in power widen, even as I became faster overall. The delta was about 30 watts until I tried two more saddles this month while dropping my pad stack an extra 20mm. Now it’s basically indistinguishable despite being (probably) more “aggressive” than I’ve ever been.
Jordan Rapp has now set TT power PRs of every duration since finding his forever saddle, and after all these years. I’m expecting the same. So your seat might be too high or low but much more likely is that you’re on the wrong damn seat entirely, especially if you’re on the one you’re on just because it came on your bike or because your fitter decided the one you are on was right in a two hour session with no time on the road.
How many have you tried for some extended period? What was your saddle journey? Did you go back to your fitter every time you tried a new saddle? Curious about this
Anyways, the challenges with the saddle trial process are daunting, but it’s worth it if you haven’t taken it on, no matter how long you’ve been in the sport
I have tried at least seven saddles in four years and I finally found the right one. By “right”, I don’t mean comfort, because I’ve been comfortable for years on the saddle that was winning the tournament. The right saddle is something you are comfortable enough on to stay in aero for the duration of your event but also the saddle that narrows the gap between your upright power and your power in your most aerodynamic position.
My first year I could hold the same power on TT and road because I was riding my TT bike like a road bike, like most people. I’ve been getting lower and longer every year and watching the gap in power widen, even as I became faster overall. The delta was about 30 watts until I tried two more saddles this month while dropping my pad stack an extra 20mm. Now it’s basically indistinguishable despite being (probably) more “aggressive” than I’ve ever been.
Jordan Rapp has now set TT power PRs of every duration since finding his forever saddle, and after all these years. I’m expecting the same. So your seat might be too high or low but much more likely is that you’re on the wrong damn seat entirely, especially if you’re on the one you’re on just because it came on your bike or because your fitter decided the one you are on was right in a two hour session with no time on the road.
How many have you tried for some extended period? What was your saddle journey? Did you go back to your fitter every time you tried a new saddle? Curious about this
Anyways, the challenges with the saddle trial process are daunting, but it’s worth it if you haven’t taken it on, no matter how long you’ve been in the sport