Around the world, bicycles have long since established themselves as staples for personal transport, sports, and leisure alike, and these lightweight vehicles are extremely common in some parts of the world, due to their appealing of being affordable, quiet, lightweight, and not requiring any fuel to operate aside from the rider’s own exertion. For those looking to buy a bicycle or get a new saddle, or seat, it is important to know why different types of bicycle saddles exist and how they are used, everything from the saddle’s shape and its material all the way to the type of support structure being used, which may be carbon fiber bike saddles, carbon saddle rails, or more. The saddle’s own shape and material will come in different types, from leather bicycle saddles to those with foam padding or other synthetic materials. Why would one want to buy leather bicycle saddles for a race or leisurely riding? What care should be taken when owning leather bicycle saddles? After all, getting a comfortable bike seat is something that any rider would want to have. Leather bicycle saddles are often the way to go, depending on need.
On Bicycles
The industry of bicycles is enormous worldwide, and in the United States in particular, these lightweight vehicles can be used for races, leisure, or everyday transportation by anyone, child or adult. In the year 2015, for example, there are statistics to show just how popular and robust this industry is. That year, the American bicycle industry saw %$6.2 billion in direct sales, and that number may very well increase in the near future. In that same year, $1.2 billion in used bicycles were sold, and used bikes can be a great deal for those on a budget who want a way to enjoy leisurely riding or get around, or just get some exercise. And ever since 2005, most American states have seen an increase in bike ridership, and as of 2010, over 21.8 million American adults rode a bicycle for 109 days or fewer. What is more, bicycles take part in the general market and trends for outdoor supplies and sports; every year, some $10 billion is spend on bicycle gear, accessories, and the vehicles themselves, and this means that those customers should know what to buy and why so that they can get the most out of their hobby. What should a buyer look out for?
The Saddles
Bicycle seats, often known as saddles, come in different shapes, sizes, and styles based on the rider’s needs and what sort of bicycle they are using, and getting the wrong saddle can be troublesome when riding. Leather bicycle saddles are often the ideal type whether for competitive riding or leisure, and they can be very comfortable and stable to sit on.
For competitive bicycle riders, it is important to buy a narrower, more slender and streamline bicycle saddle, since bike racers will pump their legs hard and often to operate their bikes, and they often lean forward and do very little actual sitting while riding their bicycles. A wider bike saddle would simply get in the way, and for any racer, it is important to have correct posture and be able to move their legs as freely as possible. Conversely, more leisurely bikes will have saddles that are wider, allowing the rider to sit down more firmly on their sitting bones, and these riders may spend more time coasting or pedaling more gently and intermittently than a racer. A narrow bike saddle would be difficult to sit on, so the saddles operate more fully as a seat.
The material for the bike saddle and its support structure may vary based on the rider’s needs and their preferences, and possibly their budget. A serious racer will probably invest in a narrow saddle with leather, and leather can last a long time as long as it is not exposed to water, such as rain. A more casual rider can also get leather on their bike saddles, although a more casual rider might also make do with a synthetic material, especially if leather saddles are not available or if leather is deemed too expensive for the rider’s lax needs on their bicycle.