Adjustment of the bicycle:

With the exception of the cyclist standing on the pedals, the saddle carries most of the weight of the cyclist. As a result, quite a lot of cyclists suffer from complaints when sitting. Various opinion polls and surveys illustrate that the majority of cyclists has experienced problems sitting. It is remarkable that, as a rule, women suffer from saddle complaints more frequently than men.

The main cause of saddle pain can be found in the physical shape of the cyclist and the use of appropriate clothing. It might take some time getting used to a specific position on a racing saddle. It is an absolute necessity to use cycling trousers when riding longer distances.
The saddle should always fit. This is easier said than done, since there are no conclusive methods as to adjusting the saddle to the cyclist. First of all, the width of the saddle depends on the width of the pelvis or, in other words, the distance between the seat bones. Normally speaking, women (see 1) have a wider and differently shaped pelvis than men (see 2). This should be taken into account when deciding on the width and shape of the saddle. The width of the saddle also depends on the position of the upper part of the body. When sitting on a bicycle in an upright position, a wider saddle is more comfortable, whereas a narrower saddle feels much more comfortable if the upper body is in a bent position on the bicycle. In general, finding a fitting and comfortable saddle is a matter of trial and error.
When the saddle is not adjusted in a horizontal position, both sitting complaints and complaints of the back might occur. When the saddle is positioned too high, the cyclist runs the risk of toppling his pelvis. As a consequence, he will start grating his skin across the saddle which could lead to irritation of the skin. When the position on the bicycle is too upright, the pressure of the body on the saddle will increase. Adopting a slightly longer "sit" could easily solve this problem because the arms and legs will then take over a part of the weight of the upper body.

Physical causes:

DBecause of the pressure on the saddle and the development of heat and sweat all sorts of annoying complaints can occur. Besides the recommendations mentioned above, it is advisable to treat the skin with a special moisturizing lotion or antiseptic powder. Naturally, good hygiene should always be observed.
A difference in length of the legs and/or a lopsided position of the pelvis will result in a lopsided sitting position on the saddle. This will lead to a disproportional distribution of pressure and an increased risk of sitting complaints.

Men with prostate problems frequently experience saddle pain combined with a slight pain in the lower back. In such cases, a visit to the General Practitioner is highly recommended.

Cyclists with a lopsided pelvis as a result of a forward-stretching position of the upper body frequently suffer from a numb feeling in the genital area. A remedy may be to point the front part of the saddle a little downwards, to place the handlebars a little higher, or to train the abdominal (stomach) muscles.