Mountain Bike Seats
Even a short mountain biking ride takes a few hours. The terrain is often bumpy. If you have a bad mountain bike seat, it won't take you long to figure it out. You need to have a very comfortable mountain bike seat in order to enjoy mountain biking. There is no fun in groin injuries and lower back pain. If you really want to relax and enjoy a mountain biking trip, make sure you find the right seat.
Seat Comfort Options
The shape of the seat is particularly important. You will find that most mountain bikes come with the same narrow seats found on racing bikes. But many women find the extra support of a wider seat more comfortable, while men need to distribute weight more on the sides.
However, cushion may be just as important as shape. Cushion can come in the form of soft foam rubber or in the form of gel. The latter is becoming more popular because it not only cushions but provides even support around your contour. This allows gel mountain bike seats to protect a little better against groin pain for men and pelvic pain for women. It should be noted, however, that this type of seating doesn't give the rider as much control over the bike and adds to the weight of the bike.
Additionally, the blows of the trail can be cushioned by adding springs and shock absorbers. These devices can range from rubber bumpers that are placed under the seat to plungers between the seat and the seat rails. The more advanced shock absorption models allow you to make adjustments in the suspension.
Once again, this comfort will add to the weight of your bike. But, unless you're a professional biker, the comfort will be preferred to the 2 seconds you shave off of your mile or the extra 200 yards of stamina you receive. Comfort helps the hobbyist to enjoy mountain biking and keep coming back for more. Find whatever works best for you.
One of the great new features you'll find for mountain bike seats is targeted pressure points. These cutaway models increase comfort by simply having less support or no support at all in the areas where seats typically cause pain. If you've ever had numbness or pain as a result of bike seat pressure, this type of mountain bike seat may be right for you. As side benefits, these seats may weigh a little less and provide better air flow.
Additional Considerations
If you are more of a leisure mountain biker, you will probably be happiest with the wide, soft seat. While not ideal for tough maneuvering in rough terrain or for racing up a mountain, this option will allow you to relax and enjoy your surroundings by spreading out the pressure of your weight and the force of objects hit over a wider surface area. In other words, you don't get poked or hammered in a specific spot every time your bike goes over uneven terrain.
Regardless of the type of seat you choose, the seat needs to be adjustable in terms of height and lean. You should be able to lean the seat forward and backward to your liking. You should also be able to raise and lower it to match your height. You should be able to comfortably stand on the ground with your mountain bike between your legs.