from Rookie’s keyboard

Hello, friends

Today’s post may sound a little weird, but it’s something I’ve wanted to clarify for a long time now. 

Here’s the deal, fellas: the distinctions between male and female bike saddles are not significant enough to render women’s saddles entirely unsuitable for male riders. Ultimately, the comfort of the saddle is the most critical factor, regardless of its intended gender design.

That said, the shorter nose of a woman’s saddle may lead to discomfort for many male cyclists (my experience confirms this).

Width 

One of the primary differences is the width. Women’s saddles are wider to accommodate the wider hips associated with childbearing. 

Ideally, the saddle supports the sit bones, anatomically referred to as the ischial tuberosities, which are the lower parts of the pelvis that bear your weight when seated. 

When standing, the gluteal muscles cover this area, but in a seated position, the sit bones become more prominent. To locate your sit bones, sit gently on your palms, and you will immediately feel them.

The distance between the sit bones is crucial in determining the appropriate saddle width. 

If a woman with wider sit bones uses a narrow male saddle, she may experience discomfort due to increased pressure on the surrounding soft tissues. 

Consequently, women’s saddles are wider. 

If a man uses a woman’s saddle, he may encounter unnecessary friction while pedaling, although his sit bones will still receive some support. In general, a wider saddle is preferable to one that is too narrow.

Upright Posture Requires a Wider Saddle

A more vertical riding posture benefits from a wider saddle, as it allows for greater contact with the gluteal muscles. 

This is why city bikes often feature “pillow” saddles. In contrast, racing bikes, which position the rider in a more aggressive aerodynamic stance, benefit from narrower saddles as those minimize the contact area and subsequent friction during pedaling. 

Many women ride city bikes designed for commuting or leisure, leading manufacturers to equip these models with wider saddles.

So, there’s a chance that you’ve been riding a female saddle without even knowing it.

Length

Women’s saddles have a shorter nose compared to male saddles, which helps alleviate pressure on the genital area when a female cyclist leans forward. 

In aggressive road cycling positions, a flatter back angle brings the pelvis closer to the saddle. A longer saddle may contact the cyclist’s genitalia, causing discomfort. For the same reason, many women choose to tilt their saddles forward, although this adjustment can compromise overall saddle support and bike fit. 

It is generally advised to keep the saddle level with the ground. 

Conversely, male saddles are longer to accommodate the male anatomy. A male rider on a very short female saddle, especially without tight-fitting clothing, may experience discomfort as his genitalia could hang off the saddle or be pressed against it.

Mid-Cutout

Many women’s saddles feature mid-cutouts to reduce pressure on the genital area, a feature that is less commonly found in male saddles.

My Experience

A while back I used a female saddle on an old retro MTB I’ve made solely for going to the local store. I would lock the bike outside of the building and leave it there permanently. Occasionally, I’d use the bike for 10-20km trips around town too. 

Here are my observations:

• The extra width made the saddle more comfortable when riding slowly. The stress on my perineum felt “normal” to “low”

• The friction between my thighs and the saddle, especially when leaning forward to gain an aero advantage was severe and annoying. 

• The short nose of the saddle presses against the underside of your genitalia and causes some pain.

• The saddle isn’t aesthetically pleasing enough to put it on a “serious male bike”.

Summary: Key Takeaways

Women’s saddles are designed to be wider and shorter to accommodate female anatomy and reduce genital pressure. While men can use women’s saddles if they find them comfortable—particularly those with wider hips riding upright bicycles— I’d personally never repeat the experience.