I’ve been a pretty serious cyclist for going on 21 years now. I’ve done some touring, a fair of amount of mountain biking, and tons and tons of mileage on the road, whether it is racing, or my morning commute.
I’ve seen (and ridden) innumerable saddles in my time. In fact, I remember when you could pretty much count the number of performance saddle options available on both hands. Since then, the number of options has exploded. Many of these saddles make claims of superior comfort and protection for both the prostate and perineal veins, but very few have hard evidence, let alone scientific research, to back up these claims. One saddle that does have hard science behind its creation, and my personal favorite saddle, is the Bontrager inForm line of saddles.
Over two years ago Bontrager set out to cut through the hype by commissioning a scientific study aimed squarely at addressing those two questions: what makes a saddle comfortable? And what makes a saddle healthier for a rider’s anatomy over the long run? Researchers at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where the study was conducted, made a very important discovery that would ultimately play a key role in creating inForm saddles: road bike riders don’t actually sit on their sit bones; they sit on their pubic arch, or more specifically, their pubic rami. By supporting this skeletal structure, rather than the sit bones, comfort and rider health were maximized.
By comparing the pelvic structure of the 26 male and female study participants as well as a database of 40,000 pelvises, it was determined that as the width of a rider’s pelvis (or the distance between their sit bones) increases, the shape of their pubic rami changes as well. This led to size-specific curvature on the inForm saddles. Each of the 3 widths available in both the men’s and WSD (Women Specific Design) lines has its own unique curvature to provide maximum support for this skeletal structure as well as maximizing comfort.
But, the saddle designers at Bontrager, armed with this research didn’t stop there. The mid-level RL (Race Lite) and top-end RXL (Race X-Lite) models also utilize zone-density padding, where the padding is firmer where you need additional support and softer under soft tissue. The WSD saddles also utilize a hollow section in the nose of the saddle, called the Comfort Relief Zone (CRZ for short) that removes material from where pressure can be problematic.
I’ve had lots of success fitting folks with these saddles that weren’t having luck with other saddles available on the market, especially the WSD saddles. The Comfort Relief Zone goes a long way in removing pressure from soft tissue that a more-traditional cut-out in the nose of a seat can’t.
Speaking of cut-outs, you might notice that the Bontrager inForm seats don’t have them. Pressure mapping performed as part of the research that led to these saddles actually showed that a cut-out can increase pressure, sacrificing comfort.
Determining your correct size is crucial as an apparently large-framed rider may take a small size and a small-framed rider may require a wider saddle. Fortunately, figuring out your correct saddle width is simple thanks to a special sizing device that takes an imprint of your sit-bones in a material called Z-FLOW. A color-coded slider then helps determine what width of inForm saddle you need.
My inForm RL 146 and I have been through two Cycle Oregon’s along with innumerable miles commuting between home and work as well as all six Bike Gallery locations. I will freely admit that it is one of the most comfortable saddles I have ever ridden on. One of Bike Gallery’s women employees, Barb Grover, agrees. She told me, “I really liked the Z-flow sizing process, not only did it give me confidence in finding the right width, but it absolutely got me on the most comfortable saddle I’ve had in the last 20 years.”
It is important to point out that the current batch of Bontrager inForms are designed specifically for use on road bikes. The curvature of the shell, padding profile, and overall shape of these saddles is optimized for the road position.
Trying one out comes with almost no risks as well. Between Bike Gallery’s 100% satisfaction guarantee and Bontrager’s a 90-day comfort guarantee on the inForm saddles you have to time to experience the inForm saddle yourself and discover how it works for you.
21 Comments
I bought a new saddle at your Sandy Blvd. store and the only feasible saddles were Specialized, there were no Bontragers.
I tried a couple of seats and had to settle for the less evil one and I’m not happy with it (Avatar 155 or ISS).
I would love to try the Bontrager and, if I like it, make a swap. The seat is in perfect condition but over 30 days old. Can I still make a swap?
Robert, I sent you an email about a saddle exchange. Thanks for your comment!
I just bought a kona bike at the Beaverton store and will pick it up monday will I be able to try out one of the seats and how much are they? I have always been happy at this store
I have a the women’s Bontrager Inform RL, 150 mm. I love everything about it except my sit bones begin to hurt after about 20 miles. Would you recommend the R model for more cushion in that region? I do a lot of riding, some racing. Any thoughts?
Jody, while the R model may be more comfortable for shorter distances, the lack of firmer padding under your sit bones may actually increase the feeling of discomfort as you “sink” into the softer padding, creating larger points of contact. Your discomfort issues could be related to the fit on your bicycle, or the width of your saddle may not be ideal for how you actually sit on the bicycle. Since you state that you do some racing on this bicycle, I would assume that your position is fairly aggressive. If your torso-angle is less-than 45-degrees when on the brake-hoods or in the drops, you might find the 140mm width to be more comfortable. Thanks!
Aaron, My goal before the end of the summer is to find the perfect saddle. Crazy hah? I just bought the Specialized Sonoma Gel and finished a century ride on that saddle. I was fine, but still not perfect. I have also been reviewing the Bontrager info. on the web. How does the Bontrager differ from the Specialized saddles? Thanks.
Susanna, the major difference between the Bontrager and Specialized saddles is where they are designed to bear your weight. The Specialized saddles are relatively flat across the back so that a majority of your weight lands on your sit-bones. The Bontrager saddles use their size-specific curvature to better support a skeletal structure on your pelvis called the iscial rami. But, I should warn you that if you are looking for a plush saddle, the inForm WSD’s may not be your dream saddles. They have relatively firm padding for better support, but some people feel that they are a little too firm. However, they do have a 90-day satisfaction guarantee, so there is certainly little risk in trying them out. Hope this helps!
I tried your Inform WSD saddle and found that it is a bit too hard for me, but otherwise it feels pretty good, is there a model that has a little more cushion to it?
Allison, we do stock the “R” model that uses a single-density foam pad whereas the RL (and RXL) model uses the Zone Density padding where there is firmer padding under your sit bones and softer padding under soft tissue. The R version uses the softer padding throughout the entire length of the saddle. Thanks!
Do you have the z-flow sizing system in the stores? I really wanna find out definitively what my sit bone width is to aid in proper selection.
Jeff, yes, we do have the z-flow sizer in all of our stores. But I have been led to understand that the one at Hollywood has been damaged and is in the process of being replaced.
I ride a Trek 7100. The bike is more of a “comfort style” with a torso angle of greater than 45 degrees. Can the RL or RXL saddle be used successfully in this bike?
Fred, I don’t believe that either the RL or RXL would be particularly comfortable on your 7100 due to the fact that your torso position ends up bearing most of your body’s weight on your sit-bones and not your iscial rami (pelvic arch)which is where the current “performance” inForm seats are designed to carry your weight. However, don’t fret! Bontrager will be releasing a new line of inForm saddles for 2010 designed specifically for the more upright riding position on hybrids and urban bicycles called the Nebula Plus. We will be stocking these seats; I’m just not quite sure when they will be available. Thanks!
Is there a way to measure for the right size saddle other than going into a store? Is there something I could do to take a measurement from home and then call or click for an order?
Anita, alas, the most accurate way to determine your correct size is to stop by one of our six locations and use the Z-Flow sizer. The good news is that the actual process takes a little less than a minute and best of all, you get to do it sitting down! While its been my experience that most people need the “medium” width, you certainly can’t take maximum advantage of these saddles unless you get the ideal size.
Thanks!
I’ve had several folks looking for an inForm saddle for their hybrids and city bikes. I’m happy to announce that the new 2010 inForm Nebula Plus saddles have arrived at our stores. The Nebula Plus takes advantage of the inForm saddle study and applies the knowledge gained to a saddle designed for the more upright riding position of the average hybrid or city bicycle. This means that the Nebula Plus also uses size-specific curvature and is offered in three widths for both men and women. Additionally, the Nebula Plus inForm includes FlexForm rails which allows the saddle to pivot side-to-side slightly to allow a more natural pedal-stroke when riding in an upright position.
Which saddle would you recommand for mountain biking?
Sylvain, that’s a tough question. Currently, there aren’t any inForm performance saddles designed for use off-road. While my sources at Bontrager tell me that they are working on one, nothing has been released yet. My own mountain bike is equiped with a much-loved, but now discontinued, Selle San Marco Bontrager. I would generally recommend a saddle with stouter construction, truncated rear corners, and no pointy edges along its tail to get caught on when sliding your hips back off the saddle for steep descents.
Rambo, I’ve ridden my RL saddle 900 miles in the 6 weeks I’ve had it, and some days it feels perfect and some days I get some numbness or just discomfort. Where should I be positioned on the saddle — way back or with an inch or so behind me? I heard it is supposed to be set level, and mine is, but what are your thoughts on dropping the nose a little? Also, related to a response you made in an earlier post, I ride mostly in the drops (short & shallow) so my torso is probably at 45 degrees or less. I have the 146 width. Do youi think the 128 may be the solution? What is the down side to choosing too narrow with this particular saddle? I know I’m throwing a lot of questions at you, so thanks.
Jeff, actual body position on the saddle is hard to pinpoint as it varies for just about every individual. I would say that if the saddle is the correct size and in the correct fore/aft position (and your stem position is correct), you shouldn’t find yourself sliding to the very back of the saddle, or pulling forward on the nose while riding comfortably on flat ground. If you can’t find the “sweet spot” on the saddle, it is likely that your fore/aft postion isn’t right, or there’s something up with your handlebar position that is forcing your lower body to respond. I’ve found that some folks that suffer discomfort with the inForm saddles set dead-level find them more comfortable with the nose set very slightly down (generally no more than 5mm). I would generally only recommend going with the 128mm (RED) width if you were right on the line between red and yellow on the Z-FLOW sizer (I generally err towards the wider seat in these cases) and you were using aerobar as part of your regular riding. If the seat is too narrow, the curvature of the shell won’t properly match the shape of your iscial rami, providing poor skeletal support, and could ultimately lead to increased discomfort. Also, if the seat is too narrow, you will need to engage more muscles in your lower back and core to stabilize your pelvis during the pedal motion, decreasing overall efficiency and ultimately, comfort. Hope this helps! Thanks!
Thanks for the quick and thorough reply.