Saddles

I have found that a saddle which is properly shaped to fit my particular rear requires little to no padding to be comfortable.

simon98 said:

I'm a bit saddle sore on my new bike - last one had a 'comfy' saddle.
Guess I'll have to invest in some padded cycling shorts, but was wondering why the padding isn't in the saddle! 😕

Well some are but most performance saddles aren't. At least not overly padded. Why?
Adds more weight
Reduces movement
Can make seat more uncomfortable adding pressure points depending on varying anatomies, and I am sure you will get more responses.

Padded shorts are nice. A good investment.

[i][quote="simon98"]I'm a bit saddle sore on my new bike - last one had a 'comfy' saddle.[/i]
Guess I'll have to invest in some padded cycling shorts, but was wondering why the padding isn't in the saddle! 😕[/QUOTE]

Indeed it is the case that a properly fitted saddle is the most comfortable. If you start off with a decent quality seat which has been matched to your bum by an experienced cycle tech, you will find that it moulds itself, over time, to your exact shape as the padding compresses. Some people still claim that real leather saddles are best.. probably because they do very much shape themselves to the individual rider.

Padded shorts are a necessity for most serious riders because they offer the best protection from nerve damage between the legs, helping avoid the "numb nuts" effect. I cannot ride any distance in anything other than proper cycle shorts because I find that the seams in ordinary briefs/shorts/trousers tear into my flesh after a while 🙁

So I'd say that a well-fitted and broken-in seat offers the best comfort, control and stabilty but cycle shorts have an important role, too.

CJ