Gravel saddles

Neither a particularly narrow nor a particularly wide saddle is automatically better. The right gravel bike saddle must match your sit bone distance and riding position. If it is too narrow, your sit bones may not be fully supported and your body weight may shift onto sensitive areas. If it is too wide, it can interfere with pedalling and changes in riding position. This is why choosing a saddle starts with measuring your sit bone distance. The following calculation applies to gravel riding:

Sit bone distance + 2 cm = suitable saddle size

• Example: 13 cm sit bone distance + 2 cm allowance for gravel = 15 cm saddle width

An individual measurement is more important than looking for a general gravel saddle for women or men. With the free at-home measurement kit, you can measure your sit bone distance at home and then select the appropriate saddle size. The kit can also be used to measure your hands and feet, helping you adjust other contact points on the bike to suit your body.

Our gravel saddles are unisex models because individual sit bone distance and riding position are more important for the fit than gender. Two people of the same gender may require different saddle widths, while female and male riders with similar anatomical measurements may be able to use the same model.

The unisex concept combines individual saddle width selection with the step saddle concept. The raised rear section supports the sit bones, while the lowered nose and central dip create additional space at the front. The design accounts for both the sensitive perineal area and the pubic arch. Instead of choosing between a women’s and a men’s gravel saddle, you first determine the width you need and then select the model that suits your intended use.

The optimal saddle height allows you to pedal evenly while keeping your pelvis stable on the saddle. Because the raised sitting surface of our step saddles changes the effective saddle height, you should check and fine-tune the setting after changing your saddle. As a starting point, we recommend positioning the saddle approximately 5 to 10 mm lower to compensate for the raised rear section.

The calculated height is a starting point, not a universal guarantee. When the saddle is correctly adjusted, your pedalling motion should feel smooth, your pelvis should not rock from side to side and your weight should not shift forwards. Saddle angle and fore-aft position also need to be considered. For our ERGOWAVE® models, a level saddle nose serves as the starting position.