A Personal Review by Jake R. | Reading Time: approx. 6 minutes
After 3 Years of Mountain Bike Saddle Pain, This Sport Saddle Finally Fixed It: My Honest Test Report
Butt pain on the trails, numbness on climbs, pressure sores after every ride, and the only test winner that actually worked
Why This Review Is Different
I'm writing this because I know exactly how frustrating it is when every trail ride turns into torture.
For 3 years, I tried everything: race saddles, gel pads, padded shorts, chamois cream, even a $200 professional bike fitting. Over $900 later, I had almost given up mountain biking.
Until I finally understood what actually goes wrong when you're dealing with saddle pain on the trails.
That's what I want to share with you: not some miracle cure, but a realistic solution that finally worked for me after years of suffering.
How My Saddle Pain Story Began
In 2022, it started harmlessly: a slight ache in my butt after longer weekend trail rides.
I figured it was normal. You just have to "break in" the saddle, right? But it got worse. Much worse.
Within 6 months, I was dealing with:
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Numbness in the perineal area after just 20 minutes of climbing
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Burning pain on my sit bones that lasted for hours after every ride
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Pressure sores and redness that still hurt the next day
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The feeling of sitting on a razor blade, no matter which saddle I used
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Lower back pain from every root and rock impact hammering up my spine
The feeling that my body just "hates" mountain biking.
The lowest point: In the summer of 2024, I had to bail on a trail ride with my crew after just 45 minutes. My butt was on fire, my hands were numb from gripping the bars to lift myself off the saddle.
My buddies rode on while I walked my bike back to the trailhead.
That was the moment I asked myself: Is mountain biking just over for me?
That was no way to live for someone who lives for singletrack.
My First 3 Years: The Vicious Cycle
I tried everything I could find, including the most highly recommended products, services, and hacks from every MTB forum, bike shop, and expert:
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Stock saddle that came with the bike ($0) → Narrow, hard, zero support. Numbness after 15 minutes
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WTB Volt Race saddle ($65) → Popular MTB choice. Too narrow for my sit bones, perineal pressure constant
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Padded mountain bike shorts, 2 pairs ($140) → Masked symptoms, numbness returned after 30 min on climbs
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Chamois Butt'r cream ($15) → Helped with chafing, zero effect on pressure pain
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Professional bike fitting ($200) → Helped for 2 weeks, then back to normal. Fitter: "Try a different saddle."
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Ergon SM Sport saddle ($60) → Better shape, but no suspension. Every root and rock hammered straight through
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Gel saddle cover from Amazon ($18) → More padding = more sliding on technical sections = more pain. Tossed after 1 ride
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SDG Bel-Air V3 ($55) → Decent padding, but narrow. Sit bones hanging over the edges on long climbs
The pattern was always the same:
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New hope with a new saddle
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Brief improvement (sometimes for the first 2 rides)
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Relapse, often worse than before
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Frustration and back to searching
After 2 years, I was done. Mentally and physically. Both me and my backside just couldn't take it anymore.
I've put together my total expenses so you can see just how much energy and money went into all that trial and error.
My Complete Saddle Pain Expenses Over 3 Years
Quick Fixes & First Attempts (2022–2023):
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WTB Volt Race saddle: $65
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Padded mountain bike shorts, 2 pairs (Fox Ranger): $140
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Chamois Butt'r anti-chafe cream, 3 tubes over 2 years: $45
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Gel saddle cover from Amazon: $18
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SDG Bel-Air V3 saddle: $55
Subtotal: $323
Professional Help & Brand Products (2023–2024):
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Professional bike fitting at local shop: $200
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Ergon SM Sport saddle: $60
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Specialized Power Comp saddle: $75
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SQLab 611 Ergowave Active: $90
Subtotal: $425
Last Resort & Specialty Products (2024–2025):
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Sit bone measurement at bike shop: $30
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Online recommendations from Reddit/r/MTB, various: $55
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Fabric Scoop Race Shallow: $50
Subtotal: $135
TOTAL COST OVER 3 YEARS: $883
Average per month: $24.53
Saddles that actually worked: 0
The Game-Changer: What I Learned About Sit Bone Biomechanics
In late 2024, I stumbled upon an article about biomechanical pressure distribution in cycling. Suddenly everything made sense.
I was truly at the end of my rope. On a particularly frustrating evening in November, I desperately googled "mountain bike saddle pain cause research 2024."
Between the usual recommendations for gel pads and cycling shorts, I found a scientific article: "Pressure Distribution Analysis on Bicycle Saddles: Impact of Saddle Geometry on Perineal Loading."
What I read changed everything.
The researchers discovered that cyclists with saddle pain show pressure concentrated in the wrong place: on the perineal area instead of the sit bones.
My mind started racing: What if all my narrow race saddles had actually made the problem worse, because my sit bones couldn't find proper support and all the pressure landed on the sensitive perineal area? What if I hadn't been fighting the pain for years, but actually feeding it?
I spent weeks devouring everything about saddle biomechanics. The realization was shocking: Almost everything I had done was counterproductive.
How Pressure Distribution on a Bike Saddle Actually Works
Your pelvis is the central contact point when cycling: sit bones, soft tissue, nerve pathways. Sounds simple, but it's an incredibly complex system. There are zones that can handle pressure, and zones that absolutely cannot.
Your sit bones (ischial tuberosities) are designed to carry your weight:
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They're the natural "load-bearing points" of your pelvis
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They have a thick bone layer that can handle sustained pressure
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The skin covering them is built for weight-bearing
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They distribute weight evenly and symmetrically
What goes wrong with saddle pain:
With most standard MTB saddles, the pressure distribution is completely out of balance:
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The sit bones can't find stable support and slide around
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Body weight shifts to the sensitive perineal area
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Nerves and blood vessels get compressed, numbness develops
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Soft tissue gets chronically irritated, inflammation sets in
The vicious cycle: Performance-oriented MTB saddles with minimal padding and narrow profiles force the sit bones into an unstable position. Your weight shifts onto the perineal area, compressing nerves and blood vessels. This bypasses the natural protective function of the sit bones, leading to even more numbness, pain, and long-term damage, while the real problem, the lack of proper ergonomic pressure distribution , remains unsolved.
And there's a second factor: shock absorption. Every root, rock, and drop transmits directly through the saddle into your pelvis and spine. Mountain biking multiplies this problem tenfold compared to road riding. I'd already tried saddles with "flex" bases. They helped with some vibration, but the pressure distribution stayed exactly the same. I needed both solved at once, not one or the other.
The Solution: Ergonomic Pressure Relief WITH Shock Absorption
Instead of fighting the pain with more padding, I needed to rebuild my body's natural support system.
After weeks of research, I finally understood what I'd been doing wrong all those years.
Every narrow race saddle, every minimal-padding performance seat, every "just tough it out" mentality had failed to solve my problem. Instead, they left my sit bones unsupported and loaded my perineal area with constant pressure.
The solution wasn't about fighting my body, but about supporting it.
I came across the concept of suspension-equipped ergonomic saddles with targeted sit bone support. This was completely new to me. While I'd always tried to find the "right" narrow race saddle, the idea here was to completely relieve the sensitive center area, provide wide and stable sit bone support, and neutralize trail impacts with integrated suspension.
The more I read about this three-component approach, the more sense it made. It's like switching from rigid forks to proper suspension: not just softer, but smarter impact management.
Here's how ergonomic pressure relief with shock absorption works, and why it's so effective for saddle pain:
✓ Ergonomic saddle body with targeted sit bone support
→ Your weight gets directed to the two natural load-bearing points of your pelvis: stable, secure, pain-free. No sinking, no sliding on technical sections.
✓ Ventilation cutout in the center
→ The sensitive perineal area is kept completely pressure-free. Nerves and blood vessels stay uncompressed, numbness disappears.
✓ Integrated shock absorption system
→ Absorbs impacts and vibrations from roots, rocks, and drops before they reach your pelvis, spine, and discs.
✓ Advanced gel padding instead of hard race foam
→ Distributes pressure evenly without letting your sit bones sink in. Soft enough for comfort on long climbs, firm enough for stability on descents.
The fundamental difference from everything I tried before:
Standard saddles work AGAINST your body:
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Narrow profiles leave sit bones unsupported (loads the perineal area) Those race-oriented MTB saddles look fast, but your sit bones have no stable platform, shifting weight onto the sensitive tissue between them.
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Minimal padding transmits every impact (destroys your spine) On the trails, every root and rock hammers directly into your pelvis and vertebral discs. "Flex" bases barely help.
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No real suspension (cumulative trail damage) Without actual dampening, a 2-hour trail ride delivers hundreds of micro-impacts to your spine and perineum.
The result: Your body takes more and more damage, while the real problem stays unsolved.
Ergonomic pressure relief with shock absorption works WITH your body:
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Supports sit bones with a properly shaped ergonomic surface
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Relieves the perineal area completely through the ventilation cutout
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Absorbs trail impacts through integrated suspension before they reach your joints
That was my breakthrough moment:
Three years I had been fighting against my body. But it didn't need a narrower, lighter, more "performance" saddle. It needed proper support: stable contact for my sit bones, zero pressure on the sensitive center, and real shock absorption. Not one or the other. All three at once.
My Breakthrough: The Sport Bike Saddle by NaturVibes
After 3 years of suffering and over $880 on saddles, shorts, creams, and fittings, I was at rock bottom. Either ergonomic pressure relief with real suspension would work, or I'd have to give up mountain biking for good.
For weeks, I researched ergonomic bike saddles with integrated shock absorption. 90% of them were either absurdly expensive ($200+), designed purely for road cycling, or the "suspension" was just a marketing gimmick with a flex base that did nothing on real trails.
Then I found NaturVibes.
What was immediately different: Instead of big marketing promises like "race-proven," I found clear explanations of why their Sport Saddle is built differently. Instead of "lightweight performance," they talked about pressure distribution, ventilation design, and shock absorption. That sounded legit.
I spent hours on their website reading the customer reviews.
What finally convinced me after days of hesitation:
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Integrated shock absorption system: A real shock-absorbing gel inlay that absorbs trail impacts. NONE of the other MTB saddles I'd tested had this
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Ergonomic saddle body with gel padding: Supports sit bones without sinking in
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Ventilation cutout in the center: A real relief zone that keeps the entire perineal area free
The saddle they recommend for saddle pain sufferers features:
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Ergonomic saddle body with targeted sit bone support: Shaped to support sit bones wide and stable, relieves perineal area through the central cutout
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Advanced gel padding with shock-absorbing inlay: Distributes pressure evenly: soft enough for comfort, firm enough for stability
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Integrated shock absorption system: Absorbs impacts from roots, rocks, drops, and rough trails before they reach your pelvis, back, and joints
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Weatherproof vegan leather surface: Water-resistant, wear-resistant, non-slip grip in all conditions
On May 8, 2025, I placed my order.
I was genuinely nervous clicking "Buy Now"... After so many disappointments, so much wasted money. This was my last shot.
3 days later, the package arrived. Inside: a saddle that looked and felt completely different from the narrow race saddles I'd been torturing myself with for 3 years.
My Transformation: Documented Week by Week
Weeks 1–2: First Signs of Hope
Day 1: Installation took less than 5 minutes. First test ride on my local trail: My sit bones found support. Real, stable support. No sliding, no sinking. And when I hit the first root section, the shock absorption kicked in. I'd never experienced that on a saddle before.
Days 3–7: First trail rides (8–12 miles). The constant numbness on climbs? Gone. The cutout in the center. I could feel: There's no pressure there.
Days 8–14: 15-mile trail ride with 2,000ft of climbing. No numbness, no burning. For the first time in 2 years, I could sit normally after a ride without wincing.
Weeks 3–4: The Turning Point
Days 15–21: Full day at the bike park. Rock gardens, root sections, small drops. The shock absorption swallowed everything. After 3 hours on the trails, I felt like I'd been on a casual cruise. That hadn't happened in 3 years!
Days 22–28: My body fully adapted. The Sport Saddle felt like part of my bike, not a foreign object I was fighting against.
Weeks 5–12: The Transformation
Days 29–56: Riding regularly again. 3–4 times a week on trails. Zero discomfort.
Days 57–84: The unthinkable: My crew planned a full-day backcountry ride, 30+ miles with serious elevation. For the first time in 3 years, I signed up and finished the whole thing. No stops, no pain, no walking the bike home early.
After 3 months: My saddle pain was 95% gone.
No more daily pain, no numbness, no dreading the next trail ride.
Product Comparison: Why NaturVibes Beats Everyone Else
I tested dozens of products and approaches. Here are my Top 3:
#3: Selle Italia Novus Boost Evo Ti 316 Superflow
My verdict:
The typical premium road saddle that shows up when you search for "best bike saddle." Italian brand, titanium rails, big price tag. But at $249.99 with zero shock absorption and minimal padding, it's a road racing product that has no business on mountain bike trails.
Why people choose it:
Italian brand name, titanium rails sound premium, and the $249.99 price tag makes people assume it must be good. Classic "expensive = better" thinking.
Pros:
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Center cutout present
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Lightweight at around 225g
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Ti 316 titanium rails
Cons:
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$249.99, nearly five times the price of the NaturVibes Sport Saddle
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Zero shock absorption, no suspension system whatsoever
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145mm width, narrow for many sit bone types
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Minimal padding, designed for race positions not trail comfort
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Titanium rails add nothing to comfort or pressure distribution
#2: Title MTB MS2 Saddle
My verdict:
An MTB-specific saddle that at least targets the right audience. The "tuned flex" base is supposed to handle trail impacts, but in practice it barely makes a difference on rocky terrain. Better than a road saddle on trails, but still no real shock absorption, no gel padding, and narrow at 135mm.
Why it's often chosen:
MTB brand, $79.95 price point, and the "flex platform" sounds like it does something for trail impacts. Available in a few colors.
Pros:
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Pressure relief channel present
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Chromoly rails
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Lightweight at 266g
Cons:
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"Tuned flex" is subtle, doesn't match real shock absorption on rough trails
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135mm width, narrow for many riders
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Minimal padding, prioritizes weight over comfort
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No gel or foam support for longer rides
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Flex base doesn't prevent sit bone pressure from transmitting to perineum
My verdict:
The Sport Saddle was the only saddle in my test that truly solved my trail riding saddle pain, not just temporarily, but sustainably over months. The combination of ergonomic saddle body, ventilation cutout, advanced gel padding, and integrated shock absorption is unique at this price point. No other MTB saddle under \$100 combined all four in a single product.
Why it wins:
The Title MTB MS2 has a flex base, but "tuned flex" is marketing speak for "bends a little." It doesn't match real shock absorption on rocky terrain. And the Selle Italia? $249.99 for a road saddle with zero suspension and minimal padding makes no sense for trail riders. The NaturVibes Sport Saddle delivers targeted sit bone support, complete perineal relief, gel comfort that lasts, and actual shock absorption for $54.95. That's not a compromise. That's the best value in the test.
Pros:
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Ergonomic saddle body with targeted sit bone support
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Integrated shock absorption system absorbs trail impacts
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Advanced gel padding supports without sinking
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Ventilation cutout for complete perineal relief
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Weatherproof vegan leather surface with non-slip grip
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Stainless steel frame for trail durability
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Universal fit: mountain bikes, e-MTBs, gravel bikes, city bikes
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Quick installation in under 5 minutes
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30-day return policy & free shipping
Cons:
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Only available online (not in stores)
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Slightly higher price than basic saddles, but a true all-in-one system
After 8 Months: My Results
Before (May 2025):
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Numbness after 20 minutes of climbing
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Butt pain lasting hours after every trail ride
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Back pain from every root and rock impact
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Max ride time: 45 minutes, then I had to quit
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Mountain biking felt like punishment
Today (January 2026):
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Zero numbness, even after 3+ hours on the trails
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No butt pain whatsoever after rides
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Back and spine protected by the shock absorption
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Regularly riding 2–4 hour trail sessions, full-day rides no problem
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Mountain biking is genuinely fun again. I look forward to every ride
What Other Cyclists Are Saying
⚠️ Important Note: Availability
NaturVibes has a genuine bestseller on their hands with the Sport Saddle. The saddle regularly sells out for short periods. That's because more and more mountain bikers are discovering the three-component approach (ergonomic support + perineal relief + shock absorption), but production capacity is limited.
Last month, the Sport Saddle was unavailable for almost 2 weeks.
🎁 Exclusive Discount
The Sport Bike Saddle normally retails for $79.95.
Right now, it's already reduced to $54.95, that's an instant 31% savings.
Your price: $54.95
✅ Ergonomic bike saddle with gel padding & integrated shock absorption
✅ Free shipping
✅ 30-day trial, easy returns
✅ Weatherproof vegan leather, stainless steel frame
>> Get the NaturVibes Sport Saddle at the reduced price now <<
Frequently Asked Questions
My Final Message to You: Stop Wasting Your Time
I know what you're thinking: "Here we go, another saddle..."
I thought the same thing.
But here's the difference: I spent 3 years and over $880 on saddles, shorts, creams, and bike fittings. You don't have to.
What does it cost you if you change nothing?
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More numbness and pain after every trail ride
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More hundreds of dollars on saddles that don't work
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Eventually, you give up mountain biking altogether, just like I almost did
What do you gain if you take the right path?
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Pain-free trail riding, as long as you want, as technical as you want
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Your money invested once, instead of thrown away on repeat purchases
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The freedom that mountain biking is supposed to be about