Shoe & Saddle Fittings

SADDLES:

[Or as Steve Hogg prefers, Seats… “Saddles are for horses!”]

All cyclists can have significant challenges with saddles. The only way to figure out which saddle is your best solution is to try lots of saddles.

Finding the perfect saddle is a puzzle that every cyclist should attempt to solve. Often, riders simply ride whatever came on their bike, or change saddles once from something that was “a pile of screwdrivers” to something that is marginally acceptable. This is unfortunate as cycling should not necessitate compromise in the health of your pelvic floor, genitalia or perineum, but this is quite common in my experience. Worse, riders often justify this outcome in their minds because they equate cycling and sport with “being tough” or glorify suffering. This is at best, ignorant and at worst, willful unwitnessed self flagellation. I have a lot of thoughts on why people do this to themselves but they are for another time.

Three lessons I have seen over and over working with clients and in my own cycling are:

• Saddle comfort is relative: someone can perceive that their current choice is an 8.5/10 in terms of comfort, until they try a saddle that is completely different and have a realization that they have been accommodating a solution that is actually quite a long way from optimal. The realization is that their previous 8.5 is actually a 4/10. This is in part because we are all conditioned to believe that discomfort is part of sport and cycling. However, over time we learn to discern necessary discomfort from unnecessary discomfort. In order to truly define what is a good saddle, you need lots of data points. This means: try lots of saddles.

• Saddle comfort is dynamic. Cyclists often like to believe that once they figure out what saddle or shoes work for them, they never had to make the choice again and can simply buy the same model forever. Like figuring out what couch to buy. However, the body is always adapting to total life stress, and this means that physiological presentation will change over time. Which means a saddle or shoe that worked for a given rider well for a decade may suddenly no longer work. Hamstring tone changes when an athlete stops or starts alpine skiing in the winter; foot shape changes when we choose shoes with a wider toe box. 

• Saddle comfort is specific to the individual: Bio-Individuality rules everything. In fact, this principle is axiomatic and not only applies to saddle choice, but everything in bike fitting, health, movement, and life. This means that just because your buddy loves brand X, it may not be anywhere close to what works for you. The only way to know is to sit on it, on your bike, on the roads you normally ride on, and have the experience of riding it. A pressure map or sit bones won’t answer this question, only experience will.

ON THE TOPIC OF SIT BONES: Please do not send me your “sit bone width” and ask which saddle pack to order or try, sit bone width is a nearly useless metric on it’s own. Why? Here is a list of physical characteristics that contribute to saddle fit: 

• Pelvic floor tone
• Pudendal nerve tone / perineal nerve tone / inflammation 
• Adductor / hamstring tone 
• Core function / hip stability, which is related to shoulder stability
• Pelvic tilt 
• Pedaling style [technique, smoothness, intent, force patterns]
• Fascial and muscular tone from glutes to plantar fascia [at least]

Sit bone width is only one aspect of how a human pelvis interacts with a bicycle seat. It is the same thing as telling me your current bike has a 110 stem on it and asking me what the rest of your bike fit dimensions are.

Women may find this article enlightening and helpful:

https://www.bicycling.com/health-nutrition/a60412469/cycling-saddle-pain-women-surgery

I have a saddle test program and testing sessions which can be scheduled using the button below. Remote testing is also possible via email. I carry a wide selection of saddles, some of which I sell and some of which I do not. My goal is to get you on the best saddle for you, independent of the outcome or my financial interests. I sell SMP and they are a final solution for many of my male clients, and some of my women clients. In the shop I also have:

• Gelu
• Infinity
• SQ Labs
• Shimano Pro
• Specialized, including some models with Mimic
• Wove
• Prologo
• A few miscellaneous others

Some notes:

• In my experience, Specialized saddles with Mimic are very polarizing. Women either love them or hate them, and they can usually tell in seconds. This makes them a quick box to tick when searching for a saddle solution for women.
• Infinity saddles are very unusual in their design but can be a solution for some riders who have nerve inflammation or entrapment, or pelvic floor trauma
• Gelu saddles are best for riders who have high but not overly high pelvic floor tone, stable hips, and good core / breathing function
• SMP saddles will enable more anterior pelvic rotation for most riders, without increasing perineal pressure. This outcome may or may not be desirable depending on how the rider presents as they walk through the door
• 3D printed saddles such as the Fizik Adaptive and Specialized Mirror are not often final solutions in my experience, they are very squishy and unstable, which is not desirable in most cases when a rider is looking for a performance saddle. However there are a few exceptions.
• There are a lot of saddles on the market that are effectively identical. Key landmarks to help you find your way in saddle testing are: nose width, nose shape [round? boxy?], size and shape of cutout [almost every rider is better off with a cutout or at least a differential in material], side profile [flat? semi-cupped? deep cup?] padding level and density, overall length. Figure out which of these is not working for you and find a saddle that goes the other direction. For example, the difference between the Fizik Antares Vento and the Prologo Nano R4 is probably insignificant; but the difference between either of these and the SMP Dynamic is night and day.

SMP SADDLE TEST PROGRAM

This program was created to allow riders to test one or more SMP saddles at home, so they can decide which model works best. 

There are two pathways for testing SMP saddles [either by mail or in person]. 

You can either test individual saddles, or you can order a 3 pack of saddles to compare models back to back. 

OPTION ONE: Individual Test Saddle

For someone who has a good idea of what saddle they want to try, an individual test saddle can be ordered. The deposit is $155 [ 50% of retail for a saddle with hollow stainless rails + $10 shipping each way ]. $135  will be refunded if you don’t make a purchase, upon return of the test saddle. 

If you elect to order a saddle after the test period, simply place another order on the site for the retail saddle you would like [select rail type and color]. You will get a return label emailed to you for the test saddle, which can be shipped back after you receive the retail saddle, so you have have a seamless experience [IE you don’t have to ride your former saddle in the gap between test and retail]. 

NOTE: in most instances a test saddle will be a red and yellow “4 TEST” color scheme. However in some cases, all the test saddles may be in use and I may opt to send you a retail saddle. If you elect to purchase a retail saddle directly, simply email me and I will send you an invoice for the balance, minus return shipping. 

OPTION TWO: Test Saddle 3 Pack

If you have no idea where to start, a 3 pack is a good way to go. This allows you to test 3 saddles back to back, which can help clarify which saddle works best for you. 

There are two options available: SMP 3 Pack “L” and SMP 3 Pack “S”. 

SMP 3 Pack L: Forma, F30C s.i., Vulkor 

SMP 3 Pack S: Forma, F20C s.i., Composit 

Are you under 172cm tall and about 70kg? The S is your best stating point. 

If you are over 175cm and 80kg, start with the L. 

If you are close or between these two points, flip a coin or use your instincts. We have to start somewhere. 

To learn more about SMP saddles, see my product videos HERE [link to be inserted]

The demand for SMP TEST saddles in the demo program is very high. Thus, I kindly request that you do not keep TEST saddles longer than 2 weeks, as this prevents other customers from being able to try the saddles in a timely manner.

NOTE: you may receive red and yellow [ketchup and mustard] TEST saddles in your box. This is my first choice to send to clients for a test period. Normally, once a client decides which / if a model works for them, I will mail a retail saddle. On some occasions, you may receive a retail saddle in place of a TEST saddle. This is due to the high volume of riders requesting this service. If I waited to only send TEST saddles out, the wait would be very long. 

If you receive a retail saddle [any saddle in any model that is not red and yellow or “ketchup and mustard” , please treat it with care as this saddle may be sold to a future customer at a slight discount as “lightly used”. 

Thank you for your understanding. 

Email me for your return label. 

Your saddle or saddles may arrive in a miscellaneous box. As a small business, I use every effort to reduce, reuse and recycle. So please don’t be surprised if your box has seen some prior shipping use.

OPTION 3: IN PERSON SADDLE FITTING

You can also book an in person saddle fitting with me to try SMP saddles or any other saddle I have in my studio. We can try these on your bike or on the SRM fit bike, which is adjustable and can be fit to match or approximate your position. I have helped hundreds of riders find a better saddle home and will use my experience and expertise to guide you to a better solution.

To book an appointment, select one option below:

In this session, we will try as many saddles as necessary to get you dialed given the time constraints. After the session, you will take home a saddle or saddles to test for a few weeks. In the studio, we can refine our choices; the real test of any saddle is over a few of your typical rides, including some intensity, some duration, and some elevation gain and loss.

A $100 deposit may be collected for each of the test saddles, which is applicable towards the final purchase price of a retail saddle. if you opt to not buy a saddle, the deposit is fully refunded.

Once we find the saddle you prefer, the test saddle is replaced with a retail saddle. This can be done by mail if needed.

Shoe Fittings

I work with three types of shoes in my studio: Lore, Bont, and Lake. Stock is limited in the shop, but I do have some sizes and widths in Lake available to try on.

To figure out sizing for a shoe order, I can measure your feet and we can discuss which brand and model of shoe will work best for your needs. When they arrive [typically within 7 days for stock shoes] you come and try them on. If they don’t work, we can order another size. There is no universe where you pay for shoes that don’t fit.

For Lore shoes, I have a scanning device in the studio that is used to generate a file that I upload to Lore for shoe production.

Lore offers a completely new perspective on shoes, redesigning cycling footwear from the ground up. I have been heavily involved in the development of these shoes for the last few years. The project has taken some time to get off the ground. As of Q4 2024 Lore is shipping Lore2 shoes to customers. The ordering process looks like this:

1. Visit Lore.cc to decide which model is best for you. If you have questions, reach out to me or consult their FAQ page. place an order directly on their site.
2. Book an appointment on my calendar to have a scan done.
3. Lore will contact you with a delivery timeline. The shoes will ship directly to your address.
4. install cleats, go forth and smash watts.

To learn more about Lore shoes, listen to my podcast with the Founder Stephen Drake and the lead engineer Rob Horachek:

BONT
These are some of the stiffest shoes on the market. Most models offer a 3 layer upper which is very structured. Bont shoes are characterized by:

• construction is fundamentally a carbon “bath tub” design which gives the shoe a high degree of torsional stiffness
• low heel rise relative to most shoes on the market
• low toe spring relative to most shoes on the market
• stiff fabric in the upper of most models
• heat moldable, but not in a way that makes them completely custom. Some aspects of the shoe will change during heat molding [the vertical “walls” of the carbon sole, the shaping of the upper], while others [the curve of the sole, the toe box width] will not.
• leather or microfiber uppers with BOA or lace closures
• wide models
• Asian fit models [6mm wider in the toe box, standard heel width]

LAKE
In Lake nomenclature:

• CX = road or track shoes
• MX = mountain shoes
• G = gravel shoes

Lake shoes offer some unique solutions for riders, in particular for a riders looking for shoes that fit wide or very wide feet. The CX or MX242 models feature an upper made from a material that is almost like a scuba suit, it is very breathable and conforms to the shape of the foot extremely well. For riders who have thick, strong feet, these shoes can be a new chance to enjoy cycling.

The newly revised CX and MX333 shoes offer offset fabric BOA guides, which allow the upper to conform to the foot more effectively and avoid pressure points on the toe extensor tendons or the ankle retinaculum. The upper fabric is very pliable and will wrap the foot nicely, but it won’t conform as well over time as leather will.

To help our session, visit the Lake website to familiarize yourself with their line up, and use their sizing guide and tool to measure your feet. This will give you an idea of where we can start.

https://www.lakecycling.com/pages/how-to-measure-your-foot-for-lake-cycling-shoes

Lake cycling shoes are characterized by:

• narrow, normal and wide versions in most lasts, more size options than most other shoe companies
• average toe spring and heel rise relative to most modern shoes
• a curved shoe last in many models
• leather or microfiber uppers
• many models including winter shoes

CX403:

One model in Lake’s line up, the CX403, is very unique. It is the only shoe in Lake’s line up with a “bath tub” style construction [similar to Bont shoes] but with a very supple kangaroo upper. The carbon is heat moldable [more so than the Bont shoes] and the heel cup is very good on this shoe. However, there is a significant S curve built into the last of this shoe and this means anyone with a very low arch or poor arch tone will likely not be a good fit in this shoe. The S curve cannot be changed with heat molding, only the shape and orientation of the “vertical walls” the bath tub can be altered. Additionally, once the shoes are heat molded, they cannot be returned. I only encourage riders to try this shoe if they have a very particular foot type. This is an exceptional shoe for the right rider but it is a somewhat niche product.

CX201:

The CX201 is notable as it is build for riders with very wide, high volume feet. Athletes with this foot type are typically very muscular and often not super tall [more endomorphic]. For these types of riders, the 201 can be a huge relief as they have likely been cramming their feet in shoes that are built on a much smaller last than what they need.

FAQ:

• What is a shoe last? Think of the shoe last as the positive “male” form upon which the hollow female shoe is built around. For a given length and width, a shoe can have a higher volume last or a lower volume last. This is an important but often overlooked or mis understood aspect of shoe fit.
• What is a curved last? A curved last is exactly what it sounds like: looking at the sole of the shoe from the bottom, If you l draw a line from the center of the toes to the center of the heel, the shoe will curve away from this line like a moon shape. This is a carry over from older shoe designs and doesn’t have much relevance in modern footwear; this shape rarely helps a shoe fit better on a foot as most people’s feet are not curved in this way. However, it often does not cause problems for an athlete either. The exception is that in some cases, in order to get the cleat angle correct, the inside corner of the cleat [this applies to Shimano mostly] will hang off the carbon a bit, and the heel may rub or strike the chain stay or crankset on the bicycle.
• Which type of fasteners should I buy on the uppers? This comes down to comfort and preference. Some riders like laces but many prefer to have the ability to adjust upper tension during a ride, as the feet swell or contract in warm or cool conditions. Some riders find that BOA dials or ratchets cause pressure points on the bony aspects of the foot. The best way to know for sure? Try on the shoe, walk around in it for a few minutes.
• Do I need orthotics? What orthotics do you sell? In a few cases I will recommend rigid orthotics or footbeds for riders, but most often I prefer a minimum effective dose philosophy. Ultimately, all orthotics, arches, footbeds, wedges and devices are accommodations for poor foot function. Walking and running are the most important expressions of human movement, and cycling in modern carbon fiber cycling shoes makes all feet and ankles weaker and less stable over time. Building strong and stable feet and arches is a fundamental practice for human health. The footbeds I recommend in most cases are the G8 2620, which has a non-structural arch support that is more proprioceptive than it is supportive. These footbeds are unique to the market in that they have custom sizing and placement of the medial arch. This solution works very well for many riders. These footbeds will be for sale in my store in the near future.

For some additional thoughts, enjoy my podcast on feet, shoes and arch support: