1. Adjust your saddle to the right position

The tilt and position of your saddle will considerably affect the way you feel when sitting on it. So, this is the first thing to start with. Make sure your local bike shop fits your bike to YOU when you pick it up. They are here to help, so don’t hesitate to ask!

If you like doing things yourself, head over to our bike setup article to learn how to adjust your saddle properly.

Finally, if you are a detail-oriented person, plan to ride long distances and want to get the absolute best out of your bike, you can opt for a complete bike fit with a specialist. Again, ask your local bike shop for recommendations.

2. Find a saddle that works for you

Next to the position of your saddle, the type of saddle you are sitting on obviously plays a major role here. All SCOTT bikes come with a Syncros saddle that is selected according to the intended use of the bike, but unfortunately, there is no such thing as “one saddle fits all”. So, no hard feelings if you need a different saddle, just swap it.

Syncros offers many options based on riders’ different anatomies and flexibility levels. Learn more about Syncros saddles and find the perfect saddle match for you. Also, ask your local dealer if you can try different saddles or check the brand’s return policy before purchasing.

Finding out if a saddle is going to be comfortable for you on longer rides can, well, take a long ride. So, getting advice from a specialist – either at your bike shop or with a bike fitter – will save you some time (and pain!) in the trial-and-error process.

3. Choose your bibshorts and shorts wisely

If you want to fully enjoy those long rides, it’s not enough to be comfortable on your bike. You also need to be comfortable in your clothing.

For most of us, padded cycling shorts are the way to go. They offer extra cushioning where you need it the most and come in a tight fit to offer support and reduce chafing.

SCOTT offers different styles of padded bibshorts and shorts, with different paddings intended for longer or shorter rides, as well as different constructions for various comfort preferences.

To make it simple:

• Shorts with ++++ padding are the best choice for longer rides

• Shorts with + padding are great for shorter rides

Bibshorts or shorts?

The advantage of a bibshort is that there is no elastic band around your waist to hold the shorts up, which results in greater comfort around your waist. However, many of us women are concerned about the hassle of having to take off the straps for a pee-break. Know that SCOTT offers women’s bibshorts designed to make it easy to pull down when needed, without having to remove the straps. Yay!

Oh, and last but clearly not least, please, no underwear underneath your padded shorts! Wearing regular underwear underneath cycling shorts increases the risk of chafing, so you want to avoid that.

4. Care for your “down there”

Finally, there are a few more things you can do to stay comfortable for longer on the bike, but also once you get off the bike. If you feel that you are experiencing some chafing while riding, try to use chamois cream, as it can considerably reduce friction and protect your skin in that area.

Once you are done with your ride, get out of your cycling shorts as soon as possible and jump in the shower or opt for a quick wipe and refresh if you are on the road. If I’m driving to the trails, I usually bring wipes and something comfortable to wear post-ride, so I can clean myself up and not be sitting in my sweaty dirty bibshorts on the drive back home or at the bar.

Also, change your cycling shorts after each ride and wash them following SCOTT’s care tips:

•Machine wash: Normal treatment (max. 30°C)

•Do not bleach

•Do not tumble dry

•Do not iron

•Do not dryclean

•Do not use fabric softener

If you have sensitive skin and are prone to pimples or ingrown hair in that area, I recommend using a special soap to prevent these. Ask your riding friends what they use or talk to a specialist such as a dermatologist or a beautician.

Hopefully these tips will help you stay comfortable on your bike so that you can enjoy every pedal stroke. Now saddle up and have fun out there!

Text: Sarah Didier

Pictures: Monica Hammond