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How to stop your kid getting saddle sore: a guide to kids bike saddles

When it comes to cycling with kids, comfort is key. A happy bottom means a happy rider, and the right saddle can make all the difference in ensuring your child enjoys every minute on their bike. 

Saddle sores, chafing, numb bits, sore bits, pressure points- there are a whole host of ways children's bums might be hurting on their bikes.

In this guide, we’ll explore the importance of choosing the best kids' bike saddles, recommend some of the options available, discuss the value of kids' cycling shorts, and share additional tips and tricks to keep your child comfortable. Plus, we'll include some real-life recommendations from parents in the cycling community.

It's worth us mentioning that all of this advice is relevant to adult's comfort on saddles too!

Jump through the article:

kids bike saddles: little girl wearing a pink helmet is adjusting the saddle height on her bike

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Why comfort matters: the key to enjoyable cycling

Comfort is essential when it comes to kids' cycling. A poorly sized or uncomfortable saddle can quickly turn a fun ride into an unpleasant experience. Not only does discomfort make children less likely to want to ride, but it can also lead to soreness, chafing or injury, putting them off cycling altogether. 

One of the best kids' bike saddles, on the other hand, supports your child’s sit bones, reduces pressure on sensitive areas, and helps to maintain proper posture.

At Cycle Sprog, we believe that conversations about comfort should start from the very beginning of your child's cycling journey and continue as their bikes and bodies grow and change. 

It's important to regularly check in with your child about how they feel on their bike, as some children might feel too embarrassed to mention if they’re uncomfortable, experiencing numbness, or chafing. By encouraging open discussions and making adjustments when needed, we can help ensure that your child stays comfortable and enjoys their time on the bike.

kids bike saddles: A 6 year old girl in a pink coat and purple helmet riding a orange yomo 20 bike on a pump track with a massive grin on her face

The importance of the right sized bike:

A crucial aspect of ensuring your child's comfort is making sure they're riding the right-sized bike.

It can be hard to know how to choose the right sized bike for your child, but a bike that’s too small can force your child into awkward postures, leading to unnecessary pressure on their back, knees, and bottom. On the other hand, a bike that’s too big may make it difficult for your child to maintain balance and control, which can also result in discomfort or injury. 

It’s important to check your child’s bike fit regularly, it's really easy to measure your child, especially as they grow, to ensure they’re riding a bike that matches their size and ability. A properly sized bike not only helps maintain comfort but also improves their overall cycling experience. 

What's wrong with my kids’ current saddle?

Well, it depends if your child is currently comfortable or not!

When it comes to kids' bikes, the quality of the saddle can vary significantly. Some bikes come equipped with saddles that have been carefully designed with a child's anatomy in mind, offering excellent support and comfort. These saddles often reflect the brand's commitment to creating a positive riding experience. However, not all bikes are created equal, and some may come with more basic saddles that might not provide the same level of comfort.

It's important to remember that every child is different, and what works perfectly for one may not be suitable for another. Factors such as body shape, riding style, and even personal preferences play a significant role in determining comfort. This means that even with a well-designed saddle, it’s still essential to ensure it’s the right fit for your child. Trying out different options and making adjustments as needed will help you find the perfect solution for keeping your child comfortable and happy on their bike.

Common cycling saddle myths: 

  • Bike saddles DON’T need wearing in. They should be comfortable from day one (unless they are leather, which is very unusual for kids bikes).
  • Bottoms DON’T need to be trained to get used to saddles, if your child is uncomfortable now it won't get better. If you encourage them to persevere then you might just put them off cycling forever.
  • As children go through puberty, expect that they might need an adult size saddle. Girls’ sit bones will change in width as they go through puberty, as well as their soft tissue.
  • You don’t need expensive chamois cream to stop chafing- cheaper alternatives you already probably have to hand will do- Sudocrem is brilliant for bottoms of all ages!
kids bike saddles: photo focused on the saddle of an decathlonMTB

The best kids' bike saddles

There are few brands making children's specific saddles that can be purchased separately from a bike, these are our top recommended best kids' bike saddles: 

Selle Royal junior saddle range

With four different saddles in their kids' range, Selle Royal Junior saddles are designed specifically for young riders, with a range of widths and lengths and all with a good pressure relief channel.

Buy Now

SDG Fly Jr. Saddle

The SDG Fly Jr. is  “Packed full of comfort and performance features anatomically designed for smaller sit bones”

Buy Now

Bikes with the best kids' bike saddles- as recommended by our community

Woom bikes:

Woom, a brand well-known for its high-quality kids’ bikes, equip their bikes with excellent saddles. The Woom Saddle is designed with a child’s anatomy in mind. The saddles get bigger and wider as their bike size increases, and the saddles on the balance bikes are designed for an upright ‘walking’ position. The saddles also have reinforced side panels as woom now kids' bikes, and saddles have a hard life!

kids bike saddles: photo focused on the saddle of a woom bike

Islabikes:

Islabikes are a well known, brilliant kids' bike brand which sadly are no longer being sold. But their saddles are designed with the child in mind and many families speak very highly of them. Thankfully they still sell their saddles as part of their spare part range, so are definitely a brand to consider.

kids bike saddles: photo focused on the saddle of an islabike MTB

Decathlon 900 range:

Many bikes in the 900 range are Stocked with Selle Royal junior saddles highlighted above.

kids bike saddles: photo focused on the saddle of an riverside 900 bike

YOMO bikes:

YOMO bikes stock their bikes with Selle Royal junior saddles too.

photo focused on the saddle of an yomo

Measuring your child’s sit bones: ensuring the saddle is the correct width

One of the most important factors in choosing the right kids' bike saddle is ensuring it’s the correct width for your child’s sit bones. The sit bones, or ischial tuberosities, are the bony parts of the pelvis that bear the most weight when sitting. If a saddle is too narrow, it won’t provide adequate support, leading to discomfort. Conversely, if it’s too wide, it can cause chafing and impede proper pedalling.

How to measure your child’s sit bones

Measuring your child’s sit bones at home is a straightforward process, and it’s well worth the effort to ensure you choose the right saddle width:

  1. Gather materials: You’ll need a piece of corrugated cardboard (or a sheet of a tinfoil ontop of a towel), a ruler or tape measure, and a flat surface.
  2. Prepare the surface: Place the cardboard on a hard, flat surface like a chair, bench or stairs.
  3. Have your child sit down: Ask your child to sit on the cardboard with their feet flat on the ground and their knees bent at a 90-degree angle. Their weight should be evenly distributed.
  4. Press down: Encourage your child to sit up straight and press down slightly, ensuring their sit bones leave an impression on the cardboard.
  5. Measure the impressions: After your child stands up, you should see two distinct indentations on the cardboard. Measure the distance between the centres of these two impressions. This distance is the width of your child’s sit bones.
  6. Choosing the right saddle: Once you have the measurement, look for a slightly wider saddle (a couple of centimetres) than this distance to provide proper support. Most kids' saddles are designed with a range of widths, so you should be able to find one that fits well.
kids bike saddles: photo focused on the saddle of an islabike MTB

Why the right width matters

A saddle that matches your child’s sit bone width will help distribute their weight evenly, reducing pressure on sensitive areas and preventing discomfort during rides. This can make a huge difference in your child’s overall cycling experience, especially on longer rides or more challenging terrains.

Finding saddles by width

Some brands provide specific measurements for their saddles, so be sure to check the product details before making a purchase. If you’re unsure, visiting a local bike shop where your child can try different saddles might also be a good idea. They can often provide expert advice and ensure you’re making the best choice for your child’s comfort.
Taking the time to measure your child’s sit bones and selecting a saddle that matches their width can significantly enhance their cycling comfort and enjoyment. Pairing the right saddle with quality cycling shorts and a proper bike setup will keep your child’s bottom happy and encourage them to spend more time exploring on two wheels.

The importance of kids' cycling shorts

In addition to a good saddle, investing in a pair of quality kids' cycling shorts (with a pad, AKA 'chamois') can significantly enhance your child’s comfort if you are looking to be doing bigger and longer rides than your usual daily journeys. Cycling shorts are designed to reduce friction, wick away sweat, and provide an extra layer of padding where it’s needed most. This can be particularly beneficial on longer rides or when your child is just starting to get used to spending more time in the saddle.

We've found that having a pair of "proper" cycling shorts also made our kids really excited about getting dressed up and ready to go out for a ride.

Head over to our guide to the best kids cycling shorts for more detail on this subject, but if you are in a hurry, these are our top picks:

Top picks for kids' cycling shorts

  • Little Pro - Best for young children aged 2 years and over – specialist retailer selling only kids cycling clothing
  • Decathlon - Best for entry-level products for ages 8 plus. Their B’Twin range is excellent value
  • Tredz - Particularly good for youth mountain biking shorts
kids bike saddles: ShredXS kids road cycle shorts

Other tips and tricks for keeping kids bums comfortable

  • Saddle height and angle: Ensure the saddle is at the correct height so your child’s legs can extend properly. The saddle should also be level or slightly tilted forward to avoid unnecessary pressure on sensitive areas. Finding the correct angle can be trial and error, so plan a ride where you can stop lots and take an Allen key out with you while you find the correct angle.
  • Regular breaks: Encourage your child to take breaks during long rides. This helps prevent discomfort from sitting in the same position for too long.
  • Proper clothing: Loose or rough seams in clothing can cause chafing, so opt for smooth, well-fitting garments.
  • Chamois cream: This is just a fancy word for some sort of lubricant to stop chafing. You can buy cream from bike shops especially designed for cyclists, or creams like Sudocrem do the job very well too! Apply this before and during rides on places where chafing is happening. Sudocrem is also great after a ride to aid recovery if chafing has occurred. 

The difference between girls and boys bike seat requirements

Different anatomy means different things to be aware of:

Girls saddle requirements

  • Girls and women might prefer a slight 'nose down' saddle position, allowing for most of their weight to go through their sit bones and allowing more room for their soft tissue.
  • If a girl is sitting in an odd upright position, not tilting the pelvis forward, this might be because there is too much pressure on her soft tissue and is in need of saddle adjustment or an alternative saddle.
  • Women's saddles have a cut-out, or soft centre to reduce soft tissue pressure, consider looking at women's saddles once your daughter is approaching puberty.
  • During puberty, women's pelvis changes, which results in wider sit bones.

Boys saddle requirements

  • Boys and men often prefer a more neutral, level saddle position, promoting even weight distribution.
  • Boys need to be taught and reminded to tuck their willy out of the way of the saddle. When they are younger, with less feeling down there, they might not realise they are trapping it- causing pain later down the line when they do start to feel it!

Community recommendations to prevent saddle soreness

We’ve gathered some advice from parents who have been through the process of finding the perfect saddle and cycling gear for their children:

“I think the saddles supplied with Islabikes are really well designed, we had a Pinnacle for a while as an in-between bike and frankly the saddle looked more akin to something off a Massey Ferguson than a bike, so far at the back he ended up sitting on the pointy bit with the discomfort that caused, whacked an Isla saddle on it and he was much happier.”

“Definitely padded leggings for longer rides! We’ve found Decathlon ones good as they aren’t worn for very long (my kids grow quick!) but they can make the difference on a longer ride.”

“My little guy and myself recently did a 10 day marathon ride across Belgium and Holland and Decathlon padded shorts and his Islabikes seat (as well as a bit of Vaseline applied first thing from day 3) meant he sailed through the 5-7 hours or riding every day.”

How to fix saddle sores if you've found this article too late!

You may be searching the web for solutions because its too late, your child has a sore bottom and you are wondering how to help speed up and encourage their recovery so they can get back to riding their bikes pain free.

The solution depends on what type of issue your child is having.

If your child has any type of sore, chafing, or damage to the skin then it is important to keep the area clean and well ventilated to promote healing. Creams such as Sudocrem are also useful to encourage skin repair.

For all types of saddle soreness, time off the bike will be what is needed to promote recovery.

We recommend while you are having a break from the saddle, implement the other changes within this article to prevent the problem arising again.

The more cautious you can be with time off the bike, to allow for a full recovery, will reduce the chances of the problem persisting and returning.

We recommend seeking professional medical attention if the problem is severe, persistent or you are unsure if it is healing.

Choosing the right kids bike saddle and gear is essential for ensuring your child’s comfort and enjoyment while cycling. By investing in a well-designed saddle, a good pair of cycling shorts, and paying attention to the small details, you can help your child develop a lifelong love of cycling.

Remember, every child is different, so don’t be afraid to try out a few options until you find the perfect fit. Happy riding!

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