The Best Road Bike Saddle for Men 2021: Our top 6

If you’re a man, a good road bike saddle doesn’t just make you comfortable; but it will also prevent all sorts of problems such as genital numbness and testicular pain.

We know how difficult it can be to find the right road bike saddle for men, and that’s why we’ve done our homework to find the best road bike saddles for men in 2021.

Without further ado, let’s get down to business. We recommend the Fabric Scoop Pro Team Saddle.

Fabric Scoop Pro Team Saddle – Best Road Bike Saddle For Men

This Fabric Scoop Pro Team Saddle for men weighs just 98 grams. Besides that, it has a narrow nose and thin padding that makes it ideal for riding in an aerodynamic position.

The cover is made out of synthetic microfiber material that is waterproof and easy to clean. Even though it doesn’t have a cut-out in the middle, it has a flat ergonomic profile to improve comfort and performance.

However, we think it’s a little bit expensive for a saddle that is covered by synthetic material.

Manufacturer Specs:

• Outline: Teardrop
• Width: 142 mm
• Length: 137 mm
• Weight: 98 g

What We Like

• It’s ultra-lightweight
• Ideal for an athletic riding position
• Easy to clean
• Waterproof cover
• Thin padding

What We Don’t Like

• It’s expensive

Summary

If you’re looking for something ultra-lightweight, this is a good option. We believe this is one of the best road bike saddle for men

Selle SMP Unisex’s Well Saddle

A unisex saddle with a weather-resistant cover and a rail to absorb road vibrations, what more could you possibly want? Add a large cut at the center to relieve pressure and a linear outline to have an idea of what we’re talking about.

The Selle SMP Unisex’s Well Saddle is designed for a regular or an upright riding position on most mountain, road, gravel, and commuter bikes. The best part is, it can fit most people with medium sit bone width.

Did I mention, it has a reinforced carbon fiber body and a stainless steel tube? In other words, it’s very durable.

Despite all its remarkable features, we think 280 grams is too heavy for a saddle. Then again, it wasn’t designed for an athletic riding position.

Manufacturer Specs:

• Outline: Linear
• Width: 144 mm
• Length: 280 mm
• Weight: 280 g

What We Like

• It’s unisex
• It can be used on most bikes
• Reinforced with carbon fiber
• Cut out to relieve pressure
• It’s durable
• Weather-resistant seat cover

What We Don’t Like

• It’s a little bit heavy

Summary

An ideal saddle for regular and upright riding position. Another great option for the best road bike saddle for men.

Selle Italia Novus Evo Boost Kit Carbonio Superflow

Three features make this saddle stand out from the rest – hence it make it to our list of the best road bike saddle for men; its waved shape, superflow cut-out design, and longer rails. For starters, it has a waved shape at the rear to improve your sitting stability, especially on long-distance rides.

Other than that, it uses a superflow groove with medium padding on the edges to reduce pressure on the perineum area. What’s more, the central cut out makes it suitable to be used by both men and women.

Last but not least, the rail is made out of reinforced carbon fiber material that makes it lightweight and durable. Not to mention, the rail is at least 10 mm longer than most seat rails so that it would be easier to adjust it.

Unfortunately, this saddle wouldn’t be ideal for cyclists who swell after riding on a cut-out saddle.

Manufacturer Specs:

• Outline: Teardrop
• Width: 145 mm
• Length: 245 mm
• Weight: 165 g

What We Like

• Light carbon rail
• Central groove
• Comfortable for longer distance
• It’s durable
• Waterproof material
• It’s unisex

What We Don’t Like

• It’s not ideal for all riders

Summary

A unisex saddle that is very comfortable. However not for everyone’s choice of the best road bike saddle for men

PRO Stealth Saddle

If you’re an athletic rider on a road bike, time trial bicycle, or triathlon bike, this PRO stealth saddle could be your best option. If you look closely, the saddle is narrow at the rear but wider at the center; this is because most of your weight is focused at the center of the saddle when you’re in an aerodynamic position.

If that’s not enough, the saddle is designed with a large cut-out gap that helps to improve blood flow. Better yet, it has thin padding so you don’t strain your soft tissues over a long distance. Not to forget, the saddle is covered with soft synthetic material to reduce friction and prevent skin chafing.

But what’s cool about this saddle compared to the competition is that you can mount a PRO camera at the rail. However, this saddle is not ideal for everybody; especially if you don’t like cut out gaps.

Manufacturer Specs:

• Outline: Teardrop
• Width: 142 mm, 152 mm  
• Length: N/A
• Weight: 205 g

What We Like

• It’s compatible with bike accessories
• Thin padding
• It reduces friction
• Designed for aerodynamic riders

What We Don’t Like

• Not for everyone

Summary

This is one of the best road bike saddle for men who are a professional riders.

Fizik Aliante R1 Open Bike Saddle

This bike seat is designed for riders who have issues with spine flexibility. In other words, it would be perfect for a regular or upright riding position that involves moving the pelvis a lot while cycling.

Thanks to its carbon-reinforced shell and braided carbon rails, it’s durable and lightweight to improve performance. Of course, there is a cut-out gap to relieve pressure on your perineum area.

On the downside, this saddle is not suitable for athletic riders who prioritize speed in racing competitions.

Manufacturer Specs:

• Outline: Teardrop
• Width: 143 mm, 152 mm 
• Length: 275 mm 
• Weight: 199 g, 205 g

What We Like

• Ideal for road and mountain bikes
• Easy to install
• Unisex fit
• Small central cut-out
• Very comfortable

What We Don’t Like

• Not suitable for athletic riders

Summary

If you have spinal flexibility issues, this is a good option hence made to our list of the best road bike saddle for men

Fizik Aliante R1 Versus EVO Saddle

Unlike most performance saddles, this one doesn’t have a cut-out gap. Instead, it has a hollow line passing through the center of the saddle that helps to relieve pressure without relying on a central groove.

What’s more, the saddle is covered with synthetic microtex material that is weather resistant. But the best part is that it doesn’t cause skin chafing on your thighs when you’re pedaling.

One more thing; this saddle is designed for endurance riders who are usually flexible with high pelvic rotation while cycling.

The only reason some riders don’t like this saddle is because it doesn’t have a cut-out gap. Then again, not everybody is comfortable on a saddle with a cut-out gap.

Manufacturer Specs:

• Outline: Teardrop
• Width: 140 mm
• Length: 279 mm
• Weight: 189 g

What We Like

• It’s lightweight
• It’s durable
• Ideal for endurance riders
• Waterproof
• Very comfortable

What We Don’t Like

• No cut out gap

Summary

A saddle with no cut out gap, but you can ride it in an aerodynamic position. 

Things To Consider When Buying The Best Road Bike Saddle For Men

Consider Your Riding Style

The best saddle should complement your riding position. Usually, there are three basic riding positions that require different types of saddle. Let’s have a look.

Upright Riding Position

Saddle features: Fully padded, wide rear, could include gel or springs  

Ideal bike type: Hybrid bikes, cruiser bikes, and mountain bikes

Ideal riding style: Slow pedaling, casual, leisure

If you prefer a relaxed riding position while seated at 90 degrees inclination angle, you should choose a wide saddle that is fully padded but it shouldn’t be too much to stress your soft tissues. This is because most of your upper body weight will be over the saddle and you need something wide at the rear with some extra cushion for support.

Regular Riding Position

Saddle features: Narrow nose, medium padding, optional central groove, ergonomic design

Ideal bike type: Road bike, hybrid bike, mountain bike, commuter bike

Ideal riding style: Off-road terrain, tarmac road, commuting, fitness, medium to fast pedaling speed

This riding position involves bending your upper body slightly at about 60 degrees angle. Since you will be shifting some of your weight to the handlebars and pedals, you would be better off using a medium padded saddle with a narrow nose. A cut-out at the center could also help to relieve pressure but it’s not for everyone.

Athletic Riding Position

Saddle features: Thin padded, narrow, lightweight, ergonomic design, optional cutout

Ideal bike type: Road bike, time trial bicycle, triathlon bike

Ideal riding style: Fitness, competitive racing, fast pedaling speed

This position is common among competitive cyclists who tend to lean at an aerodynamic 45-degree angle with most of the weight transferred to the handlebars and pedals. For that reason, most athletic professional riders will move their butt a little bit forward on the saddle.

An ideal saddle for an aerodynamic riding position should be narrow and lightweight with thin padding. Besides that, you could consider a saddle with a central groove

Comfort of the best road bike saddle for men

Besides the padding and design of the saddle, there are few extra details that you should consider to improve your comfort. For instance, if you often ride a mountain or a hybrid bike on bumpy terrain, you should consider a saddle with underside gel or springs to absorb shock and vibrations.

Otherwise, you should also consider the material. To be precise, genuine leather saddle covers are considered superior because they’re supple to prevent skin chafing when you rub your thighs on the seat. But if the leather cover is saturated with water, it could become brittle and stiff.

Alternatively, you could choose a saddle with a cover made of waterproof synthetic material. Of course, the synthetic material is cheaper than genuine leather but don’t expect it to be more durable.

But what about cut-out? Sure, men can also ride on a saddle with a cut-out to relieve tissue pressure. That means, if you have a perfectly fitting saddle with a center cut out, you can say goodbye to genital numbness and testicular pain.

However, a cut-out opening on a saddle is not suitable for everybody. If you feel uncomfortable on a bike seat with a cut-out, you should try a saddle with no cut-out. Another good option would be a gel-covered saddle with a hollow gap at the center that is not completely cut out.

It all comes down to your preference; what is comfortable for you, is not comfortable for somebody else. On top of that, wearing good-quality padded cycling bib shorts could go a long way to make you more comfortable on the saddle

Get A Professional Fitting of your best road bike saddle for men

If you want to figure out the exact saddle width measurement you should choose, you must get a professional fitting at your local bike shop. Most bike shops use a gel or memory foam pad to measure the gap between your sit bones.

However, if your local bike shop is not well-equipped or the nearest is too far away, you can do a professional fitting at home. Here is what you should do:

1.  Place a cardboard or memory foam on a stair or hard bench and sit on it.

2.  While you’re sitting on the cardboard or memory foam, try to mimic your riding position on a bike. The objective should be to press down on the cardboard using your sit bones to form an indent.

3.  After 4 or 5 minutes, stand up and measure the two indents shaped by your sit bones.

4.  Once you’ve figured out the distance between the sit bones, add an extra 25 mm to 30 mm to your measurement. This should give you the ideal saddle width to support your pelvis.

FAQs about the best road bike saddle for men

Q. What is the best road bike saddle for men?

A. The best road bike saddle for men is the PRO Stealth Saddle. Thanks to its thin padding and cut-out design, most professional cyclists prefer to use it. It’s also one of the few saddles that you can mount a camera on the rails.

Q. What is the best bicycle seat for long distance?

A. The best bicycle seat for long-distance riding would be the Fizik Aliante R1 Versus EVO Saddle. Even though it doesn’t have a cut-out gap at the center, it’s designed with a hollow line to relieve tissue pressure. Besides that, it’s designed to prevent thigh friction.

Q. What cycling saddles do the pros use?

A. Most professional athletes prefer to use the Fizik Aliante R1 Versus EVO Saddle or PRO Stealth Saddle. Both saddles are built for speed and endurance; the only difference is, the Fizik Aliante R1 Versus EVO doesn’t have a cut-out gap.

Q. What is the most comfortable road bike saddle for men?

Q. What is the most comfortable road bike saddle for men?

A. It depends on your riding style. If you’re in an upright riding position, the most comfortable saddle would be Selle Italia Novus Evo Boost.But if you’re in a regular riding position, you can choose Selle SMP Unisex’s Well Saddle or Fizik Aliante R1 Open Bike Saddle.

However, if you’re a pro rider in an aerodynamic position, your best bet would be the Fizik Aliante R1 Versus EVO Saddle or PRO Stealth Saddle.

Conclusion about the best road bike saddle for men

Now that you know the best saddles for men available on the market, you need to choose your preference based on your riding style and sit-bones measurement.

If you’re an athletic rider, we recommend the PRO Stealth Saddle or the Fizik Aliante R1 Versus EVO Saddle. On the other hand, if you want something for a casual or leisure ride, you can choose between Selle Italia Novus Evo Boost or Fizik Aliante R1 Open Bike Saddle.