Bicycle seats are the most important accessory to remember when driving because they are where you will drive, and they must be as comfortable as possible. Although each bicycle is made with elements considered essential to use, some accessories may change, and the seat is one of them.
Some seats are more comfortable than others and provide more benefits according to the type of cycling practiced, so it is necessary to know which types of seats are most convenient. To find out which one you need, keep reading and find out about the pros and cons you will find with gel seats and memory foam seats.
How important are bike seats?
The bicycle seats are the main element that provides comfort and good positioning when driving, being one of the most versatile accessories available to cyclists. A bicycle without a seat is not functional, which is why there are several options, because each is adapted to what each driver needs.
Taking care of these seats is also important, as is their correct leveling, because if this is not done, it is possible to have injuries when using them incorrectly. When this happens, lumbar or hip damage can occur, so it is recommended to make a good seat choice to avoid this type of problem in the future.
Having a seat that not only provides you with comfort but also quality is of vital importance when choosing a bicycle since it is what will give you the security of being able to spend hours on it if you do not feel comfortable in the seat you want to get off
Gel Bike Seats
A gel bicycle seat is characterized by being very comfortable, having an excellent padded design, and sometimes having material in the seat that removes discomfort and pressure. It may have a high-density fatty gel, achieving an additional protection suspension when sitting or on unstable ground.
The inserts that are contained in the seat are absorbed by the gel, as well as shocks, which softens the journey that is being made. The weight of the driver causes adequate pressure to be applied to the lower part and the perineum, which can cause pain, especially during long periods of driving. And this type of seat provides a better balance of pressure, and May all pains are removed.
Benefits
These seats have excellent padding, which gives great comfort when the bike is used for long periods. In addition, the padding features a special gel or memory shape that protects the body from pressure soreness, giving a proper balance between the rider’s weight and the ground when riding the bike.
There is also a presence of springs and balls that are of great help for protection, being functional as a shock absorber. The type of design adapts more easily to the body, and the ventilation openings make it possible for men to protect themselves from the pain that can occur when driving.
Drawback
Something that can be a big problem is that the seat comforts differently for each person, so it may not work for everyone when using it. That is why it is recommended to test before deciding to use this type of gel on the seat.
How Long Do Gel Bike Seats Last?
This depends on the type of use given to the bicycle because, when the bicycle is used more, the seat may wear out more quickly, and the gel deforms. This change may have to be made in the long term, but 5 years is the minimum that this type of seat can last when the bicycle is properly maintained and used.
A great advantage is that it is a type of seat that moulds to the body and weight of the driver, but it is recurring wear, especially when driving on uneven terrain. The gel is of good help in avoiding injuries and having a great posture at all times so that the experience will be very pleasant.
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Memory Foam Bike Seats
The viscoelastic foam, for its part, has a complete quality that makes the seats very spacious, allowing them to adhere to the body comfortably and practically. It is a type of seat that allows decompression and is functional for electric and normal bicycles, so the limitations are largely eliminated.
Its groove in the center of the seat is functional for unisex bicycles, making this type of seat very useful for any bicycle. Those who practice sports and want to do it for a ride can use this type of seat and have the same benefits for great comfort and resistance when driving without causing injuries or body wear.
Benefits
This type of foam is of high quality, giving complete comfort due to the decompression that the seat has, and it does not matter if you have a stationary bicycle or to practice cycling because it works in both cases. It has a slot in its center so that the air circulates regularly and prevents sweating, which can be very unpleasant when driving.
The thickness and coating of the foam, in most cases, provide waterproofing and is a great help when driving in humid climates or when it is raining a little on the way. In addition, many models are available, which is an excellent help so that you can find variety when selecting.
Drawback
It is possible that this type of seat is completely padded and may not move according to the body when this happens because the foam is not completely versatile. This is a great disadvantage, deteriorating the durability of the quality of the seat and being cases in which you can have a bad experience over time when the seat is not changed.
This is a major inconvenience for those who want to maintain long-term use of the seat unchanged, but it is unlikely to happen.
How Long Do Memory Foam Bike Seats Last?
It will always depend on the care given to the seat and how often the bicycle is used because, if you use it too often, the seat will wear out more easily. The foam, at some point, will stop being padded, and when the seat is not very comfortable or very padded, it has completely worn out, and changes are necessary.
They are seats that last a little less than the gel ones, with a maximum time of 5 years when the bicycle is not regularly used. However, this does not mean that the rest of the maintenance is unnecessary, but the vast majority is not associated with the seat, which provides excellent help and money savings.
Gel vs Memory Foam Bike Seats – Which Is Best?
Suppose you are looking for durability and seats with greater resistance. In that case, it is better to use bicycles with a gel seat, especially since they adapt easily to anybody, and it is not too complicated to manage their operation. However, seats with memory foam are more versatile because they can be adapted to any bicycle without problems.
Still, it is better to go for the memory foam option, especially since it has more reliable comfort and waterproofness than most of the options that are available on the market. This type of seat also gives a better aesthetic touch, and its structures are unisex, so any of them can be chosen and be functional for posture care and weight leveling.
They are also seats that work on stationary or cycling bikes and easily adapt to the terrain being traveled without causing too many problems. There are even city bikes that have these types of seats and are very comfortable, so they will always be the best option available so far.
Choosing seats that give you comfort and are of high quality is important for all those who decide to choose a seat. It is important to consider all the features and functionality that will be provided before making a specific decision.
Conclusion:
There are many types of bicycle seats, and knowing how to choose the right one is not only based on their characteristics but also on the needs of driving. There are gel and viscoelastic foam ones, and, accordingly, you have the opportunity to take one of the two to be able to place it on the bicycle and practice with the best possible comfort.
A viscoelastic foam seat provides better comfort and has other helpful features such as waterproofing in some cases and easy adaptation to the body. There are also variations in their sizes, which is why it is considered an excellent opportunity to have a versatile seat.
Some need the gel seat for medical reasons or for better comfort when they have long hours of use, but it always depends on the needs of each person. Something bad about this type of seat is that they can wear out easily, but they are functional for what is needed.
In the case of memory foam, a simple choice can be given so that you have comfort at any time, so it is considered the best to buy both types of seats for more widespread use.