Monday, November 28, 2011

No Nose Saddles: Spiderflex Review

The Spiderflex Noseless Saddle installed on our Green Zone Folding Bike.  The Pouch by Linus Bikes.

Noseless or no nose saddles are nothing new.  They have been around for sometime now and for many people, they will make the difference between riding and not.  Why?  Well, because the traditional road bike saddle design tends to put pressure on the delicate blood vessels in the groin area.  This can cause foot/leg numbness due to decreased blood flow and for men this can also negatively effect prostate and penile function.  Some men have had to give up cycling entirely because of the horrendous impact hours in the saddle made on their sex life.



We looked at a number of no nose saddles and heard a lot about how uncomfortable and weird they felt.  Then we came upon the Spiderflex saddle which stood out from the rest of the pack for the following reasons:
We liked the design plus the extra shock absorption found in the back of the Spiderflex saddle, (see the "spider" on the black shock absorber in the photo above...that's it).

It is ergonomically designed to allow the "sit bones" to be supported and cradled without cramping.  It also gives you full freedom in the crotch area without the pressure or chaffing most other saddles are notorious for.  Prepare to be free, baby!

There is nothing skimpy about this saddle.  Sturdy stainless steel rails and a very supportive, yet comfortable wide positioned seat come together in ergonomic perfection.  The Spiderfex  was easy to install and fits all standard seat posts and clamps.


We also really liked the "just right" firmness of this polyurethane covered saddle.  Here are some key features:
  • Comfortable ergonomic bicycle seats for all bike riders
  • Wide seat area for better weight distribution
  • Ergonomic center relief eliminates pelvic/perineal pressure
  • Ventilated seat slots reduce heat/moisture buildup
  • Cradles your "sit-bones" to alleviate pressure points
  • Eliminates chafing on the inner thigh area
  • Comfortable "long ride" suspension system
  • Works great on trainers and exercise bikes

Spiderflex Saddle on a folding bike.
Personally I have ridden everything from a hard antique Brooks leather saddle to the newer gel filled road saddles such as The Butterfly by Terry Precision Cycling.  Most rides, I wear a little padding or chamois such as the minimalistic type found in Terry's Spinnakers.  The Spinnaker is actually made for spin classes, hence the name, so it does not have a high performance chamois like some of the more aggressive cycle shorts.

My folding bike is primarily ridden in an upright position as seen in the photo here, so the Spiderflex saddle was actually just the thing to replace the one that came with the bike.  I'm not complaining about the Green Zone Bike's saddle because it is very comfortable.  It's just for us women, certain times of the month, the last thing we want is pressure between our legs.  Also for this seat is a God's send for women who have just given birth and want to ride or to do some spinning on a stationary bike.  Pop on the Spiderflex seat and spin away!  No stress, no pressing.  

I've test driven the Spiderflex for a bit over a month and only had it adjusted once.  Make sure you have someone who knows what they are doing installing it.  If it is not positioned correctly, you can feel as if you are sliding forward.  However, once it is set up, it does take a bit of getting used to as you will need to find your "sweet spot" in order to truly appreciate the ride.  I like not having any pressure on the back of my thighs as I'm pedaling.  So liberating!  Better still there is no sweating, chaffing or irritation no matter if I wear a chamois or not.  I think this saddle would make a great Christmas gift for someone who wants to ride more or even yourself.  No need to wait for problems to arise.  Be proactive. See if the Spiderflex Ergonomic Bicycle Seat can make a difference in your next ride.

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