Setting up your RIDO saddle (R2 and RLt models)

 

The essence of the RIDO saddle's patented topography lies in the radiussed arms of the 'Y' of the sitting section, specifically designed to give both lift (and thereby pressure relief on the perineal area) and variations in the impact zone between rider and saddle. This can initially feel quite strange to some cyclists: the pressure zones are just so completely different.

This degree of feeling of lift (a purely personal thing that varies from one cyclist to another) is counteracted by the set angle of the saddle which can be anything from slightly below the horizontal to several degrees above it. That is to say, the degree of contact you're having with the nose is the key.

The RIDO saddle's nose is in fact only (a) a means of effectively steering your bike at speed (something to lean against with your inner thigh as you turn - which you can't do with those strange looking noseless saddles) and (b) a device for keeping you on the saddle. It's not for taking your weight.

The shape of conventional saddles (with or without centre grooves, channels, recesses etc) leave you with no option other than to take the downward force of your bodyweight on your perineum. With the RIDO saddle you have the choice as to how much pressure, if any, you want to bear on that sensitive area of your anatomy simply by slightly adjusting the saddle's angle of tilt, up or down around the horizontal.

The recommended starting position setting for the R2 is dead horizontal (nose parallel with the ground) and at the centre of the scale printed on the rails. For the RLt, start with the nose very slightly below horizontal (couple of degrees). Then tweak the nose of either saddle down (or up) to suit. Take note that the tiniest of angle adjustment (like one ratchet notch up or down on the seat post bracket) can make quite a difference. Whilst testing these adjustments you will then feel whether an adjustment back or forward on the rails is necessary. (Please stay within the MIN-MAX scale).

A third point of adjustment to note, of course, is the seat post height. Experience has shown that for the R2 your seat post should be set about an inch lower than normal because of the lift the saddle gives you. This won't be necessary in the case of the RLt.

Ultimately of course it is all down to how you feel following a distance ride, after which any 'micro adjustment' can be made if necessary. But just relax. Note how your saddle feels quite different in the beginning and then after a while the biggest thing you will notice is that you haven't been conscious of sitting on a saddle anymore and that there's no after-ride soreness or numbness....... with RIDO saddles, the further you ride, the better they get!