 Why
our saddle design?
Bisaddle® design
summary:
The BiSaddle® was
initially designed primarily to function as a saddle for
long distance road or exercise bike riders, but can and has
been used successfully for all sorts of riding. The latest
BiSaddle® construction uses thicker
outer elastomer or foam surface
materials which are more comfortable.
The saddle
is designed to support riders only on the bottom of their
pelvic girdle and not put pressure on any soft tissue (perineum).
The saddle consists of two individually adjustable surfaces
that have two points of adjustment each (front and back,
thus lots of adjustability). These surfaces are contoured
to fit the curvature of the bottom bones of the pelvic girdle
(Ischiopubic rami and Ischial Tuberosities to be exact.).
These surfaces are mounted on a frame that allows the surfaces
to be positioned to allow for both separation and angular
variations.
This design
addresses erectile dysfunction in men by allowing for up
to 3/4 inch of separation of the surfaces in the front, which
is where the dorsal artery passes under the pubic symphasis
(bottom of the V) and into the genitals.
By only supporting riders on the bones at the bottom of the
pelvic girdle it also eliminates pressure on the perineum.
The perineum is where the prostate is for men and where all
of women's genitalia resides.
 The
design also eliminates the pressure that the standard saddle
horn puts on nerves, arteries & veins that run along
the sides of the ischiopubic rami (legs
of the V).
The adjustability
of the surfaces was initially thought to allow riders to
position the surfaces directly underneath their unique pelvic
architecture. Subsequent experience has shown that positioning
of the surfaces must also take into account individual variations
in where nerves, veins and arteries exist.
The latest
version of the BiSaddle® includes optional height shims for
the surfaces to accomodate potential pelvic variations.
Surface
material:
Visco-elastic
elastomer
The
top of the surfaces of the elastomer BiSaddle® is
a cast visco-elastic elastomer which is a composite polymer
that is best described as deformable but non-compressible.
This gives it shock absorption capabilities that are better
than other substances.
Since
this is a cast elastomer, unlike the gel in other saddles,
it doesn't migrate over time.
Visco-elastic
elastomer is also used used for inner sole applications
for shoes, as saddle pads for horses, and in prosthetic padding.
Visco-elastic
foam
The new
outer material is a "visco-elastic foam" as
compared to the
"visco-elastic elastomer" on our
regular BiSaddle®. The foam surfaces have the
same contours as the elastomer except for the back lip being lower, they
provide a more consistent softness than the elastomer ones, are lighter
by 35% and a little less "springy" than the elastomer. Our police and randonneuer
customer's asked for this softness and the smaller
raised lip in the back....the weight loss is an added benefit.
The foam
surfaces are being hand crafted by stacking 7 layers of different
softness foam, shaping that block to our surface design contours,
then applying a 1/32" outer foam layer and finally putting
on our 4-way stretch covering. Because making them is so
labor intensive, the foam surfaces are more expensive than
the elastomer surfaces.
With our
elastomer BiSaddle®, the 4-way
stretch coverings are optional, but they are required with
the foam hand crafted surfaces.
Visco-elastic
foam is also used for inner sole applications for shoes.
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