Bontrager Inform RL Saddle: The Technology
May 16th, 2008 by Guitar TedThe Bontrager Inform RL Saddle is a completely new design for Bontrager and I decided to dig behind the technology of these saddles to see just what it is that makes the Inform different.
It’s pretty well known that much saddle reasearch has been undertaken and that much of that research has focused on the blood flow, (or lack thereof) in the pelvic regions of cyclists. Bontrager set out to build off of this research and added some areas that were of specific interest. Bontrager then turned to a major university to help in the research. What resulted is what Bontrager calls, ” the most exhaustive scientific study of saddle comfort ever.”
Bontrager set out to undestand saddle comfort using three variables which are physical saddle characteristics, rider anthropometrics, and cycling kinematics. The saddle characteristics looked at included shell compliance, foam compliance, surface shape, and curvature. The rider anthropometrics included measuring the ischial tuberosities of the test subjects and plotting those measurements against a national database to help set standards of sit bone width. Then the testing included pressure mapping to correlate pressure points with human anatomy. One of the surprises in this research was that the highest pressures were not found at the point where the sit bones contact the saddle surface. They concluded that cyclists do not sit on their sit bones. Then cycling kinematics were employed using motion capture cameras and the aforementioned pressure mapping to look at riders cycling in real time and examine how that affects pressure points on saddle surfaces. What they concluded here was that saddle curvature and compliance affected comfort the most.
Another thing to note is that during all this testing Bontrager was able to examine how using the tops on drop bars and the drop section affected the comfort and peak pressures involved in using different posistions on the bike.
In conclusion Bontrager found the following results.
*Riders really don’t sit on their ischial tuberosities (sit bones) when riding a bike.
*That saddle cut-outs actually increase the pressure on soft tissue instead of relieving it.
*That one size does not fit all. (InForm saddles are available in three different widths, each size with its own unique curvature.)
*Riders shift position on their saddle, which needs to be addressed in saddle design.
*There is an optimal placement and density of padding.
*Saddles designed to support your skeletal structure feel better.
Inform saddles were designed with these findings in mind. Hopefully that will help you see that the Inform line of saddles isn’t just some good looking new saddle line but that there actually is brains behind that beauty. The reasoning behind the lack of cut outs is a very interesting thing which may be one of the more controversial points in the Inform’s design.
To be sure, different widths of a single model of saddle is not a new thing, but the fact that each of Bontragers Inform saddles is essentailly a custom curvature and shape is impressive. The three widths were chosen through the results of the testing to cover the widest range of folks and should allow for a much greater degree of fine tuning and comfort for the discerning cyclist.
For the complete lowdown on the Inform story see the story here.
I’ll be putting in some long hours on my test saddle here soon and will report back with my results soon. Stay Tuned!
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That’s what I was talking about. Very interesting concepts there. Thanks for the in depth research.
I support anything that makes my skeletal structure feel better. I want one.
G-T, is the positive review of the saddle for the actual Bontrager saddle itself or is it a saddle that is wider than what you previously used? Would you be seeing similar results if you were sized via the Bontrager system and then picked a comparable sized seat from another manufacturer? Curious.
How has using this wider saddle affected your ability to get behind the saddle for technical downhill sections/switchbacks?
Maybe this (the wider seat that more completely supports the skeletal structure) is why Brooks saddles have so many fans.
Mike: Well, my feeling is that the saddle wouldn’t work right without the fit system. Keep in mind that besides getting the right width, (important) that the curvature is different on each size as well. This maybe why it seems to ‘hit me just right”, if you know what I mean. So, it is a review of both- the fit system, which guides you to the correct saddle. I don’t know that I would ever have chose what the Fit system said I should be riding. As for other saddles, well- I can see where the knowledge gained from the Fit System would be an advantage to a saddle seeker. I mean, there’s no way I’m going to consder a saddle any narrower than 150mm now, (the RL Inform is 153mm). With that knowledge in hand, you can eliminate a lot of saddle choices, get it narrowed down, and find something suitable. However; that said, there is the curvature issue and the shape of the Bontrager saddle, which is a bit different. Your Brooks comment is a good point.
Dust: I haven’t had it in that technical of a trail yet. I will report back in following updates regarding this. I can say that I have not noticed anything that would alert me to a problem in this regard.
Hello
well i just bought one of these in the largest widtgh (i am 6′2″ and 180lbs), they fitted me for the widest one. That being said, here is my history of saddles:
- Fizik Aliante / fine for short rides, unfortunately as pointed above, the curvature is extreme so i found myself riding on my soft tissue more than other saddles / NO GOOD for me
- FIzik Arione / i still use this on my commuter bike as it is fine or short rides again. I will try it on my fine road bike as well if the Bontrager doesn’t work. Overall decent saddle
- Specialized Toupe 143 / until yesterday was riding this one, and it feels fine up to 40 miles and then numbness in the baby maker. No good for me.
SO here i am on saddle version 4 hoping it’s the one for me. I think the concept is promising but then again specialized sold me on theirs as well which is very similar when you think about it. I am however curious, Bontrager makes the point to say that CYCLISTS DON”T RIDE ON THEIR SITBONES, but never tell you where they sit and why theirs are better? any clues as to what we sit on? (body part that is)
thanks
eric: Thanks for your comments.
I think that what Bontrager is stressing is that cyclist don’t just sit on their sit bone, but the pressure points vary across a wider area and in front of the sit bone area as well. (Take a look at the pressure point graphic on your packaging for some hints)
I am still digging my Bontrager Informs, (I have them one five bikes now), but I will still say that #1: They aren’t for everybody, and #2: I wish they would do a dropped and padded nose for mountain biking, ala the Rhythm saddles.
That said, I swapped out my bike with two different guys on todays mtb ride and both of them remarked on how they liked the saddle. Interestingly, they both normally ride narrower saddles. Hmm……….
True, cyclists don’t “only” ride on their sit bones… but given the option I prefer not to ride straddling basically a padded pipe - and many modern racing saddles offer that concave saddle top (Aliante?) presuming that you will be riding with most of your weight continuously pumping the pedals or slumped onto your (carpal tunnel strained) wrists while keeping pace with the rest of the pack.
I have become so accustomed to riding my old Brooks Professional saddles over the years it is always difficult to find a modern saddle offering similar comfort. I do not race these days, but often spend 6 hours in the saddle (on the road). Finding a somewhat wide and flat-topped saddle is almost impossible.
Either you encounter a tractor saddle stuffed like a sofa cushion or a narrow concave surface designed for agressive riding where most weight is kept on the pedals and the rest split between saddle and bars - or rather the brifters. What may be fine for riding with STI/ERGO hoods can be poor for older style steel bikes with less cushioned hand holds on their brake levers. The same discomfort found on early Unicanitor racing saddles of the 1960s-70s is still present in many narrow modern saddle designs. Adding more padding or gel to a narrow beam is not a solution and often just gives additional discomfort zones.
A brief (30 mile) ride on a 152 RL has given me hope that we may now finally recommend a saddle to many customers looking for a comfortable, relatively light weight, modern saddle. Average folks who are neither obese nor excessively aged, are fairly cycling-fit but are not serious competitive racers, yet do not sit bolt upright on their bikes either, just may find these saddles a blessing. I’m very interested in sharing these saddles with friends and associates for our informal Century rides. Should be a good testing ground among a diversity of riders spanning different ages, fitness levels, and genders. Perhaps these may even turn out to be THE choice saddles for randonneur riding. I can dream…