E-bikes and comfort: choosing an ergonomic and comfortable seat for your e-bike

While until a few years ago, the electric bike was perceived as a sudden revolution in the mobility sector, today it has become an integral part of it, so much so that e-bikes are no longer considered a ‘phenomenon’, but a commonly used object in everyday life.

Electric bikes aid pedalling, but they don’t eliminate it entirely, which allows people to maintain physical activity without excessive effort, to move easily on their daily commute without breaking a sweat, and even to reach places that were previously inaccessible. Not only that: in many cases, e-bike riding has become a source of great fun, even for the most experienced cyclists! In fact, the e-bike is an indispensable means of transport for all ages and types of cyclists, from the most innovation-conscious commuters to the most dedicated two-wheeled travellers.

After all, if the bike was already the most democratic means of transport, the addition of electricity has made it accessible even to those who—for reasons of health, training or, why not, laziness—did not use it before.

In this article, we will find out what specific needs an e-bike user has when riding and how the saddle is a key element in making the most of 'electric pedalling'.

Like any self-respecting revolution, the introduction of the e-bike has led to further innovation, enriching the bike with functional details that enhance its potential as a means of transport. Technology has made great strides, succeeding in providing electric bikes with different types of motors—from those capable of transforming even the old garage bike into an e-bike to those that can make themselves invisible on the most high-performance frames, leaving that timeless appearance intact.

In short, every type of bike can easily become electric, and in every area of use, the motor has been reshaping the way people ride. So much so that on the roads, both unpaved and otherwise, one can now see more e-bikes than those without electric motors. In countries like Germany and the Netherlands, the sale of e-bikes clearly outnumbers normal bikes, and this trend is growing in all countries.

But let's find out together, what are the unique aspects of electric use, and what are the specific needs an e-biker has when riding?

As we have seen, the e-bike market has undergone such a technological development in recent years that it has brought increasing attention to specific components for electric use. For this reason, we at Selle Royal wondered whether it was necessary to also think about a specific saddle that could respond to any new needs.

This led to research, carried out in collaboration with Designworks, a design studio of the BMW Group, which investigated the peculiarities of cycling on an e-bike and identified a series of characteristics that the saddle should have in order to aid cyclists, both when they are riding their e-bike and when they have to handle it when stationary.

What were the discoveries? When accelerating, e-bikers experience a different kind of compression force that a traditional saddle cannot handle. Our designers realised that the sudden forward movement in a saddle produces a wave effect. Excessive acceleration from a standstill and when shifting into a higher gear can cause severe slippage, and these factors are the number-one cause of e-bike accidents. This is why the speed and thrust generated by the e-bike motor require a specific saddle shape to ensure a stable position for the rider to guarantee safety.

Additionally, researchers found that one of the major hindrances to the use of e-bikes is their weight, which is significantly greater than that of a normal bike. This makes it difficult to handle the bike when stationary, to park the bike or move it from one place to another, for example. Together, these findings led to Selle Royal's commitment to create a saddle specifically for e-bikes. During the design process, we therefore focused on three key areas:

1. acceleration support
2. comfort
3. manoeuvrability

The study with Designworks resulted in Selle Royal's first e-bike saddle. Released in 2018, the eZone saddle was engineered to meet these three fundamental needs thanks to its design, choice of materials and functional characteristics.

But it didn't stop there: in tandem with the evolution of e-bikes, Selle Royal's design also improved and aligned with the trends, leading to the development of one of the top products in its current range. The result is a fully optimised, supportive and comfortable saddle: On.

On is a specially developed saddle in terms of both design and materials, created to limit the discomfort caused by sudden acceleration and to make it easier to move the bike by hand.

The raised rear part helps riders immediately find the right position to avoid sliding backwards during acceleration. Perfectly integrated into the rear of the saddle, a rubberized, soft-touch grip makes it easier to manoeuvre e-bikes on foot while the flexible sides make pedalling more comfortable for longer distances. On is a clean and elegantly designed saddle, reinforced, comfortable and suitable for all electric bikes. Enthusiasts won't be able to do without it!

To every electric bike and every 'electric' cyclist, On is your saddle.