Core77

Laterelle Redesigns the Bike Seat for Better Ergonomics

By Rain Noe - August 14, 2012

in Object Culture

Bicyclists and horseback riders have something in common: During the course of riding, their bodies undergo highly focused pressure on the crotch, an area of the body that is not designed for such. Horseback riders can mitigate the pressure somewhat by using their thighs to squeeze the horse's torso, an option not available to cyclists.

If you look at the seats on scooters or touring motorcycles, you'll find the design vastly different than that of a bicycle seat. There's more padding and the bulk of the pressure is moved to the buttocks, as the riders needen't be placed to pump rotating pedals.

A company called Laterelle believes they've solved the bicycle seat problem with their eponymous product, which can be fitted to standard bicycles and features a carefully calculated, more ergonomic shape. "There is no contact AT ALL with the rider's central crotch area, removing all the unhealthy pressure and discomfort suffered with rounded, pear-shaped 'saddles,'" the company writes. A wider rear section provides more lateral support, while the pommel has been lowered and the mid-section cut at a downward angle to remove chafing. Have a look:

Laterelle's seats come in three sizes ranging from a 13-ounce Sports version, a 28-ounce version for cruising, and a 15-ounce in-betweener.

o

Favorite This
Q
6

Comment

Comments

Keith

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Bryan, a 'cad' experiment' ? How wrong can you be. These seats have taken years of field testing to perfect. The 'channels' in 'saddles' just do not work, as witnessed by the first brands to release such designs now reverting to 'no channel' designs for their leading models.
Julien, you are correct that the 'optimum' benefit from a Laterelle seat is gained from a more upright (not totally upright) riding position, with the bike geometry and riding position influencing how close to optimum each rider gets, but there is substantial benefit for ALL riders in removing central crotch pressure and gaining lateral support.
!Report as spam
Julien

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Indeed, saddle design depends entirely on seating position and this one looks like it's meant for a perfectly upright position. It's not a failed design per se, but it needs the right bike to go with it. If it's destined for the aftermarket, then yes it might be a bit of a fail. Dutch bikes have achieved very upright comfort for a century without going as wide as this "bench".
There are two common types of seats on recumbents: shell type seats, which are mainly used for very reclined geometries, and "saddle and backrest" types for shallow reclines. The saddle part of the latter has looked like the Laterelle for ages, take a look at http://www.rans.com/bicycles/stratus-xp.html
!Report as spam
Bryan Johnson

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

uhhh no. this seem to be just a cad experiment with no real world testing. if you had shown me some mock, ideation or some exploratory work I may have a less strong opinion on this. I have done seating in the past for power sports and there claim about motorcyclist is totally off. I am also an avid cyclist so im not just shooting off at the mouth here. The two are extremely different animals. Factor in speeds / suspension types / #of potential riders the list is huge. I cant attest to horseback riding as mine is limited but trotting and riding on wheels you have to help me with that one, actually no you dont they have nothing in common either.

This thing is going backwards in a major way. Most of todays saddles have the channel for the reason your talking about here. to relieve pressure. This seat adding pressure... for men anyway. I hope the project takes a turn for the better but right now im not buying it.
!Report as spam
Keith

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Well Daniel, It seems your years in the cycling industry haven't taught you that there is both a front and rear section to the pelvic floor. Possibly you should revisit the Laterelle website and, this time, read the technical explanation for the use and positioning of the Aero-Beam and possibly, try the product, to learn just how wrong your assumptions are.
!Report as spam
Daniel

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

This looks like a total fail. I cannot imaging how a saddle with a protruding part in the middle could possible not crush your crotch. I have been in the cycling industry for a really long time and this is by fair conceptual one of the worst saddles I have ever seen. For one this looks like they designed it with hybrid users in mind because the only possible way to not crush your crotch on the ergo beam is if you were sitting almost completely up right. In that case you have almost no pressure on your crotch anyways when sitting up right. So I have no idea what kind of cyclist they were expecting to use this. But unless it is for recumbent riders it is a total fail.
!Report as spam
Sean

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Ugly though, don't you think? Maybe it's a phallic thing, or maybe these just look too much like a frumpy caricature of a regular seat, but I don't find them aesthetically pleasing compared to a racing saddle (which to me also feels fairly comfortable, albeit for a <20 minute daily commute).

I also think they missed a comedic/viral advertising oppurtunity when they skipped past "the 4th dimension...has your private parts in mind", but maybe that's just me.
!Report as spam