News: New Selle Royal Saddle

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Scientia is the ergonomic new saddle range from Selle Royal which they say has been scientifically developed in conjunction with Europe’s leading Sports University

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News: New Selle Royal Saddle
Selle Royal Press Release

Introducing the Scientia range, perfect-fitting saddles – for all cyclists

Selle Royal, working with Europe’s leading Sports University, has developed a complete range of nine ergonomic saddles scientifically engineered to precisely and comprehensively fit every cyclist.

The nine models in the new Scientia saddle range are created by combining two main rider characteristics: their riding position and their “Ischial variation” – the measurement between their ‘sit bones’.

Selle Royal, along with researchers from the Sport University of Cologne, the largest sports university in Europe, have undertaken extensive research – having applied scientific theory, data collection and testing methods – to understand the fundamental design characteristics essential to optimising well-being and overall cycling performance.

This research is coupled with Selle Royal’s own market-leading understanding of saddle design and technology to create Scientia, a full spectrum of nine saddles with profile styles and dimensions that correspond to different riders, delivering optimum comfort and increased performance for all.

“The research we have done at Selle Royal over the years gives us a great insight into cyclists’ requirements from a saddle, but the detailed scientific data collection, analysis and interpretation by the team at Sport University of Cologne gives us a fantastic base of empirical evidence on which to apply our designs,” says Roberto Bucci, project leader and brand manager at Selle Royal.

Using hundreds of volunteers, the university’s researchers developed rigorous methods for quantifying the classic considerations of saddle design: gender differences, saddle shape, and the role played by ischial distance. Afterward, a list of recommendations were published and passed on to a team of designers tasked with combining these proven fundamentals with designs for a new range of saddles.

“It was a challenge put on the table following years of ergonomics experience, but as a humble brand we decided to test our products and our beliefs using cutting edge technologies and scientific research together with the university of Cologne; the conclusion was that we scientifically reinforced our beliefs,”
added Roberto Bucci.

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How do you measure up?
The resulting data was interpreted by the university who gave its design recommendations to Selle Royal’s team to inform and inspire the new Scientia range. The nine saddles all share a set of research-derived features, and the different models’ shapes and sizes are worked out for the individual rider by combining their riding position and ischial difference.

To find your riding position, you sit on a bike as you would normally cycle and the angle your back makes with the road is measured.
‘ATHLETIC’ matches riders with a 45-degree angle between back and road
‘MODERATE’ matches riders with a 60-degree angle between back and road
‘RELAXED’ matches riders with a 90-degree angle between back and road

Athletic, Moderate and Relaxed correspond to specifically-designed saddle profiles and central indent.

Part 2

The second part of the process is determining the rider’s ischial variation. To do this, you must sit on a special gel measuring pad, with your back upright at 90° and apply downward pressure to the pad. Find the centres of the two ischial impressions that are left on the pad and and add together the two numbers. The result is your ischial distance. A distance less than 11cm = Small; 11-13cm = Medium; and over 13cm = Large.

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Small, Medium and Large correspond to the three saddle widths.

All nine saddles in the Scientia range share a series of special features which give support and comfort just where each rider needs them.

BODY CONTOUR – A radius-specific design to provide optimum comfort for differing spine angles. The more inclined the Riding Position, the smaller the edge-radius.

REAR PLATEAU – An elevated rear section to prevent backward sliding and decrease pressure in the saddle middle which can cause discomfort.

CENTRAL RESERVOIR – Indentation in the saddle middle whose shape and dimensions have been studied to correspond to ischial variations for greater comfort.

3D SKIN GEL – Royalgel™ is placed intelligently at critical points of contact on the saddle surface for added shock absorption, while reducing overall saddle weight.

CURVA SUSPENSION – The unique curved suspension design is attached at the rear of the base to offer exclusive comfort by avoiding pressure on the seat bone contact points and guaranteeing additional lateral flexibility.

 

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