Butt pain is a big complaint amongst cyclists, although many of them will tell you that getting a cushier seat isn’t the solution. The theory goes that the extra padding will get pressed up into the rider’s nether regions, ultimately just adding more pressure. Suspension seatposts are one alternative, although European cyclists Martin Moravcik and Slawek Gawlik have created what they claim is another, that’s lighter and simpler – the Morgaw shock-absorbing saddle.
Saddles with steel-spring suspensions have been around pretty much as long as the bicycle itself. The Morgaw, however, utilizes elastomer inserts that sit between the saddle rails and the saddle itself, both in the front and back. These absorb much of the road shock vibrations that travel up the seatpost, plus they also allow the saddle to pivot with the rider’s butt a little, both fore and aft, and from side to side.
This pivoting action should reportedly also help reduce discomfort, as the saddle will tilt slightly when pressure is applied, instead of just pressing back. A similar strategy is applied by the prototype BioFloat seatpost, which has yet to make its way to production.