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Rido R2 saddle Rido R2 saddle Rido R2 saddle Rido R2 saddle Rido R2 saddle
Rido R2 saddle

Rido R2 saddle

8
by dave atkinson
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Nov 4, 2009

12
£29.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Well worth a look if normal saddles make you suffer… unless you're a weight weenie
Weight: 
480g
Contact: 
www.rido-cyclesaddles.com
How we test

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We've all seen amusing, noseless 'medical' saddles, but have you ever tried riding a bike while sitting on one? It's only then that you appreciate how much of your control is down to the nose of your seat. But the science behind the twin-pad designs is pretty sound - you're sitting on it using your sit bones, rather than perching on your perineum.

The Rido is the happy middle ground, a saddle that's more or less a conventional looking beast but with what Rido call 'Pressure Shift Geometry'. Essentially you're shifting your weight further back to sit on the shoulders of the saddle, and you're not in contact with the nose: it's just there for control.

The first time you sit on the Rido it feels, well, weird. It's immediately obvious that you're using a different part of your behind. It's not uncomfortable though, your weight is just supported a bit further back, and after a few rides you get used to the position. You do notice that there's no pressure up front, and the bits of your rear that you are sitting on are well suspended by the dual density base and padded sections. It's a lot more comfortable than it looks.

The main aim of the Rido, though, is to eliminate pressure where it's not wanted. I have to say I'm impressed, and convinced that it's an improvement: even on long rides there's no issues with pain or numbness. I'm not a big sufferer in this regard anyway, but if you are then the R2 is definitely worth a punt: it's not an expensive unit and could be the answer to your prayers.

One thing it's not is a race saddle. Rido claim that "It is no larger or heavier than a top-end sports saddle", but at 480g it's a weighty bit of kit when compared to even a bog standard road perch. That'll put off the sportive set, which is a pity as they're possibly the ones with most to gain here. When I mentioned this to Rido they confrimed that they're working on a feathery Carbon version that'll incorporate the same pressure shift shape into a much lighter seat. I'm looking forward to that one.

Verdict

The Rido is designed to relieve the pressure on your parts and it's a success. If numbness or discomfort is an issue for you, you should check out the R2. Weight weenies might want to wait for the Carbon version, as the heavy R2 is more suited to commuter or leisure bikes.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Rido R2 saddle

Size tested: n/a

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
5/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? No, I'm waiting for the Carbon one

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, especially those with 'issues'...

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 36  Height: 190cm  Weight: 98kg

I usually ride: whatever I\'m testing...  My best bike is: Trek 1.5 with Ultegra 6700

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track

Rido R2 saddle
Rido
Saddle
Saddle discomfort
Genital numbness
Dave Atkinson

Dave is a founding father of road.cc, having previously worked on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike magazines back in the day. He also writes about e-bikes for our sister publication ebiketips. He's won three mountain bike bog snorkelling World Championships, and races at the back of the third cats.

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12 comments

Avatar
Wasupwitdat1 | 6 years ago
0 likes

I purchased this Rido saddle after it was recommended in a forum I posted on about my problems  of numbness while riding my indoor trainer. It did not live up to my expectations. I only used it a few times to find out it was very uncomfortable and wasn't going to work to solve my problem and now it just sits in a box of components I no longer have use for. 

Avatar
purplecup | 15 years ago
0 likes

I'm with Fringe, the Charge Spoon is a genius saddle for the money, i've got two. anyone seen a review of the bucket?

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mr-andrew | 15 years ago
0 likes

Ergonomic or not, I wouldn't let anything that butt ugly (see what I did there?) near any of my bikes.

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Fringe | 15 years ago
0 likes

and again, barry fry up, i just got myself a Charge Spoon saddle and it is very good, esp. as they are only 25 squid and are very comfy. recommended

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TiNuts | 15 years ago
0 likes

Barry Fry-up, I can recommend the Sell SMP I mentioned above, but I did buy second hand (eBay) just in case it didn't suit so I could re-sell without losing too much. They are expensive saddles new! I've found that the few gap-in-the-middle saddles I've tried are pretty good for long rides.

Avatar
Barry Fry-up | 15 years ago
0 likes

Difficult things, saddles. I've had bad experiences with some that have had glowing reviews, it's all a bit subjective really. reading the above it seems the rido does what it sets out to do, ie change the sit position to stop pressure on your nuts. but i guess it's try before you buy, as always... no good alleviating that pain if it's just giving you another one 1

Anyone got any suggestions for a new road saddle? I'm in the market. this bad boy looks a bit on the weighty side...

Avatar
amazon22 | 15 years ago
0 likes

You mean you rub the marmite into the posterior to alleviate the pain caused by the Rido? Wish I'd known that the time ...

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dave atkinson | 15 years ago
0 likes

Saddles and Marmite. you know the drill. 4

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amazon22 | 15 years ago
0 likes

Worst. Saddle. Ever. Had to ride the last 10 (of 25) miles home standing up to avoid excruciating pain.

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dave atkinson | 15 years ago
0 likes

As ever, saddles divide opinion 1

To be honest I wasn't expecting to find it comfortable at all and was pleasantly surprised. Sounds like you had the opposite experience, TiNuts...

Avatar
TiNuts | 15 years ago
0 likes

I tried one of these and got rid of it almost immediately. Just plain uncomfortable - for my derriere, at least. It's also heavy. Settled on a (very different) Selle SMP. If possible, try before you buy as there is a very different feel to this seat.

Avatar
Ridire | 15 years ago
0 likes

Been using one for about a month on my Cube Cross and it definitely does everything it claims, even after a 50mile excursion first time out. It did take a bit of trial and error adjustment (get it wrong and there's some definite chafing) but once sorted it's strangely comforting. No trouser area issues at all now and I am not what you would call svelte or taut of buttock.

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