What Is the Purpose of a Hole on a Bike Seat?

Most bicycle seats have a hole in them. The purpose of the hole is twofold: to relieve the pressure under your sit bones and allow air to escape from beneath you. The seat makes you feel more comfortable and helps prevent numbness or chafing by relieving tension. Allow the air to escape, and you’ll be more comfortable in hot weather.

Good bike seats also have padding because your butt will be riding for long periods and needs a comfortable surface to sink into.

What Is the Purpose of a Bike Seat Hole?

Most bike seats have holes in them. The purpose of the hole is twofold: to relieve the pressure under your sit bones and allow air to escape from beneath you.

The seat makes you feel more comfortable and helps prevent numbness or chafing by relieving pressure. Allow the air to escape, and you’ll be more comfortable in hot weather.

If you like to ride naked, try hanging in the nude with your hands in the air. You’ll quickly get the idea: you’re going to be uncomfortable. When riding your bike, your body is in a similar position, with your skin under constant pressure. If you feel like something is pushing in on your butt, it’s not your imagination. The hole in your bike seat relieves that pressure.

A hole in a bike seat also allows air to escape from beneath you. This is important because bicycle seats are not very aerodynamic, and they can become quite hot in hot weather. If you’re not getting air to pass in and out from beneath you, your butt will be more desirable than you’d like, and your ride will be less comfortable.

Who Should Use a Bike Seat with a Hole in It?

If you have sensitive skin, you will benefit from a seat with a hole. This is because the hole allows you to enjoy the benefits of the seat without being held in place by the pressure of your skin on the seat.

Of course, if you have sensitive skin, you should be using padded bike shorts to begin with so that the pressure is not focused on a tiny area. You can take it a step further by using a padded bike seat or saddle, but you want to ensure that you’re using the correct type of seat. 

If your clothes are rubbing on your bike seat and creating a saddle sore, the saddle might not be the problem, and you might need to change your clothes. Changing your clothes is preferable to changing your bike seat.

If you’re riding a bike seat in hot weather, the hole can make it easier to stay cool.

Conclusion

The hole in your bike seat is there to make you more comfortable and allow your body to remain more aerodynamic. If you’re looking for a new bike seat, you should try to find one that has a hole in it, but you don’t have to break the bank on a fancy, high-end model. Most bike seats will have holes, and you probably don’t need the most expensive model.

Bike seats with holes will continue to be popular because they’re helpful and inexpensive. If you’re looking for a new bike seat, find one with a hole in it and try it out. You’ll be glad you did.

Cushbike provides all of your cycling accessories, including premium comfort bicycle seats meant to provide comfort in all your rides. Our selection spans bike lights, comfortable bike seats, cycling gloves, phone mounts, and tools and repair kits. If you need bike seat cushions, we’ve got you covered. Browse our collection now!