Tools for solving your saddle problems !
With Saddle Pressure Analysis Technology (P.A.T)
What is is and how it works
Every human pelvic structure is unique , due to an almost infinite number variables , each person contacts a bicycle seat a little differently.
Saddle Pressure Analysis has greatly expanded our ability to understand how a person is interacting with a saddle this data allows us see where pressure is at and find possible solutions so that the person is supported in a way that matches their unique body shape.
#1 reason people don't ride bike is the seat hurts and it doesn't have to be that way in most cases !
see also Solutions for saddles & Some of the main saddles shapes we stock
The Technology
Pressure Analysis Technology, known as P.A.T for short, is an amazing tool for advanced bicycle fitting.
It consists of a cover filled with very sensitive pressure sensors that fits over an existing saddle and measures what is happening between the pelvic structure and the saddle, we also have Insole pressure mapping available.
The cover has a WiFi transmitter attached to it that feeds the information in to a computer program.
we have two different computer programs that we use with P.A.T , one is a custom developed software called Precision Fit, it is a bit more graphics based , the other is gebioMized it has advanced data features that are a bit more numbers based .
Saddle Pressure Records
Each saddle pressure mapping is about 5 sec long and each mapping is stored on the Client's Record screen, we keep track of each one by labeling it so we can see what changes are made as we narrow down the saddle shape to match the pelvic shape .
P.A.T Top View
the the top view allows us to look at what is happening from the perspective of looking down on the top of the saddle, pressure is measured in millibars, we can replay the mapping and also compare it with another mapping , in this case we have the beginning saddle on the left and the final saddle on the right that we recommended .
P.A.T Side View
the side view of the saddle allows us to another perspective , we can see how the weigh is distributed over the saddle , the black arrow is the center of weight.
P.A.T Back View
This back view of the saddle allows the perspective of seeing what is happening on the saddle from the back, among other things , it gives data on how the pelvis is loading and unloading under pedaling load .
P.A.T Underside View
This is a fascinating view as it is from the perspective of the bottom of the saddle, it shows each individual pressure sensor in the cover and pelvic structure is interacting with the saddle , in this screen we can move the cover around on the screen to get different angles of view .
P.A.T Reports Data
Here we have the reports screen allowing the pressure sensor data to be looked at in the 3 quadrants, pubic bone, set bone left and set bone right , there are lot of variables that affect this data and all factors from each view need to be considered when evaluating saddle shapes
Using P.A.T to find optimum saddle and bike fit
Using saddle pressure mapping to find the optimum saddle and bicycle fit
You have five contact points on a bicycle, your hands, seat and feet. Of these the seat is complex and it supports the most critical piece on the body from which motion is transferred both up and down the kinetic chain, the Pelvic structure.
History of P.A.T
Saddle Pressure Analysis Technology (P.A.T) was developed by a German company called gebioMized they came up with this technology in 2006 for research in the bicycle industry .
The patent-registered methods of saddle-pressure measurement have been developed in cooperation with Dr. Claus Oehler (Sport Medicine Specialist, Augsburg) and with constant improvements taking place based on studies conducted at Münster University.
The Precision Fit software suite we use is a very powerful program that has been customized to enhance the graphics data from the gebioMized pressure pads to allow for more enhanced views of the mapping process .
The gebioMized Software suite we use is very detailed program that allows in-depth insights to the saddle and insole pressure analysis, this program is used in very advanced fit labs , research & training centers and a few fit studios.
there are only six locations in the USA according to gebioMized locator that have the gebioMized analysis software and mapping systems , of those there are only two who have both Precision Fit and gebioMized sofware suites , Cyclologic in Scottsdale ,AZ & B&L Bicycles Pullman , WA
all bicycle saddle design from the 1870s to 2006 was developed off of peoples opinions and observations , some where better then others but with the introduction of Saddle Pressure Mapping the world of saddle design and fitting saddles to the individual rider has been revolutionized !