Introduction:
I have a love/hate relationship with bike saddles. They are essential for riding, yet after just 20-30 minutes, my butt often feels sore and fatigued, even when wearing a chamois. The best saddle I've tried so far is the DVO Blazing Saddle, but it can still become painful on longer rides.
A few months ago, while watching Shark Tank, I was thrilled to see a bike-related company featured on the show. VSEAT showcased their uniquely designed bike saddle, promising unparalleled comfort. Intrigued, I contacted them to inquire if anyone had used it for mountain biking, and they confirmed that it had been tested in that setting. That was all the convincing I needed. I requested a review unit to see for myself if the saddle lived up to its claims.
What makes VSEAT Different?
From the FAQ “The VSEAT’s noseless and bumpless design eliminates prolonged pressure on the nerves and arteries that supply the genitals and allows for unrestricted blood flow. This eliminates saddle-related numbness, tingling, and chafing in the crotch area. The VSEAT is designed to keep the groin area open and free.” Also the “ergonomic design repositions your weight, centering it on your sit bones, not your crotch. This reduces pressure on the perineum and surrounding soft tissues, freeing you from the woes of numbness and chafing.”
Highlights:
First Look at the VSEAT:
The VSEAT arrived in a surprisingly small box, securely packed and undamaged. My initial impression was mixed; the saddle was as wide as I had imagined and I had doubts about its suitability for mountain biking. However, the only way to be sure was to test it out.
The saddle felt sturdy and the material was soft with plenty of grip. It certainly stands out with its unique design, unlike any other bike seat I’ve seen.
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The VSEAT has traditional rails, but they are shorter in length, limiting front-to-back adjustment compared to a standard saddle. According to the website, it takes a few 20-minute rides to get used to it, so I decided to mount it on my Specialized Sirrus Hybrid bike and test it on pavement before taking it to the MTB trails.
![Image]()
![Image]()
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![Image]()
Hybrid Riding Experience:
My first ride on the VSEAT was a flat 10-mile journey on a paved greenway trail, lasting about 45 minutes without wearing a chamois. Initially, it felt a bit strange compared to a traditional saddle, but after a few minutes, I began to appreciate the comfort. Following the instructions, I installed the seat perfectly level, but halfway through the ride, I tilted it down a few degrees, which felt more natural for my riding position.
The wide seat and noseless front allowed for normal pedaling and provided a natural feel. I actually preferred this over a regular saddle—it felt like sitting on a bench that offered both support and stability. The seat's ample grip kept me securely in place without any unintended movement. After the ride, I experienced no pain or soreness. Encouraged by this positive experience, I decided to install the VSEAT on my Fezzari Timp Peak enduro-style e-bike and try it out on some MTB trails.
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![Image]()
Cross-Country Riding Experience:
I eased into my first trail ride with the VSEAT on a traditional cross-country style trail system featuring rocky sections, small drops, and classic singletrack. The ride covered about 7 miles and took 45 minutes, with around 500 feet of elevation gain.
I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the VSEAT was, even while bouncing around over rocks and roots. I found myself thinking, "This thing is actually working!" However, I did notice that when standing and maneuvering, the seat occasionally hit the back of my legs just below the knees. I could move behind the seat if needed, but had to spread my legs wider than usual to avoid it. Despite this, the seat never bothered me during small drops (1-2 feet) or while navigating rock gardens standing up.
Overall, I was impressed with the VSEAT's comfort and how it felt while pedaling seated. Encouraged by this experience, I decided to try it on a more challenging trail system with downhill runs, steeper rocky chunk, and bigger jumps.
Enduro/DH Riding Experience:
This is where the rubber meets the butt! I took the VSEAT on a 13-mile ride with 1,900 feet of elevation gain, lasting about an hour and 20 minutes. Here's the scoop: the good news is that the VSEAT feels fantastic when seated. It handled technical climbs effortlessly, and I appreciated the freedom of not having a saddle nose getting in the way.
However, there’s some bad news. During steeper downhill sections with larger features, the width of the VSEAT became problematic. It kept hitting the back of my legs—not dangerously, but annoyingly. This distracted me and slightly undermined my confidence. While it didn’t feel like a crash risk, I didn’t enjoy it for downhill runs. Interestingly, jumps and drops were fine; the issue mainly arose in chunky downhill sections where the bike moves a lot underneath you.
![Image]()
Verdict:
The VSEAT lives up to its promises, providing a comfortable and supportive saddle that feels great while seated. For road or hybrid bikes used on pavement or gravel, it’s an excellent choice. It also performs well on cross-country singletrack, offering a pleasant riding experience.
However, for enduro bikes and steep, technical trails, the VSEAT’s extra width can be bothersome. While it excels in comfort for seated pedaling, it may not be ideal for aggressive downhill riding where maneuverability is crucial.
Overall, my first impressions were validated, yet I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable and effective the VSEAT is for seated pedaling. I hope they develop a narrower version in the future that retains the benefits, but also allows for restriction-free movement for aggressive riding. In the meantime, I'll be happily using the VSEAT on my hybrid bike when the MTB trails are closed.
I have a love/hate relationship with bike saddles. They are essential for riding, yet after just 20-30 minutes, my butt often feels sore and fatigued, even when wearing a chamois. The best saddle I've tried so far is the DVO Blazing Saddle, but it can still become painful on longer rides.
A few months ago, while watching Shark Tank, I was thrilled to see a bike-related company featured on the show. VSEAT showcased their uniquely designed bike saddle, promising unparalleled comfort. Intrigued, I contacted them to inquire if anyone had used it for mountain biking, and they confirmed that it had been tested in that setting. That was all the convincing I needed. I requested a review unit to see for myself if the saddle lived up to its claims.
What makes VSEAT Different?
From the FAQ “The VSEAT’s noseless and bumpless design eliminates prolonged pressure on the nerves and arteries that supply the genitals and allows for unrestricted blood flow. This eliminates saddle-related numbness, tingling, and chafing in the crotch area. The VSEAT is designed to keep the groin area open and free.” Also the “ergonomic design repositions your weight, centering it on your sit bones, not your crotch. This reduces pressure on the perineum and surrounding soft tissues, freeing you from the woes of numbness and chafing.”
Highlights:
- Unique noseless design
- Lightweight and fits all standard bike seat mounting brackets
- 2-year warranty
- Durable and easy to clean
- Supports riders up to 250lbs
- Price: $119
- Purchase from: VSEAT
First Look at the VSEAT:
The VSEAT arrived in a surprisingly small box, securely packed and undamaged. My initial impression was mixed; the saddle was as wide as I had imagined and I had doubts about its suitability for mountain biking. However, the only way to be sure was to test it out.
The saddle felt sturdy and the material was soft with plenty of grip. It certainly stands out with its unique design, unlike any other bike seat I’ve seen.
The VSEAT has traditional rails, but they are shorter in length, limiting front-to-back adjustment compared to a standard saddle. According to the website, it takes a few 20-minute rides to get used to it, so I decided to mount it on my Specialized Sirrus Hybrid bike and test it on pavement before taking it to the MTB trails.
Hybrid Riding Experience:
My first ride on the VSEAT was a flat 10-mile journey on a paved greenway trail, lasting about 45 minutes without wearing a chamois. Initially, it felt a bit strange compared to a traditional saddle, but after a few minutes, I began to appreciate the comfort. Following the instructions, I installed the seat perfectly level, but halfway through the ride, I tilted it down a few degrees, which felt more natural for my riding position.
The wide seat and noseless front allowed for normal pedaling and provided a natural feel. I actually preferred this over a regular saddle—it felt like sitting on a bench that offered both support and stability. The seat's ample grip kept me securely in place without any unintended movement. After the ride, I experienced no pain or soreness. Encouraged by this positive experience, I decided to install the VSEAT on my Fezzari Timp Peak enduro-style e-bike and try it out on some MTB trails.
Cross-Country Riding Experience:
I eased into my first trail ride with the VSEAT on a traditional cross-country style trail system featuring rocky sections, small drops, and classic singletrack. The ride covered about 7 miles and took 45 minutes, with around 500 feet of elevation gain.
I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the VSEAT was, even while bouncing around over rocks and roots. I found myself thinking, "This thing is actually working!" However, I did notice that when standing and maneuvering, the seat occasionally hit the back of my legs just below the knees. I could move behind the seat if needed, but had to spread my legs wider than usual to avoid it. Despite this, the seat never bothered me during small drops (1-2 feet) or while navigating rock gardens standing up.
Overall, I was impressed with the VSEAT's comfort and how it felt while pedaling seated. Encouraged by this experience, I decided to try it on a more challenging trail system with downhill runs, steeper rocky chunk, and bigger jumps.
Enduro/DH Riding Experience:
This is where the rubber meets the butt! I took the VSEAT on a 13-mile ride with 1,900 feet of elevation gain, lasting about an hour and 20 minutes. Here's the scoop: the good news is that the VSEAT feels fantastic when seated. It handled technical climbs effortlessly, and I appreciated the freedom of not having a saddle nose getting in the way.
However, there’s some bad news. During steeper downhill sections with larger features, the width of the VSEAT became problematic. It kept hitting the back of my legs—not dangerously, but annoyingly. This distracted me and slightly undermined my confidence. While it didn’t feel like a crash risk, I didn’t enjoy it for downhill runs. Interestingly, jumps and drops were fine; the issue mainly arose in chunky downhill sections where the bike moves a lot underneath you.
Verdict:
The VSEAT lives up to its promises, providing a comfortable and supportive saddle that feels great while seated. For road or hybrid bikes used on pavement or gravel, it’s an excellent choice. It also performs well on cross-country singletrack, offering a pleasant riding experience.
However, for enduro bikes and steep, technical trails, the VSEAT’s extra width can be bothersome. While it excels in comfort for seated pedaling, it may not be ideal for aggressive downhill riding where maneuverability is crucial.
Overall, my first impressions were validated, yet I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable and effective the VSEAT is for seated pedaling. I hope they develop a narrower version in the future that retains the benefits, but also allows for restriction-free movement for aggressive riding. In the meantime, I'll be happily using the VSEAT on my hybrid bike when the MTB trails are closed.
