Rouvy guide

Training tips

**It is not a rare situation when cyclists are sore from their rides – and I am not talking about numb muscles. If your back hurts, if your wrists are in pain, if you need to stretch your neck every couple of minutes, or if you experience any other discomfort that is not coming from muscular work, you should read further. Your rides should be free from all of these symptoms, and you should not give up and settle for the idea that you are weird, abnormal, disproportionate, or too old to have pain-free rides and indoor training.**

The world of custom cycling components was for a long time a privilege for the pro peloton only. But times are changing, and even hobby cyclists are nowadays willing to spend more and more money on their equipment to **find their perfect fit.** Mass-produced saddles simply cannot fit everybody, and customers in bike shops are often dependent solely on the salesperson's knowledge and the shop’s offer, which are usually rather limited.

  ![Alt](https://cdn.rouvy.com/blog/486/posedla-joyseat-saddleb6dy.jpg)
 
The saddle is one of the most important parts of your bicycle. Together with a correctly fitted bike, it can change your feeling from the rides completely and save you from pain. The saddles evolved from a solid piece to a foam-filled leather-covered soft component, and the evolution is not over. Recently, 3D printing started to play an important role in this field too. In 2019, two big industry brands came up with their first partially **3D-printed saddles** - [Fizik and Specialized](https://www.cyclingnews.com/reviews/best-3d-printed-saddles/) - with the most common honeycomb structure. Since then, their products have been evolving and are currently offering more models in two widths. But as was mentioned in the beginning - each of us has different bodies, different shapes and different needs. That is why the Posedla crew from the Czech Republic decided to go even further and invent the most customizable saddle in the world - [the Joyseat](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8Ooa2EyHO8&ab_channel=Posedla).

 ![Alt](https://cdn.rouvy.com/blog/486/posedla-joyseat-custom-saddle-3-pu3k.jpg)

They reached out to [Prusa Research](https://www.prusa3d.com/page/about-us_77/), a Czech company making 3D printers and currently the second-biggest manufacturer in the world, won their hardware accelerator program and with the assistance of technical universities they got to work. They studied anatomy, physics, chemistry and design to be able to draft prototypes. From the population data, they took the info about ischial spacing and its density to create the bottom part. But how does one define the 3D-printed upper part? With bike-fitters, they tested the pressure on soft tissues on a sensory blanket in a lab of a bike-fitting studio. Together, they worked on an **algorithm that defines the shape and stiffness of different zones of the saddle**. Road-bike saddles for example need to be flatter and harder; the position is more aero and has a different angle of the rider's pelvis. Trail-bike saddles for hobby riders on the other hand need to be softer and lengthwise curvier, and the position is more upright. Altogether, there are 10 parameters affecting each other that shape the final saddle in terms of stiffness, width, height and unique curvature.

 ![Alt](https://cdn.rouvy.com/blog/486/vyvoj-sedla-na-miru-5r8ne.jpg)

**The important choice of materials**

During the process, many ideas were tossed away as well as many materials. The ideal composition was searched for a long time. The upper 3D-printed part is made from TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) elastomer and the bottom is carbon (CFRP - carbon fiber reinforced polymer), but it was not the first go-to option. The current final version is a **beautifully clean piece of functionality-defined design with no screws**. The designer Petr Vacek refused to use the honeycomb structure and went for an uniquely designed lattice structure instead. This flexible material works with your body differently than styrofoam (which just absorbs the bumps) - it creates a micro-rebound and also forces you to sit in the correct position. It may not look like it, but when you press the saddle, it is soft enough for you to squeeze it a bit. Interested in more info about 3D printing/additive manufacturing?[ Watch how a Joyseat is made.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO8avcHwFos&ab_channel=Posedla)

 ![Alt](https://cdn.rouvy.com/blog/486/posedla-joyseat-manufacturing-4ilvg.jpg)

**Customization process**

You may be wondering how the customization works. If people can order the seat from all over the world, how do they ensure it will fit perfectly without needing to test it in person? When ordering a Joyseat, you fill out all relevant information in the configurator, then you will receive a **special impression foam in a measuring kit** that you imprint your behind into. Don’t worry, it can be done in tight underwear, no need to get naked. And no, there is no gallery from the collection – I asked. Then you use your smartphone, take pictures from different angles and a special app will scan it and put together all the required information. Only this scan is sent over to Posedla and then the production begins. It has been accurate so far with no need for an exchange. But even if a need to change the seat should arise, then it can be done by simply removing its upper part and re-doing the fitting process again.

![Alt](https://cdn.rouvy.com/blog/486/posedla-bikefitting-testovani-dotaznikwkym.jpg)

**What is the future and what about indoor saddles?**

A special saddle for comfortable indoor rides would not be particularly different from ones for outdoors. But for rides over 1 hour, special attention would be paid to the position of the rider on the bike (a customer would attach a photo of him/her sitting on the bike to the configurator) and the configuration would be adjusted accordingly. The road saddle would be more suitable for the trainer, due to the curvature of the MTB saddle.
The development is not finished. The choice of materials may change over time, perhaps a better material like **3D-printed titanium** may come. And when the demand rises, the price may drop to become more affordable. Check out more information about this exciting cycling product on [Posedla’s website](https://posedla.com/). And remember, **especially when training indoors, your rides should be just joy, no pressure.**

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Saddle as a service? Meet 3D-printed Joyseat

Gear Tips

**Cycling has a lot to do with sitting. When cycling, indoors or outdoors, you oppress your sitting parts. This may, in unfortunate but not rare cases, lead not only to saddle sores but also to other health problems with your spine, back or other joints and ligaments. Together with the Czech start-up Posedla, we bring you a series of articles focusing on… your butts. Learn more about saddles, chamois creams and bike fitting with us!**

Historically, people used to cycle in casual clothes from wool to cotton on stiff leather saddles with no padding whatsoever. Even big events such as the early Grand Tours were ridden like this causing terrible pain and damaging the delicate parts of the athletes’ bodies for days. Then the sheep and later the chamois/deer leather came into place, where creams were used to moisten this material to keep it soft.

In the early 1940s, the first **leather chamois** were sewn into bike-specific shorts as cycling became a profession. The leather reduced the chafing but did not bring much comfort. In the 1960s, **spandex** was introduced but the shorts still weren't padded. Then came the **foam padding**, in the 1980s, which replaced the leather chamois and made space for a new type of cream that focused on the skin. Nowadays you can choose from a wide variety of chamois creams, that are gender specific like the new chamois/padding in your shorts.

[The full history can be read here.](https://www.bicycling.com/news/g20044798/a-softer-ride-the-history-of-the-chamois/)

Chamois is an animal similar to deer from whose leather the first shorts were made. You can pronounce it in 2 ways - as in French [ʃa.mwa] or shorten it [ʃa.mi]. Posedla however came with a name that solved the pronunciation problem - Smiling Butt Cream.

**What are the differences? Is it truly necessary to use it? What occasions for?**

Continue reading to find out. Or watch this [video that will blow your mind](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVuZKeb_Gls&ab_channel=Posedla) first.

 


![Alt](https://cdn.rouvy.com/blog/476/IMG-20940y53.jpg)
 

**What makes your butt smile?**

Jiří Dužár and Martin Řípa are cyclists who, having experienced discomfort during long bike rides, got into action and decided to create the best saddle on the market. But as they knew it wouldn't be a short path, they started parallelly with the best chamois cream. They wanted to use natural ingredients, stay local and invent great travel packaging.

During one bike-packing ride, they used **Martin’s girlfriend’s face cream with shea butter** which saved them from the worst as it had a surprisingly better effect than vaseline-based lotions. They reached out to
“1. Aromaterapeutická KH” company, showed them samples from competitors to see the desired consistency, and ordered many fancy ingredients they thought would be the best. They learned that each essence had some characteristics that could create a great synergy but could also totally negate each other.

The company had a soft spot for cycling, so the process of creation and testing began soon. **Essential oils also affect the psyche**; some scents were too aseptic, some too relaxing. Two different fragrances were created to choose from, in order to provide the best experience for the senses and to support the athlete’s active mood.

 
![Alt](https://cdn.rouvy.com/blog/476/Bikepacking-Wien-Slavik-68ubft.jpg)


 

**What are the perfect ingredients?**

Shea butter is the base of the cream that creates a thin layer enabling the skin to slide and reduces friction/chafing. The consistency has a direct effect on absorption. And it has to last (absorb gradually) to get you covered on your long (and sometimes wet) rides.

The decision to use just **high-quality natural ingredients** impacts the price. Vaseline is a cheap long-lasting petroleum derivative with high density that is far less absorbent so it clogs your pores instead. Would you like to apply this to your sensitive parts? The Smiling Butt cream is naturally preserved by essential oils.

All Posedla’s creams are demand-manufactured to offer an always-fresh product and to prevent long storage of heavy supplies and the expiration period is therefore shorter. That has an impact on the size of the packaging - too big would not last in a good shape, so the package is 100ml. Also, a smaller 15ml version was created for bikepacking, traveling and long rides when you need to renew the protective layer. Another consideration was the contamination that may occur when using a big package with unwashed hands or when sharing with more people. That was why the **dispenser** was introduced.

 
![Alt](https://cdn.rouvy.com/blog/476/IMG-0740iq5g.jpg)
 

**How to apply chamois cream?**

You may find it weird, embarrassing or shocking ([as depicted in this lovely video by Isadore](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEGIh8YsA-E&ab_channel=IsadoreApparel)) but no matter what, it can save your butt - especially when riding indoors where you stay in the same position for a long time or when riding more hours. You can apply it on the chamois padding in your shorts or straight to the area of your sitting bones including intimate parts that will be touching the chamois or both. Don’t be afraid, it will wash away very easily. A bit more is better than a bit less. It is highly recommended for all rides - short or long, road, gravel or MTB.

Men should not be afraid to apply the cream to their anogenital area (perineum), testicles and even penis. For rides longer than 3 hours, apply even between butt cheeks! Women can also apply it to the inner parts of their thighs that are closer to each other due to anatomy. **Don’t be afraid and test what works for you the best!** And to top it all off - this cream can be used also as an aftercare as the ingredients support regeneration.

 
![Alt](https://cdn.rouvy.com/blog/476/IMG-9958o3bz.jpg)


 

**Sounds appealing? Order your own chamois cream straight from Posedla** [here](https://posedla.com/collections/smileshop).

 

In the next episodes, we will have a look at **bike fitting** and the **first ever fully customized saddle**. Is there anything else you are interested in? Just let us know in the comments!

Katerina Hellebrand

Saddle as a service? Meet 3D-printed Joyseat

All you ever wanted to know about chamois cream and were afraid to ask

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