If your backside aches after twenty minutes on your e-bike, you're not alone. The saddle that came with the bike is often chosen to keep the price down, not to suit your body, and e-bike riders tend to sit more upright and ride for longer than they would on a regular bike. Swapping the saddle is one of the cheapest upgrades that makes a real difference. Below are our researched picks for Australian e-bike riders, chosen from manufacturer specs, independent reviews and owner feedback (we haven't tested them hands-on), plus a guide to getting the width, shape and setup right.
Quick picks
- Best overall for commuting: Selle Royal Respiro Moderate Saddle
- Best for long rides and touring: Ergon ST Core Evo Saddle
- Best for electric mountain bikes: Ergon SM E-Mountain Core Prime Saddle
- Best all-weather premium pick: Brooks Cambium C17 Saddle
- Best for sportier riders: WTB Volt Saddle
- Best budget women's pick: Serfas RX-922V Women's Saddle
Why saddle comfort matters more on an e-bike
On a regular bike you push hard on the pedals, which takes some of your weight off the seat. With pedal assist doing part of the work, more of your weight stays on the saddle for the whole ride. Many e-bikes also put you in a more upright position, which shifts pressure back onto your sit bones, and because riding is easier, people simply ride further. All of that adds up to more time and more pressure on the saddle.
The good news is that the "right" saddle isn't necessarily the biggest or softest one. A saddle that matches the width of your sit bones and suits how upright you sit usually beats a giant cushion, which can rub and cause soreness on longer rides.
Aussie tip: summer heat is hard on saddles. Dark synthetic covers can get very hot if your bike sits in the sun at the shops or the train station, and sweat makes chafing worse. A ventilated saddle or one with a pressure-relief channel helps, and throwing a cheap saddle cover over the seat when you park is a simple fix.
The best e-bike saddles
Selle Royal Respiro Moderate Saddle
Italian brand Selle Royal designs its saddles around riding posture, and the "Moderate" version of the Respiro is made for the slightly leaning-forward position you have on most city and trekking e-bikes. It uses Selle Royal's Royalgel padding and has ventilation channels running through the saddle to let air through on hot days. It's wider and softer than a sports saddle but not a huge cruiser seat, which makes it a sensible all-rounder for daily commutes and weekend rides along the bike paths. There are also "Relaxed" (more upright) and "Athletic" (more leaned over) versions if your bike puts you in a different position.
- Designed specifically for a moderate, commuter-style riding position
- Gel padding with ventilation for warm weather
- Mid-range price from a well-known saddle maker
- Too wide for riders who lean far forward
- Gel padding can feel firm at first on very rough paths
Ergon ST Core Evo Saddle
German brand Ergon is known for ergonomic grips and saddles, and the ST Core Evo is its comfort-focused touring saddle. It combines comfort foam with an extra cushioning "Core" layer designed to absorb bumps and reduce pressure, and it comes in separate men's and women's versions, each in two sizes. That makes it a strong pick if you do long weekend rides or regular commutes of more than half an hour and want a saddle that fits your anatomy rather than a one-size-fits-all shape.
- Built for comfort over long distances
- Men's and women's versions in two sizes
- Well regarded by touring and commuting riders
- Premium end of the price range
- You need to measure your sit bones to choose the right size
Ergon SM E-Mountain Core Prime Saddle
Electric mountain bikes climb steeper trails than regular mountain bikes, and riders tend to sit down for those climbs and let the motor help. Ergon's SM E-Mountain Core Prime is one of the few saddles made specifically for that, with a raised tail that gives you something to push against on steep climbs and a cushioning Core layer to soak up trail chatter. It's available in men's and women's versions. If you ride trails in the Adelaide Hills or anywhere hilly, it's worth a look.
- Designed specifically for electric mountain bikes
- Raised rear for support on steep seated climbs
- Men's and women's versions
- Overkill for flat city commuting
- Premium price
Brooks Cambium C17 Saddle
Brooks is famous for leather saddles that take months to break in. The Cambium C17 takes a different approach: a shaped natural rubber base with a cotton canvas top that's comfortable from the first ride and doesn't need the care a leather saddle does. It flexes slightly under you like a hammock rather than relying on thick padding, which many commuters find comfortable over long distances. It suits riders who want a classic look on a city or touring e-bike and ride in all weather, and Brooks also sells an "All Weather" version designed to shrug off rain.
- No break-in period, unlike Brooks leather saddles
- Hammock-style flex rather than squishy padding
- Classic look that suits city and touring e-bikes
- One of the more expensive options here
- Firmer feel than gel saddles, which won't suit everyone
WTB Volt Saddle
The WTB Volt has been a favourite with mountain bikers and gravel riders for years, and it suits e-bike riders who lean forward more, such as on an e-MTB or a sporty hybrid. It has a flat, mid-width profile with a central relief channel and medium padding, and it comes in narrow, medium and wide versions, so you can match it to your sit bones. It's a good choice if a big comfort saddle feels like it's getting in the way of your pedalling.
- Three widths to match your sit bones
- Proven design used by many mountain and gravel riders
- Several rail options at different price points
- Not padded enough for very upright city riding
- Firmer than comfort saddles
Serfas RX-922V Women's Saddle
American accessory brand Serfas makes a big range of comfort saddles, and its RX series is designed around pressure relief, with a cut-out down the centre to take pressure off soft tissue. The RX-922V is the women's road and mountain bike version with an anti-microbial microfibre cover. It's a lower-cost way to try a relief-channel saddle if the stock seat on your e-bike causes numbness or soreness, without spending premium money.
- Central cut-out for pressure relief
- Women's-specific shape
- Budget to mid-range price
- Less widely reviewed than the bigger saddle brands
- Sporty shape is less suited to very upright bikes
Buying guide: what to look for
Match the saddle to your riding position
The more upright you sit, the wider and more cushioned your saddle should be, because more of your weight sits on your sit bones. Step-through city e-bikes and cruisers suit wide comfort saddles. Hybrids and trekking e-bikes suit mid-width "moderate" saddles like the Respiro or ST Core Evo. If you lean well forward, as on an e-MTB or sporty commuter, a narrower saddle such as the WTB Volt stops the edges rubbing your inner thighs as you pedal.
Width matters more than padding
Your sit bones (the two bony points you sit on) should rest on the widest part of the saddle. A simple way to measure them at home is to sit on a piece of corrugated cardboard on a firm chair, lift your feet, then measure the distance between the centres of the two dents. Most brands publish a size chart that converts this into a saddle width. A saddle that's too narrow puts pressure on soft tissue, while one that's too wide causes chafing.
Gel, foam or flex?
Gel padding feels plush and spreads pressure well on short to medium rides. Foam, especially denser foam, holds its shape better for long rides. Hammock-style saddles like the Brooks Cambium rely on the saddle flexing rather than padding. Very soft, thick padding often feels great in the shop but can compress and push into the wrong places after half an hour.
Cut-outs and relief channels
A channel or hole down the middle reduces pressure on soft tissue and helps with numbness. They're popular with both men and women, and many brands make women's-specific versions with a different shape and cut-out.
Fitting and setup
Almost every adult bike, including e-bikes, uses standard saddle rails, so most saddles will fit straight onto your existing seatpost clamp with a hex key. Set the saddle level to start with, then adjust in small steps. Saddle height matters as much as the saddle itself: at the bottom of the pedal stroke your knee should still be slightly bent. Keep a bike multi-tool handy for small tweaks on the road. Give any new saddle a couple of weeks before you judge it, as your body needs time to adjust.
For more comfort on longer rides, pair a good saddle with padded cycling gloves. Looking for somewhere to try it out? See our guide to the best bike paths in Adelaide.
FAQ
What's the most comfortable type of saddle for an e-bike?
It depends on how you sit. Upright city riders are usually most comfortable on a wider, cushioned saddle, while riders who lean forward prefer a narrower, firmer one. The key is matching the saddle width to your sit bones rather than choosing the softest seat.
Can I fit any saddle to my e-bike?
Most e-bikes use a standard seatpost with a clamp for regular saddle rails, so nearly any adult bike saddle will fit. Check the manual if your bike has an unusual integrated or suspension seatpost, and make sure the clamp is tightened to the recommended torque.
How long does it take to get used to a new saddle?
Usually one to two weeks of regular riding. Some soreness at first is normal, but sharp pain, numbness or chafing that doesn't settle suggests the saddle width, angle or height needs changing.
Do padded cycling shorts help?
Yes. A padded chamois in cycling shorts or liner shorts reduces friction and adds cushioning, and many riders find it makes more difference than extra saddle padding. If you use padded shorts, a less-padded saddle is often more comfortable than a very soft one.