Gel is a specific kind of closed-cell foam. The air bubbles in this
foam are packed at a pressure which is higher than the normal. This
is what makes it viscous. It is the viscosity of gel that molds the
saddle cover to the back so that there are no painful pressure
points. Gel saddle covers were first used in the eighties.
A gel saddle cover is very comfortable for all riders because it is
custom made to suit not only the rider but also takes into
consideration the kind of riding that the rider wants to do. A gel
saddle cover for a man would have a 35 mm central depression that
would relieve the pressure from the sensitive areas thereby not
becoming a health hazard.
A gel saddle cover for a woman would have a narrower depression,
avoiding any kind of compression of the tissues at the centre-point
of the saddle. The gel saddle cover is wider in the rear and
completely cutaway through the nose of the saddle and also the
mid-section. This allows for the pressure to be evenly distributed,
and provides support to the sensitive areas.
The gel is a little stiff at the rear so that you get the power you
need to pedal your bike. The biker cannot choose the terrain where
he is going to ride. The gel saddle cover offers sufficient
cushioning against rough and uneven road surfaces. Superior quality
gel neither gets deformed nor loses its viscosity no matter how old
the gel saddle cover is or how much it has been used.
There is a flexible nylon base on the gel saddle cover that absorbs
shocks. A gel saddle cover which has longer and larger cutaway
might also feature an inverted v-wing in the rear. This allows for
greater flexibility and offers relief to the tailbone. If the rear
end of the gel saddle bike is raised, it gives the rider the
necessary support for power climbs.