Many different types of vehicles exist in the world, some for carrying freight, others for carrying people. One of the lightest and most widespread vehicles for carrying passengers is the bicycle,a concept that dates back to the late 1800s or so. These are among the few vehicles that do not need an engine or fuel, instead being powered by the rider pumping the pedals with their own legs. With bicycles being so cost-friendly to build and buy, and with minimal upkeep needs, it is clear why these bicycles outnumber automobiles around the world two to one. Even developing parts of the world, such as Africa and India and South Asia, can easily afford many of them. And even in developed parts of the world such as the United States, Europe, and Japan, bicycles are widely popular for all sorts of reasons. This also supports strong industries for their parts such as leather bike saddles, carbon rails, new chains, brake pads, new tires, and more. What is there to know about bicycles and different models of leather bike saddles to put on them? Can leather bike saddles make a difference?
Why People Ride Bicycles
There are three broad reasons why someone might ride a bicycle: transportation, leisure, or for races. In some parts of the world, bicycles mainly take the place of cars or trucks, since bicycles are much easier to afford and support. In these communities, bicycles are often the main way to commute to and from work, and many artisans and farmers may use them to carry pallets or baskets of goods to markets. Thus, bicycles can take the place of pickup trucks. And in the developed world, where commuting is often done by fast railways or cars, some people opt to ride bicycles if their workplace is close enough. Doing this can remove a car from the road and thus ease congestion and reduce pollution. Riding a bicycle is a humble but real way to contribute to the global “go green” initiative, and besides that, it can be good exercise.
Another major reason to ride bicycles, often in the developed world, is the sheer pleasure of it. Many people find bicycles great fun to ride, and this doubles as a fine form of cardio. Exercise does not have to be grueling; in the case of bikes, it can be quite rewarding. Most often, bicycles designed for leisurely riding will be designed for it, reflecting in the shape of their leather bike saddles, the tire width, and the shape and style of the body. This includes mountain bicycles, designed for rough, off-road terrain. Such bicycles can be found in bike shops across the United States, and are often distinguished by their appearance.
The third reason to ride a bicycle is for competitive racing, and these bicycles (and their leather bike saddles) are certainly designed for the job. Bike racing often takes place on pave roads or on compact dirt, so they will have narrow and smooth tires and wheels, a light frame, and a narrow saddle. These bikes may be awkward to ride out in the wilderness, but they’re the best choice for proper races, and the Tour De France is a major (but not the only) example of competitive bike racing.
Bicycle Design and Care
Bicycles are a major industry in the United States, and in 2015 (for a recent example) this industry took in $6.2 billion in direct sales. And more and more since 2005, many American adults are using them to commute as well as for leisure or races. As mentioned earlier, a bicycle’s shape may be based on its intended purpose, most often in the wheels, frame, and leather bike saddles.
A bicycle’s saddle, or its seat, will be wide and soft for leisurely riding. This is because the rider is going slower than a racer, and will sit directly on the saddle with their sitting bones. Racing saddles are narrow and tough, since riders don’t often sit directly on them. Such a bike seat’s narrow body ensures the rider’s legs won’t scrape against them during racing, either. And if the saddle is covered in leather, that makes for a durable, comfortable saddle to sit on, but it should be kept clear of rain.
