by LARA DUNN

VERDICT:

Innovative option for fine-tuning saddle comfort and reducing chafing. Soft tissue pressure and chafing. Prevents sliding. Prevents sliding.

WEIGHT: 28g CONTACT: cushion-aid.com(link is external) How we test 

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don’t intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product’s function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

It looks peculiar and takes some getting used to, but the Cushion-Aid Saddledonut-Pro for Women (there’s also a men’s version) does a good job of helping to reduce soft tissue pressure. Fitting it in exactly the right place isn’t the easiest, though, and those with sit bone issues may not fully appreciate the nobbles.

It’s fair to say I’ve never seen anything quite like this. It’s essentially a mat made from silicone gel with cushioned nodules of different shapes and sizes around the perimeter. It has a self-adhesive side and comes with detailed instructions (with visual aids) of how to measure your sit bones using the corrugated card provided and then cut and fit the nobbly bit to your saddle correctly. It’s designed to stick firmly and securely, but be removed when required (though not reused).

> Buy this online here(link is external)

Its aim is to provide a low-weight, inexpensive option for maximising saddle comfort by cradling the ischium bones to ‘reduce micro-sliding, prevent saddle sores and provide comfort during long rides’ without negative impact on saddle fit and performance. Read more

Trying the donut for the first time, I was aware of the stickiness of the silicone right away, but at least part of that was some residual stickiness from the factory, and also a small amount of stickiness around the edge where the adhesive stuck to the saddle. Both disappeared within a few rides, leaving the silicone slightly grippy but not sticky per se, as it is intended to be.

Read more

> How to make your bike more comfortable – check out our 14 tips

I have saddles that are very comfortable and have also ridden on some that have been extremely painful on my sit bones. The donut, once I’d become accustomed to how it felt, sat somewhere between those two camps. It wasn’t unpleasant to ride on – and there was no chafing, as promised – but it didn’t quite deliver on the levels of comfort I had hoped it might. The nobbles actively pressed on my sit bones, meaning there was a slight sensation of bruising after a 30ish-mile ride, even with fairly well-cushioned shorts.

Read more

The instructions recommend moving the saddle as necessary (up/down, backwards/forwards) but that comes with its own set of comfort issues. I’m fairly convinced that the donut was in the position it should have been, but I’m just acknowledging the possibility of operator error being a contributing factor.Read more

It’s not particularly expensive either – almost certainly cheaper than trying out yet another new saddle – and fitting it doesn’t compromise the weight/performance profile of your saddle, even high-end ones.

> Buyer’s Guide: 10 of the best women’s saddles

That said, it does only last six months, so if you do get on with it, it could easily turn into an expensive option in the long run. You’d only have to use it for a year for it to equal a cheaper saddle, or two or more years for a more premium model.

Conclusion

Ultimately, I’d say it comes down to what your saddle problems are as to whether the donut works for you or not. If you have issues with saddle soreness, chafing and soft tissue pressure, it could well be an inexpensive and effective answer. If your problem is sensitive sit bones, though, it could go either way, and fitting the donut for optimal comfort could be tricky.

> How to avoid saddle pain and get comfortable on your bike

I didn’t feel that the Cushion-Aid was right for me, but I can appreciate that it could help those looking for soft tissue relief or who struggle with friction-related saddle sores.

Read more

Verdict

Innovative option for fine-tuning saddle comfort and reducing chafing, but tricky to position perfectly and won’t suit all

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Cushion-Aid Saddledonut-Pro For Women

Size tested: One size

Tell us what the product is for and who it’s aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Cushion-Aid says: “Avoid saddle sores and chafing. Designed to increase the contact area and cradle the ISCHIUM bones on the saddle to reduce micro-sliding, prevent saddle sores, and provide comfort during long rides.”

I found it does a good job of reducing chafing and saddle sores but for me at least it also induced some bruising of the sit bones.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Cushion-Aid lists:

Silcone gel construction

Self-adhesive

Comes with corrugated card to enable measurement of sit bones

Lasts 6 months

Easily removedRate the product for quality of construction: 6/10

Self-adhesive works well, smooth and grippy nobbles with good cushioning. It doesn’t come off in one piece so there’s no option of moving or reapplying – strictly single use only.Rate the product for performance: 6/10

Did a good job of reducing soft tissue pressures and chafing, but some issues with sit bone bruising.Rate the product for durability: 6/10

Intended to last six months, and seems like it would last that long quite happily.

Single use only, as it isn’t easy to remove in one piece and the self-adhesive wouldn’t work a second time.Rate the product for weight (if applicable) 9/10

A very lightweight option for increasing saddle comfort.Rate the product for comfort (if applicable) 6/10

Effective and comfortable for reducing soft tissue pressure and chafing, but the nobbles bruised my sit bones somewhat.Rate the product for value: 5/10

Not bad value for an initial outlay, but would soon become expensive if used long term.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Very well, although making sure it was fitted in 100% correct position was tricky, and you only have one shot at getting it right.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

How secure it makes your position when seated (no sliding) and the support of the nodules meant there was very little pressure on soft tissue and little issue with chafing.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The nobbles bruised my sit bones somewhat, and I found it tricky to remount when starting off after a junction, because of how securely the sticky silicone holds your position.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

There’s not really anything else like it. The initial cost is not bad in comparison with trialling a new saddle, but if you DO like it, it only lasts six months. If you’re not sure it’s right for you, it’s worth bearing in mind it’s single use only. It could easily turn into a much more expensive option in the long run. You’d only have to use it for a year for it to equal a cheaper saddle, or two or more years for a more premium model.

Did you enjoy using the product? It was okay.

Would you consider buying the product? Probably not.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, particularly one who struggles with chafing and soft tissue pressure .

Use this box to explain your overall score

It’s a tricky one to score. I didn’t feel it was right for me, but I can appreciate that it has a lot to offer riders looking for soft tissue relief or who struggle with friction-related saddle sores. I felt that fitting it 100% correctly for maximum performance was tricky, and that it would be useful to be able to remove and refit, both from a positioning and a value for money point of view. As a one-off it’s inexpensive but it only lasts six months, so could quickly cost as much as an actual saddle – or more – if you continued to use one.

Overall rating: 6/10

Read more

texte et photo : Amaël Donnet

L’ischion, c’est un des trois os du bassin. Outre les mains et les pieds, il s’agit d’un point de contact entre l’homme et le vélo. Le choix de la selle est crucial. Parfois malgré un choix correspondant à son anatomie, il se peut que l’on recherche encore plus de confort ou que l’on souffre de quelques maux. Ce cas de figure se rencontre le plus souvent sur les très longues distances ou sur les terrains chaotiques. C’est pour répondre à ces éventuels cas de figure que le Cushions Aid a été développé par l’adepte d’endurance Christian Echavarria. Le kit existe en versions femme, homme, court et long. Il est fabriqué dans un silicone doux et souple. read more https://www.veloderoute.com/news/17299/cushions-aid-un-coussin-pour-votre-ischion-

Max Bikes Cycle Couriers make deliveries on a daily basis for a variety of independent stores in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK, ranging from a florist to an artisan Bakery and a bike shop. Using single speeds, ebikes, cargo bikes and trailers we have delivered everything from Golf Clubs to a sofa and a boat!

You never know what the day is going to bring, riding on the streets. Urban riding is always varied, whether you are avoiding pedestrians or the eponymous white van driver as he competes with you for road space and delivery time. One things for sure…on the old cobbled medieval and Victorian streets of Shrewsbury White Van Man can’t compete with us.

Bicycle or e-bike is still the fastest, coolest and most fun and green way to get around! Soap box moment over!

We set off into the Urban Sprawl…well gorgeous market town at 8am each day and have a manifest that’s full of variety. That’s the beauty of Urban Cycling it really gives you a fresh perspective on your environment.

You see the details of the street, the street art, people, places, sights and sounds are heightened when you are not sat in the “coffin car”. Street riding is about surviving the weather conditions, being confident in your road position and getting from point to point quickly…it’s about knowing every crack in the pavement.

You have to really on your kit…we ride with minimal kit to save weight and space for the delivery package, but always carry a lock, multi-tool, tubes, pump and increasingly hi-vis gear as the urban space is a competitive place!

Get up, grab coffee (essential for cyclists, it’s a cliche but only because it’s true…prevalence  makes it so), access the weather and grab appropriate gear, check the manifest for deliveries that day and work out a route…grab breakfast or pick it up on route at my favourite coffee shop or the bakery we do deliveries for.

My steed of choice at the moment and through the winter is my Single Speed…riding free wheel not fixed as my knees are too old. The Fixie Inc Level Betty fitted with a Cushion Aid, Saddle Donut to prevent saddle soars and to help “plant” you in the bike is my go to set up. Manhattan Portage messenger bag with the above mentioned kit in and I’m ready to go. Sometimes I have to swap the ride for a cargo bike or ebike with trailer mid ride depending on the weight and size of the package…but the SS is my commute and go to bike to start the day.

It’s low maintenance, fast, direct and despite a little bling, it does go under the radar with bike thieves (touch wood). Yes, it’s hilly in Shrewsbury, but the SS is effort V reward and I like that as it helps to keep me fit. Yes, SS is all out attack but that’s why I like it…point and pedal, plus the clean aesthetic.

Some days I ride 40 miles plus on deliveries around the town and meet such a variety of people.

The 35″ tyres I have specced along side the Cushion Aid Saddle Donut offer comfort in any conditions and wearing bib shorts or normal clothes. It’s important to be comfortable and efficient when you spend the day bobbing in and out of traffic.

I hit the streets at 8ish and start my 1st delivery and then on a good day, it’s go go go until 1pm with a mixture of short hop rides in the town centre and longer rides out to the retail parks and businesses on the outskirts of the town. The ride time can be quieter in the afternoon as the deliveries tale off.

As a team, we ride in storms, floods, snow and in those beautiful golden mornings of Spring, Summer and Autumn. No desk…just a saddle and bars and the open road. Getting home later in the afternoon, you are tired but with that warm glow of achievement and having been challenged in a fun way. The kind of tiredness that is rewarding having exposed yourself to the breadth of humanity on one small day, in one small town on the worlds greatest invention.

Keith. Chief rider and tea boy at Max Bikes Cycle Couriers.

The Cushion-Aid SaddleDonut is a novel attempt at solving the original ‘pain-in-the-arse’ problem that has plagued cyclists since the days of the penny-farthing and the bone-shaker – namely finding a comfortable position in the saddle for all-day riding whilst still being able to generate power.

If you have ever suffered from saddle sore on a sportive, you’ll know that you’ll do just about anything to find some relief from the burning raw pain down below. You may not have resorted to Sean Yates’ home-surgery technique of digging out an inflamed cyst from his backside with a bloodied penknife, but it’s likely you’ll have thrown money at one or many of the solutions that are on offer.Read more

Photos from: https://www.sportive.com/cycling-reviews/542368/review-cushion-aid-saddledonut-pro

New cut-out saddle for £70? Sure, why not! Carefully contoured Italian chamois in your new bib-shorts for just £120? – I’ll give them a go. A three-hour bike fit session using video analysis for a mere £200? Sign me up! Anything that promises respite from the sensation of riding with a handful of broken razor blades down your shorts has got to be worth trying. Read more

If you’re a time-trial cyclist or a triathlete, looking for help locking into your TT position where the pelvis is rotated forward on the saddle, there’s a specially designed version of the SaddleDonut which helps to support this position, whilst relieving pressure on the pubis bone at the front of the pelvis.

And, of course, Cushion-Aid has developed male and female versions of the Standard and Tri SaddleDonut in recognition of the very different anatomies of the male and female pelvis.

So, if you’re suffering from a saddle sore or a dodgy back, before you shell out money on more expensive alternatives (or desperately reach for your pocket knife like Sean Yates) it might be worth supporting your behind with a little cushion aid by treating it to a SaddleDonut.Read more

Spec 5/5

The Saddle Donut Pro is designed to prevent saddle sores on long rides (true, what constitutes a long ride is a matter for individual definition; to reduce slippage in the saddle and the need for readjustment (how big a problem this is or if easy movement in the saddle is seen as desirable is, again, a matter for the individual); and to cradle your ischial tuberosities more effectively, thus increasing pedalling efficiency and direct power to the pedals read more

Fitting 3.25/5

Having chosen the right model for your saddle, take time to read the instructions and, watch the on-line video. The saddle needs to be surgically clean to ensure the best adhesion. Without that the benefits promised will not be delivered. read more

Context

Whatever saddle one uses it is likely to be one that you find comfortable. I’d not suggest using the Donut to try to convert an uncomfortable saddle into the perfect perch. That is not its purpose.

Personally, I did not want to fit it on a leather saddle or the velour-look Velo Orange saddle that adorns the seventies Carlton Clubman. Equally, some cheaper saddles seemed unlikely to give a firm enough anchorage. So, I selected a road touring/sports saddle. read more

Performance 5/5

There’s no doubt that, given an appropriate saddle, there’s absolute security between saddle and donut. Likewise, all testers agreed that even the shiniest seat of winter longs sat more securely on the ‘knobbly bits”. Now, there are those – especially off-roading technical single-trackers – who love to adjust position rapidly. read more

Value 3.5/5

Nothing puts people off longer rides than saddle sores. In that sense, a precautionary addition to the saddle offers real pluses. It does offer secure contact, and marginal gains in power may be just what you want; there’s no doubt it has reduced saddle soreness amongst riders extending.  read more

Verdict  read more

Exploring the local wilds today on a Christmas Party ride. A mixed terrain, follow your nose kind of ride with the Cushion Aid Saddle Donut assisting with comfort and performance!…on our traditional #Christmas ride which includes hip flasks and mince pies. #shrewsbury #shropshire #cycling #cyclinglife

Keith Jepson