Why RAMUS Saddles Are Shorter Than Traditional Triathlon Saddles

Most cyclists are used to seeing a long saddle nose.

So when they first see a RAMUS saddle, the reaction is often the same:

The problem with the narrow saddle nose

In aggressive riding positions, many riders naturally move forward on the saddle. This is common in triathlon and time trial positions because the pelvis rotates forward as the rider gets lower.

On a traditional saddle, that often places the rider on the narrow front section of the saddle.

The problem is not simply that a saddle has a nose. The problem starts when a significant amount of body weight is carried by soft tissue instead of bone.

The perineal area contains nerves and blood vessels that were not designed to carry high pressure for long periods. Studies on saddle pressure and occupational cycling have linked traditional narrow nose saddle pressure with genital numbness and other urogenital symptoms, and no-nose saddle designs have been shown to reduce perineal pressure in several studies [1][2][3].

This is one of the main reasons why many triathlon saddles have moved toward split nose, short nose or noseless designs.

RAMUS takes this idea further.

Instead of keeping a narrow front section and trying to relieve pressure with a cutout, RAMUS removes the traditional narrow nose concept altogether and replaces it with a wider anatomical support area.

Instead of asking how to make a narrow saddle nose less painful, RAMUS asks whether the rider needs that narrow nose as a support surface at all.

The goal is simple:

Support the rider on skeletal structures, not soft tissue.

Aero position is not just about bending your back

A lower aero position is sometimes described as if it were mainly a matter of lowering the upper body. In reality, research shows that the pelvis and hip position are part of the system too.

Research comparing time trial and road trained cyclists has shown that lowering the trunk angle is accompanied by increased anterior pelvic tilt, increased hip flexion and changes in hip joint position [4]. In other words, an aero position is not created only by dropping the upper body. The rider’s position changes as a whole.

In the same study, time trial cyclists in their preferred riding position used a much lower trunk angle and substantially more anterior pelvic tilt than road cyclists [4]. This does not mean every rider should copy one exact pelvic angle. But it does show that forward pelvic rotation is a normal part of aerodynamic cycling positions for many trained riders.

This matters for saddle design.

If the pelvis rotates forward, the rider’s contact point on the saddle also changes. A saddle that works well in a more upright position may not support the rider correctly when the pelvis rotates into aero. If the front of the saddle is narrow, the rider may end up loading the perineal area instead of the skeletal structures.

RAMUS was designed around this reality.

As the pelvis rotates forward, the contact zone can shift forward along the RAMUS support surface. The goal is not to force the pelvis into one fixed angle. The goal is to support a range of pelvic rotation while keeping pressure away from sensitive soft tissue.

Why saddle length can be misleading

A long saddle gives the impression of more freedom. More length looks like more options.

But in practice, the important question is not how much saddle is visible in front of or behind the rider.

The important question is whether the saddle supports the rider in the position where they actually need to produce power.

Many riders assume they need a long saddle because they expect to move forward and backward during a ride. But that raises an interesting question:

If the goal of a good bike fit is to find a stable and efficient riding position, why should constant movement on the saddle be necessary in the first place?

This does not mean the rider should be locked into one rigid position. Riding is dynamic. The pelvis moves. The rider changes hand position. The upper body angle changes between aero bars, base bar and more upright riding.

But those changes do not always need to mean sliding to a completely different part of the saddle.

Aero and upright are not two separate sitting positions

One common myth is that a short triathlon saddle only works in aero.

That assumption comes from traditional saddle logic. On a long saddle, riders often sit in one area when upright and move forward when they go into aero. So when they see a shorter saddle, they naturally ask where the “other” position is.

RAMUS is built around a different idea.

When a rider moves from a more upright position into aero, the pelvis rotates forward. When the rider comes back up, the pelvis rotates back. The contact area does not stay in one exact point. It shifts progressively.

In a more upright position, support is more rearward, closer to the ischial tuberosities.

In a lower aero position, support moves forward toward the pubic rami.

The key point is that the rider should not need to search for a completely different part of the saddle. The contact area can shift along the support surface while remaining on skeletal structures.

That is one of the main ideas behind RAMUS.

The saddle is short because it is focused on the working support area, not because it is missing something.

Stability matters more than movement

A saddle should not force the rider to constantly search for comfort.

Small adjustments during a ride are normal. But if the rider is repeatedly sliding forward, pushing backward or shifting side to side to relieve pressure, that is usually not a sign of freedom. It is often a sign that the saddle is not supporting the rider well enough where they actually want to ride.

Research on cycling biomechanics also suggests that hip position matters in aerodynamic positions. In Jongerius et al., time trial cyclists showed a more forward hip joint position than road cyclists, and a more forward hip position was associated with maintaining better mechanical effectiveness in aerodynamic positions [4].

This is important because saddle design is not only about comfort. It is also about how the rider can hold a position and apply force.

RAMUS aims to support the rider where the load should be carried, while allowing the pelvis to rotate naturally between riding positions.

The shape is not trying to provide a long surface for the rider to escape to. It is trying to make the primary support area work properly.

The real question

The real question is not whether a saddle is long or short.

The real question is this:

Does it support the rider where the load should be carried?

For RAMUS, the answer is built into the shape.

The saddle is short because it does not rely on a traditional narrow nose. It is wide where support is needed, narrow where the thighs need space, and shaped to keep pressure away from sensitive soft tissue.

As the pelvis rotates, the contact zone can shift along the saddle surface while support remains on skeletal structures.

That is why RAMUS looks different.

And that is why saddle length alone does not tell the whole story.