manta comfort saddle detail

Appropriate technology: the bicycle is the most efficient method of translating human power into forward motion; however conventional saddles are the fundamentally flawed component in an otherwise sublime and highly evolved machine. This naturally also applies to exercise cycles.

The manta saddle is an evolutionary leap in the rider-cycle interface:

Conceived and developed by sculptor and engineering designer Jon Catling the
manta articulated saddle solves the comfort and safe seating problems of the bicycle and bicycle-based exercise machine by providing a much larger mobile supported area.
It does this without restricting the movement of the rider's legs and the design greatly improves ventilation over conventional designs.

Patent: WO02087954 / EP1474324 / GB20010010369/ US2004239157 / US7004540

The pressure distribution fully avoids areas that have been shown to be medically significant.
This saddle does not require a ‘nose’, however the design has been tested with a harmless nose to provide the saddle-steering sensation of traditional designs without the same areas being under pressure.
It does feel different, that is the point and we have lateral control when cornering from the saddle surface; the supported surface moves with the legs, hence the term 'articulated'

The manta saddle allows the support area to extend beyond the small area around the base of the ischial bones, almost as far down the legs as an office chair. Samples of the tests that have been run so far show support areas as follows…

The images below illustrate what we found from a comparison of our design with a conventional padded bicycle saddle when we did a brief but significant test with a Tekscan Clinseat® pressure point analysis tool:

These seat pressure diagrams show the two different saddles. The manta saddle on the right gives a pressure pattern with the mass distributed over a greater area, fewer high spots and significantly lower peak pressures

Many professed 'comfort saddles' such as nose-less or grooved designs actually reduce the supported area, which can only lead to higher peak pressures

Some designs can create different mechanical problems for the rider, impeding movement or not controlling the body sufficiently

This pressure test, and an assessment by Dr. Lawrence Berman† show the overall area to be greatly increased, reducing pressure in areas known medically to be sensitive.
Dr. Berman, in fact, suggests that there is no contact at all in these areas
"… as it does not make contact with the areas in question, it cannot cause a collapsed urethra, reduction in blood flow or any other problem that can be caused by other saddles.”

†[Consultant Radiologist – Cambridge University http://www.medschl.cam.ac.uk/radiology/Ext/bermanlh.htm]

Saddle prototype presented by Petz Scholtus with other sustainable design products here:
(in Spanish)

renacer07: infonomia.com/renacer/07

Video illustrating lack of bloodflow from saddle designs:

quickrelease.tv: bloodflow illustrated by quickrelease.tv or here: youtube.com

As we researched the demand for a comfortable saddle, we found many problems associated with conventional saddle designs. Notably, if a rider becomes used to or ‘hardened’ to a saddle to any degree this is when real damage can be occurring.

Significant arteries, and a man's prostate gland amongst other things are in there; exercise good - crushing arteries bad - think ‘sticky tube’…

Dr. Steven Schrader NIOSH - from interview nytimes.com
It is no longer a question of whether or not bicycle riding on a saddle causes erectile dysfunction. Instead the question is: what are we going to do about it?
The medical and scientific communities must project a strong voice above the advertising of commercial saddle manufacturers and individual testimonials, explaining that the perineum was not designed to bear a human’s body weight and bicycle seats need to be designed to relieve perineal pressure. Non-traditional bicycle saddles look and feel different. Bicyclists, being human, resist change; different saddle designs may require some relearning of 'how to ride a bicycle,' but the health benefits to having unrestricted vascular flow to and from the male organ are self-evident.
And he suggested that the bicycle industry design safer saddles and stop trivializing the risks of the existing seats.

Dr Schrader Radio Interview
Dr. Irwin Goldstein added: " Numbness is your body telling you something is wrong."

Joe Beer - sports scientist, professional coach and ironman triathlete - October 2006 CyclingPlus:
"Saddles have been the least advanced technology in the past hundred years on the bicycle"

…until now.

We have:
• Patents in Europe, US, Japan, India, and a selection of other countries
• Five-plus carefully selected cycle dealers waiting to stock the product
• Décathlon R & D Manager Gilles Tarrin said of the manta saddle "…it is the most innovative saddle design I have ever seen…"
• A supportive and technical association with DuPont
• A major wholesale saddle manufacturer working on the production manufacturing processes
• Graham Barker www.abettermousetrap.co.uk previously as an especially knowledgeable and enthusiastic background team member – now a director and investor.
• Adam Hart-Davis, (BBC TV) (amongst others), thought it was “…an elegant design…”
• www.bikebiz.co.uk have run (carefully restricted) coverage of the Manta in their article on saddle designs.
• Mike Burrows offered to specify the Manta as an extra for his ‘8-Freight’ load carrying bicycle
• Michael Downes - our industry leading designer

Project Status:
Manta is currently generating investment; the design is ready to be produced by a leading saddle and manufacturing toolmaker, we are also considering a design assignment and are interested in licensing the design or appropriate partners

Illustrated above:	Area cm²
padded bicycle saddle ~ left illustration	420
manta saddle design ~ right illustration	920