Saddles

There are many and various saddles on the market, and it is a matter of personal choice which will suit you. Female-specific saddles tend to be wider at the back and shorter in length. Solid leather saddles can look very hard and uncomfortable at first but with time and maintenance the leather eases and adapts to your shape, making them very comfortable in the longterm.
Mattress saddles are often seen on traditional English three-speeds or shopper bikes, and have multiple springs running through the frame of the saddle covered by a layer or felt or horsehair and topped with leatherette or vinyl.
Gel saddles have an insert of viscous material between the base and covering material (usually lycra, vinyl or leather). These can also be very comfortable as the gel insert moulds itself to your shape, creating a ‘jelly cushion’ effect.

Handlebars

Flat and drop bars are both fine for city riding, although if you choose to use the dropped part of drop bars your position may lead to reduced visibility. However, if you intend to ride for longer distances drop bars may be more comfortable – the variety of hand positions they offer can provide some relief.
You can adjust the height of your saddle and how far forward it sits on the seat pin. The saddle should be high enough that when you are seated on the bike with your foot on the pedal at its lowest point, your leg is almost fully straight, and you should be able to touch the ground with your tiptoes. You may wish to have your saddle a little lower so that you can easily touch the ground if you are starting out, and move the saddle up when you are feeling more confident. Knee pain when cycling can be the result of a saddle that is too low.

Pedals

Flat pedals as normally seen on mountain bikes are fine for commuting with trainers or a similar flat-soled shoe. Toeclips and straps allow you to pull as well as push on the pedal, allowing greater efficiency. Clipless pedals such as SPDs (Shimano Pedal Dynamic) are used in conjunction with cycling shoes. Based on the idea behind ski bindings, a metal cleat on the shoe sole sits into the pedal, binding your foot to the pedal in the same way that toeclips do but allowing you to undone them by flicking your foot out sideways. However, it’s advisable to practise away from traffic as almost everybody falls off at first!

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