Moldable bicycle saddles, fitting procedures, and related technologies

Abstract

A bicycle saddle can be customized to a rider's body to achieve desired support and comfort. The bicycle saddle includes an inner support shell and a moldable panel. The moldable panel is configured to be molded to the subject's anatomy. The support shell is configured to support a rider's body and can include at least one internal thermal element operable to heat the bicycle saddle such that the panel is molded to the rider's anatomy while the rider is sitting on the bicycle saddle.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A method for fitting a bicycle saddle comprising:
 sensing a first pressure applied by a rider to the bicycle saddle;   heating a moldable panel of the bicycle saddle;   molding the heated panel to at least a portion of the rider while the rider is supported by the bicycle saddle; and   after molding the panel, sensing a second pressure applied by the rider to the bicycle saddle.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising comparing the first seat pressure and the second seat pressure to determine whether to reheat the panel. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the rider pedals the bicycle and is supported by the bicycle saddle while the panel is warm enough for thermoforming. 
     
     
         27 . A method for fitting a bicycle saddle comprising:
 heating a bicycle saddle; and   molding the heated bicycle saddle to at least a portion of the rider while the rider is supported by the bicycle saddle.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising determining whether to remold the bicycle saddle based on one or more sensor measurements and/or the rider's feedback. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , after molding the bicycle saddle, sensing a second pressure applied by the rider to the bicycle saddle. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the bicycle saddle is configured to be customized without utilizing pressure and/or force measurements. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein heating the bicycle saddle includes heating a thermoplastic material of a support shell using an internal heater within the bicycle saddle. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein one or more moldable panels of the bicycle saddle are molded to the rider's body. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein molding the heated bicycle saddle includes molding heated inserts of the bicycle saddle to the rider performing different activities while being supported by the bicycle saddle. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 obtaining one or more sensor readings associated with the rider on the bicycle saddle; and   modifying the molding process based on the one or more readings.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising heating the bicycle saddle using an external heating source. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the external heating source includes at least one of a hair dryer or an oven. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising molding the heated bicycle saddle to the rider for at least two minutes. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 monitoring molding of the bicycle saddle using a computing device;   determining, using the computing device, a heating protocol based on the monitoring; and   heating the bicycle saddle based on the determined heating protocol.