We have ridden the bottom out of our shorts to attract up this record of the perfect mountain bike saddles out there for all sorts of path riders.
On the subject of saddles, there’s a entire lot of alternative on the market, which is an efficient factor as a result of every particular person rider may have their very own preferences for form, consolation, type and performance. Discovering the most effective mountian bike saddle generally is a little bit of a course of, however finally we’re all on the lookout for the identical factor – a snug journey expertise meaning all we’re focussed on is the journey.
There are many components to think about; what materials is the saddle constructed from, how heavy is it, does it have a central pressure-relief channel or cut-out, does it have a protracted or shor nostril, does it are available in a spread of width fittings…. and extra in addition to. Fortunately we’ve tried and examined a complete load of perches to deliver you our view on the perfect, plus steering on what to search for.
If males’s/unisex saddles aren’t working for you otherwise you’re on the lookout for a female-specific saddle, then head over to our greatest girls’s mountain bike saddles purchaser’s information.
Greatest mountain bike saddle
Weight: 324g | Top: 53mm | Width: 143, 155, 168mm | Size: 262mm | Ranking: 10/10
Causes to purchase: Obtainable in 3 widths, stress aid channel, density-mapped padding, SWAT-compatible
Causes to keep away from: Cowl is glued not bonded
That is the highest mannequin within the Bridge saddle vary from Specialised, and regardless of the value tag it’s completely the most effective of the bunch we’ve examined.
Mimic is a saddle building approach Specialised used the place totally different density foam is used to extend consolation and help, and was initially designed for ladies’s saddles then rolled out when it proved well-liked with all riders. Does it work? Sure! Once we sat on the Bridge it was immediately comfy. We didn’t should muck about with the angle or place of the saddle on the rails. It’s like sitting in a type of actually costly workplace chairs; the quantity of help and luxury is superb.
The Bridge additionally has a stress relieving centre channel, however with actually clean transitions between the excessive and low factors. It additionally doesn’t lengthen all the best way ahead, so the padding on the nostril stays constant.
The one actual sticking level with this saddle is that the duvet is simply glued on. We’ve not had any problem with it coming away, however there’s already a bit of damage on the sting. That mentioned, it’s simply essentially the most comfy and supportive saddle right here and winner of our greatest saddle title.
Learn the total assessment of the Specialised Bridge Comp with Mimic saddle
Greatest mountain bike saddle for agency help
Weight: 233g | Top: 45mm | Size: 260mm | Width: 142mm | Ranking: 9/10
Causes to purchase: Gentle, agency, stress aid channel
Causes to keep away from: Much less padding than Specialised Bridge Comp
The brand new Bel-Air 3.0 was a take a look at winner beforehand, one of many greatest mountain bike saddles we’ve examined and, other than some new colors, it stays unchanged. It nonetheless has a particular excessive tail and stress relieving channel, however this has mellowed out over time, so it not solely seems to be sleeker, you transition between the totally different areas so much simpler.
It’s not as well-padded as some and there’s much less depth throughout the nostril, however whenever you rotate ahead for a steep climb there’s a central cutaway to assist alleviate perineum stress. Total, the Bel-Air feels so much firmer than the Specialised Bridge Comp, however the match remains to be superb. There aren’t any uncovered seams, no staples exhibiting or tough edges, however the cowl on our pattern has began to carry barely in a single place on the again.
There’s a load of help right here, however the take a look at successful Specialised Bridge is unquestionably plusher and is available in extra widths, which is the principle cause we’ve pegged the Bel Air 3.0 again a degree this yr.
Learn our full assessment of the SGD Bel-Air 3.0
3. SQ Labs Infinergy Ergowave 60X
Greatest mountain bike saddle for final consolation
Weight: 269g | Top: 40mm | Width: 130, 140, 150, 160mm | Size: 245mm | Ranking: 8/10
Causes to purchase: Very comfy, safe perch, 4 width choices, stress aid channel
Causes to keep away from: Excessive price, poor rail end, central channel can fill with mud
The Ergowave has a particular form, with three tiers that stretch from the rear to the entrance making a form of a pure wedge that stops you pushing too far again. To scale back stress, the saddle is flat on the nostril and likewise contains a deep channel working mid to again. Apparently SQ Labs says it’s unisex, so there’s no want for a women-specific model.
Once we first fitted this saddle, it seemed large on the bike, however it doesn’t really feel that huge whenever you’re sitting on it. It’s actually comfy, and when SQ Labs says the form reduces stress within the perineal space, that’s completely true. In contrast to some saddles, the place you may fly off the again, you additionally keep actually centred on this and that rear hump does work.
We had a few points – the paint flaked off the rails on one journey, which isn’t good for a saddle costing almost £145. Additionally, if the situations have been moist, that deep channel would typically fill with mud, inflicting us to drift round on the floor. The patches on the floor have additionally obtained somewhat bit polished, which doesn’t assist with traction.
This gained’t win any awards for styling, however it’s supremely comfy.
Cloth Scoop Elite saddle
Greatest saddle for a variety of riders
Weight: 229g | Size: 278mm | Width: 142mm | Ranking: 9/10
Causes to purchase: Cozy padding and versatile base. Matches a broad vary of riders.
Causes to keep away from: Could be a bit slippery when moist.
Cloth’s glossy, superbly packaged Scoop is one thing of a benchmark perch. The sleek, minimal end is the results of a three-part bonding course of that melds the waterproof cowl to a colored base, uninterrupted by any stitching or staples, which makes it a cinch to maintain clear.
For £40, the Elite, cro-mo-railed mannequin is available in a trio of profiles, with progressively deeper curves, appropriate for all the things from XC to downhill. The three shapes are a matter of style. Leant-forward for endurance or XC driving, the flattest (and lightest) form matches a extra rotated hip and pelvis, whereas the curvier Radius is extra path riding-friendly, with further padding and deeper-dished geometry.
Over tough floor, all three shapes share a particularly cushioned really feel, and have a versatile chassis that has a number of inherent give, with out being too twangy when pedalling onerous.
Learn our full take a look at assessment of the Cloth Scoop Elite saddle
WTB Volt Race
Greatest worth mountain bike saddle
Weight: 316g | Size: 245mm | Widths: 135mm, 142mm, 150mm | Ranking: 9/10
Causes to purchase: Nice for all-day driving. Loads of width choices.
Causes to keep away from: On the heavier aspect.
The model of the WTB Volt has medium weight cro-mo metal rails, a hardwearing microfibre cowl, comfortable flex-tuned shell and common padding with a gel insert.
We are saying common, because it’s truly fairly thick and makes the Volt essentially the most comfy when grinding ahead on a tough climb. Whenever you relax there’s a number of cushioning there too, and we by no means needed to work onerous to hit the candy spot, it simply feels inherently comfy.
End high quality beneath is superb. Every little thing is neat and tidy and all of the glued edges are lined with a plastic bumper. The rail size is about 20mm however they do have gradients alongside to make repeat positioning simpler. With its excessive tail and barely shallow shoulders it undoubtedly scores extremely within the consolation stakes.
Learn our full take a look at assessment of WTB Volt Race
Ergon SM Enduro Comp
Greatest mountain bike saddle for relieving stress on delicate areas
Weight: 232g | Size: 245mm | Widths: 135mm, 148mm | Ranking: 9/10
Causes to purchase: Nice alternative for lengthy rides. Raised tail aids climbing stability.
Causes to keep away from: End is a bit tough beneath
The very first thing you’ll discover is the pressure-relieving cutaway down the centre. Beneath the duvet, both aspect of this channel, are inlays created from a particular sort of froth that’s very supportive.
The SM Enduro Comp is so much flatter and there’s extra to take a seat on, once more bettering the help. This saddle doesn’t have deep shoulders, which you usually push towards when climbing however Ergon will get spherical this by kicking the saddle up on the tail – this retains your sit bones in the correct place.
The saddle is comfy and feels that method even after three to 4 hours of onerous shredding. There’s extra padding beneath the sit bones and it has a greater total profile.
Learn our full take a look at assessment of the Ergon SM
Bolstered corners hold the higher from harm and rips
How we examined the most effective mountain bike saddles
Our testing concerned becoming every saddle to the identical bike, utilizing the identical tyre pressures and suspension settings and quick liners. Clearly, there are a myriad of options to be aware of, however the overriding issue with regards saddle efficiency is consolation. It’s considerably subjective, and also can differ for those who tweak the angle or place of the saddle however typically essentially the most comfy saddles have scored the very best.
Saddle producers make a ton of saddles for all types of riders, so what you’re seeing right here is only a small share of what’s out there. Our focus is on path driving, however we’ve examined gravity-focused seats as a result of they’ve some attention-grabbing options and likewise the producers say you need to use them for path driving, so we needed to place that to the take a look at.
What to look out for in greatest mountain bike saddles
Earlier than the widespread adoption of the dropper publish, the saddle was a comparatively static element, however as of late your saddle strikes up and down quite a few instances each journey and, relying on whether or not you’re rolling alongside the flat, cruising up a gradual climb, or tackling a steep ascent your weight could be positioned over totally different elements of it. This implies gauging consolation is somewhat bit more durable, particularly since we don’t all have the identical width sit bones or, clearly, anatomy.
The saddle can also be used to regulate the bike, particularly when it’s dropped down and also you’re descending. Introduce electrical mountain bikes into the combo, which encourage you to take a seat down and pedal extra of the time, and you’ve got a element that subtly switches roles a number of instances throughout a journey.
1. Cowl
That is typically an artificial leather-based, which is hardwearing, breathable and lengthy lasting. So as to add better abrasion resistance and grip, Kevlar sections are sometimes used at high-wear areas such because the corners and rear of the saddle.
2. Padding
Beneath the duvet is a layer of EVA foam. It’s light-weight and has good shock absorption properties. On some saddles you additionally get a supplementary gel or elastomer pad beneath the ahead areas. This reduces stress on delicate elements and improves total consolation.
Appropriate width could be extra essential than padding
3. Width
Most producers now produce saddles in numerous widths to match a narrower vary of sit bones. Nonetheless, this isn’t the one factor that impacts consolation – the general form, size and even the angle you’re sitting at, all play a component. Getting the right width is an efficient start line, however don’t be afraid to strive a narrower or wider saddle (you’ll have to change manufacturers) if the one you could have isn’t notably comfy.
And saddle width isn’t to do with the outward dimension of your bum; it’s to do with the sit bones with are the decrease bony components of the pelvis on which your weight rests whenever you sit – therefore the identify! It’s the space between these that helps decide what dimension saddle is prone to be most comfy for you, and most bike retailers may have machine for measuring them that’s a bit like sitting on a gel-covered board.
4. Top
Saddles have totally different heights between the rails and the seat, and low-profile saddles allow you to run longer dropper posts. Some low-profile saddles are additionally reduce away on the tail to supply further tyre clearance when the saddle is dropped – helpful for lengthy journey 29ers with slack seat angles.
Saddles are available in all types of untamed designs
5. Base
That is created from an injection moulded plastic. So as to add consolation and alleviate stress some producers reduce holes or channels into the bottom. Offsetting the rails on the bottom, or mounting them on small elastomer bumpers, additionally introduces better flexibility and luxury.
Rail materials alternative impacts total weight
6. Rails
The most cost effective saddles have strong metal rails and so they clearly weigh essentially the most, however it can save you weight with hole metal, titanium or composite rails. Remember that producers do combine different components into the metal and provides it a flashy identify, however basically, it’s the identical stuff. No matter materials, most saddles have 7mm rails and can match most seatposts available on the market, it’s one of many few trade requirements that hasn’t been mucked about with.
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