Saddle Up!

[Oppa]

Hey emtb peeps, I know the saddle butt equation is a personal thing, but what are your recommendations for comfort. The saddle that came with my Orbea Rise M10, fizik, was like riding on a brick. I switched it out to a volt with titanium rails which was great. After a few months the rail snapped, it’s hollow(it’s ok let the fat jokes roll, I am a skinny old guy). Volt won’t honor the product( pic attached). My latest is the Ergon SM pro, which is ok but from a comfort perspective is just above the original. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[DieBoy]

I've a Selle San Marco Ground Sport which I'm pretty happy with. It is relatively short, which I personally quite like. Doubt its much more comfortable than the Ergon though.

Saddles are pretty personal, what works for one person doesn't automatically work for another.

Measuring the distance of your sit bones and getting the appropriately sized saddle usually helps.

If you're skinny (boney bum) you might want something with more padding than is typical of MTB saddles or wear padding in your shorts.

 

[Oppa]

I've a Selle San Marco Ground Sport which I'm pretty happy with. It is relatively short, which I personally quite like. Doubt its much more comfortable than the Ergon though.

Saddles are pretty personal, what works for one person doesn't automatically work for another.

Measuring the distance of your sit bones and getting the appropriately sized saddle usually helps.

If you're skinny (boney bum) you might want something with more padding than is typical of MTB saddles or wear padding in your shorts.

Thanks for the reply. I do wear padded pants and have gone through the measurement process. I did like the volt, very comfortable. Pissed the rail snapped and not from a crash. It was not cheap in terms of cost. My typical rides over rough ground is usually between 12 and 15 miles. Guess I will continue to experiment.

 

[RustyIron]

Hey emtb peeps, I know the saddle butt equation is a personal thing, but what are your recommendations for comfort.

I'm going to tell you how awesome my saddle is, then I'm going to tell you why I'd love to hate it, but I still ride it.

It's the SQLab 6OX Infinergy Ergowave Active 2.1.

The saddle looks like it's made of styrofoam, but it's really the stuff that you're high-zoot running shoes are made of. It has an elastomer bumper that allows it to tilt as you pedal, matching the motion of your pelvis. Before ordering, you MUST measure your sit bones. Then you MUST use the formula to determine the optimum saddle width. For example, I ride a 143mm WTB saddle, but my SQLab saddle is 130mm, NOT 140mm. Lastly, you MUST set it up according to the instructions, not like you set up your lesser brand saddles.

So with all that said, the first time you get on the 6OX, it will feel like you're riding a plywood plank. You'll think you're stupid for following my advice. But stick with it for a full ride or two. It's like good bourbon: after you try it a couple times, you won't want anything else. It's hard to describe WHY the 6OX feels better. For the most part, it's just like riding any other saddle. But after a few epic rides, you'll realize that your ass doesn't get tired any more. And after long, horrendous climbs, you'll realize that you no longer get tingledick. I don't know why this is. Recently I was riding with a WTB Volt for a couple days, and I remembered why I prefer the 6OX.

Now for the downsides. The rails have crappy black paint that flakes off rather quickly. If you can't tolerate unsightly saddle rails, don't get the 6OX. Another problem is the durability of the rails. On my previous bike, the 6OX developed a list to one side. I'm not certain when it happened, but assumed it was after a particularly horrendous crash. You know, when you're on the ground, and you look down to see your bike still cartwheeling down the rock garden. It wasn't a problem, as SQLab sent me out a new saddle. I eventually sold that bike. I bought another 6OX and it wasn't long until I noticed the saddle leaning to one side. I've never crashed that bike. Again, SQLab replaced the saddle. So while I'm unhappy that I wrecked two saddles, I can't complain because of the company's service.

It's easy to think that a saddle that looks like styrofoam might not hold up. That is NOT the case. Even on the old bike, the saddle looked near new when I sold it. The first time I got a warranty replacement, they asked me to cut the old one in half. It was NOT easy. I really had to hack at it with a VERY sharp knife. The Infinergy material is really tough stuff.

The other problem with this saddle is the price. It's expensive. Luckily, the Germans offer it up at a dramatic discount. Try Bike24 or Bike-Discount. These folks charge you shipping, and it's a lot. Even when you add in shipping, their prices are a bargain. When I order from these folks, I usually add a few tires. It brings down the overall cost per item.