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.

 

[VWsurfbum]

Saddles I've found that I find comfortable
Charge Spoon (but not on Ebike)
Bel-Air 2 & 3
Ergon something or other, expensive but good
And the Fizik that came with my Orbea, the Ebike specific one, took a while to break in but got there and now is a all day saddle.

 

[Paulquattro]

Welcome
To repeat whats already been said a saddle is a personal thing so its trial and error
We could sit here and stream off a load of saddles and why you should buy the one we use but its to personal for that
Happy hunting and hope you find whats good for you soon

 

[DieBoy]

My theory: Traditionally, MTB saddles weren't comfortable because it was expected you weren't using it most of the time anyway . That's obviously changed over time, especially with eMTB.

I've had a rail break too, on a Selle Royalle, and was surprised as the previous ones I'd owned were fine.

Maybe try again with the Volt? Maybe you were just unlucky (Monday model) ? Or was the clamp maybe overtightened (7 nm is typical) - I've done that before before realising. Surprised they didn't honour it, though you've less consumer protection than I. If I'm not mistaken there's a version of the Volt with steel rails which might be robuster?

 

[Mikerb]

Firstly the quality of chamois in your padded pants makes a huge difference. Most armoured pants with a chamois pad are pretty poor. If you look at Endura for example the highest quality chamois are numbered 550 600 and above....and price reflects the higher quality ones.
As above everyone varies when it comes to saddle choice but you could try Ergon .....not the pro though. For emtb I think the best choice is the E mountain Sport model.

 

[RustyIron]

Firstly the quality of chamois in your padded pants makes a huge difference. Most armoured pants with a chamois pad are pretty poor.

Righteo, brother. And they DO wear out. Get rid of the old ones and buy new. The only thing more painful than throwing out old liner sorts is doing a big ride with old liner shorts.

 

[steve_sordy]

I have always found WTB saddles to be great value for money. They have a wide range of widths, padding, weights and designs.
But it's all a complete waste of time of you don't know your sit bone width (then add 15-20mm to get the saddle width).

My grandson was always a bit chubby and his sit bones were lost in there. Then he got serious about his rugby and his weight and muscle tone. His Dad bought him a multigym and a treadmill. I bought him some adjustable dumbbells. The lard is falling away and the muscles are making an appearance, but so are his sit bones! He is now recovering from saddle sores! He never paid any attention to his saddle before, just went off how it looked. But he pays attention now!

 

[RustyIron]

Good for him! Maintaining a good diet is hard work and can be a bore. But if the benefit is you get to become a better rugby player (or mountain biker), it becomes easier.

 

[Oppa]

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.

You had me at bourbon

 

[Oppa]

My theory: Traditionally, MTB saddles weren't comfortable because it was expected you weren't using it most of the time anyway . That's obviously changed over time, especially with eMTB.

I've had a rail break too, on a Selle Royalle, and was surprised as the previous ones I'd owned were fine.

Maybe try again with the Volt? Maybe you were just unlucky (Monday model) ? Or was the clamp maybe overtightened (7 nm is typical) - I've done that before before realising. Surprised they didn't honour it, though you've less consumer protection than I. If I'm not mistaken there's a version of the Volt with steel rails which might be robuster?

I might go the steel rail route. Had the volt tightened to specks and stayed within the range of the etched markings on the rails. Snapped right at the clamp edge. Saw another video with a user having the same issue and looks like it broke in the same exact spot. Oh well.

 

[Oppa]

Saddles I've found that I find comfortable
Charge Spoon (but not on Ebike)
Bel-Air 2 & 3
Ergon something or other, expensive but good
And the Fizik that came with my Orbea, the Ebike specific one, took a while to break in but got there and now is an all day saddle.

This is the Ergon I am riding with. It’s a nice saddle but comfort wise just ok. Usually feeling it at the 10 mile mark

 

[HandsomeDanNZ]

I've had a lot of saddles over the years, but by far the worst I ever had was a Fizik. It was worth a fortune as well.
I find the angle and how far it's forward or back on the rails tends to make a large difference as well as the width, padding and all the other variables.
My Merida stock saddle was uncomfortable on my first ride, then after an adjustment, it is as comfortable as my previous Syncros saddle that I really enjoyed.

 

[PierreZA]

Some bike shops have demo saddles, that's how I found what worked for me anyway - Spez Power or Phenom.