The microfiber cover features friction-reducing edging to aid pedaling and Ergon has added a Topeak QuickClick accessory mount. The best gravel bike saddles not only give the best fit and comfort, but offer gravel-specific features, such as covers for the cutout or luggage fitments, to cater to the unique demands of riding off-road over long distances. I had to make some adjustments (tweaking angle and front/back) after the first few miles but once I did that it clearly made for comfort with very little break in. Use a C17 on my wide tyred Kaffenback for gravel trips out and about, saddle is a bit too wide really and creaks a little but for the most it is comfortable. Traction and balance are much more of an issue on uneven dirt, mud, and gravel. Just because a particular saddle worked at a particular time does not necessarily mean that it is the only saddle that will ever work. The Angel series of saddles is the highest performance saddles that Velo offers. To do it yourself you need to sit on a piece of cardboard, assuring your weight is centered through your sit bones and compressing the cardboard. The unusual 9.8x7mm DNA carbon rail size could prove problematic for some seatpost clamps, so it's worth double-checking the saddle will fit before you make a purchase. Instead of thinking about pelvis tilt consider how much you like to move around on your saddle. The wider version adds about 15g to the weight. The only thing missing from the recipe, however, is the paucity of saddlebag integration which has almost become a prerequisite on rival gravel-specific perches from Fizik. This rocking can cause chafing even though you might have a perfect saddle. I had a C17 given to me by my brother who couldnt get on with it. That doesn't always mean level with a bubble level. When you need to keep your weight over the rear wheel to hold traction on a steep hill you can't stand to climb. Ergon uses Orthopedic AirCell Foam with OrthoCell Pads for comfort and which is molded into a gender-specific shape Ergon offers a women version too around a deep central channel to reduce pressure on the perineal area. Weight is rarely the best lens through which to view components and that's especially true of gravel saddles. He's been riding gravel bikes since their onset so know's what works and what doesn't. If you like to move around a lot, don't buy a waved saddle because you think you shouldn't move around. Then it started creaking (i've read online solutions on how to fix that). Especially since I can get up to 65% off retail through a discount program I am part of through my job. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, All-road or no road, this is a saddle designed for long rides, Medium padding takes the sting out of rough roads, Rail size may not be compatible with many seatpost clamps, Prologo's popular T-shape saddle gets an Adventure, Gravel, and CX makeover, Wide distribution of weight over the saddle, One of the lightest off-road saddles available, Limited forwards and backwards adjustment on the rails, Popular short-nose saddle with titanium rails and carbon body, Planted seating position wont suit everyone, A super light but comfortable XC/gravel saddle, Gravel specific saddle with great vibration absorption, Road saddle that can double up for aggressive gravel racing, Beefed up off-road version of Pro's popular Stealth road saddle, Surprisingly light for a steel rail saddle, Won't suit those looking for a locked-in riding position, We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices, How to choose the best gravel bike saddle, Selle San Marco AllRoad Open-Fit Carbon FX, Road superstar Peter Sagan to race this year's e-MTB Worlds in Les Gets, Restrap Bar Bag Small review C17 not too wide/ big then? The wide flare around the sides and edges help you move back off the saddle when you want to. It won't suit everyone but if you're looking to shave off a few extra grams from your setup, it could be the saddle for you check out our full review of the Selle Italia X-LR Kit Carbonio SuperFlow. The gravel bike niche has already developed its own geometry, groupsets and tires so it isnt surprising that as brands have developed a deeper understanding of gravel riding, componentry such as the best gravel bike pedals, saddles and handlebars have followed. It's just one of those brands that seem to show up on the bikes of the coolest people. C17 and C17 cutout on the cross and road/gravel respectively, I found the cambiums did give a bit more after a few weeks. The waved saddle might keep you more locked in sometimes but it's likely you'll still move around. Instead of a shell with padding and a cover, there's a carbon fibre frame covered with a thick piece of rubber. Hope its as comfy as most people say they are. Very happy. Well, I took a chance today and ordered the Selle Anatomic X2. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. I bought it because I borrowed my buddy's, which was several years old and felt great for the week or two i tested it. Although a discussion about saddles applies somewhat to all bikes this is a discussion specific to gravel cycling, so here are some considerations that are unique to that discipline. The Flat version of the Scoop is the most aggressive version Fabric offers and will suit riders who are looking to ride fast and hard. Guy's been riding and writing about off-road bikes for over three decades. I can't tell much of a difference between my c17s and my carved carbon 158. For more information, check out our Prologo Dimension AGX gravel saddle first look review. The Mimic variation of the Power saddle line-up replaces the cut-out with a depression, paired with a much softer padding at the front. I am now riding in worse weather all year long and switched to the vegan version. Everyone is different though. Although not broken in, It felt much better and I never felt the need for relief. It may perform admirably, but it will be compromised as gravel riding is not its main application. For information on Bike Perfect's testing procedures and how our scoring system works, see our how we test page. Please paste your code into the box below: Note: Your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings. Once you've got the saddle, make sure it's level. A saddle for everyone runs the risk of being a saddle for no one. As you move around with a waved saddle your fit will change. As a visual package, the Prologo Dimension AGX gravel saddle looks rather refined and should complement your bike's aesthetic pretty easily. Love Brooks. Particularly the carved ones. bought the 17 2nd hand from eBay. (seems like a common theme with the bike) I just ordered an SA H-2 saddle for it, after talking to a guy in my gravel group at a ride. That means more time planted on your saddle, and more need for a comfortable, shock-absorbing one. BA1 1UA. For more details, check out our full Prologo Scratch M5 AGX review. The curved sides meant out tester could easily shift body position on the trails, while the raised back gave degree of security and helped on climbs. FORUM LOG ON FOR NEW MEMBERS - PLEASE READ, Bike Shows (NAHBS, Interbike, Eurobike), Components (Bikes, Tires, Wheels, and Other Components). These can be heavier, built to withstand much harder impacts and incidents than a gravel cyclist is ever likely to need. Velo Saddles is the manufacturer behind many of the saddles from other brands on the market. It includes a tough Microtex upper that's smooth at the back. It's a peach of a saddle for off-road riding. Heres why you can trust us. Earlier I had posted my thoughts on the Brooks saddles. Rides: Orbea Orca Aero, Cannondale Topstone Lefty, Cannondale CAAD9, Trek Checkpoint, Priority Continuum Onyx. I have a Spa Cycles Swift aka the Aire Titanium. You might also look at the Gilles Berthoud leather saddles. The standard saddle fitting rules apply, you need to measure your sit bones to determine the correct width so you are properly supported when riding. Designed for long-distance riding, the Power saddle locks the rider in place and has been subject to Specialized's Body Geometry research to offer sit-bone support with the wide carbon-reinforced shell which is covered in a medium-density foam. I measured it up against my old Specialized saddle (143mm) but didnt realise how rounded the top is in comparison. The design keeps you planted but keeps the saddle out of your way. Fabric's Scoop saddle range is the AK-47 of saddles with a shape that seems to work for a huge variety of riders. I rode on a Brooks B-17 for several years. You just hope you don't have all your memories in the same ride. By He is a road cyclist at heart and doesn't care much if those roads are paved, dirt, or digital. Many experienced cyclists have been through a lot of saddles and have built a kind of religion around what works for them. He will happily talk for hours about the minutia of cycling tech but also has an understanding that most people just want things to work. The Ergon SR Pro Carbon is technically a road saddle but it's an excellent fit for aggressive riders and Ergon's 'dynamic sitting' design accommodates the different seating positions that are used off-road to help maintain traction. It proved nothing but a joy to sit on across several bikes from gravel to MTB. The new Santa Cruz Nomad V6 gets a bigger wheel up front, geometry updates, Glovebox storage, and suspension tweaks. When it comes to saddles there are few brands with the name recognition of Fizik. The most important attribute when purchasing a saddle is the width. There's a centre cut out and it's a short nose design that's 5mm longer than the short nose design of the road version. Ergon is a brand best known for taking a scientific approach to your bike's touchpoints, developing a range of ergonomic grips and saddles with the goal of improving on-bike comfort and control. Most companies who use a relief channel use a deep channel that splits the shell from the nose to the rear of the saddle. The saddle uses a more classic shape, rather than a short nose, to give riders the real estate to move forward and back on the saddle to help balance weight distribution on steep climbs. NY 10036. It will change as you age and it will change as you take part in different types of cycling. Bath Unlike a road bike saddle, mud, dirt, trees, traction, hard impacts and branches come into play for gravel saddles. A long, thin and flat saddle that allows for plenty of leg movement, Lots of flexibility where your legs meet the saddle, Plenty of grip at the front of the saddle, Ultra-stylish and so durable theres never a need to worry about scraping it, A men's-specific carbon-performance saddle priced very reasonably, Drainage for water in the pressure relief channel, Sharp at the edge of the pressure relief channel, Well-priced saddle designed to cope with the rigors of off-road riding and racing, A high-quality, low-price option with a gentle wave and lots of flexibility in the shell, A versatile saddle for men or women, on-road and off-road, and available in a size for everyone, Thoughtful details specific to gravel come together to form one of the lightest saddles on the market, An incredibly comfortable and supportive saddle that combines the Power shape, Mimic foam, and Elaston technology, Mimic foam perfectly imitates the density of soft tissues, Mimic gradually moulds into shape for long-lasting and personalised support, If you like the short nose saddle trend but want a more flexible rear and low weight, the Velo delivers, A waved profile, short length and wide pressure-releasing cutout with medium padding, A little longer than most short-nosed saddles with a design meant for stability, We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices, Composite carbon co-injected Nylon WingFlex, Sit-bone width of 9-12cm and sit-bone width of 12-16cm, How to choose the best gravel bike saddle, Specialized Power Pro Elaston Mimic Saddle, three primary considerations for saddle fitment. The unsupported nature of the rubber provides all the necessary shock absorption with more durability. It has a rounded rear section and medium padding that should work well for a setup similar to most endurance-focussed gravel bikes. For more details, read our full Repente Artax GL review. Selle Italia has been making some seriously light performance saddles for a long time and the Italian brand's X-LR Kit Carbonio Superflow has to be one of the lightest off-road-specific saddles available. The padding is in the right places and our tester found it surprisingly comfortable for multi-hour rides, although we wouldn't choose it for a multi-day trip. Ive always imagined them to be rock hard. Be careful though, it's easy to fall into a correlation without causation hole of never-ending saddle purchases. I have put in a few rides on my new Selle Anatomic X2. Thanks for popping by - why not stay a while? If you are a gravel racer your needs are going to be a lot different than that of a bikepacker. assuming that Im currently riding a charge spoon/ Madison flux which cambium would you buy for gravel bike (escapade) and rigid do everything else bike (longitude)? New York, Id put a C17 on every bike if I could afford it. B17 titanium on two of my bikes. After a few adjustments ( proper fitting) I have easily decided this will be a much better saddle than the saddle that came with my Checkpoint. Titanium usually makes up the mid-tier level and has excellent compliance and reduces weight over steel. If your riding position is a little more relaxed, Fabric has a Shallow version of the Scoop which has a shape better suited to a more upright position. You can find out more in our full review of the Terra Argo X1. Still, if you can have your cake and eat it there's no reason not to choose a lightweight saddle. Based in Edinburgh he has some of the best mountain biking and gravel riding in the UK right on his doorstep. Swift Titanium on mine. Affordable options too. Bike Perfect is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Not only that, while we have chosen to feature the competitively priced carbon-railed Pro Team, Fabric offers various price points and rail materials including a steel railed version for a bargain of $80 / 35. As mentioned above, can also make strange squeaking noises on bumpy terrain. Beate Kubitz Classic Ride Print #117 Duddon Valley, Beate Kubitz Classic Ride Print #124 Isle Of Wight, Premier Partners for Singletrack issues & exclusive subscriber perks, Metcheck MTB Weather Forecasts At A Glance. It's common knowledge that adding more padding to a saddle doesnt necessarily make a saddle more comfortable, however, the best gravel saddles sometimes add a little more padding to help absorb some of the vibrations compared to road saddles. A quality saddle is a quality saddle no matter the terrain but you should consider the unique challenges of off-road riding when choosing the best gravel bike saddle. There's enough strength that it won't break down but the movement adds a suspension effect that's great for gravel. published 1 July 22, Specifically designed to meet the challenges of gravel riding, these are the best gravel bike saddles to keep you comfortable on long, rough off-road rides. The cushioning gave contact with the bike, while offering a great vibration-reducing effect. Thanks for all the advice I pulled the trigger on a Cambium C17 from Charlie TBM. In contrast when it was on the Burls of shitness it creaked like ****. On a road bike, a steep gradient will often have the rider up and out of the saddle which also gives a break from the sitting position, but it's not always possible on loose terrain. Cyclingnews is supported by its audience. You can't change the width of a saddle after the fact so make sure you have an understanding of the width of your sit bones and choose a saddle to match. Sign up as a Singletrack Member and you can leave comments on stories, use the classified ads, and post in our forums, do quizzes and more.
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