We're taking a look here at the saddle round-up we brought you in Issue 30. While saddles aren't always the most exciting piece of equipment to look at, they have a very definite impact on your riding enjoyment and are key to your comfort. See some of the latest saddles here and maybe you'll find your next seat.
by The CXM Test Crew
Saddles, like helmets, have gone through a number of technology and construction changes recently. Even if you think you found the right shape for you a long time ago and have been loyal ever since, it’s worth a look and test ride of the latest generation of saddles to see if there’s a more comfortable ride.
Until recently, shopping for saddles has been mostly about finding the right shape, and then perhaps deciding how much padding you wanted. Maybe you also decided whether you wanted to save some grams through tubular rails or exotic materials. More recently, cyclists and cyclocrossers could opt for a cut-out for potential pressure relief or water cooling during a wet race.
Now, construction techniques, shock absorbing materials, width options and even new rail designs are all being touted as the secret to a more comfortable ride, especially when the terrain is not smooth asphalt. And for those of you with new bike lust, but a new chain budget, a new saddle, paired with some cushy new bar take, can be the ultimate trick to feeling like you got a new ride.
We put seven of the latest saddle designs to the test in Issue 30 to see which ones are deserving of your upgrade dollars. Saddle up!
Fabric Scoop
Fabric, a UK company, is taking a new look at bicycle saddle construction, seeking ways to reduce the materials and layers involved in building a saddle. The company has 3D printed saddles from titanium, with a price tag approaching four digits. But for the rest of us, the Scoop saddle line has plenty to offer offer with different shapes, widths and rail materials. All of that may make you yawn, but it is the company’s vacuum bonded construction that makes the most difference once you find the right fit. The flexible shell, paired with a cover that isn’t stitched at the edges or pulled as tight as a drum over the shell, allows the whole saddle to flex and move with your body and the riding surface you encounter. We’ve become big fans of this saddle, so much so that it has become our go-to choice when test bikes saddles don’t quite match our posterior. Color options are a nice bonus for those wanting to color coordinate.
Fabric 2015 saddles, Press Camp 2014. © Cyclocross Magazine
Price: $89.99-$299.99 USD
Weight: 268 grams
Options: 3 profiles and 4 levels/trims
More info: fabric.cc
