Great video, Anna, very in depth. I am a 76 year old that rides fast flow with the best of the youger crowd. I don't do jumps or drops over about 2 feet due to health restrictions. After wasting a ton of money on various saddles, I've settled on the Ergon mens comp core in M-L. I usually only ride 5-12 miles a day on my local single track trails, but, I ride hard and fast. If I would have seen your video 3 years ago, I probably would have still wasted all that money on large padded saddles anyway because it is difficult to understand just what makes a saddle comfortable! You have explained it well!
Once you have found favourite saddle with correct size, it's very important to find the correct saddle position! Height but also tilt helps to be comfortable on long rides, and it's quite personal...
I had many saddles over the years, but I recently went with an Ergon SM e-mountain Core Prime for my Trek Rail and love it. I did the sit bone measurements prior to buying and did use the calculator online as well. Best investment for me. I can ride hours in comfort now. Excellent video Anna!! Thanks
I find it so comical yet also comforting how every large cycling channel is talking about saddles and the science of it right now, as soon as I recover from rupturing my urethra in a traumatic straddle injury 😂 the universe is out to get me here haha
I got an Ergon SME (Enduro) , the seat for the rider I imagine myself to be. It was a little firm for my delicate rump. I accepted reality and got the SMC (comfort). Noticeably more kush, and I am slowly coming to terms with the fact that you won't see me in Red Bull Rampage videos.
I'm awaiting the arrival of the SM Emtn Core Prime as I watch this video! Bike companies seem to treat grips, saddles, and pedals as "trash" items these days, in that you spent 7 or 8 thousand on a bike and start throwing things away in at the LBS!
Sorry maybe a daft question but… I just got a ergon sm emb sport saddle but do you like old fashioned days have to break a saddle in or should it feel comfortable as soon as? Thank you 🤘🏻
No daft question. I can only say from my own experience buying similar saddles like yours in the past. I used the sizing method similar to what Anna showed here and chose a couple of saddles from Ergon. One enduro and one commute E-bike. Both felt perfect from day one and some years later there is no difference. They feel as new. So my conclusion is that you don't need to break them in. I actually had to do a doctor's visit since I was suspecting prostate issues. After examination he said I need better saddles on all my bikes. (Not trying to solicit medical advice here though. If you are in pain go see a doctor.)
My SM Sport was perhaps slightly hard to start with. I don't know if it softened up or if I got used to it, but it was absolutely fine after three or four rides. A huge improvement over the very hard saddle that came with my Canyon Stoic. That thing had no business being on a hard tail!
I recently got a Ergon enduro comp sm ... because I was very suspicious that the brand was based on marketing, geez that's the best freakin saddle I've ever owned and it's not that expensive, the padding is cushy without feeling foamy that's an achievement in itself 👌
The fore and aft placement and tilt of the saddle has been covered in your previous vids, but this video missed an opportunity to illustrate the saddle design variances when they're all laid out side by each on your table... in that saddle tilt is measured from the saddle rails and not some arbitrary plane across the top of the saddle. I hear you ask, "Well how would you place a spirit level on a saddle rail with it clamped to the seatpost?" I use pencils held across the rails on either side of the seatpost clamp to provide an accurate reference for a level reading.
I am on my 2nd B17 Imperial, I also have a B67. I have ridden cumulatively amongst the 3 about 10,000 miles or 16,000 Km. I love them however they are not symmetrical and the mess with my head because I don’t know if they came like that or broke in like that. They never feel the same when I’m riding. I chalk it up as myself being lopsided and the seat is just conforming to me. I have been on them for about 5 years now and am contemplating getting a normal mtb saddle (Ergon or Spank) partially because they are only half of the weight of my B17 but because you need to tilt the nose up slightly and I have snagged my sack on the tip before and it about made me wreck. I also think that it puts pressure on the front and rear where the rivets secure the top on me and I am starting to feel like maybe something else might be more comfortable for aggressive riding. Reply with thoughts or advice.
@@RiteMau I have two B17s and one of them has a twisted nose, like I think you are describing. There is a fix on Bikeforums for the twisted nose, search for "Brooks saddle - crooked nose". I've found both of my B17s have a deeper indent on the left butt cheek side - caused clearly by an imbalanced pedalling technique on my part, presumably. I've recently purchased a SQLab 60X saddle, and it's excellent.
Your saddle choice is far less important than sitting TECHNIQUE. If you fatigue and sit heavy on the saddle, you will develop saddle sores no matter what you're using. Also, saddle height (too low of a saddle) can cause issues because the low saddle height encourages heavy sitting, and bad technique.
The label of male and female saddles is just to make it a bit easier when choosing saddles, the saddles will be different shapes based on anatomical difference (mainly the shape and size of the relief channel). There are plenty of riders who choose the saddles based on comfort or even looks over what is written on the label. Hope this helps 🤘
Have you found the perfect saddle for you? what saddle is it?
The Bontrager Aeolus.
Brooks B17 and SQLab 60X.
Great video, Anna, very in depth. I am a 76 year old that rides fast flow with the best of the youger crowd. I don't do jumps or drops over about 2 feet due to health restrictions. After wasting a ton of money on various saddles, I've settled on the Ergon mens comp core in M-L. I usually only ride 5-12 miles a day on my local single track trails, but, I ride hard and fast. If I would have seen your video 3 years ago, I probably would have still wasted all that money on large padded saddles anyway because it is difficult to understand just what makes a saddle comfortable! You have explained it well!
Once you have found favourite saddle with correct size, it's very important to find the correct saddle position! Height but also tilt helps to be comfortable on long rides, and it's quite personal...
Some great points!
I had many saddles over the years, but I recently went with an Ergon SM e-mountain Core Prime for my Trek Rail and love it. I did the sit bone measurements prior to buying and did use the calculator online as well. Best investment for me. I can ride hours in comfort now. Excellent video Anna!! Thanks
That online calculator is such a good tool right!
Awesome video Anna!! This is so important for overall long term health :)
I find it so comical yet also comforting how every large cycling channel is talking about saddles and the science of it right now, as soon as I recover from rupturing my urethra in a traumatic straddle injury 😂 the universe is out to get me here haha
Just looking at upgrading my saddle, great timing thanks 🙂
No problem 👍 What saddle do you have in mind?
Great advice and feature! Thanks Anna!
I got an Ergon SME (Enduro) , the seat for the rider I imagine myself to be. It was a little firm for my delicate rump. I accepted reality and got the SMC (comfort). Noticeably more kush, and I am slowly coming to terms with the fact that you won't see me in Red Bull Rampage videos.
What sort of saddle would be best for long climbs? Any suggestions?
I have always just used what came on the bike. I don't know if i am just not sensitive to saddles?
Great and answers a lot of questions for us. Thanks
Our pleasure!
I'm awaiting the arrival of the SM Emtn Core Prime as I watch this video! Bike companies seem to treat grips, saddles, and pedals as "trash" items these days, in that you spent 7 or 8 thousand on a bike and start throwing things away in at the LBS!
Sorry maybe a daft question but… I just got a ergon sm emb sport saddle but do you like old fashioned days have to break a saddle in or should it feel comfortable as soon as? Thank you 🤘🏻
No daft question. I can only say from my own experience buying similar saddles like yours in the past. I used the sizing method similar to what Anna showed here and chose a couple of saddles from Ergon. One enduro and one commute E-bike. Both felt perfect from day one and some years later there is no difference. They feel as new. So my conclusion is that you don't need to break them in. I actually had to do a doctor's visit since I was suspecting prostate issues. After examination he said I need better saddles on all my bikes. (Not trying to solicit medical advice here though. If you are in pain go see a doctor.)
@@jakobholm1847 hi Jakob thank you for your interesting reply hope everything was ok hope it will be a saddle for a long days riding cheers 🍻🤘🏻
@@Mel1175 Yes, the pain I was having disappeared with the change of saddles. I have been all fine since then. Good luck with your new saddle!
@@jakobholm1847 hey thank you for your helpful reply . I’m glad you’re doing better thank you and cheers 🍻🤘🏻
My SM Sport was perhaps slightly hard to start with. I don't know if it softened up or if I got used to it, but it was absolutely fine after three or four rides.
A huge improvement over the very hard saddle that came with my Canyon Stoic. That thing had no business being on a hard tail!
I recently got a Ergon enduro comp sm ... because I was very suspicious that the brand was based on marketing, geez that's the best freakin saddle I've ever owned and it's not that expensive, the padding is cushy without feeling foamy that's an achievement in itself 👌
The fore and aft placement and tilt of the saddle has been covered in your previous vids, but this video missed an opportunity to illustrate the saddle design variances when they're all laid out side by each on your table... in that saddle tilt is measured from the saddle rails and not some arbitrary plane across the top of the saddle.
I hear you ask, "Well how would you place a spirit level on a saddle rail with it clamped to the seatpost?" I use pencils held across the rails on either side of the seatpost clamp to provide an accurate reference for a level reading.
Serfas RX-921V for both Gravel and MTB XC
Very informative 😃 thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Kona stock saddle. Not sure if its WTB or made by them. Id have to go with the comment its posture.
Can't beat an SQLab saddle or a Brooks.
I am on my 2nd B17 Imperial, I also have a B67. I have ridden cumulatively amongst the 3 about 10,000 miles or 16,000 Km. I love them however they are not symmetrical and the mess with my head because I don’t know if they came like that or broke in like that.
They never feel the same when I’m riding. I chalk it up as myself being lopsided and the seat is just conforming to me.
I have been on them for about 5 years now and am contemplating getting a normal mtb saddle (Ergon or Spank) partially because they are only half of the weight of my B17 but because you need to tilt the nose up slightly and I have snagged my sack on the tip before and it about made me wreck. I also think that it puts pressure on the front and rear where the rivets secure the top on me and I am starting to feel like maybe something else might be more comfortable for aggressive riding.
Reply with thoughts or advice.
@@RiteMau I have two B17s and one of them has a twisted nose, like I think you are describing. There is a fix on Bikeforums for the twisted nose, search for "Brooks saddle - crooked nose".
I've found both of my B17s have a deeper indent on the left butt cheek side - caused clearly by an imbalanced pedalling technique on my part, presumably.
I've recently purchased a SQLab 60X saddle, and it's excellent.
Your saddle choice is far less important than sitting TECHNIQUE. If you fatigue and sit heavy on the saddle, you will develop saddle sores no matter what you're using. Also, saddle height (too low of a saddle) can cause issues because the low saddle height encourages heavy sitting, and bad technique.
Get to the bottom of saddles, I see what you did there. Quite cheeky 😋
Cheeky! 🫡
If I identify as female but was born male would I choose a male of female saddle ? I don’t like the idea of a male saddle as now female 🫠🤦🏻♂️😅
The label of male and female saddles is just to make it a bit easier when choosing saddles, the saddles will be different shapes based on anatomical difference (mainly the shape and size of the relief channel). There are plenty of riders who choose the saddles based on comfort or even looks over what is written on the label. Hope this helps 🤘
I've never once called one of those that, I won't even type it. It's a seat.
So why when I stand up from sitting it feels like my gooch is being stabbed by a thousand needles
never explained the hole or the chanels in the saddles
It is so you don't get a numb bottom
It is a pressure relief channel, so you're not putting pressure on your perineum. Which is not where you want to put pressure on your undercarriage.
I see you're a lefty Anna.
looks like that ergon was used to eat some chocolate pudding. desperate times all for .... saddle spoons.
Too complicated, a little chain lube on the stem and you're good to go.
Neoo no no.
Chain lube goes in the handlebars. It can't be that simple.
Here before saddles get canceled for having cut outs for man bits.
I must cancel you for using the word "man", you patriarchist! The correct term is "member of the un-ovaried community".
sit on a piece of carton. is easier for measurement