Alongside the development of modern geometry and the rising popularity of e-bikes, saddles have been slowly but surely evolving to better suit our changing riding positions. Steeper seat angles place more weight on the sit bones, while riders of e-bikes spend more time in the saddle than those on analogue bikes.
Broadly speaking, saddles have become wider, with deeper padding and varying densities of foam used to alter the amount of support. Many saddles now feature stress-relieving channels and cutaways along the centreline, and even shock-absorbing elastomers between the rails and the base.
Manufacturers have developed sophisticated fit-finding technology, backed up with a range of saddle widths to accommodate different sit-bone dimensions and riding positions. In fact, over half of the saddle brands tested here offer different width options.
The finish on modern saddles has improved massively too. Most are bonded, where the cover is attached directly to the base, rather than being wrapped underneath and stapled. This looks neater, it won’t split right open if you get a little nick in the cover, and the saddle is actually easier to clean.
In this test we’ve picked 10 of the latest trail saddles, all with unique shapes and different padding, but all with a very similar rail construction, specifically either cro-mo or steel alloy. Comfortable and affordable, all but one are also well under £100.
USED & ABUSED
How we test
To check compatibility and clearance, we fitted all the test saddles to the same bike in the same fore and aft position and angle. Minor adjustments to position can also have a big bearing on overall comfort, because they can subtly alter weight distribution and place more stress on certain areas, so starting with a base setting allowed us to evaluate the initial comfort of all the saddles. We then tested the saddles over various test loops in different conditions. We weighed all the saddles and measured the height, length and width – the latter being a key anatomical measurement and crucial to comfort and fit.
JARGON BUSTER
Know your saddle
BURGTEC THE CLOUD MKII
£39.99
SPECIFICATION Weight: 275g • Rails: Hollow cro-mo • Width: 132mm, Height: 50mm, Length: 280mm • Contact: burgtec.co.uk
You might think you’re seeing double with this review, because apart from some slight cosmetic differences, the Burgtec The Cloud is identical to the Gusset S2 AM. It’s made in the same factory, which is nothing new, but we’re pointing this out because the saddles are not the same price, The Cloud is actually better value.
The Cloud is wrapped in a synthetic leather cover, which is bonded onto the
