Its the same way with road saddles, road bikes usually have a more aggressive fit than their off-road drop-bar counterparts which again is going to affect your comfort levels, especially on long or rough rides. If you want a more locked-in feeling then a waved profile, as viewed from the side, will help keep you in a single position. As you move around with a waved saddle your fit will change. Graham Cottingham The last point Kevin brings up is height. I can't tell much of a difference between my c17s and my carved carbon 158. How is your SA saddle doing after a few month of use now? It may be super lightweight but the Artax GL stayed utterly trouble-free, even when our tester was on multiple, all-day route recce sessions. The needs of a road cyclist or a mountain biker are different than the needs of a gravel cyclist. Height: 5'9" With its light weight and clever build, in testing we found the AllRoad Open-Fit Carbon FX unobtrusive, yet supportive in just the right way. Spa Cycles sell clones that are a bit cheaper. On test, the Power Expert was definitely comfortable and the short nose and narrow tip gave a free-spinning, unencumbered feeling for your legs. Flatter saddles give a more uniform feel for riders who like to move back and forth on the saddle whereas curved saddles help you feel locked in place. There are no seams and it's a flat profile. With the Ergon SR Pro the channel is shallow with a rearward bias. The stock saddle on my Trek Checkpoint is making riding very difficult. For more details, check out our full Prologo Scratch M5 AGX review. been there dun that Zman. Move forward onto the central peak and you've effectively raised your saddle height. Most people assume that because they have pain in the saddle area, they need a new saddle. The weight of the carbon-railed version is very respectable too and Fabric's design has proven that it's more than durable enough to take on many miles of rough gravel riding. You didnt really notice any extra rigidity from the carbon rails, or the 30g weight saving over the X3, though it all adds up. The waved saddle might keep you more locked in sometimes but it's likely you'll still move around. A mountain bike saddle will be a better fit than a road saddle for gravel cyclists, but even these aren't perfect for the job. C17 and C17 cutout on the cross and road/gravel respectively, I found the cambiums did give a bit more after a few weeks. Especially since I can get up to 65% off retail through a discount program I am part of through my job. Selle Italia has a reputation for some of the lightest saddles on the market. Specialized has released a multitude of saddle innovations over the years. Different brands usually offer a range of options to suit different riders. For information on Bike Perfect's testing procedures and how our scoring system works, see our how we test page. FORUM LOG ON FOR NEW MEMBERS - PLEASE READ, Bike Shows (NAHBS, Interbike, Eurobike), Components (Bikes, Tires, Wheels, and Other Components). Most companies who use a relief channel use a deep channel that splits the shell from the nose to the rear of the saddle. Hope its as comfy as most people say they are. Gravel races with long hours of hard riding, where aerodynamics matter, is an ideal use case. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). The Carved Cambium Brooks versus the non is a night and day difference. Leather ones need broken in, Cambium ones dont. Very good actually; little firm to start off with, but my posterior is now the last appendage to complain, rather than the first, on a long cycle. Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings. All in all, the Artax GL is a beauty that we will be keeping on the go for as long as we can. 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. Kevin Schmidt, the owner of Pedal PT, and an expert in bike fit has three primary considerations for saddle fitment. The 158 is 4mm narrower for some reason. Weight is rarely the best lens through which to view components and that's especially true of gravel saddles. Velo Saddles is the manufacturer behind many of the saddles from other brands on the market. Tirox alloy rails add a little comfort and add some extra durability in rough and gritty conditions. Firm, but soft enough, its semi-curved shape is broad and flat enough that I felt nicely planted but rounded enough that I could move around easily. 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. Seasoned mountain bikers have experience shifting to the rear of a saddle, or the nose, as terrain requires it. C17 not too wide/ big then? When you need the nose for control there's just enough. 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. Although not broken in, It felt much better and I never felt the need for relief. As you sit upright your pelvis widens out and the necessary saddle width will change. Please paste your code into the box below: Note: Your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. You'll need to be able to bend at the waist without needing to tilt your pelvis a lot. Along with moving around on the bike for traction, you might find yourself staying seated more often. I also got a Checkpoint and yes the stock saddle did suck. Heres why you can trust us. San Marco has also given this saddle reinforced cordura edges which shrugged off all of our untimely falls during testing. I was concerned the leather wouldnt appreciate the rough treatment or repeated soaking, but after 7 years its fine. [url=https://flic.kr/p/PJg3a3]20161217_125106[/url] by jamesanderson2010, on Flickr. Nice and light with a bit of give in the Ti rails. Although this short nosed saddle is actually fairly long at 270mm, it is thoughtfully designed with a wide center channel which goes nearly all the way to the tip, and an overall wedge-like shape. With only a small spot for water to drain the saddle is stronger and mud and dirt don't have a way to get through from below. Win a pair of Shimano ME7 shoes worth 180! When it comes to saddles there are few brands with the name recognition of Fizik. I hope so. The topic Brooks saddle for a gravel bike? is closed to new replies. Vorlich I would be interested can you email me please. 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. Ive got a C17 Im looking to flog if anyone is interested, swapped for a C15. The construction of the Brook Cambium C13 is different from most of what's out there. It has a rounded rear section and medium padding that should work well for a setup similar to most endurance-focussed gravel bikes. Selle San Marco says that this special closed foam double density foam adds comfort yet still provides support by moving with the rider's pelvis. 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. The Cambium C13 is so durable we can't imagine it ever wearing out, even after a crash. Whatever your needs there are some general ideas to consider, which we run through at the bottom of this page, but first, we've gathered our pick of the best gravel bike saddles to help you find something that will work for you. It's a peach of a saddle for off-road riding. Unlike a road bike saddle, mud, dirt, trees, traction, hard impacts and branches come into play for gravel saddles. Selle San Marco has reinforced the saddle rails with a crossing X shape knot (Dynamic Node Action) to reduce twisting forces from pedaling without affecting compliance. Trek, and its accessory company Bontrager, is a company with a culture of data. That all combines to create a saddle that's good at taking the sting out of the rougher roads, without causing undue soft-tissue damage. He's been riding gravel bikes since their onset so know's what works and what doesn't. Thorpey, cheers. Saddle height is a part of the bike fit not typically considered for saddle choice but an incorrect height can cause unexpected saddle pain. I imagine time would have loosened it up a bit. 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. Despite that, until recently, they were almost unheard of and actually purchasing one was near impossible. Instrument of torture to me. The best way to determine what style of saddle you prefer is to simply try different models to find out what works for you. 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. By the same token, when you have pain in your saddle area that doesn't always mean the saddle is the issue. They will also usually be covered in a harder-wearing finish to deal with all the extra dirt and spray that is involved in gravel riding. You might also look at the Gilles Berthoud leather saddles. Handmade by Italian company Repente, the Artax GL is ultra light with some neat features. The Verse line of saddles from Bontrager targets men and women and all surfaces and it works. The real strength in the Fabric Race Shallow saddle is the design of the base. It started off on my Kaffenback but the Vaya has bigger squashy tyres and the saddle seems more comfy (its still breaking in) and I reckon it will be a keeper. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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. The B17 is definitely more comfortable but it ought to be after over 10 years of use. Finally, you need to consider the shape of the saddle as they come in various lengths and sizes. Unfortunately, the traditional leather construction of Brooks saddles isn't suited to off-road riding. Based in Edinburgh he has some of the best mountain biking and gravel riding in the UK right on his doorstep. However, if you're the sort of person whose backside seems to agree with every saddle shape and size available, the best gravel saddles can offer something for you too. For more information, check out our Prologo Dimension AGX gravel saddle first look review. The AllRoad Open-Fit Carbon FX has been designed by Selle San Marco as a saddle for adventuring both off- and on-road. Mind you, a lot of the bike did. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. When you need to keep your weight over the rear wheel to hold traction on a steep hill you can't stand to climb. 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. A saddle for everyone runs the risk of being a saddle for no one. I do a lot of miles on it and never notice it so thats a good thing. 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. Most brands have recommendations for one or the other based on pelvis tilt. Generally, a saddle with a more curved shape will suit a rider with better flexibility however there are other factors at play. 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. Earlier I had posted my thoughts on the Brooks saddles. Still, if you can have your cake and eat it there's no reason not to choose a lightweight saddle. Sales, returns, and fitment data from the dealer network showed the way forward. Ergon claims this better reflects male pelvis tilt but it also maintains the integrity of the saddle. It's important to continue your quest for the perfect saddle because you can have any of the best gravel bikes and wear the best cycling shorts available, but pair them with an ill-fitting saddle and your ride could be reduced to discomfort, pain, and worst of all, walking. A B17 and a B17 narrow. It may perform admirably, but it will be compromised as gravel riding is not its main application. Bath This kind of saddle is going to be best for those who are flexible and have pretty narrow hips. It weighs in at just 164g and the GL has a rear width of 132mm; broader-based riders may wish to look at the GLM which is 145mm wide at the same weight. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Im considering buying a second for my Stumpy. But since then I've put Brooks Cambium C-17's on both my gravel and road bike (waterproof on the gravel bike). i wanna try the c17 cambium for my carbonda build. The shape is far more personal and harder to determine than width. In the same way that neither your road wheels nor your mountain bike wheels are quite right for the job of gravel riding, the best gravel bike saddles are designed to offer that 'goldilocks' balance between weight, comfort, durability and comfort. Of course, there are road saddles that can match the 130gweight, yet the X-LR Kit Carbonio Superflow achieves this without sacrificing performance features and still manages to be comfortable off-road. Just because a particular saddle worked at a particular time does not necessarily mean that it is the only saddle that will ever work. Steel and Titanium saddles will all come with a standard 7x7mm rail, however, carbon saddles can use 7x9mm and 7x10mm oval rails. Instead, it means level in a way that keeps you feeling stable and not sliding forward or backwards when pedalling. The all weather version doesn't seem to flex as much as the original. By marking both center points you can get a rough measurement of your sit bone spacing and the saddle width you should choose. Weighing in at 209g the Prologo Dimension AGX is not what you would call heavy but the concept hinges more around comfort than outright performance. I measured it up against my old Specialized saddle (143mm) but didnt realise how rounded the top is in comparison. The X1 is an easy saddle to keep coming back to its cushioning and compliance do a great job of absorbing vibration while providing support, for gravel and for mountain biking. Ive got a C15 on mine. There is a slight wave but it's not aggressive and strikes a nice balance between locking the rider in and allowing movement. Although he rarely races, if you ask him to ride from sunrise to sunset the answer will be yes. The new Santa Cruz Nomad V6 gets a bigger wheel up front, geometry updates, Glovebox storage, and suspension tweaks. Affordable options too. To further broaden potential users the Bontrager Verse saddle has four sizes available and an extra-long usable mount area on the rails. By This topic has 26 replies, 25 voices, and was last updated. Overall we found the X-LR offers a fantastic sense of freedom, along with a strong feeling of connectedness with the terrain. Another week, another chance to win! For example, if your saddle is too high it can cause you to rock slightly as you reach for the bottom of the pedal stroke. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Overall, it may not be cheap or super-light but it's a saddle you can rely on. If it was easy it wouldn't be a memory. Many gravel bikes use a more relaxed endurance position that makes the rider more upright. As a visual package, the Prologo Dimension AGX gravel saddle looks rather refined and should complement your bike's aesthetic pretty easily. Keep reading for Bike Perfects pick of the best gravel bike saddles or skip to the bottom for our tips on how to choose the best gravel bike saddle for you. 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. Thanks to the versatility of the best gravel bikes, riders are covering longer distances and riding increasingly varied terrain so choosing the best gravel bike saddle is vital for comfort. For gravel riding, this kind of saddle is going to work best for riding that falls into the all-road umbrella as opposed to drop-bar mountain biking. B17 on the Vaya which sees a bit of offroad. Graham is all about riding bikes off-road. The wide flare around the sides and edges help you move back off the saddle when you want to. New distribution avenues hope to change all that and if you haven't taken a look now is a good time. I wore padded shorts for the first couple of rides, but didnt really notice any appreciable break in time. PathLessPedaled on youtube has a good video about alternatives to the Brooks. 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. Ill update after I have it and Ive had a few rides. 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. Have had lots of miles on a Brooks B-17. I have the Brooks Waterford on all my bikes and love it because of the cut out. If you like to move around a lot, don't buy a waved saddle because you think you shouldn't move around. Find out more in our full review of the Selle San Marco AllRoad Open-Fit Carbon FX. Everyone is different though. Hopefully this will be a comfortable saddle. The Power Expert features a generous cutout, too, which reduces pressure on sensitive areas and helps blood flow. All of my cambiums are carved. These can be heavier, built to withstand much harder impacts and incidents than a gravel cyclist is ever likely to need. There's not really a right or wrong choice here unless it's an aspirational one. A lot of seatposts can accommodate multiple sizes but its worth checking your seatpost manufacturer's specifications before you splash out on a new saddle. Despite this, the weight is still sub 200g and riders will benefit from the springier rail characteristics and durability to add saddle rail mounted luggage. However, carbon is not well suited for mounting the best bikepacking bags as any straps mounted to the rails can wear away the carbon and compromise the saddle. 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. At the premium end, carbon rails are specced as they are considerably lighter and the carbon weave can be tuned to absorb vibrations. The Angel series of saddles is the highest performance saddles that Velo offers. Swift Titanium on mine. There's also protection on both sides to protect from scrapes. That means more time planted on your saddle, and more need for a comfortable, shock-absorbing one. Performance-wise, the Terra Argo X1 is excellent but its super expensive, particularly when comparing it to its cheaper, impressive siblings, which are almost identical apart from the rails. The microfiber cover features friction-reducing edging to aid pedaling and Ergon has added a Topeak QuickClick accessory mount. I bought a Brooks Cambium C15 All Weather Carved saddle. Cambian Scoop (central cutout bit) on a Sonder Camino Ti here. If you like a secure, planted feeling, however, the Power Expert is well worth checking out. Ive always had flite style saddles but fancied a change. Find out more in our full review of the Specialized Power Expert. Mine flexed as designed but was still hard, much harder than my buddy's. 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. Very happy. As saddles have got shorter, Specialized has been at the forefront with its Power saddle range. Komoot Trail View uses over 15 million user-sourced photos to show users visually what the trail and terrain will be like. The Cambium C13 is an answer to that need. Commonly steel rails are the cheapest and are heavier but are hard-wearing and ideal if you plan on doing a lot of bikepacking as they are resilient to wear. Once you've got the saddle, make sure it's level. All rights reserved. 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. You can find out more in our full review of the Terra Argo X1. Selle San Marco's AllRoad Carbon FX saddle is better suited to those whose gravel rides are more 'all-road' than drop-bar mountain biking. Be aware that you will need a seatpost that can take 7x9mm carbon rails, though, and you may get mud creeping up between the shell and the padded section on really filthy rides. 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. Lovely bit of kit, very comfy and I like the aesthetics of the thing. New York, Then it started creaking (i've read online solutions on how to fix that). 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)? There's a wide nose paired with a wide midsection and a generous central cutout. Of course, 'gravel cycling' covers a broad spectrum. It's just one of those brands that seem to show up on the bikes of the coolest people. Saddle rails come in a variety of different materials with brands usually offering the same saddle just with different rail materials at different price points.