Ergon SM10E saddle

[Bear-uk]

According to the internet, the Ergon saddle is nice and comfy!
But to my arse, it's like sitting on a brick after 20 miles.
So guys, recommendations for something softer please

 

[Zed. (Justin is short)]

my Norco had an SM10E fitted when new, I found it good but not great after a days riding

I've gone back to my favourite (go to?) Nukeproof Horizon 'Sam Hill' saddle like.....

Nukeproof Sam Hill Enduro Saddle Oil Slick

Nukeproof Sam Hill Enduro Saddle Oil Slick Black - oil slick £79.99

www.mountainmaniacycles.co.uk

I've tried many and keep going back to the NP saddle....

my mrs likes Spech's posh 3d printed saddle https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Specialized/Power-Pro-Mirror-Saddle/Y94A?

as example (they make a 160mm ish size also I believe)

 

[Highland Wheels]

Make sure you actually buy a saddle that fits your sit bone width.


Ergon SM E is spot in for me but I'm tempted to try an SQlabs

 

[HandsomeDanNZ]

I’ve had so many saddles over the years and I’ve finally found one that doesn’t leave me feeling like I’ve had a long week at a super max prison.

For the last few months I’ve been using a SDG Bel Air 3
They also make a Max version.

SDG Bel Air V3

 

[Ribinrobin]

Ive had the SME ergon for years and this is first time i haven't fitted it to my new bike. I bought the wtb devo pick up saddle which is half the size, wasn't sure on it at first but put it on my xc bike and done london to brighton on it with no issue, so its now on my emtb. The handle comes in surprisingly handy!

 

[ozzybmx]

I have an ass like an empty schoolbag, its skinny as... no padding there whatsoever even with me at 176cm and 90kg.

From 20yrs ago when I started back MTBing, I had a problem for the first 5-7yrs with saddles and saddle sores. I have bought so many pairs of chamois shorts and bibs its ridiculous, 400 mile shorts, Rapha, many Assos and well and a whole lot of others along that journey.

Got my sit bones measured and was fitted to a 155mm Specialized Roman saddle, this done me for many years until I started doing more AM/Enduro.

I took a chance on a Ergon SM Comp and it was a game changer, bought another SM Pro, same fit, just a better quality than the Comp. Then bought a Ergon SM Enduro.... wow, thought it was the same SM but a different shape saddle completely. Promptly sold it and bought another SM Pro. Now across 3 x MTBS, 1 x Adventure bike and 2 x Ebikes, I have 2 x SM Comps, 1 x SM Sport and 3 x SM Pros.

I cant remember the last time I wore a set of padded chamois shorts, including a 5 day- 900km Mawson Trail on my Adventure bike with marino jocks and casual shorts on.

Get the right saddle and you will never have pain again. Its not about softness or padding, its about the exact support for your ass shape. The fact I have found my nemesis, may not fit you but its a good starting point.

First thing is get your sitbones measured so you have the correct width to start with, then go from there.

My SM's Pro/Comp/Sports are all M/L size, which is their widest.

 

[Pyr0]

I didn't get on with an Ergon Sport saddle, but their Prime version has been brilliant.

 

[Bear-uk]

The saddle came on my new bike, but the 140mm saddle is within recommend size for my 115mm sit bones.
So it's down to my soft arse not being happy
I've swapped it with my old bike. Which is too wide at 165mm, but more comfy. Only now I'm sliding off the back of it.
The rear kick up definitely works for me .
Currently looking at the Bell air as recommended earlier

 

[FrogSkunk]

Make sure you actually buy a saddle that fits your sit bone width.


Ergon SM E is spot in for me but I'm tempted to try an SQlabs

I’ve tried a ton of saddles over the years like everyone else. I eventually landed on a Specialized Power Arc Expert and have liked it a lot.

I tried a few Ergon saddles, but they always felt a little too squared off for me and I couldn’t quite get along with them. I thought I tend to prefer saddles with a more rounded profile and a short nose.

Fast forward to the other night. I was riding with a buddy and noticed he had an SQlab 30X. After hearing so many rave reviews about them, I figured I should at least give it a try. I pedaled around the parking lot for a minute and was honestly blown away. It felt like sitting on a couch . Definitely more padding than my Power Arc, but it still felt supportive at the same time.

I actually just scored a good deal on one of the Specialized 3D-printed saddles off Marketplace, so returning that isn’t an option. But I’m pretty sure I’m going to pick up one of the SQlab saddles as well.

That said, I know parking lot tests can be misleading. I’ve tried saddles before that felt great at first but didn’t hold up once I got them out on a real ride. You really don’t know until you put some miles on it. Still, the SQlab felt amazing right away, in a way none of the others have.

 

[Pizzman]

SQ Labs 611 carbon
They sent a measure kit. It’s crazy lightweight. As comfy as a MTB saddle needs to be. No creaks. My wife loves her SQ labs with the active movement bushings. 3 levels of bushing to get the perfect flex.

 

[Bear-uk]

Well I've gone and bought a Bel air 3 lux in Vomit green cos it was cheap
Looking like I'm getting out with the marker pen too calm it down a bit

 

[irie]

Fast forward to the other night. I was riding with a buddy and noticed he had an SQlab 30X. After hearing so many rave reviews about them, I figured I should at least give it a try. I pedaled around the parking lot for a minute and was honestly blown away. It felt like sitting on a couch . Definitely more padding than my Power Arc, but it still felt supportive at the same time.

Also had a 30X. Plush to start with but after riding for an hour became very painful. Now lurking unloved somewhere in the garage having been replaced by a WTB Volt.

 

[CarolinaCrawler]

I wish bike shops would "rent" saddles so you can try many to find the right one. I imagine it like the rent-a-tool that parts stores in the US do. You basically pay the price of the tool, borrow it to do what is needed and if you return the tool in good shape you get your money back.

I don't mind spending $100 on a saddle, I just don't want to spend $500 to find the right one.

 

[Pentti]

Well I've gone and bought a Bel air 3 lux

Yep, as suggested above, best saddle I've ever had, no problems or discomfort for me......ever!
I got the carbon railed version.

 

[Bear-uk]

Yep, as suggested above, best saddle I've ever had, no problems or discomfort for me......ever!
I got the carbon railed version.

Well I've just had a quick ride and so far it feels fine.
I need a proper ride out to give it a good test.
Like I said, it's a shit colour, but I'm colour blind anyway

 

[Gila Man]

Well I've just had a quick ride and so far it feels fine.
I need a proper ride out to give it a good test.
Like I said, it's a shit colour, but I'm colour blind anyway
View attachment 178879

As long as it’s comfortable, I doubt your “cheeks” will care what color it is. Of course, you could always get matching grips and pedals to become the “style-king”!

 

[Gila Man]

I wish bike shops would "rent" saddles so you can try many to find the right one. I imagine it like the rent-a-tool that parts stores in the US do. You basically pay the price of the tool, borrow it to do what is needed and if you return the tool in good shape you get your money back.

I don't mind spending $100 on a saddle, I just don't want to spend $500 to find the right one.

I don’t know if there’s one close to you but, REI has a 90 day return policy on their products. The guy in the bike department said buy one and ride with it, if it doesn’t work out for you, exchange it for a different model. According to him, the 90 day return policy will start over with the exchanged saddle. It’s kind of like a saddle rental.

 

[HandsomeDanNZ]

Well I've gone and bought a Bel air 3 lux in Vomit green cos it was cheap
Looking like I'm getting out with the marker pen too calm it down a bit

A very good choice (IMO).
I’m actually thinking about getting a Max as it has the higher raised rear and slightly more padding for eBike use. But that’s not because my one is uncomfortable, but more because I haven’t bought anything recently.

 

[retrograde]

Ive had the SME ergon for years and this is first time i haven't fitted it to my new bike. I bought the wtb devo pick up saddle which is half the size, wasn't sure on it at first but put it on my xc bike and done london to brighton on it with no issue, so its now on my emtb. The handle comes in surprisingly handy!

Similar to your Devo, my WTB Rocket Fusion Form also has an integrated handle (although it's hidden). Very "handy" indeed for eMTBs. But the best part for me is the fit. I went with the medium sit-bone width and found the narrower shape in the front half of the saddle was perfect for me.

 

[Ribinrobin]

yeah my saddle seems really small but it works for me. Saddles are such a hard one because what works for someone might be terrible for someone else.

 

[Bear-uk]

After a 30mile ride on my new saddle.
It's now been sold to my riding mate as he can get on with them!
I was back to having a sore arse. Even though it was the right size according to my sit bones, it seemed to narrow.
Currently waiting for the Max version to turn up
They are a bit wider with more padding. Designed for ebikes apparently.

 

[Gila Man]

After a 30mile ride on my new saddle.
It's now been sold to my riding mate as he can get on with them!
I was back to having a sore arse. Even though it was the right size according to my sit bones, it seemed to narrow.
Currently waiting for the Max version to turn up
They are a bit wider with more padding. Designed for ebikes apparently.

It's too bad it's not available in your preferred color of zombie green. Hopefully you hadn't already ordered the matching pedals and grips.

 

[greengenes]

I bought the Specialized Power Expert with Mirror as I read good reviews about it. It was quite comfortable but it quickly fell to bits. Disappointing considering the premium price. So I purchased the Ergon SME saddle. Far better. More comfortable. And it hasnt shown any wear in 6 months use.

 

[Highland Wheels]

Are people just blindly ordering saddles without measuring your sit bones?

 

[Roughshod]

Having watched a lot of bike fit videos, professional bike fitters say that measuring sit bones is just retail theatre and doesn't actually achieve the desired result. It actually ends up with a lot of people riding with a saddle that's wider than ideal.

It also might not even be down to the saddle, getting correctly fitted shoes with arch support can remove a lot of saddle pressure. Same with also your set up of saddle height, stance, crank length and reach.

One caveat is that pretty much all the content tends to be for road bikes, but it's interesting to see the difference on saddle pressure having correctly fitted insoles added can make.

So basically I'm suggesting it might not be the saddle, it may be something else causing the discomfort.

 

[Joecrow]

So basically I'm suggesting it might not be the saddle, it may be something else causing the discomfort.

That statement and the vid. are most annoyingly unhelpful!

 

[Roughshod]

That statement and the vid. are most annoyingly unhelpful!

How so?

If the discomfort is caused due to compensating towards one side of the saddle, then constantly changing saddles isn't going to solve the issue.

I'm not saying it isn't the saddle, just pointing out that it could be another positioning aspect. Especially if it's happening across multiple saddles.

This may not be helpful to you but it may be for someone else. Feel free to ignore it or explain why it's not helpful. If it's incorrect information then I'd like to know why for my own benefit.

 

[Joecrow]

How so?

Helpful would be for example in this case "try setting your correct saddle height using method xyz, and make sure your cranks are the right length as per abc" Or even "go the the bike fitting specialist Chargealot and get yourself matched up to your bike"!
The vid and your detailed comments highlighted many potential causes for saddle discomfort but only offered one partial solution, the foot arch support insert, which I suspect would make my existing cycling shoes way too tight.

 

[Powerslider]

Maybe it’s from growing up riding BMX with simple plastic saddles, but I’ve never really had an issue with saddle soreness. For me it’s about shape. Nowadays I mostly just want a short nose so my shorts don’t get caught up.
I’m on the hunt for a deal on a Specialized Power Pro Mirror, mostly just because i like the shape and I got a couple small tears in my Levo Expert’s OEM Specialized saddle.

 

[Mjsinclair02]

According to the internet, the Ergon saddle is nice and comfy!
But to my arse, it's like sitting on a brick after 20 miles.
So guys, recommendations for something softer please

Measure your sitbones. Go to a reputable shop and have them help if you don’t trust yourself to do it properly. Once you have that number (typically somewhere between 140mm-160mm then purchase your saddle accordingly.

IMO, Spesh (with their billions in R&D) make the best MTB saddles on the market. They will be expensive but that’s part of it and it’s the most impt contact point on your bike. Spend the money.