What saddle?

[Mike D.]

I've been riding on WTB saddles on analogue bikes for years, but since switching to e-mtb, they're just not comfortable anymore.

I think it might be to do with carrying more weight (spare battery) or maybe I'm just getting decrepit in my old age.

If you are a "spare battery carrier" like me, what saddle would you recommend for all-day comfort?

 

[Doomanic]

I found the Ergon eBike saddle to be a massive improvement over the stock Rail saddle.

However, like many aspects of cycling, saddles are very personal and at the very least you need to get your sit bones measured so you buy the correct width.

How to choose the right bike saddle for you

Transform your riding with the best bike seat for your rear

www.bikeradar.com

 

[levity]

^ Agree with @Doomanic.

Be sure to look at the Ergon Core saddle. It’s a new design that incorporates a second layer that flexes with your sit bones. VERY comfortable, and a butt-saver on long rides or when carrying weight on your back. The slight give to the saddle even allows you to pedal seated in rough terrain wher you would normally need to unweight. We even find it to increase pedaling efficiency. Mrs levity and I have installed them on all our bikes, including road and analog.

 

[leix_toffee]

I bought an Ergon E-Core Saddle as I was having awful numbness and pain after a ride. 2 spins on the new saddle and Zero numbness or pain. Can feel the difference riding it, so much comfort. Previous was an expensive selle italia gel saddle (given to my brother). Just measure the sit bones properly, the "calculator" was wrong for me (said M) but I measured properly and it was easily an L.

 

[Beekeeper]

Quite an ugly saddle but pretty comfortable on a hardtail

 

[EebStrider]

Ah, so that's why you look miserable in your photos! ?

Ergon SM E mountain core prime. You'll thank me later! I've tried loads of saddles, and this is by far the best. Coupled with GA3 grips, the bike has been transformed.

 

[steve_sordy]

@Mike D. I don't want to be teaching grandma to suck eggs, but is the saddle wide enough for your sit bones? I too had been riding bikes for years, but I got saddle sores quite soon after buying a emtb. I never knew what my sit bone width was, but I do now! It seems that my sit bone width was the same as the saddle on my bike, so the edges of the saddle were right where they shouldn't be! The recommendation is that you have the saddle 20-30mm wider than the sit bone gap. (It worked for me).

The WTB "Fit Right" webpage has good advice and a seemingly counter-intuitive method of coming up with your sit bone width from Rachel Atherton. I followed her method and it agreed with my "sit on some corrugated cardboard" method.

Get some single fluted carboard, lay it on a flat surface, then sit on it!
Get off and you will see two depressions made by your bum. Draw a circle around the depressions and then identify the centre of each. Measure the distance between the centres. Job done!

Word of warning: As I discovered when trying to identify the sit bone width of my 10 years old granddaughter, the cardboard method only works if you have a bony arse like me! The last thing I was going to say to my granddaughter was that she had a fat arse, so I blamed the cardboard! So maybe Rachel was being tactful, I will try her method on my granddaughter next time I see her.

Here is a link to the WTB Fit Right page. It follows on with questions about riding style and recommends several saddles.

Fit Right System

www.wtb.com

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

I have the ergon SM e-mountain and its an excellent saddle.
had it for over a year and I pretty much never wear a chamois either so it must be good

 

[Mike D.]

I have the ergon SM e-mountain and its an excellent saddle.
had it for over a year and I pretty much never wear a chamois either so it must be good

Just ordered. Will review...

 

[Tonybro]

Quite an ugly saddle but pretty comfortable on a hardtail

View attachment 60099

Yes, my wife uses one!

 

[chrismechmaster]

Both my Levo and rise came with uncomfortable saddles

i tried the Sgs bel air 3 on the rise much more comfortable !!!
So comfortable I now got another one for the Levo

 

[Bellefield]

I'm currently trying the ergon saddle, not sure I'm getting on with it, might go back to my old fizik gobi saddle, which I keep going back to despite it being about 20 years old now

 

[EebStrider]

I'm currently trying the ergon saddle, not sure I'm getting on with it, might go back to my old fizik gobi saddle, which I keep going back to despite it being about 20 years old now

Stick with it for a few rides, as your arse may need to get used to it.

 

[Penttithefinn]

I have got an SDG Bell-Air 3.0, which I find very comfortable, if very short, and was a very good price at the time.

 

[Oldmtber]

I'm currently trying the ergon saddle, not sure I'm getting on with it, might go back to my old fizik gobi saddle, which I keep going back to despite it being about 20 years old now

Same here. Just reluctant to abandon my Gobi. In fact if you need it I have a brand new spare which came as a warranty replacement from Fizik. The second hand one I bought just never gave up.

 

[Rotwilder]

I’ve been using Brooks saddles for 50+ years and recently bought a Brooks Cambium C17 which is very comfortable for all day riding. I also use a Brooks Professional leather on my non e road bike which I’ve tried on the ebike and was gonna leave it on but decided to try the modern looking Cambium instead. Never got on with the original Ergon supplied with the ebike.

 

[mxtyphoon]

Old age doesn’t help, I have a hard time getting long miles on my motorcycle anymore. Have to stop and walk around some to help.

 

[Chuckles]

I'm currently trying the ergon saddle, not sure I'm getting on with it, might go back to my old fizik gobi saddle, which I keep going back to despite it being about 20 years old now

Bellefield let me know if you want to get rid your saddle, i've been looking for one, but out of stock like the rest of the bike industry.,,

 

[DirtyPete]

SQlab Ergowave saddles are pricey but very good quality and they sure are comfortable. I got new 611 myself and its great, it has perfect cut out channel to keep your private parts from dying and it comes with switchable dampers to change the feel of the saddle. I've used mostly WTB and Selle Italia saddles before and its definitely a improvement.

Just make sure to measure your sit bones first to pick right size saddle.

 

[The Hodge]

Both my Levo and rise came with uncomfortable saddles

i tried the Sgs bel air 3 on the rise much more comfortable !!!
So comfortable I now got another one for the Levo

I'm assuming you mean sdg Bel Air 's....I've been sitting on these for the last 15 years and have just replaced the standard Whyte saddle with the one I had on my T130rs before gifting that bike to my son ( I also did the same with the Ergon grips ) ..the bike has been in storage with my LBS ( mate) ..for about 5 months while waiting for replacement parts ..
As far as the saddle goes I've always found them excellent and see no reason why that shouldn't be the case on an ebike ..
That monstrosity of a gel saddle further up the page must have doubled the weight of an already heavy bike ..?

 

[EebStrider]

Old age doesn’t help, I have a hard time getting long miles on my motorcycle anymore. Have to stop and walk around some to help.

Have you tried wearing Moto Skiveez? I wear them on my motorbike, and they certainly help.

 

[Michaelp66]

I've been riding with Prologo Proxim saddles for a few years now, can't knock them.

I've just ordered another Prologo Proxim W450 Sport T2.0 Saddle 155mm for a bargain price of £39.99... I paid £90 for my last one!