A REALLY T-shaped saddle to watch for - Ergon SM3

[Anyabeth]

I have a stupid question about the Ergon grips - are those just for flat bar bikes? Is there a way to use something like that on drop bars?

[Owlie]

It finally looks like this saddle has some limited availability in the US, after they kept pushing the release date back. I decided to order the lowest-end version in black, for starters (from Universal Cycles--they had the best price). If I don't like it on my road bike it will probably be better on a somewhat less aggressive bike (like my CX bike or mtn. bike). If I love it I'll eventually get the next model level up (carbon shell and has some super-slippery silicone coating on the inner thigh area to reduce friction against shorts, which is where mine wear out) in white for my roadie and put the cheaper black on on another bike. I remember seeing that they were considering a more road-specific version if the mtn. version does well, too.

Ooh. Let me know if it works for you on the roadie, since we seem to have similar saddle needs, and I'm slowly getting closer to that new bike...

[Wahine]

I have a stupid question about the Ergon grips - are those just for flat bar bikes? Is there a way to use something like that on drop bars?

I don't think you could use them on dropped bars but there are a lot of drop bars out there with a tear drop shaped profile for the top part of the bar, the horizontal bit closest to the stem where you're often hanging out while riding casually. The drops themselves often also have an ergonomic curve but a cylindrical cross section.

[zoom-zoom]

It's here! Though I'm not sure when I will be able to try it--maybe tomorrow. My bike is already loaded up in the back of DH's vehicle for our ride tonight.

Looking at it I'm immediately struck by how shallow the relief channel is...it looks deeper in photos. I sort of suspect that it may not offer much actual relief, unfortunately. It should be obvious pretty much instantly if it's not going to work. The overall footprint is wonderful, though. So VERY t-shaped!

[Wahine]

Thanks for posting about this. I'm looking forward to hearing what you think of the saddle.

[limewave]

It's here! Though I'm not sure when I will be able to try it--maybe tomorrow. My bike is already loaded up in the back of DH's vehicle for our ride tonight.

Looking at it I'm immediately struck by how shallow the relief channel is...it looks deeper in photos. I sort of suspect that it may not offer much actual relief, unfortunately. It should be obvious pretty much instantly if it's not going to work. The overall footprint is wonderful, though. So VERY t-shaped!

Ooooh! Fun. Let me know how it works for you.

[zoom-zoom]

Is it squishy?

Not really. It has some sort of "suspension" built-in, since it's a mtn. bike saddle (and I may find that it works well for off-roading or CX, since I'm not as "aero" on mountain bikes or my CX bike), but the actual padding and cover are pretty firm. Feels a lot like a Ruby saddle, IME.

[zoom-zoom]

I still haven't had a chance to try it. Weds. I went mountain biking and yesterday I rode 65, so neither was a good chance to try it. Today I'm running and tomorrow I'm mountain biking, again, but planning to also try and get out for an hour on my road bike to test it...stay tuned!

[limewave]

Why don't you try it on your mountain bike?

[zoom-zoom]

Why don't you try it on your mountain bike?

'Cause I never really have "saddle issues" on mtn. bikes, just road bikes (probably because my butt spends so much time out of the saddle off-road and I'm more upright). If I like this saddle I'll probably end up putting it on my CX bike (since the one I bought is a black base model and I'd likely go up one level to get the white one with carbon shell for my road bike).

[zoom-zoom]

Oh, I may really love this saddle. I just did 12 miles, so not really far enough to tell if I love it, but I definitely like it a lot and it wasn't an immediate torture device like some saddles that have had me in pain in <5 miles.

It feels at least as good as my Bontrager Affinity RL in terms of the cut-out (which surprised me)...the footprint is definitely better, I like that it's firmer, and it has some sort of suspension feature built in which was PHENOMENAL on bumps and cracks and potholes and other assorted crappiness of our roads. I'm riding a couple of 30 milers this week and planning a century on Sun. so if it's good for those I will likely be picking up the next model up (carbon shell, slippy silicone sides for less abrasion on shorts) and putting this one on my CX bike. If I REALLY love it I may have to get a 3rd for mtn. biking, even. That suspension rail dealie would be nice on a hardtail.

[Owlie]

I remember her saying elsewhere that she has issues with shorts rubbing on the saddle, so her shorts don't last as long.

Glad you like it thus far. Which one did you end up getting? Performance gives the same description for both models (but then, their website is kind of screwed up). Also, what's the sizing like? I can't find widths for it either.

[zoom-zoom]

Is there any reason other than cost to get the lower-level saddle versus the slick sided one? Would only consider the ones with metal rails. Carbon just sounds scary. I like my current Turbomatic, but not completely.

Yeah, the carbon railed one I have 0 interest in--plus it's $$$. The next model up from the one I have is a carbon shell and has the slick sides...AND comes in white, so I'd like that for my "heavy as a wet fart" (as my DH says) carbon road bike. For my CX and (future) mtn. bike I wouldn't bother with anything but the bottom model, since they'll just get trashed, anyhow. It still seems fairly light and very firm, but that flex makes it really forgiving and it's still softer than the SSM Aspide Glamour Arrowhead that I used to use. I'd say it's about comparable to the Ruby.

[zoom-zoom]

I remember her saying elsewhere that she has issues with shorts rubbing on the saddle, so her shorts don't last as long.

Glad you like it thus far. Which one did you end up getting? Performance gives the same description for both models (but then, their website is kind of screwed up). Also, what's the sizing like? I can't find widths for it either.

Yep, my thighs are the destroyer of shorts...muwahahahaha!!!

I got the base model, the Pro is the next model up from that (carbon shell, slick sides, metal rails). I think the top is the Carbon Pro, which is carbon everything.

Mine is the L, which is 145ish, I believe. I think the S is 130.

[Owlie]

While I don't destroy shorts, I'll keep it in mind for the next bike. It looks like it might work well.