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

**Wahine** · 07-30-2012, 07:34 PM

Zoom Zoom, thanks so much for all the feedback. I'm always looking for information about saddles that's real. Saddle comfort for women is a big problem that affects every aspect of riding. It's nearly impossible to get a good bike fit on someone unless they are reasonably comfortable on their saddle.

I may need to get one of these saddles for my library, (I collect various saddle models and loan them out to people that come to me for fittings so they can try them out).

**zoom-zoom** · 07-30-2012, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by Wahine

Zoom Zoom, thanks so much for all the feedback. I'm always looking for information about saddles that's real. Saddle comfort for women is a big problem that affects every aspect of riding. It's nearly impossible to get a good bike fit on someone unless they are reasonably comfortable on their saddle.

I may need to get one of these saddles for my library, (I collect various saddle models and loan them out to people that come to me for fittings so they can try them out).

I think it would definitely be a good one for your library, since it fills a niche that no other saddle on the market seems to, yet...T-shaped with a dip, rather than a cut-out. And I'd definitely recommend it to someone riding on rougher roads, too. We had an elite race near us this weekend that involved sections of cobblestone. I can't even imagine doing that on a saddle that doesn't absorb some impact!

**pll** · 07-31-2012, 05:42 AM

Zoom-zoom: did you buy it through Amazon or elsewhere? Look like an interesting saddle and I am tempted to try it.

**zoom-zoom** · 07-31-2012, 05:56 AM

Originally Posted by pll

Zoom-zoom: did you buy it through Amazon or elsewhere? Look like an interesting saddle and I am tempted to try it.

Universal Cycles. They had it for about $103 including shipping.

**zoom-zoom** · 07-31-2012, 06:55 AM

Originally Posted by Muirenn

Thank you! Didn't really want to spend 129.00!

Me neither. Though I will likely spend full price if I end up ordering another one up a model (to the tune of $160). I'd like to support my LBS if I know I'm going to keep it for the long haul.

**pll** · 07-31-2012, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

Universal Cycles. They had it for about $103 including shipping.

Thanks!

**zoom-zoom** · 07-31-2012, 04:45 PM

On second thought...I think I only like this saddle--at least for road riding. I did 25 miles tonight and by 18 miles in I was definitely feeling less fond of the saddle.

See the sort of ridges on either side of the channel? It felt like they were digging into my butt muscles. Eventually I started getting some foot numbness on both sides, so I suspected that they were pressing into nerves. I also feel like the nose is a hair wide and I felt it on my inner thighs. It's definitely wider than the nose on my Bontrager InForm Affinity saddle.

I do think that I will hang onto it for mountain biking and cyclocross, though. For shorter rides and rides where my butt is not on the saddle for long lengths of time I think it would be really good. I LOVE the way it absorbs bumps. It should be perfect off-road. DH really wants to give it a try, too.

An Ergon rep said in a video last Spring that they are contemplating a road version. I hope they do. I am considering e-mailing them and giving them a review of the saddle and suggestions of what I'd like to see in a road version. I think they are on the right track with this, but it's not perfect for the use I attempted to give it.

**Owlie** · 07-31-2012, 06:17 PM

Definitely e-mail them.

**Wahine** · 07-31-2012, 06:34 PM

I think you shoud email them too.

**zoom-zoom** · 07-31-2012, 06:41 PM

Or even comment on their FB page...that way other road riders would have the opportunity for full disclosure.

**zoom-zoom** · 07-31-2012, 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by Muirenn

I bet if those grooves in the rear were curved it would be better.

How many straight lines are on the human body?

I really think the problem with those ridges are that they make the saddle slightly domed, since the sit bones rest lower than the ridges. If they flattened the ridges or filled-in the "wings" so that they weren't sort of indented there would be no issue. The ridges just end up jutting into the flesh sort of between the sit bones and my butt crack.

**zoom-zoom** · 08-01-2012, 06:17 AM

Yeah, those don't look t-shaped enough for me. I wish Bontrager would come out with a more t-shaped version of the Affinity. Firmer padding with metal rails would be good, too. I don't want carbon rails to get the RXL level of padding.

**zoom-zoom** · 08-01-2012, 07:14 AM

That has a really nice shape. I wonder if they make one with a cut-out. Though I will say that my Bontrager is still really do-able, for now. I love the dent up-front. It could be more T-shaped, but it's not a horrible fit. I don't generally have chafing issues, just feel sort bruised in the inner-thigh/butt region after long rides. I can live with that to keep the girl parts happy.

**zoom-zoom** · 08-01-2012, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by Muirenn

I might be wrong, but I think Fizik is anti-cutout?

They have some saddles that have a relief channel, but the one I tried was the worst torture device ever!

**Becky** · 08-01-2012, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by Muirenn

What I'd really like is a saddle like the SL XC but about 5-7 mm wider.

SI SLR Lady Gel Flow? It's ~155 mm, or the older one was. Seems to me that I heard somewhere that the new one is only ~146mm.

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