Buyer’s guide: 4 saddles for your bike

by Gus Alexandropoulos

Choosing the right saddle is really important. Your comfort on the bike will improve every ride allowing to spend more time out on the road. While those who have the right saddle sometimes take it for granted, choosing the wrong one can have dire consequences.

Here are four saddles for you to consider adding to your steed:

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Pro Turnix Women’s

$150

Featuring a semi-curved shape, the Pro Turnix Women’s saddle is a great choice for flexible riders seeking comfort and support during extended rides. Pro uses lightweight eVa for padding and covers this with a smooth and durable polyurethane fabric that reduces friction with cycling shorts. A carbon-reinforced polymer shell provides support without compromising strength or adding unnecessary weight, while a centre cut-out minimizes pressure on sensitive tissues. Pro has also made sure that the Turnix is compatible with the Pro camera mount and other accessories.

Specialized Power Arc Expert

$145

The Power Arc Expert features ample sit-bone support for riding in a more upright position, but thanks to its slightly shorter nose section still provides comfort when riding in the drops. As with other Specialized saddles, the Power Arc Expert features Body Geometry construction, which reduces pressure on soft tissues. Hollow titanium rails ensure
durability and reduce weight, while the shell’s Swatcompatible mounts provide an integrated storage option for a variety of accessories.

Bontrager Kovee Pro Carbon

$260

Weighing in at a feathery 170 g–183 g (depending on the width), the Kovee Pro Carbon features a shape that allows for snag-free transitions when moving around the saddle. While the suspended carbon rails help reduce weight, they also offer increased compliance, which translates into greater comfort on rough terrain. Comfort is further increased thanks to the saddle’s multi-density padding and pressure relief channel. Bontrager specs a carbon fibre–reinforced shell that helps minimize weight without compromising durability.

Fabric Line Pro Shallow

$230

The Line Pro Shallow features an innovative three-piece bonded construction that eliminates the need for the traditional separate shell, padding and cover. The result is enhanced comfort, reduced weight and improved durability. The Line Pro Shallow also features a full-length pressure relief channel that helps reduce discomfort during longer rides. Fabric uses carbon rails to further minimize weight. This is a versatile saddle suitable for road or mountain bike rides