MTB saddles

Breed gelzadel

A wide gel saddle for women and men, described as soft, comfortable and breathable. The wide shape and gel padding aim at a relaxed seat.

What you get

Gel saddle
Wide shape for women and men
Soft and breathable per the listing

Why an MTB saddle?

On a mountain bike you move all the time. You slide back on a steep descent, forward on a climb and you often stand out of the saddle. An MTB saddle therefore has a flatter top, a nose that does not catch your shorts and rounded edges so you slide across it easily.

The saddle also has to take knocks. In a fall or when the bike tips over, the rear hits the ground. The shell and edges are therefore built stronger than on a road saddle, often with a rubber or reinforced rim. That makes it slightly heavier, usually 200 to 300 g.

You measure width the same way as for a road saddle: the distance between your sit bones, plus usually 10 to 25 mm. On an MTB you sit more upright than on a road bike, which often calls for a slightly wider seat, about 135 to 155 mm. A cut-out or channel reduces pressure here too, especially on long seated climbs.

If you ride with a dropper seatpost, the saddle goes down and up again all the time. Choose a saddle with a rounded rear so you do not snag, and sturdy rails that can take the repeated movement.

How MTB saddles compare

The discipline decides the shape. These are the usual types.

Type	Use	Shape	Weight
XC and marathon	Long seated climbs	Narrow, light padding	About 150 to 230 g
Trail and all-mountain	All-round, up and down	Medium width, flat top	About 200 to 280 g
Enduro and downhill	Lots of descending, with dropper	Short, rounded rear	About 230 to 320 g
Comfort and e-MTB	Upright position, long days	Wider with more padding	About 280 to 400 g

Weights are guides and vary by model.

Choose it if

You ride recreationally and want a wide, soft seat
You want one saddle sold for both genders
You ride unpaved trails regularly, with small and big hits.
You change position often and want a saddle that stays out of the way.

Choose something else if

You ride long sporty rides, where wide and soft can cause chafing
You ride mostly on the road. A road saddle is lighter and suits a leaning position.
You want the lightest saddle possible. MTB saddles are heavier because they are built stronger.

How to fit an MTB saddle

Check the rails
Check whether your seatpost has a clamp for round 7 mm rails or oval 7 x 9 mm rails. It is stated in the description of both parts.
Place the saddle in the middle
Start with the clamp in the middle of the rails and set the saddle level with a spirit level or ruler.
Tighten the clamp
Tighten the bolt to the value printed on the seatpost or clamp. Preferably use a torque wrench.
Set the height
Sit on the bike with your heel on the pedal at its lowest point. Your leg should be almost straight. With a dropper, set this with the post fully extended.
Test on a short ride
Ride a climb and a descent. Tilt the nose half a degree up or down if you slide forward or feel pressure.

Good to know

Check that the rails fit your seatpost clamp
Dimensions are not in the title, so check the product page
After every crash, check that the rails are straight and the shell is not cracked. A damaged saddle can break suddenly.
A wider saddle is not always more comfortable. Too wide causes chafing on the inside of your thighs.
Oval 7 x 9 mm rails do not fit every seatpost clamp. Check before you order.
Wash the saddle with water and soap. Mud in the seams wears out the cover faster.

What you get

Why an MTB saddle?

How MTB saddles compare

Choose it if

Choose something else if

How to fit an MTB saddle

Check the rails

Place the saddle in the middle

Tighten the clamp

Set the height

Test on a short ride

Good to know

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