[trail-blazer]

I'm in need of a new saddle and am considering the Ergon SME3 or SMA3 or the SQLab 611 Ergowave saddles. My previous saddle is a 10 year old San Marco Ponza which eventually broke where the rail connects to the shell. whilst my old saddle was comfortable for around 2-3 hours I feel I could do better hence the interest in the Ergon or SQLab.

I don't have any retailers of either brand near me so was wanting to hear from others what their thoughts were on these saddles. I know saddle fit is a very personal thing but just wondered if the science behind these saddles adds up to them being a comfortable perch.

Has anyone here ridden both? How did they compare? How do these saddles wear? How long did the saddle take to break in?

I'd appreciate any thoughts or comments from anyone who would like to share their experience.

I have fairly narrow sit bones at around 10.5cm.

 

[jacksonlui]

Ive been researching and couldnt really find any info so ive ended up with both the sme3 and sqlab 611 active ergowave. The sme3 was comfortable but i really like the 611 active. No more numbness on long fireroad climbs. Its expensive but how much would you pay for comfort down there? Idk if the active feature works but it doesn't hurt to have it. The only thing i dont like is the creaking when i get on the nose, its tolerable and isnt often. Overall the sqlab is for me. I would like to try the sworks phenom saddle also in the future

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[trail-blazer]

Thanks for the feedback.

What do you like more about the 611? Did you still get numbness with the Ergon? How is the flex of the shell on both saddles?

The kick up at the back of the 611 concerns me a little. Looks like it could hook your shorts. Also, for MTB riding the seating position is more upright and I would think that the kick up would tend to roll or push your hips forward placing more pressure on your arms and hands or doesn't that happen?

 

[jacksonlui]

The kick up you refer to is where your sit bones are. You dont really shift from here unless you climb where you will perch on the nose. I found it odd at first but wasn't a thought after 15minutes. I like the active feature of the 611 active and the space that the ergowave creates to prevent pressure. 611 gave me no numbness while the sme3 gave me numbness. I havent had a problem with a snagged short on descents

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[arnea]

I've used Ergon when it came out, very early 611 (it had different shape) and five year old 611 (might be different than current).

I have quite wide sitbones, so I looked at those saddles, because they were available in different widths.

Ergon was unrideable for me. When you look from side it has straight top. There is cutout, but there are ridges on the side that did really hurt me.

Old 611 had slimmer nose - the saddle was more T shaped. It was good saddle, but bike was stolen.

Newer 611 was Ok, but I broke the shell after ~1.5 years (I'm heavy).

Then I got Specialized Phenom and it was very good. Tried both 142 and 155mm versions and later was better for me. Tried also Specialized Power but went back to Phenom. I can ride it for 10 hours straight without any numbness.

I think Specialized has very good return policy for saddles - I recommmend you to try it. Measure you seatbones and get correct width.

 

[trail-blazer]

Thanks guys. I think I'll skip the Ergon and look at the 611 and phenom. The 611 is not so easy to find and my size is currently out of stock so hopefully the Specialized store near me has a demo phenom or will accept a return for refund if it doesn't work out. I've tried other spesh saddles in the past and they didn't really work for me.

My sit bones are fairly narrow and I weigh 178 kitted up to ride.

 

[jacksonlui]

Specialized authorized retailer doesn't do a refund but will let you exchange. Getting the right sit bone measurement is important.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk