Ergon’s new to the saddle market, but they’ve come out swingin’.
The SM3 saddles pack a whallop of technical features and ergo design cues that managed to win them a Eurobike Design Award this year. The saddles are designed for mountain bikers with features to ease getting off the back of the saddle and shoulder the bike. The shell, padding and central relief are all put together to maximize comfort and reduce pressure points on sensitive areas…and there’s more…
There are five models, three with standard rails and two with the Selle Italia MonoLink rails, both with carbon fiber rail options at the top of the range. The others don’t slack with TiNox rails. The Pro and Pro Carbon models have a carbon composite shell, the base models have a GFK plastic shell, but all feature dips in the shell under the sit bones to allow placement of additional, dual density padding. The central relief channel has arcing edges rather than hard corners with a graduated depth. Ergon says this allows for proper relief in the typical 45º forward lean but proper support elsewhere and in other positions.
A rubbery insert under the nose of the saddle offers a bit of comfort when shouldering the bike. The saddles all have a synthetic, breathable Lorica leather upper. The Pro and Pro Carbon models have a slippery silicone coating on the sides to reduce friction on the inside legs.
Two widths are available to accommodate various sit bone sizes.
Weights are (S/L):
- SM3 Pro Carbon – 179g / 184g
- SM3 Pro – 213g / 218g
- SM3 – 218g / 223g
- SM3 Pro Monolink – 189g / 194g
- SMC Monolink – 190g / 185g (as listed by Ergon)
Nice to see some additional colors coming available, hopefully they’ll move into the GS and GX series. Oh, and while we’re doing a little wishful thinking, Ergon, go ahead and start planning for some GS and GX shorties that’ll work with SRAM’s new Grip Shift!
