Chromag Bikes started building their brand on hardtail frames, but as components came along, they quickly became Whistler, B.C.’s unofficial handlebar of choice, then put out some very popular seats. Back in mid-June, Chromag Bikes announced their new Limber seat. This saddle was designed to be easy to move around when you’re standing up, but comfortable enough when you’re seated for long rides.
A few years ago I would have called Chromag’s Lynx DT saddle my current favourite, so I was stoked to try out the new Limber. I’ve been riding the Limber since its release, and despite facing a tough comparison to my favourite seat ever (Ergon’s SMC Core), I found it perfectly comfortable. The Limber is a nicely supportive saddle that maintains a sleek overall profile and a reasonable weight.
Chromag Limber Saddle – Construction Features:
Chromag says the new Limber was based upon their Lift saddle, but refined with a shorter profile and a broader center relief channel. The Limber’s vacuum-formed construction enables a seamless finish and a consistent surface feel. It features a durable, weather-resistant synthetic cover, and its design leaves no exposed plastic or sharp edges. Chromag gave the Limber chromoly rails for strength and durability without excess weight.
The Limber saddle offers a short 260mm length and movement-friendly shape to allow riders to shift around it easily, while a stable but not bulky 140mm platform width provides comfort when you are seated.
This saddle’s padding is on the thinner, firmer side, but the Limber’s design is all about proper support. Its platform was shaped to support the sit bones, where the bulk of your body weight hits the saddle. It also gets a widened center relief channel to keep pressure off sensitive areas and eliminate unnecessary discomfort.
The Limber’s cover features a semi-perforated texture on the rear part of the platform and on the nose for a little grip, and remains smooth everywhere else.
When I installed the Limber saddle on my bike, I noticed the rails offer about 5mm less forward/back adjustability vs. the Ergon SMC Core seat I was previously riding (which is a larger seat). To match the Ergon’s position, I had to run the Limber as far forward as its clamp range allows, but that put it exactly where I wanted.
Chromag lists the Limber saddle’s weight at 278g. I’d call that honest, as my scale showed it at 279g. That’s 14g lighter than my old Lynx DT, and shaves 65g off the Ergon SMC Core’s weight.
Ride Impressions: Comfort
My first ride with the Limber saddle was a 1:45 long lap, and I was wearing my well-padded 7mesh MK3 chamois. Even after switching from a very cushy saddle, the Limber was more comfortable than expected. I attribute this to its shape more than anything; The rear half of this seat is wide enough to support my sit bones really well. I should note, I’m a fairly slim guy, but the Limber’s width was easily adequate for me.
My next ride was with a slimmer chamois, and since I was still getting used to it, the Limber felt a bit firm initially. However, I quickly stopped thinking about it as I rode, and I remained comfortable throughout this hour and a half long ride.
Just my third ride with the Limber was over three hours long. After two hours of climbing, my descent, and a lengthy pedal home, my butt was just starting to get a bit tired of sitting. Given I was still getting used to the Limber, I was pretty happy to complete this longer lap with no discomfort or soreness afterwards.
At this point I have ridden countless loops with the Limber saddle, and I’ve gotten familiar with it. Honestly, the Limber’s lean padding simply won’t match up to my Ergon SMC Core, which is amazingly cushy and comfortable. But since the sit bone support is excellent with the Limber, I still find it very comfortable and have no complaints about it. Through all my test rides, I’ve never had any specific comfort-related issues with this seat. Also, I have luckily never had problems with this, but the Limber’s wide center channel definitely kept my sensitive bits happy with no numbness at all.
Shape:
As stated above, my favourite thing about the Limber’s shape is its supportive rear half. That said, the nose worked really well for me too. I don’t like saddles with wide noses, and the Limber’s is narrow enough that I found it perfectly comfortable to pedal with. If a seat’s nose is too wide, I will feel like it’s pushing my thighs apart, but this was not a problem with the Limber.
While the Limber’s nose is noticeably shorter than the seat I was riding, that doesn’t seem to come with any sacrifice in comfort. The shorter nose also proved pretty good at not snagging the crotch of any of my various shorts or MTB pants. I’ll attribute this to the shape, but also the synthetic cover material. It’s grippy enough to not feel slippery, so when you plant your butt on the seat it doesn’t shift around. Thankfully, the cover isn’t grabby enough that it hooks up on clothing.
Chromag wanted this seat to be easy to move around while you ride, and I’d agree it is. It’s just big enough to be supportive, and I never found it obtrusive or noticed my legs contacting it unexpectedly. The seat’s trim dimensions help it stay out of the way during stand-up pedalling sprints and on descents.
Durability:
Sorry, but I haven’t crashed hard or bounced my bike off a trail since installing the Limber saddle! After a few months of riding my seat shows no signs of damage, or excessive wear and tear. The rails are straight, the cover is fully intact, and I doubt anything would damage this seat except for a gnarly crash.
The Limber saddle retails for $110 USD. It is available in Black/Sand (as tested) or Chocolate colors. Chromag covers all their components with a two-year warranty.
