Last year, the big news from Ergon came in the form of their SR & SM Women saddles which were, well, specifically designed for women. Prior to this, Ergon’s saddles were for the most part considered unisex – great for keeping the number of models down, but not so good for individualized comfort. Due to the lack of a true ‘men’s specific’ saddle line, Ergon went back to the drawing board to come up with the new SM, SM E, & SR Men saddle range.
Designed with specific relief areas for the male perineal area, the saddle takes into consideration the average pelvic tilt, pubic bone angle, and pressure distribution to create a saddle that is supposedly more comfortable.
SM Men
The SM Men (Saddle Mountain), is designed for mountain biking and available in three models, each in two widths – S/M & M/L. The saddles feature a Y-shape design with a center relief channel which is said to have a more flexible shell than the average cutout saddle. More flexibility equals more pressure relief, which is where the saddle is said to increase comfort and decrease numbness. At the back, the saddle features a a wider area for pressure distribution for the sit bones, and a flat rear and contour for easy movement. You’ll also find a removable mount for saddle bags and accessories at the rear.
SR Men
On the road side, the SR Men offers a very similar design but with a more ramped rear section for support in the aero position. Also available in three models and two widths, the SR Pro Carbon Men kicks things up a notch with carbon fiber saddle rails.
SM E-Mountain
And yes, there is even an E-MTB version called the SM E-Mountain which adds a scooped rear for support, increased thickness comfort padding, and men’s and women’s specific designs. Offered in one level and two widths, the SM E-Mountain will sell for $89.95.
First Impressions
We’ve got our hands on an SM Comp Men saddle, which felt comfortable right away. Weighing in at 281g, it’s only 1g more than claimed in the M/L size. As usual from Ergon, it looks great on the bike and unless something drastically changes over the course of testing, it seems to be a winner after a handful of rides. It does feel a bit better than previous Ergon saddles in terms of pressure relief and comfort, though I didn’t have major issues with the previous Ergon saddles I’ve tested either. For a $90 saddle, it seems like a great option if you’re constantly adjusting on your current saddle trying to get comfortable.
