Fabric Scoop Pro Flat saddle

Relatively new saddle company Fabric has grown out of Charge Bikes and has an unusual philosophy when it comes to sizing. Different saddle models have different widths – the soon-to-be-released Line is the narrowest at 134mm, the (also coming soon) Cell is the widest at 155mm, and this, the Scoop, sits firmly in the middle at 142mm.

Key to Fabric’s philosophy with the Scoop is the saddle’s cross-section. It’s available in three different profiles – flat, shallow, or radius. Flat is apparently mostly for roadies riding in an aerodynamic position and has minimal padding. Shallow is for a more upright position like mountain biking, with more padding, and Radius is for a very upright position, with lots of padding. Once you’ve picked your profile, you choose the base material (nylon or carbon fibre) and your rails – chromo, Ti or carbon.

This saddle is a flat Scoop Pro, so it has a nylon base and light carbon rails. It weighs 195g (the claimed weight is 176g) and has a polyurethane foam upper with a waterproof microfibre cover. Contrary to Fabric’s suggested use, I’ve been riding it on my mountain bike. And it’s been excellent.

The flat profile lends a slightly wider feel than the numbers suggest, and the flat nose is very comfy on steep climbs. The ‘minimal’ padding feels plenty padded enough to me, and I am able to shift my weight around easily to prevent hotspots. The nylon base flexes well enough to give a hammock-like feel depending on whereabouts you sit, and the tail is rounded enough to drop off the back of should you need to. In short, I love it; it’s now my favourite saddle.

Overall: A great looking, comfy and light perch for your bum. I wouldn’t be without it.

Review Info

Barney Marsh

Barney Marsh takes the word ‘career’ literally, veering wildly across the road of his life, as thoroughly in control as a goldfish on the dashboard of a motorhome. He’s been, with varying degrees of success, a scientist, teacher, shop assistant, binman and, for one memorable day, a hospital laundry worker. These days, he’s a dad, husband, guitarist, and writer, also with varying degrees of success. He sometimes takes photographs. Some of them are acceptable. Occasionally he rides bikes to cast the rest of his life into sharp relief. Or just to ride through puddles. Sometimes he writes about them. Bikes, not puddles. He is a writer of rongs, a stealer of souls and a polisher of turds. He isn’t nearly as clever or as funny as he thinks he is.

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