SQ Lab MTB Enduro 6OX Active 2.1 LTD Team Saddle review

A lengthy named, uniquely shaped perch, with unique positive design features, could do with losing the mud collecting area.

• Brand: SQ Lab
• Product: MTB Enduro 60X Active 2.1 Ltd. Team Saddle
• From: SQ Lab
• Price: £139.99
• Tested by: Jim Clarkson for for 3 months

Pros

• Quirky, but functional looks
• Climbing comfort bonus
• Could be the perch your behind has been waiting for

Cons

• Quirky, but functional looks
• Mud collection area is annoying
• Not cheap

When a saddle is named as convolutedly as this, it’s impressive that it’s shape and looks match the name. With it’s wide snout nose, stepped multi level top, large graphics and flexible rail design, first impressions were a little cautious – turns out it’s an excellent saddle, with a one irksome criticism.

This is an updated version of a similar SQ Lab saddle Benji and Ross tested a while back, and this retains the elastomer cushioning and stepped Ergowave saddle top, aimed to assist in climbing comfort and also relief in the usual sensitive spots. The top panel is an impact resistant microfibre (tough synthetic fabric) and under it is a superlight foam, on top a glass fibre reinforced polyamide compound (tough synthetic material).

Two Kevlar rear edge panels are intended to minimise damage from scuffs. The rails are mounted into an elastomer at the rear which gives flex to the saddle. You can feel the slight flex the elastomer offers, when pedalling seated with some effort, which at times felt almost too flexible – and other elastomers are available to change that. I tested the 13cm width, with other options at 14, 15, and 16cm width.

The Ergowave stepped saddle top initially was quite noticeable, visually and physically, with a fair degree of finessing the position – both forward and aft, and angle – to get it comfortable. I settled on a slightly more forward and what looked upwards final position. This shape is also meant to support your spine due to the slight rise at the back – which seems a little exaggerated and difficult to quantify. My back can get a bit achy (old injuries), but this saddle hasn’t noticeably caused or reduced comfort.

After a few miles riding, I got used to it, and when climbing, particularly steeply, you can shift forward, offering what felt like a little more comfort than most saddle noses, in part due to the size and/or space the saddle has to move around on. It has a good chunk of ‘real estate’. The whole saddle looks quite big, it’s not especially larger than other saddles, but with it’s wavy top design and elastomer rail joint underneath, it looks bulkier. Weight wise, it’s 256g.

Riding it was, on the whole, positive – saddles are of course personal – and for me, the SQ Labs long-name-saddle was as comfortable as my current saddle, a WTB Silverado. Despite everything else being positive, the achilles heel is the centre area on top, which although has important function for comfort, it does mean a big area for mud and debris to build up on and needing to be scraped out at intervals. The Kevlar corners also hold dirt due to being fabric.

Overall

It is well constructed, offers tangible, effective features, but whether they are of actual benefit, is an entirely personal matter. It’s priced in the upper end, which is in part due to the additional features in the build. I think that if the mud collecting area could be reduced or removed, it would definitely be a firm choice from me.

Best Mountain Bike Saddles: Are You Sitting Comfortably?