I’m trying to find a comfortable saddle for my XC bike now – I’ve currently got a 143mm Specialized Phenom on it but it’s giving me some undercarriage soreness. I’ve measured sit bones and this size should be correct, but I don’t think this shape sits well with me (long narrow nose and flair right at the end).
I’ve got a [150mm Fizik Terra Argo](https://www.fizik.com/us_en/terra-argo-x3.html) on my gravel bike that I’ve been really happy with. It’s marketed as a gravel saddle and Fizik markets the [Vento Argo](https://www.fizik.com/us_en/vento-argo-x3.html) for XC riding. The Vento and Terra Argo look very similar, would it just make sense to get a second Terra for my XC bike and forget the marketing?
What’s everyone else’s experience, same saddle for different types of bikes? Or do you pick different saddles for different disciplines?
by TundraKing89
10 Comments
Same saddle and pedals on all the bikes. Road, SSs, XC(HT&FS), AM.
Power Saddle on everything. Fat bike, road bike, gravel bike, full sus, single speed.
I dunno it just works for me
On gravel/road you’re usually not riding standing up, seat between your thighs, with the bike moving around under you. So you can get away with a wide seat with a sharp plastic edge around the perimeter. When mountain biking, those seats can restrict movement and cause pain.
For me, a good mountain bike seat is short, smooth and not grippy, as narrow as I can sit on comfortably, thicker edged around the wider part, and with padding wrapped around all edges.
Compared to a good gravel seat for me which is wide, a bit longer, and grippy, and I really don’t care about the edges.
I’d suggest swapping the Terra onto your mtb to try it. Ride a variety of things. You might not be bothered by it, or you might feel like you can’t move around as much on the bike and come back with bruised legs.
I threw the phenom saddle in the bin after a few rides. My bikes have the specialized power saddle w/ mimic in 155 or the WildSide copy ($15 on AliExpress, can’t beat it at that price if the power saddle is good for someone).
Saddle shape -should- depend on discipline unless your riding position is identical across all your bikes.
As you rotate more forward from an upright position to a road race position, your pelvis tilts and, usually, a narrow portion of your pelvis is supporting you. This usually means people prefer a flatter wider saddle for upright and a narrower rounded saddle for aggressive road riding.
Ergon SM saddles. I have the comps on my commuter and the singlespeed/commuter/weekend bike, decided to upgrade to a Pro for my MTB, mostly for the color. Would have no issues putting a comp on it.
I do. SQ Lab 60x in 150mm on trail, enduro and gravel.
I think it’s personal preference, I remember watching a bike check with a pro downhill racer last year and the racer mentioned they use a gravel bike saddle because narrow and out of the way.
I’ve had a Terra Argo on my mountain bike for over four years and have been very happy with it.
With fizik only recently moving over to manufacturing mountain products I was a little concerned with overall durability, it’s holding up better than any WTB or SDG saddle I’ve had.
After trying about two dozen saddles to find “the one” you can bet your ass (or my ass?) I’m keeping the same saddle across all disciplines. Fizik Aliante R3 open 153w for the rest of my life. I can ride 300km a day with no soreness or pain.