Ergon SM E-Mountain Sport Women Saddle review
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Ergon SM E-Mountain Sport Women Saddle review

Comfortable saddle designed specifically for female e-bikers

Our rating

3.5

100.00
100.00
90.00
120.00

Andy Lloyd / Our Media

Published: July 21, 2024 at 9:00 am

Our review
Great for riders who spend a lot of time in the saddle and aren’t getting super-gnarly on the tech, but the high back could be an issue

Pros:

Comfortable padding; well-positioned cut-out

Cons:

Clothing snags on high back; slippery surface

The Ergon SM E-Mountain Sport Saddle has been designed specifically for electric bikes, and Ergon has developed men's and women’s versions to take into account the needs of differing anatomy.

The Ergon SM E-Mountain Sport is available in two sizes – small/medium (143mm) and medium/large (155mm) – intended to cater for riders' specific sit-bone measurements.

The women’s version has the relief channel further forward than men's saddles. This, according to Ergon, is because women’s pelvic anatomy means pressure needs to be relieved towards the front.

An obvious attribute is the steep, high back, which is aimed to offer support in steeper terrain because riders of electric bikes tend to spend more time in the saddle.

Ergon SM E-Mountain Sport Women saddle designed for eMTB riders
The high back provided comfort on the climbs when seated. Andy Lloyd / Our Media

A wide nose enables riders to shift their weight forward when they tackle the very steep sections that electric mountain bikes can handle.

Orthopedic foam padding is designed to distribute pressure and regain shape after compression. This is intended to provide consistent comfort and anti-friction side panels are said to enable freedom of movement when out on the trails.

The length of the saddle is 265mm with 7mm rounded CroMo alloy rails. My test sample was 143mm and weighed 313g – 13g heavier than specified. However, Ergon states weights may vary.

Ergon SM E-Mountain Sport Women Saddle performance

Ergon SM E-Mountain Sport Women saddle designed for eMTB riders
The cut-out channel is placed further forward than other saddles on test. Andy Lloyd / Our Media

This saddle is the bulkiest of the group I tested it alongside, weighing in at 313g. However, since it’s designed specifically for ebikes, weight isn’t a significant concern.

Tailored for women, the pressure-relief channel extends further forward compared to Ergon's men’s saddles and others on test.

Ergon emphasises this forward positioning is crucial for alleviating pressure, particularly for women.

I found this design highly beneficial, experiencing no discomfort in the labial area even during long rides.

Ergon SM E-Mountain Sport Women saddle designed for eMTB riders
Glue and messy edges detract from the overall quality of the saddle. Andy Lloyd / Our Media

The saddle has a flat profile that steepens at the back. I found this enhanced stability and efficiency during climbs. Paired with orthopedic foam padding, it offers instant comfort when you jump on.

Ideal for riders preferring an upright position, it provides all-day comfort for mellow trail days.

The high back occasionally snagged on my clothing and body when descending steep technical terrain and, despite grooves on the microfibre cover, slipping forward was an issue that necessitated micro adjustments throughout the ride.

While visually appealing and easy to clean, there’s a noticeable glue line on the underside, detracting from its overall neatness.

Mountain bike saddles | How we tested

Rach tested these mountain bike saddles on a variety of terrain across the South West of England and South Wales.

She rode both a cross-country bike and trail bike to gauge how the saddles performed in different disciplines and conditions.

Saddles on test

  • Fizik Vento Argo R1 Adaptive
  • Ergon SM E-Mountain Sport Women
  • SDG Allure V2
  • Liv Approach SL
  • Specialized Power Comp with MIMIC

Ergon SM E-Mountain Sport Women Saddle bottom line

Ergon SM E-Mountain Sport Women saddle designed for eMTB riders
The padding is comfortable, but the surface felt a little slippery. Andy Lloyd / Our Media

Ergon has designed a comfortable saddle that offers plenty of support for certain riding styles and is good value for money.

However, the high back may frustrate some riders when the terrain gets more aggressive and a more dynamic riding style is needed.

Product

Brand ergon
Price 120.00 AUD,100.00 EUR,90.00 GBP,100.00 USD
Weight 313.0000, GRAM (S/M (143mm x 265mm)) -

Features

br_rails steel
br_cutOut yes
br_gender womens
br_length 265mm
br_availableWidths 143mm, 155mm