Do you know about suspension saddles? I tried using the "BIKE YOKE SAGMA."
Hello, this is Ikeda from grumpy.
I finally bought the BIKE YOKE SAGMA, a suspension saddle I've been interested in for a long time.
I've been using it for my bike commute and on a recent exploration ride, and I'm currently trying out various settings.
Unlike traditional saddles, such as the Brooks leather saddles I've favored, this is a high-tech saddle incorporating the latest technology.
The SAGMA saddle is designed for a wide range of uses, including MTB, gravel road, E-bikes, and city riding.
It's a saddle that I recommend everyone check out, regardless of the bike type.
The various mechanisms are hidden, making it difficult to explain in a single word.
Bike Yoke's YouTube video provides a clear summary, so please check it out first.
The SAGMA saddle has a special structure with shock absorbers in the rail section that absorb vertical and horizontal impacts.
When this saddle is installed, it provides a very soft ride, as if the tire pressure has been lowered, making it suitable for all conditions, both on-road and off-road.
By removing the screws and swapping the absorbers at the front and rear of the saddle, you can adjust the hardness to your liking.
For example, you could set "front to regular, rear to hard" or "front to soft, rear to regular."
There are quite a few absorber combinations, so I'm currently trying them out while observing the results.
So far, for a rider weighing 73kg with drop handlebars, the "front regular, rear regular" combination feels pretty good.
The SAGMA saddle comes with three types of shock absorbers: "soft," "regular," and "hard," allowing riders to adjust the suspension's firmness to their preference.
In addition to absorbing vertical vibrations, the SAGMA saddle also absorbs horizontal vibrations.
This prevents unnecessary strain on your rear during pedaling and provides a comfortable ride regardless of road conditions.
This photo shows the "hard" shock absorber installed at the rear.
Even with the hard setting, it still moves well side to side.
As soon as I installed the SAGMA saddle on my bike and tried it out, it felt like the ride was softer, as if I had dropped the tire pressure by 0.5 bar or widened the tires by 5mm.
I noticed the suspension effect within about 10 seconds of starting to ride, thinking, "Huh? Something's different!"
Honestly, the ride suddenly became so soft that I even suspected I had a flat rear tire.
If I can enjoy it this much just riding on paved roads, what will it be like on gravel, trails, or long rides? I'm really excited about this saddle.
The SAMGA saddle also has some positive side effects.
The underside of the saddle is flat and smooth, which makes cleaning easy. Even if it gets splashed with mud or covered in dust, it can be easily cleaned.
Furthermore, the seating surface is made of a material that is resistant to water absorption, so it can be easily wiped clean if it gets wet and dries quickly.
A point to note about the SAGMA saddle is that the rail section that attaches to the seat post has an oval shape of 7x10mm.
This is different from the 7x7mm saddle rails commonly used on typical saddles, so it's a good idea to check your seat post before installing it.
The SAGMA saddle is a short type, which has become popular recently, with a length of about 240mm.
Short saddles offer quite a few benefits, such as making it less likely for the saddle to catch on your hip when getting on or off, and reducing weight.
The SAGMA saddle has a wide front part, which can be useful when you want to subtly shift your position while riding.
The actual weight of the SAGMA saddle was 212g.
This is for the aluminum rail, 130mm width type.
Considering that it includes front and rear shock absorbers, this weight is quite light, I think.
It's also recommended for those considering a short saddle or weight reduction!
The SAGMA saddle is available in 6 seat surface colors, allowing you to choose one that matches your bike's color scheme.
Furthermore, repair parts for the saddle rails and shock absorber sections are also available, so it can be repaired if it breaks.
Being repairable and long-lasting is great news for heavy users who ride their bikes daily!
We have BIKE YOKE SAGMA demo saddles available at our store.
Please come and experience its comfort for yourself.