By Rick Schultz
Hot
- Wider & more padding for MTB, gravel, ebike and even the road
- Several models offer steel or carbon rail options
- One piece rail making it stronger and sturdier
- E-sport saddles are flatter along back top, so width will feel true to size
Not
- Due to the curved shape, the ‘Well M1’ saddle feels like 1 size narrower than actually is, especially for an ebike.
https://www.albabici.com/selle/e-bike-concept-saddles/smp-e-bike-concept-saddles-mp.htm
and
https://www.albabici.com/selle/svt-saddles/smp-tour-saddles-mp.htm
Price MSRP: 7 models (I recommend) to choose from:
- Steel Rail: $134-$199 USD
Source: Bike shops, Websites
Features: Wider & more padding for MTB, ebike and gravel
How Obtained: Test saddle
Summary: New Ebike / multi-use saddles
Where It All Started
Getting older, I recently sold my Honda CBR-1000RR. Too much leaning forward, I will leave that to the younger generation. Once sold, I found an ebike that I always wanted. HPC (High Power Cycles) 96V battery, upgraded controller and a 7000w hub motor that came with a 128mm-wide saddle. I like everything about the ebike except that horribly narrow and uncomfortable stock saddle.
Since I already own two Selle-SMP saddles, both that I really like, I contacted Albabici to ask them about their recommendation for a saddle that will work for my ebike. They suggested the Well series and the new ebike saddles, all listed in the table below.
| SADDLE | LENGTH x WIDTH | SIT BONES | SIZE OF RIDER | LINK |
| WELL S | 274 x 138 mm | 9-11.5 cm | XS, S, M | Click here |
| WELL | 280 x 144 mm | 11.6-15 cm | M, L, XL | Click here |
| *WELL M1 | 279 x 163 mm | 12.1-15 cm | L, XL, XXL | Click here |
| **E-TRK GEL | 277 x 162 mm | 9-15 cm | XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL | Click here |
| E-CITY GEL | 259 x 223 mm | 12-15+ cm | L, XL, XXL, XXL+ | Click here |
| E-SPORT GEL (M) | 273 x 140 mm | 9-12.4 cm | XS, S, M | Click here |
| E-SPORT GEL (L) | 279 x 146 mm | 12.5-15 cm | M, L | Click here |
NOTE: ALL SADDLES ABOVE ARE RECOMMENDED FOR MTB, ROAD, EBIKE, GRAVEL
*Saddle shown in photo, saddle I am riding
**Saddle I think will fit better for an ebike
The current saddle on my road bike is still the Selle SMP VT30C (click here to see the review) so Albabici thought that the WELL M1, having a similar shape but more padding and more width would be the best choice. It works well, but, is a little too narrow feeling. I think that the E-TRK GEL would be a better choice for an Ebike since (even though they are the same overall width), the E-TRK GEL is flatter across the rear which would tend to feel like a wider saddle, i.e., giving the rider more support for the sit bones.
On an Ebike, the rider sits more upright than on a road bike, so theoretically, the E-TRK would work better since the sit bone area is flatter. The WELL M1 would work better on a road or gravel bike.
Summary
The WELL M1 performed well, but, I feel that, for this application, the E-TRK GEL would be an even better fit. I’m not knocking the WELL M1, I’m just saying that the E-TRK GEL might be a better match for the EBIKE. If you have a road bike and are looking for a comfortable saddle, the WELL M1 is your best choice.
Coach Rick Schultz is an avid cyclist who trains, races and coaches in Southern California. Rick is an engineer by trade, and in addition to being a coach, he’s a bike fitter and prolific product reviewer. He’s the author of Stretching & Core Strengthening for the Cyclist in the RBR eBookstore. Check his product reviews website, www.biketestreviews.com, and his coaching site, www.bikefitnesscoaching.com. Click to read Rick’s full bio.
I bought the Selle SMP saddle after demo’ing it, and loved it for most riding conditions. But on steep, long, seated climbs, the rails near the nose of the saddle dig into my legs. You can see the rails protruding in all of the photos. In contrast to most other saddles, these rails are straight, while other saddles flair them inward under the nose. Too bad, as I have not found any other saddle that is as comfortable on the flat and downhill. I eventually traded this saddle in and got a Fizik Anteres versus evo. It’s not perfect either, as it flares out a bit too much for me hitting the back of my legs on the climbs, but it is less painful that having the rails digging in. I should point out that I have narrow hips and sitbones, and tried the narrowest saddles from both brands.