Ergon SM Pro Men Review

Ergon is a German components manufacturer with a dedicated focus on ergonomics and on adapting the bike to the rider. They specialize in bike saddles and grips, though they also produce backpacks, insoles, and bike-fitting products. The SM Pro is one of many mountain bike saddles in their line, a trail-riding model specifically designed with the male anatomy in mind. We tested it extensively against the best saddles on the market to see how it compares.

Comfort

Ergon has based its entire design philosophy on ergonomics, and the SM Pro is an impressively comfortable saddle as a result. It has a relatively flat profile, a generous anatomical pressure-relief cutout, a classic Y-shape, a slight rise to the tail, and dense yet comfortable padding throughout.

The SM Pro Men has been specifically designed for the male anatomy, and Ergon goes into great detail about this design on their website. The gist of it all is that they have conducted extensive research on the differences between male and female anatomy and bone structure, and crafted a saddle they believe best suits the needs of men (they also make women's specific models). One of the most obvious design features is the pronounced, deep pressure relief channel that runs nearly the entire length of the saddle. Testers found this channel to be effective at taking pressure off the perineum, with most of their weight distributed on the sit bones, resting on the wings. We did not notice any pressure points or experience any discomfort caused by the edges of the channel.

The SM Pro comes in two sizes: S/M is 144mm wide, and M/L is 160mm wide. We tested the M/L, and we found that it measured closer to 150mm at its widest point. It has a relatively flat side-to-side profile that drops steeply by the edges. The padding where the sit bones rest is a new OrthoCell material that Ergon claims is more durable and lighter than gel with a high rebound force. Testers found the padding to feel a touch stiffer than some of the competition, but still forgiving enough for long-term comfort. The tip-to-tail profile is generally flat with a gradual rise at the tail. While we found that it didn't cradle as much as some competitors, it did provide adequate support while pedaling over the course of long test rides.

Performance

Overall, we found the performance of the SM Pro to be quite good. It has a well-refined shape that is unobtrusive on the descents and allows for optimal power transfer on the climbs. Like most good saddles, it generally went unnoticed, which was pretty much ideal.

When pedaling, we found the classic Y-shape of the SM Pro to work very well. While the side-to-side profile is relatively flat, it drops steeply at its edges to allow direct power transfer to the pedals. The OrthoCell padding feels comfortable, yet stiff enough that your power isn't being sapped by excessive movement. The seat cover has texture added on the top where you sit, while the edges are smooth to help reduce friction. On the descents, the SM Pro disappears beneath you. We found that it allowed for unobstructed freedom of movement with low-friction material along its edges and a snag-free shape. We had no issues positioning our bodies where we needed, no matter the terrain.

Durability

The SM Pro appears to be a well-made and durable mountain bike saddle. Attention to detail seems to be important for the folks at Ergon, and this is evident in the quality craftsmanship of their bike saddles. Every aspect of the construction appears flawless, from the TiNox rails and nylon composite shell to the microfiber seat cover. The seat cover material wraps over the edge of the shell, where it is cleanly bonded on the underside. While it isn't specified as such, there is also what appears to be a reinforcement around the entire tail of the saddle from wing to wing as an added layer of protection in case of a crash.

Versatility

Ergon refers to the SM Pro as the “choice of the marathon pros” on its website, so it clearly works well for those who spend long hours in the saddle. During testing, we found it worked well on trail rides ranging from 1 to 4 hours, with ample support and high comfort. We feel it should work well for any mountain biking discipline, especially for everyday trail riding or bike touring, where you spend lots of time in the saddle. We never mounted it on our road or gravel bikes, but if we did, we assume it would likely provide the same level of comfort over a long day. The SM Pro also comes with a QuickClick adapter that works with certain ToPeak saddlebags.

Weight

At 266 grams, the SM Pro is relatively lightweight. Unless you're really hypersensitive to weight, you'll likely never notice a few grams of saddle weight. Likely, this saddle will also be lighter than the stock saddle on most complete builds.

Value

At retail, the SM Pro falls right about in the middle of the price range of the models in this test. We feel this makes it a good value to the male rider who seeks the ergonomic benefits and comfort that it provides.

Conclusion

The SM Pro is a great saddle that we feel works well for any style of mountain bike riding. Its competitively lightweight and durable, plus it has an ergonomic design and a high level of comfort. We found its overall performance to be quite good, and it quickly became a tester favorite for its pressure relief and refined feel.

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