What is this, BikeYoke week on MEATengines? So, it’s not like I didn’t consider the optics of covering two high-end component launches, from the same brand, on a site that’s ostensibly a min-max, experience-based journal about mountain bicycling. Before I go any further, I’ll point any aggrieved parties back towards the MEATengines review policy: Partisan, Partial, and Predisposed.
{The short version? My favourite saddle, for me, is BikeYoke’s Sagma Suspension Saddle (BYS³) and this new 3D-printed version is even better.}
So my first experience with the BikeYoke Sagma Suspension Saddle (BYS³) was a hundred years ago; in 2019. I love this saddle for any {every} application from gravel grinding on my ATB to grinding steep single track on my mountain bike. I own a couple of them now along with a LITE version that cuts cost, weight, complexity, and comfort by using traditional rails.
I’ll include some more general housekeeping below but today’s jaunt is one part “Yep, that’s still rad” and one part new product release. As the name indicates, the Sagma 3D is a new 3D-printed version of my preferred perch. I’ll jump to the marketing material for a second here:
“The 3D printing process allows tailoring the density of any area very precisely, optimizing them for maximum performance for their specific task. The major advantage is – unlike traditional foams – that hardness can be designed independently from padding thickness.“
As per the title, the 3500 nodes allow BikeYoke to optimize individual areas of the saddle padding for support, comfort, or full-on pressure relief. But what’s maybe most impressive is that BikeYoke has delivered a 3D printed saddle without the massive expense of some other examples of the breed. Not that CA$280 is inexpensive, but compare that to an S-Works saddle and the BYS³ 3D is a bargain.
[ASIDE] Yep, the Sagma Suspension Saddle is not inexpensive. Even so, I think the suspension version of the Sagma will be worth the extra spend to every rider over the LITE. More than the added comfort of the suspension action, which is there in a big way, is the way the saddle follows, rather than restricts, rider motion. Replaceable components are nice too.
But, also, yep, it’s not a small hit to bank balance. Looking for the most Sagma-like fit, support, and comfort for the least amount of money whilst also maximizing quality? For folks who can’t justify the BYS³, I can’t over-recommend the WTB Koda. A performance-comfortable {like business-casual} saddle with very similar dimensions available starting at under sixty Canuck Bucks. The Koda is a fantastic perch for the majority of riders.
[/ASIDE]
I’ll talk more about relative comfort below, but I want to jump in first with the most immediately notable feature of the BYS³ 3D compared to any other seat I’ve, well, sat on. It’s grippy. In a good way. Particularly when the saddle is wet I don’t slide around like I do on every other saddle I’ve tried that’s comfortable for seated pedaling.
A feature worth buying a saddle for? I mean, for DH use maybe. Multiple companies over the years have applied different materials to saddle surfaces, including rubber knobs, to provide traction so some amount of market is there.
I’m not running out to replace my well-used but still solid Sagma saddles, but given the choice it’s the novel feature that would have me choosing the 3D version. As with so many products, it’s something I mainly notice when I’m not riding the BYS³ 3D and it manifests in having to think about positioning {sliding} that’s intuitively a no-brainer with the 3D printed material.
As with the previous BYS³ and Sagma Lite, BikeYoke makes two sizes, 130mm and 142mm. As with most saddles, I run the 142mm width. Both sizes are equally quite short, at 242mm, and I find this works perfectly for me on bikes with steep seat tube angles like Will’s Arcturian and with much slacker seat tube angles like my mulleted Waltworks V2.
I’ll also note here that I use the ‘regular’ stiffness elastomers. Each saddle also includes a ‘soft’ and a ‘firm’ elastomer and I have experimented with going softer, and as with everything, saddles this is down to personal preference.
I have killed two elastomers over my years of use. Both rear-mounted ones. There was nothing catastrophic in either case, they just wore out, and it was a five minute job to replace them. First with included spares {an opportunity to retry the firm and soft elastomers} and then I acquired fresh regular units.
I like a supportive saddle and one of my favourite features of my Sagma Suspension Saddles is that they divorce the compliance aspects (comfort & pedaling) from the support of the saddle material. The 3D model takes this to another level, offering piles of support while also being ridiculously comfortable. You really need to sit on one to appreciate it.
{Don’t fire me up about saddle libraries, we’ll be here all day.}
If I had to point to one obvious negative I’d note that while the padding provides an obvious comfort improvement, the printed texture may, comparatively, provide a minor irritant on very long and sweaty seated climbs for those, like me, that don’t wear a chamois.
I say “MAY” because while I notice more of a texture it hasn’t proven to be an issue yet even on longer rides where my Mochileros are soaked through and I’m predominantly pedaling seated. This is why I test products long term and I’ll report back one way or another after I have a chance to grind it out sitting in my own sweat & sour sauce a few times.
{Humans are GROSS}
A few closing details. Instead of having a myriad of colour SKUs to manage on top of the four rail options (BYS³ carbon / BYS³ aluminum / LITE carbon / LITE aluminum), the 3D saddle has these neat rubber blocks that easily pop into the saddles, but stay in place. Presumably BikeYoke can easily add a hundred colours going forward. I’m running pink for now until Cosmic Lilac hits the market.
Also, I always recommend the forged aluminum AL2014-T6 rails over the UD carbon fibre for the minor 20-gram weight hit and EUR€50 savings. So, ignore the fact that I’m riding the carbon rails. I’m a carbon skeptic for many applications, for most riders {brake levers being an obvious exception for riding in the cold} and this is a long term review revisitation in the making.
Finally, I was worried about how the 3D printed material would manage water. Would it get trapped in pockets and then pushed out as I sat on it?! I can say, thanks to our wet-wet-week that it’s no worse than any other saddle I’ve ridden {this on my anti-theft device free Will’s Arcturian}.
What does remain to be seen is how it will hold up to repeated gritty North Shore rides. I’m always inclined to give Sacki the benefit of the doubt, but I’ll report back by summer after I properly grind it out.
I’m not running my saddle library anymore, but I’m a big believer in sit-then-commit when it comes to saddles, so if you’re North Vancouver adjacent and thinking you’d like to plonk your posterior on the new Sagma 3D before ordering, then drop me an e-mail and we’ll arrange a parking lot pedal on whichever one of my bikes it’s mounted on.
{Happy To Help}
Because, apparently, I can’t sort CET to PST, the Sagma 3D is already live on BikeYoke. Saddles should be in stock by the end of the month. For us Canucks, the nice folks at Orange Sport Supply are the distributors and every shop in Canadianstan has an account so it’s easy to support your LBS.
Canadian SRP pricing for the Sagma Suspension Saddles is CA$280 with aluminum rails and CA$350 for the carbonphiles amongst us. I’ll reiterate here that the LITE version is less expensive, but if you’re going to buy a premium perch, I’m positive you will not regret the extra investment in going from the 3D LITE to the BYS³ 3D.
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