SQLab 612 Ergowave Active Carbon Saddle

The SQLab 612 Ergowave Active Carbon Saddle is expensive but packed with pressure-relieving, customisable tech. If you have challenges getting comfortable or regularly swap between aerodynamic and general riding, it could be the one saddle you need.

• Pros: Adjustable, comfortable over long distances
• Cons: Cost

SQLab was founded in Germany in 1992, and since then has specalised in high-end ergonomic products for body contact points: grips, saddles, bars, stems and pedals. Its focus is medical-research-led product development, and the Colubrid-entwined staff that forms its logo signifies its focus on keeping you healthy on your bike.

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The 612 Ergowave Active Carbon Saddle is its top-line (and hence top-money) offering, for 'stretched to moderate' positions. It's not optimised for triathlon, nor is it the saddle for a more hybrid-upright position. Available in four widths ranging from 120-150mm in 10mm increments, and with a 100kg weight limit on this carbon-railed model, there's a likely fit for all but the largest-boned. The tested 'Size 13' saddle measured 143mm at the outer edges.

Weighing up

At an actual 210g for the 13 with the medium insert, the carbon-railed 612 is toward the heavier end of the £200-plus saddle-weight spectrum (the Prologo Dimension Nack that Stu tested recently is 157g, for example). That said, many of the lighter models feature stiffer, less forgiving full-carbon constructions and none of the adjustability that the 612 Active offers. Also (and possibly to fit UCI rules) they often feature short noses, further reducing weight. Generally it's rare to see even a high-end saddle weigh less than 150g, with 120g being about as light as you get while retaining padding. To my mind prolonged comfort is far more of a performance aid than fretting about 50g, so I'd say for the tech involved the 612 Active is a more than acceptable weight.

With the carbon rails being slightly-ovalised (7mm x 9mm in profile) you need to be certain your seat clamps are suitable for worry-free clamping. SQLab tech support can advise here. As with all metal-carbon interfaces, check your saddle clamp is free from any sharp edges or burrs that might introduce a stress-fracture point in the carbon.

Technicalities

There are several distinctive features on the 612 saddle. Most notably the 'step' where the rear is visibly higher than the nose. This naturally places your sit bones a little higher, so when you then rotate forwards onto the handlebar there's less pressure on the perineal area. This is enhanced by a dip in the centre of the saddle. There's a ton of science on the SQLab website covering the thinking here, and as the first saddle company to introduce sit-bone measurement and variable-width saddles (it claims), its designers clearly know their stuff.

> Buyer's Guide: How to choose the best saddle for you

The other visibly distinct feature is the 'Adjustable Active Technology' at the back of the saddle, in the form of three differently coloured rubber inserts that you plug in, to adjust the amount of movement the saddle has when pedalling. Going from soft to hard, you get up to 7 degrees of tilt in the pelvis as you pedal, mimicking how your pelvis rocks when walking.

This is somewhat anathema to traditional thinking, where for bike-fit purposes you want to see the pelvis stable – a rocking pelvis indicating excessive saddle height, meaning at full pedal stroke your hip is dipping down to let your leg fully extend while your foot remains in contact with the pedal. These are two different matters though: a rocking pelvis due to excess saddle height is clearly wrong and means your muscles aren't as efficient as they should be, but allowing the pelvis to move slightly while retaining correct leg angles apparently reduces pressure on your spine and sit bones.

Unisex, for a reason

Saddles, like shoes and gloves, are very much a personal fit item with no manufacturer able to cover perfectly the thousands of minute variances between riders. SQLab covers a range of sizes, but doesn't offer men's/women's options, which is in line with other brands who have dropped 'female-fit' models after realising there's no scientific basis for many of the assumptions made that women's bodies differ notably from men's in terms of proportions.

Sit bones are sit bones, and women have as much need for pressure relief as men. Get measured and go with what fits you, not marketing hype when they're grasping for a differentiator.

Sitting still

For me, with measured 133mm sit bones, the 'size 13' 612 saddle felt very firm at first, even under my go-to best bibs. As I suspected, the initial feeling that the saddle surface was very firm disappeared as the miles clocked up, replaced by the realisation that I didn't need to adjust position anywhere near as frequently as on my stock saddle to remain comfortable, even in a stretched full-aero position blatting along a 10km glen in an effort to up my personal best.

This was also on a less-than-pristine road surface, although my setup of 28mm tubeless tyres and 150mm of exposed 27.2mm diameter seatpost provides reasonable damping by itself.

Getting in tune

This all-out aero effort was made on the medium (grey) insert. On a slower, longer ride I swapped midway for the softest (white) insert, and immediately noticed increased comfort. As above, the insert variance is to enhance or restrict the available pelvic rocking motion, but the impression of going softer was indeed of a 'softer', more comfortable ride, without the problem of a softer saddle surface that would lead to compression of the blood vessels and subsequent numbness.

The ability to tune the saddle based on your ride duration, purpose (all-out speed vs slow and steady), your weight and general comfort preference make the 612 Active a good option to consider in your search for the perfect perch.

Verdict

A very good choice for faster riders seeking the ability to tune their saddle to the type of riding they do