Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

Back to REVIEWS
review
Saddles
Syncros Tofino 1.0 Cut Out Saddle Syncros Tofino 1.0 Cut Out Saddle Syncros Tofino 1.0 Cut Out Saddle Syncros Tofino 1.0 Cut Out Saddle Syncros Tofino 1.0 Cut Out Saddle
Syncros Tofino 1.0 Cut Out Saddle

Syncros Tofino 1.0 Cut Out Saddle

7
by Stu Kerton
UPDATED Mon, Feb 11, 2019 15:46

First Published Feb 11, 2019

0
£129.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Well-made saddle with a comfortable shape, although the padding might be too firm for some
Weight: 
184g
Contact: 
www.scott-sports.com
How we test

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

What the road.cc scores mean

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

  • Exceptional
  • Excellent
  • Very Good
  • Good
  • Quite good
  • Average
  • Not so good
  • Poor
  • Bad
  • Appalling

The Syncros Tofino 1.0 Cut Out Saddle continues the theme of short seats that are growing ever popular. With a carbon-reinforced shell and carbon fibre rails, it's not a bad option for the price – as long as you like a firm ride.

  • Pros: Reasonably priced, integrated mudguard mount
  • Cons: Firm padding

Many riders, especially those who like to ride fast and crouch down over their bars, find short saddles appealing as the lack of a nose can mean more comfort, plus it allows you to open up your hip angle for improved performance. The Tofino 1.0, though, is aimed at endurance road riding and mountain biking, who rest primarily on their sit bones – hence the wider part of the saddle, according to Syncros.

> Find your nearest dealer here

Either way, I got on well with the shape and it spent most of the time on a Vitus 'cross bike I was testing at the same time. A bike that I'd sometimes like to bimble around on for hours on the gravel tracks or every so often take on a real smashfest on twisty singletrack through the woods with loads of tree roots and rocks giving you a far from perfect ride.

Syncros Tofino 1.0 Cut Out Saddle - detail

The 250mm length and 135mm width of the Syncros suited whatever style of riding I was doing. The only thing I would say is that the Tofino 1.0 is on the firm side when it comes to the padding.

Syncros Tofino 1.0 Cut Out Saddle - underside

Off-road, I could counteract that by knocking plenty of air out of the tubeless tyres, but out on the road the buzz from poor surfaces was quite noticeable and after a three-hour ride I definitely knew about it when I got back on the bike the next day. For me, personally, it wouldn't be my top choice for an endurance saddle.

The Tofino 1.0 comes in two versions, this one with the cutout and another without. The gap in the middle is designed to reduce pressure and avoid discomfort and numbness, and I certainly didn't get any here. One issue I find with some cutout saddles is that the padding around the hole isn't firm enough, which allows it to sag into the gap, but thanks to the Tofino's firmness this wasn't an issue either.

Syncros Tofino 1.0 Cut Out Saddle - nose

There is also the Tofino V 1.0, which is designed for faster riding styles and is wider at 145mm.

When it comes to value, the Syncros doesn't look too bad at £129.99. The Scicon Elan (review to come), which is a similar setup with carbon fibre rails and a carbon-reinforced shell, costs £180; it's a few grams heavier too, though arguably more comfortable. The Astute Star Lite VT Saddle also has the same construction and also costs £180 – well, a penny under.

> Buyer's Guide: 20 of the best saddles

Overall, the Syncros Tofino 1.0 is a good option as long as you are happy with quite a firm saddle, especially if you want to go down the short-nosed route.

Verdict

Well-made saddle with a comfortable shape, although the padding might be too firm for some

road.cc test report

Make and model: Syncros Tofino 1.0 Cut Out Saddle

Size tested: 250x135mm

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Syncros says, "Our top Endurance orientated saddle, the Tofino V is part of our V-Concept saddle program which was developed for the more flexible rider, particularly in the pelvis and lumbar spine, who tend to ride a more aggressive aero position. Their shape on the bike is similar to a V, hence the name. These riders sit towards the front of the saddle supported by their pubic rami. The riding position is lower in general and requires a slightly different shaped saddle. The 1.0 features our carbon rails for the ultimate in lightweight. The Channel version aims for larger contact area with the goal is to reduce pressure spots while still allowing contact with the saddle. Developed in conjunction with world renowned bike fit company Gebiomized, this saddle has been designed to offer the maximum tailored bike fit solution for an off the peg saddle."

I found the saddle to have a comfortable shape whether riding hard or more sedately.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Syncros lists:

RANGE OF USE Endurance Road and MTB

BASE Carbon-reinforced nylon

RAILS Oversized 7x9mm Carbon

FOAM Light PU

COVER Microfabric

SHAPE Cutout

DIMENSIONS one size 250x135mm

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

It's quite firm for an endurance saddle but I found it a nice shape.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Decent price for a carbon-railed saddle.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

I found the padding quite firm compared with other saddles I've been using lately.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

Compared to other carbon railed, short saddles we've tested lately, the Syncros is a good 50 quid cheaper at least.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes, although on longer rides the firmness was a bit much.

Would you consider buying the product? No

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

I like the shape of the Syncros and it offers good value considering the materials and quality of craftsmanship, but it could be a bit hard for some.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed

Syncros Tofino 1.0 Cut Out Saddle 2019
Syncros Tofino 1.0 Cut Out Saddle
Syncros 2019
Syncros
Stu Kerton

Since writing his first bike review for road.cc back in early 2009 senior product reviewer Stu has tested more than a thousand pieces of kit, and hundreds of bikes.

With an HND in mechanical engineering and previous roles as a CNC programmer/machinist, draughtsman and development engineer (working in new product design) Stu understands what it takes to bring a product to market. A mix of that knowledge combined with his love of road and gravel cycling puts him in the ideal position to put the latest kit through its paces.

He first made the switch to road cycling in 1999, primarily for fitness, but it didn’t take long for his competitive side to take over which led to around ten years as a time triallist and some pretty decent results. These days though riding is more about escapism, keeping the weight off and just enjoying the fact that he gets to ride the latest technology as part of his day job.

Latest Comments